A graduate of RRC Polytech’s nursing program, Kim Kotelo spent the first year of her career as an acute care nurse at Health Sciences Centre, working through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She passed away in April.

The Kim Kotelo Memorial Award for Nurses is valued at $1,000 and will be presented annually to a student completing the third year of the Bachelor of Nursing program.

The award was established by Mark and Sharon Evans, who read about Kim’s story in the Winnipeg Free Press shortly after she died. The story painted a picture of young woman full of life, dedicated to serving her patients. When the pandemic struck, for instance, Kim would often spend her break time sitting with patients who weren’t allowed family visitors.

“We were so moved by the loss of someone who still had so much to give,” says Evans, who is CEO of Winnipeg-based financial technology company Conquest Planning.

No stranger to hospitals thanks to his own health struggles, he says he owes his life to the “miraculous people – the doctors and nurses who care for us day in and day out.”

Establishing the award is his way of giving back. Mark and Sharon will also be matching donations made to the award fund.

“You can’t change what happened, but you can make a difference. You can start something that hopefully inspires others to take positive action. We want to honour Kim’s memory and encourage people like her. Especially during this pandemic, we want to recognize the sacrifices they make to become nurses and keep the rest of us safe. We want them to know that we care, too.”

Those sacrifices are realities Kim knew all too well in her own education and career. Eleanor Kotelo, Kim’s mother, says her daughter worked long hours throughout the pandemic, often without any contact with her own family members for extended periods of time. “Yet she went in to work every day, giving hope to her patients and the best she had to offer as a nurse.”

Eleanor says her family is “humbled by the generosity of Mark and Sharon Evans, who never met Kim but felt compelled to honour her memory in this way. I do believe there are angels among us.”

According to Eleanor, nursing was Kim’s childhood dream.

“She wrote it in her journal at age 12: she wanted to be a paediatric nurse. Many years later, during her clinical rotation, she saw the life-changing impact of lung and respiratory medicine and changed her focus to that.”

Her instructors describe Kim as someone who embodied all the qualities that make someone an exemplary nurse: caring, compassion and drive. Kim also assisted on MAID (medical assistance in dying), which solidified her belief in advocating for people to be in control of their own health.

“Kim believed in helping others, serving those who were less fortunate, extending a hand to those in need. She had a huge heart,” says Eleanor. “In her younger years she volunteered at a senior home, a women’s shelter, and the Children’s Hospital. As a teenager, she was the kind of person who stood up for younger classmates who were being bullied. As a new nurse, she gifted shoes and a uniform for a nursing friend even though she didn’t have much extra money of her own. In winter Kim would buy gloves and hats and distributed to those who didn’t have any.”

What those who knew Kim best will miss, however, is her smile, her infectious laugh, and her bubbly personality.

“She could walk into a room and without demanding any attention and get it anyway – by being genuinely interested in and curious about the people she met or knew. She could put anyone right at ease. They felt like they knew her.”

Kim was also a passionate traveler and explorer who preferred to go off the beaten track than follow a tour guide. She was a bargain hunter whose flair for style impressed friends and coworkers.

“And she was a spitfire. She listened to her patients and made sure the doctors treating them knew everything they needed to give them the best care.”

Eleanor remembers Kim’s ability to connect with patients through experiences they shared. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 17, Kim went from being “angry and scared to educating herself and sharing her knowledge with others. One day while she was on duty, she was challenged by a diabetic patient. Kim rolled up her sleeve to reveal her diabetic tattoo, and said, ‘I live that life too.’”

She hopes the award will inspire and celebrate nursing students “who make patients feel special and loved, who listen to them and hear their needs, who act as advocates on their patients’ behalf, and who leave a positive impact on those around them.”

TO QUALIFY FOR THE KIM KOTELO MEMORIAL AWARD

The recipient must have successfully completed a Senior Practicum in a surgery setting or respiratory medicine, demonstrate a caring and compassionate attitude with patients and colleagues, show a commitment to their education through attendance and participation, and have a strong work ethic.

Application forms will be available from the Nursing Repository and should be accompanied by one reference letter that attests to the applicant’s compassionate attitude with patients, as well as a short written statement from the applicant expressing why they should be selected for the award.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year, and the recipient will be selected annually in the fall.

