Monthly Archives: December 2011

Continuing Studies Instructor Helps Bring Main Street Mosaic to Life

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Red River College Continuing Studies instructor Ursula Neufeld has helped transform one of Main Street’s most colourful landmarks into a similarly eclectic downtown showpiece, while at the same time providing a creative outlet for those struggling with mental illness, addiction and homelessness.

Neufeld, a local visual artist who teaches Early Childhood Education courses at RRC, has for the last two years served in a lead role on a community arts project launched by local artists at the Red Road Lodge, 631 Main St. (formerly the New Occidental Hotel, now a transitional housing complex for at-risk individuals).

The result is a stunning outdoor mosaic located on the Lodge’s north-facing wall — one that’s inspired by traditional Aboriginal teachings, but also reflective of the diverse backgrounds of the hundreds of people who’ve contributed to its completion.

“We wanted to do something beautiful for the neighbourhood — to share in the creative process with the people here,” says Neufeld of the creative types behind Studio 631, an arts and culture resource housed within the Lodge. “But they didn’t just want to do a painting — they wanted to do something different.” Continue reading →

CreComm Students Host Charity Radiothon

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Just in time for the holiday season, Red River College students in the Creative Communications program are putting their skills to good use by holding a radiothon in support of the Christmas Cheer Board today. “Kickin in for Christmas Cheer” will be broadcast on the campus radio station, 92.9 KICK FM from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“The students are entirely responsible for promoting, producing and being on-air during the radiothon on Thursday,” says Red River College’s radio instructor, Dan Vadeboncoeur. “Creative Communications gives the students the skills they need to put on events like this and I am extremely proud of how far they’ve come since the beginning of the program.”

Students will have hampers set up at both the Exchange District and Notre Dame Campuses on Thursday, and are inviting students and the public to bring a non-perishable food item or a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Christmas Cheer Board.

Research Director Speaks Before Senate Committee

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Ray Hoemsen, RRC’s Director of Applied Research and Commercialization, will speak before the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources at its hearings in Winnipeg today.

Hoemsen will outline how the applied research capabilities of the College have been supporting innovation in advanced transportation and energy, including:

  • The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle cold weather testing project.
  • Our work with MCI to design a more energy-efficient bus prototype.
  • Our partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and New Flyer to develop an all-electric transit bus.
  • The creation of the Electric Vehicle Technology and Education Centre at the Notre Dame Campus.

“Supporting applied research to adapt, adopt and improve existing technologies and put these technologies into commercial use is one key element to support a Canadian energy strategy,” he said. Continue reading →

Restricted Hours During Holiday Break 2011

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Red River College will again operate this year on restricted holiday hours, effective 4 p.m., on Fri., Dec. 23rd, 2011. Regular hours of operation will resume at 7 a.m., on Tue., Jan. 3rd, 2012.

During the break, general access to the Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses will be limited to the following hours:

  • Dec. 23rd: Regular hours until 4 p.m.
  • Dec. 24th: 8 a.m. – noon
  • Dec. 25th & 26th: Closed — no access
  • Dec. 27th – 31st: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Jan. 1st: Closed — no access
  • Jan. 2nd: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Jan. 3rd: Regular hours resume, effective 7 a.m.

During the above hours, lab access on the Notre Dame Campus and the Roblin Centre will be limited to the classroom labs listed below. Students who are in one of the designated labs prior to closure will be given a four-hour grace period (until 4 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the day) to complete their studies or project before being asked to leave. Continue reading →

Second-year Students Receive Animal Health Technology Awards

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Congratulations go out to the nine students in Red River College’s Animal Health Technology program who received the following awards, scholarships and bursaries after completing the program’s first year:

  • Julie Edmonds: First Year Performance Award (worth $250; awarded to a student who demonstrates academic proficiency and technical abilities during their first year of studies).
  • Rachel Harms: Manitoba Animal Health Technologist Association Award (worth $200; awarded to the AHT student with the highest academic standing after completion of their first year).
  • Sophie Rey: Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association Bursary (worth $300; awarded after completion of first year).
  • Kendall Young: Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship (worth $300; awarded after completion of first year).
  • Marnie Elgar: Purina Student Achievement Award (worth $500; awarded by Nestle Purina PetCare to the overall top student in both skills and academics following completion of first year, and completion of the “Daily Nutrition Matters” online course.)
  • Cynthia Tonn & Susan Hepburn: Barbara Nagler Memorial Bursary (worth $1,750 and $1,250, respectively; awarded to AHT students with a demonstrated financial need and volunteer spirit, who complete first year with a minimum 3.0 GPA).
  • Heather Mays & Vanessa Geirnaert: Sophie Katarynych Award (worth $600 each; awarded to two AHT students who demonstrate financial need and academic success after first year).

Click here for more information on RRC’s Animal Health Technology program.

A New Generation Of Manufacturing Specialists

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Welding instructor Gary McCallum gives students a welding demonstration during the third annual Youth in Manufacturing Expo. (Photo courtesy Winnipeg Free Press)

Middle school students from throughout Manitoba will get a first hand look at the manufacturing industry today, while taking part in an expo aimed at encouraging teens to begin thinking about their post-secondary and career options.

The third annual Youth in Manufacturing expo, taking place Thu., Dec. 1, 2011, at Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus, will give Grade 9 and 10 students from local schools a chance to explore the impact of the manufacturing sector on Manitoba’s economy. It will also provide them with a range of industry-related educational options to consider as they begin planning for life after high school.

“The world of manufacturing may have changed, but one thing has remained constant — the need for highly skilled workers,” says Lori Royal, Program Director at Skills Canada Manitoba. “Computers, advanced technologies and processes are redefining the way products are designed and produced. Innovation, improvement and increased productivity are no longer the future — they’re the norm.”

During the morning, students will take part in one of four offsite industry tours (at Duha Group, MacDon, Motor Coach Industries and WinPak), where they’ll learn about the innovative processes and practices that allow local manufacturers to compete in the global marketplace. Continue reading →