Community Support
College's modern dental clinic gets a boost from 123Dentist
June 28, 2021
123Dentist, Canada’s largest majority dentist-owned network of dental practices, is giving $30,000 to support Ŕ¦°óSM’s state-of-the-art dental space located in the new $18.9-million Health Sciences Centre. The new clinic is a major upgrade for Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) students, who can now learn in private operatories comparable to today’s dental practices along with smart cameras and monitors for teaching and instruction. Ali Bozorgzad, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of 123Dentist, says his organizatio...
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OC offers condolences to the Cowessess First Nation and all those impacted and in mourning
June 25, 2021
This statement contains content about residential schools that we recognize may be triggering. If you need immediate emotional assistance or crisis support, please see the supports (bolded) below. Ŕ¦°óSM respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc. On Thursday, June 24, the Cowessess First Nation confirmed the ...
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Partnership dishes up meal ideas by OC Culinary Students and local food products
June 24, 2021
A new partnership between Ŕ¦°óSM and produce supplier company Farm Bound is bringing locally sourced organic foods to your doorstep with delicious summer-ready recipes crafted by OC Culinary Arts students. Food-lovers can now order the OC Inspiration Box from the Farm Bound website. The box has fully portioned ingredients for recipes to make Middle Eastern Chicken Za’atar, Carrot and Radish Salad, Pea Risotto with Asparagus and a spice blend to make your own Za’atar Spice Mix. Not only will you learn new recipes but also...
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Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
May 31, 2021
Ŕ¦°óSM respectfully acknowledges that our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. On Thursday, May 27, the Tk’emlĂşps te SecwĂ©pemc confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. On behalf ...
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Stewart family invests in health at Ŕ¦°óSM
April 16, 2021
The Stewart family is donating $50,000 to support the education of health care professionals at Ŕ¦°óSM. The gift will recognize Rosemary and Richard “Dick” Stewart. Dick, a founder of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Kelowna City Councillor, passed away nearly one year ago at the age of 94. According to his son Ben Stewart, MLA for Kelowna West, the gift reflects his father’s passion for education. “My dad believed education creates opportunities for people to lead independent and fulfilling lives,” says Ben. “He saw educa...
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RIPE with opportunity: Join OC for a conference showcasing applied research in the region
April 9, 2021
From proposal writing to hydroponics, chemotherapy to climate change, and early childhood education to engaging with marginalized populations, the region is RIPE with applied research projects and Ŕ¦°óSM is inviting you to attend its free showcase event to hear about the innovative research projects happening in your own backyard. RIPE (Research, Innovation and Partnerships Expo) is happening on May 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. as a virtual event, allowing people from across the region to attend. The event is an opportunity...
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Knuever Legacy Fund makes major investment in Vernon students
March 30, 2021
A new awards fund at Ŕ¦°óSM will more than double the value of annual support available for students attending the Vernon campus. Kurt and Jutta Knuever have donated $210,000 to create the K&J Knuever Legacy Awards, which will provide up to $70,000 annually in tuition and living support to students entering trades programs or the Health Care Assistant program over the next three years. The awards reflect the value the Knuever family place on education, especially hands-on skills training that can add value to an indi...
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OC business students take trio of first-place finishes at Enactus Western Canada Regionals
March 30, 2021
Ŕ¦°óSM business students enjoyed a fruitful victory at the Enactus Western Canada Regionals, earning three first-place finishes and ensuring their ticket to the National Competition in May. The Regional competition took place last week in a virtual format with teams from a multitude of post-secondary institutions submitting their student-created and student-run initiatives that seek to positively impact communities in a social, economic or environmental way. The award-winning OC Enactus initiative FruitSnaps was entered...