SUPPORT KIM KOTELO’S LEGACY

Mark and Sharon Evans have generously committed to matching all donations to the Kim Kotelo Memorial Award for Nurses Fund. You can strengthen the impact of Kim’s legacy by donating in the following ways:

• Online (please designate your gift in memory of Kim Kotelo)
• Over the phone by calling 204-619-0139
• By mail: 

Red River College Polytechnic Development Office
C306-2055 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9

An accessible workspace in Red River College Polytechnic’s Manitou a bi Bii daziigae offers students a chance to collaborate, create and explore new ideas using advanced technology.

The Red River College Students’ Association (RRCSA) Sandbox Zone is a multi-use area that encourages a collaborative approach to projects, small seminars and presentations. It gives students a safe space to work, while pushing them to be creative, strategic, adaptable and innovative problem solvers.

“The RRCSA Sandbox Zone was one of our favourite choices from the beginning when we started going over our donation options with the College. We made our choice very carefully, and I was very glad we chose this room,” said Avery Halldorson, RRCSA President and Business Administration student at RRC Polytech.

The main floor space is viewable from the public agora and is accessible for all students to work, research, and share ideas.

“It’s on the first floor, which we liked—we want the things we support to be accessible for all students. I hope students from all walks of life can come together and create something beautiful within the space,” she said.

The space will be outfitted with advanced technology for students and entrepreneurs to play, test and experiment with 3D printers, ultra-fast processors and secure networks. Entrepreneurs, industry professionals, businesses, government, educators and community members can dream, develop, test and implement solutions to their unique problems with the help of highly engaged RRC Polytech students and faculty.

“I’m really excited for the technology that’s going to be inside the Zone for students to use. It will be a very innovative space,” said Halldorson. “Together, students can make a difference, create new opportunities and help leave this world a better place than we found it. With everything going on in the world, RRC Polytech students can create something that will change the future,” she said.

The area will act as an extension to the highly successful ACE Project Space, where individual groups are steps away from mentors in the form of peers, faculty and industry partners during class time.

As both a student and RRCSA president, Halldorson appreciates RRC Polytech’s willingness to work with students and address their needs.

“Especially in the last two years, the College has done a really good job at listening to students and keeping students’ safety top of mind. With the Manitou a bi Bii daziigae opening, there are so many opportunities for students to grow and innovate today,” said Halldorson.

“The College is known for adapting to change and making those changes for the better, and constantly recognizing when they need to make improvements,” she added.

The RRCSA is one of the largest supporters of RRC Polytech, and it’s a relationship that Halldorson expects to continue for years to come.

“I hope RRC Polytech and the RRCSA can continue to offer opportunities for students heading into the workforce, allowing them to be ahead of the curve. Change is a big part of life and making sure the College can keep up with that change and teach students to be adaptable and go into the workforce with that knowledge is important,” she said.

The RRCSA, formed in 1963, acts primarily as an advocate for student concerns, publishes a student newspaper, and offers many different services, opportunities, support and activities for students throughout the school year.

In Front of What’s Ahead is a $60M comphrehensive campaign to help RRC Polytech make a difference in the lives of all Manitobans.

Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) annual Directions conference was back this year, and bigger than ever thanks to generous support from title sponsor RBC Future Launch.

More than 2,300 students and 150 industry professionals gathered online November 4 for Directions 2021, which featured an inspiring slate of keynote speakers, panel discussions and virtual networking opportunities, making it the largest Directions in the conference’s 20-year history.

The purpose of Directions is to connect students with industry and business professionals and leaders – those who have their fingers on the pulse of emerging trends, future career possibilities, and the real-world challenges of working in their chosen field. These insights can be invaluable to helping students decide if they’re on the right course in their education and career goals.

“The world of work is changing faster than ever, and to get ahead of what’s coming next, you need a strong sense of direction today more than ever,” says Kirk Johnson, Dean, School of Business, Information Technology & Creative Arts and Dean, School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts at RRC Polytech. “This conference is all about giving our students that sense of direction.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Joelle Foster, chief executive officer of North Forge Technology Exchange, one of Manitoba’s largest start-up incubators and accelerators. Introducing Joelle was RRCSA President and third-year Business Administration student Avery Halldorson.

“Joelle’s positive message about overcoming adversity and believing in yourself really resonated with me,” she says. “Hearing someone of her stature talk about her personal experience with imposter syndrome was hugely empowering, and I think it gave us all a boost of confidence as we look forward to embarking on careers of our own.”

