RedBlog

RRC Appoints New President & CEO

The Board of Governors of Red River College is proud to announce the appointment of Stephanie Forsyth as the institution’s next President and CEO.

Forsyth is currently the President of Northwest Community College (NWCC), based in Terrace, British Columbia, serving 10 communities in northern BC. She has held this position for the past ten years.

"Red River College is a dynamic and innovative institution that makes a significant contribution to the social and economic development of Manitoba," said Forsyth. "It is a good fit with my values and leadership style and a terrific opportunity."

Forsyth cited RRC’s national reputation, growing applied research program in sustainable technology, capital expansion plan and focus on aboriginal education as factors that drew her to the position.

"Stephanie’s positive and supportive leadership style will nurture the people-centered culture we’re creating at Red River College," said Sheryl Feller, Chair of RRC’s Board of Governors. "The Board is particularly impressed with her commitment to enhancing post-secondary education for aboriginal students, which is a strategic priority for the College and the Province."

At NWCC, Forsyth has woven indigenous knowledge and traditions into the college culture, and strengthened ties with aboriginal communities through initiatives like the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, the House of Learning and Applied Research, and the Challenge the Paradigm Conference on decolonizing post-secondary education. She is of Blackfoot ancestry, and is an adopted member of the Tsimshian Nation.

Forsyth has also been a leader within the Canadian college system in advocating for sustainability. She has challenged her colleagues across the country to green their campuses, initiated an ambitious plan to make NWCC a carbon-neutral institution, and overseen construction of several LEED Gold construction projects.

Prior to joining NWCC in 2000, Forsyth spent seven years as Dean of Community & College Partnerships and Dean of Career & Vocational Programs at Capilano College. She has also previously worked as an instructor and academic leader at Malaspina University College, Vancouver Community College and Selkirk College.

Forsyth holds a Bachelor of Arts from Acadia University, a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia, and is currently completing a PhD in Higher Education from Deakin University in Australia. She is a Director of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the BC Achievement Foundation, Science World British Columbia, and the BC Post-Secondary Roundtable on Aboriginal Education.

Forsyth’s progressive vision, passionate leadership, and tireless work have brought vibrancy and innovation to NWCC, resulting in a college actively engaged in the social and economic development of the northwest and a leader in Aboriginal education. She leaves NWCC well-positioned for continued excellence.

Forsyth will assume her new position on September 27, 2010. Catherine Rushton will continue to serve as Interim President & CEO until that time.

RRC Wellness Committee – The Take 5 Challenge

Staff at RRC are feeling a bit healthier and energetic thanks to the Wellness Committee at the College.

Two weeks ago, the Wellness Committee encouraged staff to take part in the “Take 5 Challenge”, an initiative encouraging staff to take five minutes each day to enhance their well being.

There were free yoga lessons, “Meet and Greet” events with various departments, exercise groups run by Recreation Services, plus daily tips on how to relax and feel good while at work.

At one Meet and Greet, Sara MacArthur, Sustainability Manager at RRC, hosted an information session on the College’s recycling program and composting program at the Notre Dame Campus.

• The recycling program started in 1999 and collected paper and aluminum
• RRC recycled nearly 500,000 lbs of material last year
• RRC diverts about 300 lbs of organics from the landfill daily and sends it to its on-site compost pile

The Civil Engineering Technology (CET) department also played host to RRC staff wanting to know more about its program area. CET instructors demonstrated different GPS surveying equipment and let the guests try it out. They also toured staff through the College’s Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) located at the Notre Dame campus. The CARSI building is the first dedicated research lab at a college in Manitoba. Some interesting facts about CET:

• CET is the second-largest program at RRC with seven different program areas and the new Construction Management degree program
• CET trains students to use high-quality GPS equipment that can measure to a spot within a centimeter

Besides the information sessions, one of the most popular activities during the week was the potluck lunch. Departments were encouraged to host or join a potluck lunch with others at the College. This was the second time organized potlucks were held at the College this year and they were even more successful this time around. The event built upon a tradition established by areas such as Aboriginal Education and ACCESS Programs, who held a potluck and invited everybody from the College community to join. All around, people shared a lot of food, laughs and a good time.

RRC Regional Campuses also participated in many of the activities, which truly made the “Take 5 Challenge” a College-wide initiative.

Upcoming Wellness Committee events include a breakfast and a walkathon to kick-off College Week on Monday, June 7.

The Wellness Committee was established as part of RRC’s People Plan to help foster and sustain a healthy campus community for students and employees through the development and implementation of a holistic health and wellness program that is comprehensive, accessible and affordable.

2010 RRC Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Innovative and entrepreneurial, John P. Gale made his mark in the mineral drilling industry before turning his attention to real estate development.

A native of The Pas, Gale began his career setting up remote telephone systems in Northern Manitoba after obtaining a Certificate in Radio and TV Servicing from Keewatin College.

Seeking greater challenges, he moved to Winnipeg to pursue a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Red River College. Gale graduated in 1980 and began working in research and development for Midwest Diamond Drilling.

With Gale leading the way, the company revolutionized the industry through the development of a new bit that was capable of drilling rock at three times the speed of the technology it replaced.

Gale and three business partners subsequently bought Midwest in the mid-eighties, forming a new operation called Dimatec Inc. The company continued to develop innovative drilling products and manufacturing methods by assembling a strong and capable engineering team coupled with the most current technology available.

Numerous awards were given to Dimatec as a testament to the strength, dedication and professionalism of its employees. ISO-9000 Quality Assurance certification, a "Best in Business" award from Manitoba Business Magazine and membership in "Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies" were highlights of a long list of accolades.