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EV skills training powering up at Ŕ¦°óSM and other B.C. colleges
March 29, 2021
More automotive technicians in B.C. can upgrade their skills to work on electric vehicles (EVs) through the expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program to Ŕ¦°óSM and other institutions in the province. On Monday, March 29, the B.C. Government announced $440,000 through the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric program and in partnership with Trades Training BC (TTBC); the program will be offered at Ŕ¦°óSM’s Kelowna campus, College of New Caledonia’s Prince George campus and Camosun College’s Interurban campus in V...
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Long connection inspires major gift by Friesen family
March 22, 2021
A decades-long connection to Ŕ¦°óSM and a desire to give back to community is inspiring a $150,000 donation by the Friesen family to the Ŕ¦°óSM Foundation. The family gift will support the Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete and equip the College’s new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. The gift reflects a strong connection to the College. Dianne Friesen worked at Ŕ¦°óSM in the mid-1970s. In 1984, her husband Rod started Voyager RV and their son Jason who is running the business ...
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Retired nurse donates $50k to Health Sciences Centre
March 11, 2021
Many things have changed since Delphine Stone went to nursing school more than 60 years ago, but she’s sure one element still holds true: the positive role education plays in one’s life. In honour of the value of education, Stone is donating $50,000 to the Our Students, Your Health campaign for a new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. “Education really changed my life,” recalls Stone, who was the youngest of 11 children and grew up on a farm near Battleford, Saskatchewan. Stone remembers receiving a $100 award from ...
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OC offers up weekend Trades courses for DIYers and hobbyists
March 10, 2021
DIYers, hobbyists and makers: mark your calendars. Ŕ¦°óSM is offering up a series of safe, distanced but still hands-on courses to help you build some new skills this spring. The College’s Trades and Apprenticeship department is launching two new short courses this month. Auto Master – Women is happening on Sat., March 27. This one-day, all-female workshop introduces the basics of car maintenance. Practical lessons will include learning how to change a tire, the purpose of coolant, oil changes, and what to touch and not ...
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Enactus OC’s CANsave program celebrates remarkable reach, new financial literacy resources for youth with diverse needs
March 9, 2021
Ŕ¦°óSM’s Enactus team is marking a memorable milestone this month, having mentored more than 50,000 Canadian children through its CANsave financial literacy program – and the program’s latest focus may be its most inspiring yet. Developed entirely by Ŕ¦°óSM students, CANsave teaches youth important financial literacy skills like saving for tomorrow, differences between good and bad debt, and the importance of saving to help others in need. CANsave launched in 2016 with a focus on teaching students in Gr...
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CFUW Kelowna celebrates 60 years of empowering women
February 26, 2021
Before there was Ŕ¦°óSM or the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), a small group of women met to discuss how they could contribute to their community and promote higher education for women. Today, that group, known as the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Kelowna chapter, are celebrating 60 years of community impact and support for female students. More than $175,000 has been donated to female students at Ŕ¦°óSM over the last 30 years including eight awards for students this year alone....
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A date with OC: A Valentine’s dinner surprise
February 9, 2021
Last minute Valentine’s day plans aren’t always the most memorable, but Ŕ¦°óSM’s restaurant, Infusions, has a solution for you this Saturday that offers an unforgettable dining twist – everything is a surprise. What do we know about this surprise evening? Infusions Restaurant is opening its doors this Saturday, Feb. 13, to offer diners a Valentine’s culinary adventure to remember, where they won’t know what dish is coming out next. Diners will sit down for a five-course dinner menu created by OC Pastry Arts chef Danny C...
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Giving to the health of the community
January 29, 2021
A retired Kelowna couple are donating $30,000 to Ŕ¦°óSM’s Health Sciences Centre to support the health of the community. Jim Hodgson and Joy Bianco are supporting the Our Students and Your Health Campaign with a gift they say recognizes their passion for the Okanagan. “Kelowna is a beautiful place. We’ve seen so many changes here for the positive, and it’s feels good to support the community,” says Bianco, who was born in Kelowna but spent her formative years in Vancouver. Bianco adds education has always been central ...
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