Another highlight was blind Oji-Cree musical artist Matthew ‘Mattmac’ Monias, who delivered a special concert. You can access a recording of the concert online.

Because the virtual format of Directions 2021 allowed more students to participate, organizers expanded the event to include RRC Polytech’s School of Indigenous Education, School of Continuing Education, regional campuses, and Information Technology program.

“Great ideas happen when you bring together students from different backgrounds and perspectives,” says Johnson. “We’re also mirroring the realities of today’s workplaces, where you’ll collaborate with professionals from other disciplines than your own.”

Free access for more than 2,300 students wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of RBC Future Launch. The program is a commitment to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

“We’re excited to be working with RRC Polytechnic to showcase what can happen when we empower and enable young people to be future ready,” said Mandi Taylor, RBC Regional Director, Marketing and Citizenship. “RBC Future Launch seeks to bring Canada together around the potential of youth by collaborating and supporting programs that provide access to work integrated learning, future skill development, mentors, and resources for youth mental wellness. This is an idea that we have in common with the Directions Conference – an imaginative and innovative forum bringing youth together with industry around ideas, stories, and the determination to create real world solutions that will help our communities thrive and prosper.”

 RBC Future Launch supports the next generation of learners

RBC Future Launch aims to help break down the barriers facing young people. In 2020, for instance, RBC committed to providing $50 million in focused funding through RBC Future Launch to create meaningful and transformative pathways to prosperity for up to 25,000 Black, Indigenous and People of Colour by 2025, with investments in areas such as skills development and mentoring.

At this year’s Directions conference, RBC employees hosted eight different round table discussions on topics ranging from human resource management and accounting to information technology and the not-for-profit sector. Herb Zobell, RBC Vice President, Commercial Financial Services Indigenous Markets moderated a session called The Mysteries of Financial Services. Kevin Shaw, Senior Director Advice Centre and a member of the RRC Business Administration Advisory Board, participated in the networking lounge and met with numerous students.

“Our support always includes participating directly in the initiatives we’re standing behind financially,” says Taylor.

RBC Future Launch is aimed at preparing young people for the new world of work by promoting the digital skills now prevalent in all industries, as well as complex problem solving, financial literacy, creativity, and tech skills in trades.

In addition to the Directions conference, for example, RBC supports a number of RRC Polytech programs and initiatives that focus on boosting access to mentorship, work-integrated learning, and innovation through collaboration. These include the Ten Thousand Coffees platform, which pairs students with alumni working in their field for one-on-one mentorship and virtual networking opportunities.

“Research shows that 85% of people acquire jobs because of who you know,” says Taylor. “But the reality is, not everyone has equal access to networking opportunities, including students living in remote communities. Initiatives like Ten Thousand Coffees and events like Directions break down those barriers.”

RBC funding also supports RRC Polytech’s adoption of the Riipen virtual platform, where student teams complete real-world projects for clients around the world. RBC funding also supported the ACE Project Space, a program that puts student teams to work developing software, apps, and other projects for entrepreneurs in residence and other clients from the local start-up community.

“Winnipeg is making a name for itself as a tech and innovation hub,” says Taylor. “We want to help develop our homegrown talent in that area as well.”

And RBC Future Launch will soon host an ongoing series of Collision by Design discussion and networking events at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, formerly known as the Innovation Centre.

L-R: Sharnell McDougall and Leona Monias are two of the students who worked on the Solidarity Kitchens project

For Sharnell McDougall, food insecurity isn’t a concept she’s had to learn about – it’s a reality that shaped her life and focused her plans for her future.

The 21-year-old Indigenous Culinary Skills student comes from Red Sucker Lake First Nation, a fly-in reservation where fresh, high-quality ingredients were hard to come by.

“Although we grew up on an isolated reserve, my family always made sure that we were well fed. My mom inspired me to cook and be resourceful with what’s available.”

That inspiration, mixed with a generous helping of Food Network cooking shows, served her well when Sharnell moved to Winnipeg at age 13 and began cooking meals for her grandmother.

“Those cooking shows taught me how to put ingredients together in ways that are exciting and nourishing,” she says. “My dream is to open my own restaurant that serves Indigenous comfort food.”

Last year, her dream led her to culinary school. Then came the pandemic, wreaking havoc on the food service industry and cutting off avenues for the co-operative education experience she was required to complete for her program.

