Articles tagged "OC Foundation"
Gateway to Trades students mark program completion at Okanagan College
February 10, 2026
Students in Okanagan College’s Gateway to Trades program celebrated the completion of their studies during a graduation ceremony held Jan. 23, marking a milestone in their educational journeys.Gateway to Trades is a partnership between Okanagan College and the Central Okanagan School District that introduces students in Grades 10 to 12 to post-secondary education through hands-on training in skilled trades, including carpentry, electrical, automotive and sheet metal. The program is aimed at students who may not otherwise see post-se...
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Supporting those who care for us: A donor’s legacy in the South Okanagan
January 29, 2026
When former nurse Teri McGrath describes her support for Practical Nursing students at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus, she speaks with warm conviction. McGrath has become a quiet but extraordinary force behind the success of local nursing students, supporting their education through her Hands On Nursing Bursary. Teri McGrath Each year, she provides second-year students with a heartfelt gift that goes directly toward their tuition. It’s a gesture that says, ‘I see your effort, I believ...
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Building Careers from the Ground Up: Highstreet’s Impact on Trades Education
January 22, 2026
The skilled trades are making headlines. As experienced workers retire and infrastructure demands grow, the industry is evolving rapidly. Advances in technology, such as AI, robotics, and drones, are transforming traditional roles into efficient, data-driven careers, particularly in green energy, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Skilled trades offer stable, well-paying career paths that combine hands-on expertise with digital innovation, and they are essential to our future.Thanks to the generosity of Highstreet Ventures, a...
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OC Foundation celebrates $1.25 million distributed to students
December 4, 2025
When Bachelor of Business Administration student Adam Giffin stepped up to the microphone at this year’s Okanagan College Foundation Student Awards Reception in Penticton, he carried with him a story that resonated across the room, shaped by resilience, determination, and the power of community.Originally from England, Adam spent nearly a decade working in hospitality, eventually managing two busy bars before travelling through Australia, Asia, and Europe with his wife. They settled in the Okanagan in 2018, welcoming their first dau...
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Help nourish student success through food security
November 28, 2025
Over 56% of Canadian post-secondary students face moderate or severe food insecurity — 5 times the national average — driving many to skip meals. As this challenge grows amid rising costs, so does the need for meaningful support that goes beyond traditional financial aid and meets students where they are. When students have reliable access to nutritious food, they’re more likely to thrive academically, socially, and professionally.Did you know?Students with reliable access to nutritious food are 2x more likely to achieve a GPA above...
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Community thrives here: OC Foundation releases 2024–2025 Gratitude Report
October 22, 2025
It was an easy choice for this year’s Gratitude Report theme: Community thrives here.This phrase reflects the spirit that lives at the heart of everything we do at Okanagan College Foundation.When you give, you do more than support education. You help build a place where people belong, where dreams are nurtured, and futures are transformed. Your generosity reminds students that they are not alone as they navigate challenges like the rising cost of living, mental health pressures, and food and housing insecurity. Your support is a ha...
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Shopping for a cause: Sweet Repeats Consignment Co. partners with Okanagan College Foundation to support students
October 20, 2025
Sweet Repeats Consignments Co., in a donation partnership with Okanagan College Foundation, invites students and the community to two days of shopping for a purpose. On October 24 and 25, the Kelowna campus will transform into a boutique pop-up featuring previous donations from Sweet Repeats, a local Women’s Consignment clothing store in Kelowna. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Okanagan College Foundation to support student bursaries.In these challenging times, these are precisely the moments when we need to stan...
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From students to supporters — A full circle moment!
October 20, 2025
Alumni siblings Jennifer and Josh Tocher know firsthand the power of education and the difference it can make in someone’s life. That’s why they created the Tocher Family Culinary Arts Award, supporting the next generation of culinary talent at Okanagan College.This year’s recipient, Nathan Clark, recently completed the Culinary Arts program and will continue his studies in the Pastry Chef program to build on his skills and pursue his dream. “This award means so much to me. It’s helping me take the next step toward the Pastry Arts p...
