News

Red River College’s Rebels Athletics program got a bit of a facelift this year — in the form of renovations to the North Gym that will allow fans to get even closer to the action.

In the past, the gym’s bleachers were located in the upper-level exercise loft, which — in addition to wreaking havoc with the loft’s schedule for users — also created a serious disconnect between Rebels’ fans and the athletes they were cheering on.

No longer! As of last February, the North Gym’s bleachers have been located courtside, where they belong. In addition, the gymnasium’s floors were repainted and re-finished (complete with a full-scale Rebels logo at centre court), and all the walls were treated to a new coat of paint. Read More →

Red River College’s Electrical Engineering Technology department is pleased to again offer Kids Kamp — a free program that introduces Grades 7 and 8 students to the field of electrical and electronic engineering technology.

The College will offer a number of sessions at both the Roblin Centre and the Notre Dame Campus, running every Saturday morning (9 a.m. to noon), from February 25 to April 7, 2012.

Students will learn some basic theory, but the emphasis of each session will be on developing practical skills, and on encouraging younger students to consider careers in science and technology.

Classes are limited to a maximum of 16 students, and sessions have filled up quickly in previous years, so those interested are encouraged to apply early in order to avoid disappointment.

For more information, or to access application forms, contact Taryn Presley at 204-632-3803 or tpresley@rrc.mb.ca.

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.” Read More →

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.

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. Read More →

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.

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. Read More →

Red River College recently produced a special report, Building the Community, which outlines the tremendous economic and social impact the college has throughout Manitoba.

“Community is a concept that resonates throughout our academic programs, our institutional activities, and our partnerships with industry and non-profit organizations,” explains Stephanie Forsyth, President of RRC.

The report shares the success stories of our alumni, and highlights important college initiatives like the development of the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, the growth of our applied research program, and our work with community organizations to enhance child care services in Winnipeg’s North End.

Building the Community was distributed province-wide in the November 26th edition of the Winnipeg Free Press. An expanded version of the report is available at www.rrc.ca/buildingcommunity.

(From left): RRC President Stephanie Forsyth; Hon. Erin Selby, provincial Minister of Advanced Education & Literacy; RRC student Eric Fritzsche; Hon. Vic Toews, federal Minister of Public Safety.

Red River College (RRC) hosted a special event at its Notre Dame Campus today to highlight new facilities and renovations that have been funded by the federal and provincial governments through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).

New energy-efficient greenhouses, a landscape construction shop, and a power engineering centre have all been added to the campus, while the automotive technologies building has undergone significant enhancements.

“Across Manitoba, colleges and universities have benefitted from federal investments in research and training facilities through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program,” said Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba. “At Red River College, these investments have not only improved and modernized the environment in which RRC students learn, they have bolstered Manitoba’s economy and created jobs during a period of economic downturn.”

“These new and enhanced facilities will expand and strengthen education opportunities for both the Power Engineering Program and the Greenspace Management Program allowing more students to qualify for apprenticeships and sophisticated applied research projects,” said Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy Erin Selby. “Projects like this demonstrate the steps our province is taking to support economic growth by investing $1.6 billion into infrastructure to stimulate the economy through education and job creation.”

The federal and provincial governments each contributed $2.125 million to upgrades at the Notre Dame Campus. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce it has again been named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 Employers. For the second year in a row, the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers have recognized Red River College as a leader in providing an exceptional workplace environment for employees.

“We’re really proud to have achieved this honour for the past two years,” said RRC President Stephanie Forsyth. “Red River College places a high priority on creating a positive work environment and creating a sense of belonging to a college community that cares about the people who work here. Every year we learn more about how to enhance our efforts.”

As it was last year, RRC was again recognized for supporting staff success through its People Plan initiative, and for providing exceptional benefits such as: three weeks of vacation for new employees; maternity top-up payments; a defined benefit pension plan; a flexible health care plan; and an on-site daycare. The College was also recognized for its efforts to improve environmental sustainability, which earlier this year earned a designation as one of Canada’s 50 Greenest Employers for 2011.

“Having a positive work environment offers many benefits,” said Forsyth. “It makes us more competitive in recruiting new talent. It reduces staff turnover, which saves money and ensures the College has a stable base of institutional knowledge. It improves productivity because satisfied employees who feel empowered in their roles are a lot more enthusiastic about their work. And importantly, it creates an environment in which people know they are a significant and vital part of an organization committed to excellence.”

For more information on Manitoba’s Top Employers, see www.canadastop100.com/manitoba.