This was a challenge Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) suddenly found itself facing on several fronts: how to provide co-operative education and work-integrated learning opportunities under rapidly changing health directives, and with a growing number of industry partners struggling to weather the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Part of the solution was to reallocate College facilities, equipment, and expertise in the service of community efforts to fight the pandemic. That presented an ideal opportunity for Chef Ben Kramer, who was then spearheading the Manitoba arm of the Solidarity Kitchens initiative.

Solidarity Kitchens, launched at the start of the pandemic by food insecurity charity La Tablée des Chefs, challenged suppliers, farmers, restaurants, hotels and other food service organizations across the country to donate food that would otherwise go to waste, and transform it into meals for those in need.

Chef Kramer’s goal was to produce 50,000 meals for Harvest Manitoba in 10 weeks. To reach that goal, he needed help processing mass quantities of ingredients into ready-to-eat meals. The College, impressed by Kramer’s experience leading similar initiatives, donated kitchen facilities and equipment from its culinary school. In turn, Kramer provided Sharnell and two other students the co-operative education experience and mentorship they needed to graduate.

“It wasn’t glamourous work, but it was important,” says Kramer, who is widely regarded as one of Winnipeg’s top chefs. “We were processing massive amounts of ingredients donated by local suppliers, so the student had to work fast.”

Sharnell admits it was overwhelming at first, “just in terms of the sheer number of meals we had to make. But then we fell into a rhythm. We learned how to organize, prevent spoilage, package the meals, work as a team – all the skills we need to work in kitchens or lead our own someday.”

In August, the team exceed their goal, producing a total 52,950 Spanish omelettes for Harvest Manitoba.

Ryan Whibbs, Chair of the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at RRC Polytech’s Paterson Global Foods Institute, says, “Partnerships like the Solidarity Kitchens project are incredibly valuable to RRC Polytech because they demonstrate how deeply we’re embedded in our community, and they help us connect with and serve our communities in new ways. They create opportunities to put students’ skills to work for those in need, when and where they’re needed most.”

Kramer’s goal was to go beyond basic culinary skills training and open students’ eyes to the role the food services industry can play in addressing food insecurity, a problem that continues to plague our society.

“We live in a precarious system, and the pandemic has given that system a huge shake. The drama and the excitement of what we see on Food Network competitions and reality shows is only one side of the story we can tell through culinary arts programs. By feeding the hungry and giving back, we have the power to transform our communities.”

Sharnell says she gained a lot from Chef Kramer’s insights, and valued “the experience of being part of the solution.” She’s heard directly from members of community support groups who have told her how much they enjoyed and appreciated the food provided by the project.

After the Solidarity Kitchens project wrapped up, Kramer connected Sharnell with a job opportunity as a line cook at the University of Winnipeg’s Diversity Food Services. She plans to return to RRC Polytech to continue her culinary studies – and pursue her dream of making food for the heart and soul.

“Learning how to make healthy and nutritious meals is something very important to me and I want to share that knowledge with my community.”

Whibbs says he hopes to see more partnerships like this in the future, and encourages College alumni and donors to support them because of the impact they can have on students and the community, especially through the creation of scholarships and awards that celebrate student success in working to address food insecurity.

A Manitoba company built to empower and promote women in motorsports is revving up by providing an annual award of $1,000 to a woman in the final term of trades programs at Red River College.

Tina Stefanson, owner of Machine Girl Motorsports Company, says she launched the Machine Girl Fearless Female award to make it easier for women at the start of their skilled trades training. The award will cover tuition, but also includes a unique gift package that includes equipment and gear from the Machine Girl Motorsports Fearless Female workwear line.

“Tools and gear can make it expensive to start a career in trades,” she explains. “I want to help women get started on their journey in every way I can.”

A graduate of the RRC’s Computer Accounting Technician and Distance TIG Welding programs, Stefanson says skilled trades and motorsports go hand in hand – and today, more women are climbing the ranks of both.

“Ultimately, I want to see women acknowledged as equal contenders in all areas of motorsports, and to be recognized as equal tradespeople for their abilities, contributions, talents and hard work.”

Stefanson started riding dirt bikes at age nine, and began customizing cars, trucks and motorcycles at 17. She’s raced in the A-Mod class at Red River Coop Speedway, where she also worked on a pit crew.