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ELEVATE delights guests and fuels the next generation of culinary talent
October 16, 2025
Okanagan College (OC) hosted a night of mentorship, creativity and inspiration as alumni, instructors, and students joined forces with some of the region’s most celebrated chefs for Elevate: An Okanagan Experience.The Oct. 4 event transformed the Kelowna campus into a vibrant piazza alive with flavour, artistry, and community spirit, all in support of OC’s future Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism.The evening showcased the best of Okanagan’s culinary scene, with locally renowned chefs — many of them College alumni or former instructo...
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Okanagan College Foundation debuts ELEVATE: an Okanagan experience
August 21, 2025
A pair of local legendary chefs will lead two powerhouse teams in a culinary competition at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus this fall, as a new feature event from the Okanagan College Foundation will bring a battle of flavours and an evening of sensory delight to campus.Mark your calendars – on Saturday, Oct. 4, Chef Rod Butters and Chef Bernard Casavant will transform the Kelowna campus into a vibrant, first-class piazza for the inaugural ELEVATE — a tantalizing fundraising event that celebrates the region’s culinary and artistic...
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Big assist: Callahan Property Group gives major gift to recreation centre
June 2, 2025
It’s an inspiring gift set to empower youth, strengthen community ties and champion the power of education.Bruce and Bob Callahan, philanthropists and owners of Callahan Property Group, are donating $200,000 to the Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus.Bruce Callahan, president of Callahan Property Group, says the family-owned business prides itself on supporting community organizations.“We are thrilled to support this centre,” says Bruce. “I am an Okanagan College alumni and ...
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Okanagan College, City of Kelowna partnership “game-changing”
May 6, 2025
With construction well underway on the new Okanagan College Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre, the College and the City of Kelowna are announcing a new, game-changing partnership.“We’re so excited for the Centre to open because it will mean students have incredible access to sports leagues, strength and mobility classes, wellness programs and so many other activities that help build connections and contribute to healthy lifestyles,” said Dr. Neil Fassina, OC president. “Working together with the City means we can pr...
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Thorpe and Friends celebrate 100th student award
April 16, 2025
Okanagan College Foundation is celebrating a significant milestone in philanthropic giving. Two students — Keira Chevallier and Angelina Sebastian — both in the Health Care Assistant program, received awards from Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and friends whose generosity has now supported over 100 students in total.“When we started these awards nearly 20 years ago our goal was to reach 100 students,” shared Rick Thorpe at a ceremony marking the achievement yesterday.“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our friends. Everything...
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GeoVerra’s gift helps students navigate futures in engineering
April 14, 2025
Future civil engineers at Okanagan College (OC) are getting a high-tech boost, thanks to a generous donation from GeoVerra.GeoVerra has donated six global navigation satellite survey (GNSS) systems, valued at $77,900, to OC’s Civil Engineering Technology program. This cutting-edge equipment ensures students, like first-year learner Lane Wiebe, gain practical, hands-on experience with tools they'll use in today’s technologically advanced construction industry.“Knowing that companies like GeoVerra are invested in our success is p...
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Final stretch: $1M left to cross finish line for Thrive Here campaign
March 27, 2025
Kelowna Auto Dealers Association donates $200k in support of Recreation and Wellness CentreThe home stretch is now in sight for the Thrive Here fundraising campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre on Okanagan College’s (OC’s) Kelowna campus.The OC Foundation is celebrating $13 million raised towards the $14 million goal thanks to amazing support from the community including a $200,000 donation from the Kelowna Auto Dealers Association (KADA). “This is a meaningful project for us to support,” says Sam Ghessesow, KADA ...
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Belonging through sport
March 11, 2025
Having grown up in small-town Manitoba, Ryan Powers knew everyone. So, at 17 years old, he remembers how daunting it felt to move out of the comforts of his hometown to Kelowna, where he really didn’t know anyone, to attend Okanagan College (OC).Powers recalls that what made the transition easier was knowing he would be joining the OC Coyotes baseball team.“At my first practice I met 50 of my best friends,” recalls Powers, who has been playing on the Coyotes baseball team for three years while pursuing a bachelor of business adminis...
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