Convocation

Alumni Engagement

News, Profiles and Events

Calling all Indigenous Grads: William Prince Concert & Alumni Reception November 17

November 4, 2016

The drum is a powerful instrument. Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island refer to it as the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It is used in many spiritual and sacred ceremonial practices. Some say the beat of the drum has the power to change natural elements, including the weather. It is believed to have the power to heal sickness, and some believe it has the power to send messages both to the animal world and to the spirit world.

Stop by RRC’s Notre Dame Campus for an incredible evening that includes a concert by William Prince, a singer/songwriter from Peguis First Nation, and an opening ceremony featuring traditional drumming and prayers by an RRC elder.

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A Night of Vintage: Alumni Wine & Cheese Recap

November 4, 2016

Graduates of RRC business and applied arts programs got together for an evening of networking and reminiscing on November 3, 2016 at the College’s School of Business and Applied Arts alumni reception. Guests wined and dined in the Roblin Centre’s beautiful atrium. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out – see you at next year’s reception or at another alumni event in the near future.

From hardship to mentorship: Community Development grad helps high school students find their way

November 2, 2016

Othello Wesee has struggled to get to where he is today, and he’s devoted his life to helping kids so they don’t have to do the same.

Growing up in a refugee camp in Liberia, Wesee saw his fair share of violence, struggled to find clean drinking water and faced a serious lack of opportunity – even though he tried to make the best of things at all times.

“I coached soccer teams in grade school back home,” he says, adding he has always been one to improve his community.

The good news is Wesee was able to immigrate to Canada in 2004. The bad news? His wife, Vivian, then pregnant with their son Othello Jr., was not. During his first few years in Winnipeg, Wesee worked to save enough money to sponsor them – just one of the hardships the young family faced during their seven-year battle with immigration services. He also worked to make his new downtown neighbourhood a brighter place by organizing soccer teams for newcomer and inner city kids in Central Park.

Wesee knew he would need an educational boost to further his community-minded career, and found a perfect fit in Red River College’s Community Development/Community Economic Development program. He was able to quickly obtain the skills he required while taking the one-year program, all while working weekends to support his family in Liberia. He graduated in 2010, and also went on to earn his Health Care Aide certification at RRC. Read More →

Calling all trades grads: Building the Future alumni reception on Nov 9

October 28, 2016

For the fourth alumni reception in our series, we invite graduates of a trades program to our Notre Dame Campus for a short, after-work evening of reminiscing with great food and good company. Each registration includes one complimentary drink.

For one night only, we’re transforming the Voyageur and showcasing the interesting projects our school has built or is working towards. Check out our four focus stations: automotive, manufacturing, aviation, and construction trades. Connect with your classmates, other industry professionals, and past instructors.

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Fall Fling Mixer: Alumni Reception Recap

October 26, 2016

Graduates of RRC health science and community service programs got together for an evening of networking and reminiscing on October 25 at the College’s School of Health Sciences and Community Services alumni reception. Guests toured some of RRC’s coolest learning spaces, including our paramedicine, animal health technology, nursing, pharmaceutical, and community service labs. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out – see you at next year’s reception or at another alumni event in the near future.

Calling all Business & Applied Arts Grads: Alumni Reception Thursday, November 3

October 25, 2016

For the third alumni event in our series, we invite graduates of a Business and Applied Arts program over to our beautiful Exchange District Campus for a fun after-work networking reception. The event is free, and the food, entertainment, and company will be great – we’re excited to see you there!

For one night only, we’re transforming the Roblin Centre atrium to take you back to the turn of the century. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, delicious appetizers, and jazz entertainment while mixing and mingling with alumni from your industry. 

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Calling all health & community grads: alumni reception on Tuesday, Oct 25

October 20, 2016

For the second alumni reception in our series, we invite graduates of a Health Sciences or Community Service program over to our Notre Dame Campus for an evening of after-work networking and reminiscing.

Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, snack delicious appetizers, and tour one of our incredible new labs: nursing, paramedicine, pharmaceutical, animal health technology, and community services.

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Graphic Design grad’s star burns bright

October 19, 2016

Accidental entrepreneur Amanda Buhse found herself burning the candle at both ends after co-founding one of Winnipeg’s hottest startups two years ago.

When the 2006 Graphic Design – Advanced grad and her best friend Tom Jansen created their Coal and Canary Candle Company brand, they expected to sell a few hand-poured soy-and-vegetable wax candles to friends and family. A few months later, they were scrambling to fill Oscar and Grammy Awards swag bags and meet demand from their first retail clients.

“Coal and Canary kind of started as a hobby, just as an extra creative outlet and an excuse to hang out with my best friend Tom,” says Buhse.

“He had gotten into candle-making a couple of years prior and got really good at it and asked me if I wanted to join up, because I had the marketing and the graphic design backgrounds, so I could do the branding and the website and packaging and all that.”

Buhse, 31, was working full-time as senior web designer for fashion retailer Ricki’s and Jansen, 26, was in nursing school when they started making candles in Buhse’s kitchen. Before long, they were moonlighting in a rented 150-square-foot studio where they could make 24 candles each night. Next thing they knew, the business had taken on a life of its own.  Read More →

Retro Game Night: Alumni Reception Recap

October 13, 2016

Graduates of RRC technology programs got together for an evening of networking and reminiscing on October 12 at the College’s tech alumni reception. Guests interacted with some of RRC’s newest projects in the field, including our robot Baxter, solar car, and electric bike. They also checked out technology from days gone by, including vintage calculator collections, arcade games, and brain puzzles. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out – see you at next year’s reception or at another alumni event in the near future!

Calling all Tech grads: Alumni event next Wednesday!

October 6, 2016

Stop by RRC’s Notre Dame Campus for some after-work networking and reminiscing. For one night only, we’re transforming the Voyageur into a fun and funky retro gaming lounge, showcasing how far technology has come over the decades. Mix and mingle with alumni from your industry and enjoy delicious drinks and appetizers. Play retro video games and check out exhibits like our robot Baxter, RRC’s solar car, and instructors’ vintage calculator collections.

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RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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