“I’ve always had a burning passion for anything with an engine,” she says.

She launched the Machine Girl brand in 2015 to promote, empower and support female on- and off-road moto and motorsport enthusiasts. In 2018, the company grew into Machine Girl Motorsports Company (MGMC), and now offers motorsports apparel and workwear for women in trades, as well as motorcycle safety instruction.

Stefanson says the company’s goal is to reach across the world and create a community of women supporting one another in motorsports.

“One of our mottos is: We are Creating a Revolution of Women in Motorsports. I firmly believe this to be both true and possible.”

Award Description

A $1000 has been established by Machine Girl Motorsports Company, a one of a kind company built to support, empower, and promote women in all areas of motorsports. Machine Girls Motorsport Company was created from humble beginnings; mixed with a burning passion for anything with an engine and the want to share that passion with women across the globe by owner, Tina Stefanson. This award is available to a woman, who is in the final term required to complete a trades program at Red River College. Eligible programs are: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer; Aerospace Manufacturing; Automotive Technician (Certificate or Diploma); Cabinetry & Woodworking Technology; Carpentry (five-month); CNC Machinist Technician; Collision Repair & Refinishing; Electrical (five-month); Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic; Manufacturing CAD; Marine and Powersports Technician; Plumbing (five-month); Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician (five-month) and Welding. The award is intended to cover the cost of tuition first. Along with the financial award, the selected recipient will receive a gift package from the donor. Eligible students need to demonstrate a financial need and be maintaining satisfactory academic achievement . The application deadline is October 15th.

A new award celebrating the life and legacy of Red River College alumna Shannon Gray will recognize nursing students who demonstrate a passion for helping others.

Gray graduated from the Bachelor of Nursing program in 2016 and looked forward to a promising career as a Registered Nurse. She passed away from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma two

years later at the age of 28, before she had the opportunity to fulfil her dream of becoming a working RN.

The award was established by her husband, Aaron Trachtenberg, as a way to celebrate her legacy and to provide support to other young nurses in her honour.

“Shannon believed the right way to live your life is to dedicate it to helping others,” he says. “She loved nursing because of the direct connection it gave to those she was caring for.”

The award, worth $1,000 or more annually, will be presented each fall to a student graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing program who has successfully completed a senior practicum in a paediatric or oncology setting. Preference will be given to applicants who express an interest in paediatric oncology.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of Shannon’s family and friends, who are providing an incredible opportunity for nursing students to achieve their dreams. Many members of our faculty and staff had the chance to meet and work with Shannon while she was a student, and we’re proud her legacy will have an impact on other hard-working, dedicated nurses,” says Debbie O’Donnell Weigelt, Dean of Health Sciences and Community Services at RRC.

Trachtenberg says that while the award recognizes academic achievement, it is also meant to celebrate and encourage the qualities of caring, compassion, and collegiality for which Gray was known.

“That last one – helping and supporting those you work with – is so important because how you treat your colleagues shapes your working environment and, ultimately, the quality of care you provide.”

Trachtenberg, a doctor, says working in a hospital over this past year has opened his eyes to the enormous challenges nurses faces as they strive to deliver an uncompromising level of care to those they serve.

“I often see RRC nursing students hard at work on their clinical rotations, and I want to encourage them to maintain their caring and compassion, and willingness to help each other as much as possible.”

Gray graduated with distinction and received the Nursing Legacy Award for outstanding clinical performance. Although she never had a chance to work as an RN, she did get her license, passing her NCLEX exam in the minimum number of questions required.

She also completed a senior practicum in paediatric oncology, a challenging field she found immensely rewarding – to the surprise of absolutely no one who knew her, say friends and family. “There was a mutual joy between Shannon and any child she engaged with.”

Gray’s classmates remember her relentless work ethic, willingness to help others, and natural ability to make those around her feel valued.

In a tribute to Gray, one classmate who witnessed her compassion and superior clinical reasoning skills in class described her as “the perfect balance of the art and science of nursing practice.”

“The As she achieved on many assignments were not only due to her knowing the ‘right answer,’ but because she paired the correct answers with humanity,” added one of her instructors in another tribute. “Nursing has lost a huge potential in the care Shannon will never give to her patients.”

Trachtenberg wants Gray to be remembered not only as a great nursing student, but as an incredible person.

