TD gives $85,000 to help kids and newcomers access Okanagan College’s Indigenous Garden
October 18, 2022
Hawthorn, wolf willow, and sage are among the traditional plants growing in the garden on the hillside at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, which this year was visited by more than 250 local school children, thanks to generous support from TD Bank Group. TD’s gift, made earlier in 2022, is funding tours of the K'nmaĺka Senqâĺten - Kalamalka Indigenous garden for children and newcomers to Canada. The garden is located on Okanagan College’s Vernon campus. Okanagan College has already received a portion of the funding; the remainder...
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Okanagan College welcomes new Associate Director, Indigenization
October 17, 2022
Okanagan College is pleased to welcome Rhea Dupuis, x̌ʷnámx̌ʷnəm, as the College’s first Associate Director, Indigenization. Rhea, from the Syilx Okanagan Nation and a member of the Penticton Indian Band, brings more than 20 years experience to OC, working in both public and Indigenous education systems, as well as with mental health and wellness organizations. Rhea’s traditional name is x̌ʷnámx̌ʷnəm, a Syilx name which means Hummingbird. “I am both thrilled and grateful that Rhea has chosen to share her wisdom, skills and experie...
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OC alum honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation
October 17, 2022
Sorting through her mail on a recent trip to the mailbox, Okanagan College (OC) alum Danielle Walker received a surprise - the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. “The award was completely out of the blue,” says Walker. “I knew I had been nominated, but the timing was such a surprise. I just took it in for a minute at the mailbox and cried.” The award recognizes post-secondary students who make outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy and reconciliation and is the culminatio...
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Fall Open House and Info Sessions return at Okanagan College
October 14, 2022
High school students, parents and people of all ages considering post-secondary education – mark your calendars. Okanagan College is opening its doors this fall for a series of Open Houses and Spotlight Sessions across the region, the first of which is happening at OC’s Salmon Arm campus on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Events will then follow: Open House and Spotlight Sessions in Penticton on Wednesday, Oct. 26 First Year FAQs in Vernon on Oct. 26 and Open House and Spotlight Sessions on Wednesday, Nov. 2 Open House in Kelowna on Saturd...
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Social media, global food trends highlight new BC BTAC speaker series
October 13, 2022
A new series of TAC Talks, presented by Okanagan College’s BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC), will highlight the latest trends in the beverage industry, including TikTok videos, policy updates and market influences. The talks, which are open to anyone who works in or has an interest in the beverage industry, begin this month with a session from a TikTok social media expert and will be followed by two more speakers in the coming months, delving into regulations and label changes as well as global food fads. “We’re exc...
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Meet Chef Rob Walker
October 12, 2022
Q: What is your name? A: Chef Robert Walker Q: What did you take at OC/OUC? What years did you attend? What campus did you attend? A: I graduate from the Culinary Arts Certificate program at Okanagan University College in 2001. Q: Why did you choose your program at OC? A: I grew up in the Kootenays not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. But I always loved food. In the back of my head was this question, “How do I become a chef?” I had my eye on the Okanag...
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Real Adulting 101
October 11, 2022
Students at Okanagan College (OC) have a new opportunity to learn skills they will need to take into adulthood with a unique new partnership between OC and Kelowna company Real Adulting 101. “We should’ve learned about this in high school. How many times have you said this while sitting down to do your taxes, or after the incredibly overwhelming process of buying your first home?” said entrepreneur and founder, Brittany Clough, who developed Real Adulting 101. Real Adulting 101 and Okanagan College have joined forces to offer the ...
Read more...OC’s 3 Hour Short Story Contest returns to challenge young writers
October 11, 2022
Calling all bloggers, bards and balladists: Okanagan College is inviting young wordsmiths to ply their trade under a tight time limit for bragging rights and prizes. The OC 3 Hour Short Story Contest returns in 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to gathering restrictions. Aspiring authors who are up for the challenge will need to make careful use of the 180 minutes they’ll be given to craft a compelling original short story at the contest, which will be held Nov. 5 from 1 – 4 p.m. at each of the College’s campuses in Penticton, Kelo...
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Okanagan College’s Red Dot Players return with series of funny folk tales
October 6, 2022
For the first time ever, the Red Dot Players, Okanagan College’s community theatre troupe, will present a fall production this year, delving into the world of fables and folk tales. The Red Dot Players will present Folk Tales: Grimm & Otherwise this fall, the first time the community theatre company has produced a show in the fall, in addition to its regular spring-time feature. “This production has been bouncing around in my head for many years,” said Mike Minions, the show’s director and producer, and recently retired Okana...
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OC alum honoured for culinary contributions in the kitchen and classroom
October 6, 2022
An award-winning local chef has earned the highest accolade bestowed by Okanagan College’s Alumni Association (OCAA). And the sweetest part? The nomination came from those following in his footsteps – his students. Chef Rob Walker is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award from OCAA. The award recognizes Chef Walker’s outstanding contributions within his community and industry. The OCAA has been conferring the Distinguished and Young Alumni Awards since 2002 to honour the extraordinary contributions and recognize...
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