Gale decided to semi-retire in 2008 to spend more time on his beloved Lake of the Woods. But after a few months the entrepreneurial bug bit again with the opportunity to acquire a significant amount of property from the town's former largest employer, AbitibiBowater.

Gale has since developed an ambitious plan to transform Kenora into a world-class tourist and business destination, including the development of several major new resort and residential properties over the next decade. He recently sold his ownership interest in Dimatec to help finance the project.

Gale will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni award at the RRC convocation ceremony at 7:30 pm on June 3rd.

Revving up education at RRC

Longtime Red River College partner, Toyota Canada, donated two vehicles to the automotive programs at the College on Wednesday.

The two vehicles, a Corolla Sport and a Lexus RX350, will be used as teaching aids for the instructors and will create hands-on learning opportunities for the students. 

Vince Di Vetta, Area Parts and Service Manager at Toyota Canada, explained that the vehicle donation is only a small part of the partnership with Red River College. “From providing scholarships and work experience opportunities for students to hosting workshops for instructors at local dealerships, Toyota Canada is committed to the education of automotive technicians,” says Di Vetta.

Ken Webb, Vice-President, Academic and Research at Red River College, says partnerships with industry are important to provide students with the best training possible.

“Donations of vehicles and equipment are crucial to the continued success of automotive programs at the College,” says Webb. “Giving students the opportunity to work on actual vehicles helps prepare them for their careers after graduation.” 

Start your engines

First-year students in RRC's Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program showed off their latest projects during the 10th Annual Stirling Engine Run-off event on April 16, 2010.

On display were student-built Stirling engines running on nothing but warm air and ice. Stirling engines work by converting energy from heat into mechanical work and were invented in the early 1800s as a rival to the steam engine.

The first-year MET students built their own miniature Stirling engines from scratch. First, they used CAD software to design their engines and then they took the designs into the shop to manufacture them. Every piece of the engine, except for the screws, was manufactured by the MET students.

Lights, Camera, Action!

The next generation of TV news anchors and weather reporters were honing their skills at Red River College last week as part of the RRC/Manitoba Moose Respond to Reading program.

A grade five classroom from Niji Mahkwa School won the TV broadcast field trip through the Respond to Reading program and got to experience what life is like inside a TV studio. Students took turns reading the news from behind the news desk and doing the weather in front of a green screen while their classmates watched on televisions throughout the studio.

Now in its tenth year, the Respond to Reading program is designed to encourage students in kindergarten to grade five to get into reading in a fun, motivational way.

Pizza party at RRC

Last week, a grade four class from Ecole Noel Ritchot shut their textbooks, put on chef’s hats and made some delicious food at Red River College.

The culinary experience came as part of a prize for being selected as one of the winning classrooms in the RRC/Manitoba Moose Respond to Reading program. The program, now in its tenth year, is designed to be a fun, motivational way to encourage children in kindergarten to grade five to read.

RRC Culinary Arts students and instructors helped the 30 grade four students make personal pizzas and decorate cookies. Afterwards, the kids had a pizza party in the cafeteria before getting a tour of the campus.

Cre Comm students showcase their work

Second-year Creative Communications students at Red River College are showing off their Independent Professional Projects (IPP) at the Park Theatre from March 10 to March 12.

The IPP is a self-directed course that Creative Communications students are required to take in their second year. Here’s how it works:

1. Students come up with an idea for a project and present it to a panel of instructors. Projects generally fall into one of four different categories: creative, promotional, documentary or research-based.
2.  Once approved, students spend the next year completing it.
3.  After the project is complete, students market their work through the appropriate channels.

During the free, three-day IPP Presentations event, over 60 students will be making 10-minute presentations about their work to peers, industry and the general public. Projects being presented include novels, documentaries and events, just to name a few.

Take a look at the IPP Presentations program to see a full listing of students and the projects they are presenting.

RRC takes part in the Olympic Torch Relay

A member of Red River College’s Executive Committee is already feeling the spirit of the 2010 Winter Olympics, a month before the actual games.

David Rew, Vice-President of Student Services and Planning, was asked by Coca-Cola to be an Olympic torchbearer because he represents staff, faculty and student interests through his work at the College.

“When you’re asked, it’s one of those things that you think won’t happen. When [the Vancouver Organizing Committee] called me, I was quite surprised,” says Rew.

An avid runner, Rew carried the Olympic torch on Thursday, January 7, for 300 metres in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

He says his favourite Olympic sports are bobsledding at the Winter Games and marathon running at the Summer Games.

With the Olympics back in Canada, Rew says that not only are the 2010 Games good for Canada’s economy, but they also bring out the best in Canadian pride.

“It’s fantastic. Whenever we’ve hosted the Olympics, whether it was the Winter Games in Calgary or the Summer Olympics in Montreal, it does a lot for the country.”

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games kick off in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 12.

Regional campus gets into the Olympic spirit

When the Olympic torch passed through Winkler on January 7, 2010, students at the Red River College Winkler Campus got into the spirit and participated in one of their own traditions -- an annual hockey game.

This year’s installment was titled “The Torch Relay Hockey Game” to commemorate the Olympic torch coming through Winkler.

The boot hockey game, which pits the staff, Dental Assisting and Applied Counseling students against the Business Administration students, is held on the campus parking lot and is a thee-year tradition for the staff and students.

 “It’s a friendly competition that gets the staff and students together,” says Isabel Bright, Regional Manager for the RRC Winkler Campus.

This year, the all-girls team faced off against the mixed Business Administration team, but despite having more players, the girl’s team lost.

“It’s just for fun, but the business students don’t like to lose,“ says Bright, joking about her team’s loss. “It’s only because the boys played like boys that we lost.”