“Everyone she met immediately felt comfortable around her. She loved kids and animals, and could beat me at any sport.”

Applications for the Shannon Gray Memorial Award for Nurses will be available from the Nursing Repository, and will be accepted throughout the year. Applications should be accompanied by two reference letters – one from a preceptor, one from a faculty member – along with a short write-up about the candidate’s future goals in their area of interest.

SUPPORT SHANNON’S LEGACY

Your gift has double the impact. For a limited time, all gifts made towards the Shannon Gray Legacy Award will be matched (up to $25,000) by Shannon’s husband Aaron Trachtenberg. Please donate today to help support the future generation of hard-working, compassionate nurses in Manitoba.

You can contribute to the Shannon Gray Legacy Award Fund and strengthen the impact of her legacy by donating in the following ways:

• Online (please designate your gift in memory of Shannon Gray)
• Over the phone by calling 204-619-0139
• By mail: Red River College Development Office

C306-2055 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9

AWARD DESCRIPTION:

Shannon Gray memorial award for Nurses

Shannon Gray (1989-2018) was an accomplished graduate of Red River College’s Bachelor of Nursing program, who had a promising career ahead of her as a Registered Nurse. She was a bright light, and lived life with courage and exuberance while practicing gentleness and kindness in each interaction. It was her dream to become a pediatric nurse, and it was the prospect of providing care that gave her hope while fighting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The award will honour Shannon’s legacy, and support Nursing students with a passion for helping others. Established by her loving husband Aaron Trachtenberg, along with family and friends, this award will be valued at a minimum of $1000 and presented annually to a student graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing program. The recipient will have successfully completed a Senior Practicum in a pediatric or oncology setting with a preference for those who have expressed a particular interest in pediatric oncology specifically. They will also have demonstrated a high level of skill and academic achievement, but most importantly a caring and compassionate attitude with patients and colleagues. Application forms will be available from the Nursing Repository and should be accompanied by two reference letters: one from a preceptor and one from a faculty member, and a short write up about their future goals in the interest area. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, and the recipient will be selected annually in the fall.

Students in Red River College’s (RRC) Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology programs will soon be eligible for a new award, established by Magellan Aerospace Corporation to honour the late James (Jim) S. Butyniec.

Jim Butyniec had a lifelong career in aerospace, including 23 years at Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg (formerly Bristol Aerospace) and Magellan’s corporate headquarters in Toronto, Ontario where he was President and CEO from 2008 until his retirement in 2015. While he did not have the opportunity for a formal education himself, he appreciated those who did and surrounded himself with a team of knowledgeable and effective colleagues who shared a commitment to making the business successful.

“Red River College and Magellan Aerospace have been proud partners for more than 20 years, and we are honoured that Magellan has created this award to support students in our Engineering Technology programs,” said Derek Kochenash, Dean, Skilled Trades and Technologies at RRC. “Aside from technical skills – adaptability, good communication and teamwork are some of the most important qualities a skilled tradesperson can have, and are things we aim to instill in each of our students.”

Recipients of the award will be required to have the same entrepreneurial attitude and adaptability that Jim carried with him every day. In 1997, when Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg’s production shifted to predominantly commercial aerospace, it was Jim who took the helm and implemented a toolbox of proven best industry practices (including the Lean processes of 5S and Value Stream Mapping and Six Sigma). Within two years, Jim’s strategy for change – coupled with his straightforward and hands-on management style – accomplished a change in the culture and business practices of the company, and grew its reputation in the competitive global market.

“In recognition of Magellan’s appreciation of our long and enduring partnership with Red River College, the company is pleased to establish the Magellan Aerospace James (Jim) S. Butyniec Memorial Award.  Jim’s leadership style included a dedication mentoring and developing employees and we know that he would be honored to see this continue in the form of this student award,” said Phillip C. Underwood, President and CEO of Magellan Aerospace Corporation.

Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg is a leading employer of RRC alumni in various roles, such as technologists, quality assurance, purchasing, business development and marketing. In 1997, the two organizations – along with Boeing Canada and Manitoba Aerospace – worked together to create RRC’s Aerospace Manufacturing Technician program, which closed the gap on a specific industry need and has trained up to 32 students per year ever since.

In addition to the Magellan Aerospace James (Jim) S. Butyniec Memorial Award from Magellan Aerospace Corporation, Magellan’s local Winnipeg facility provides two $400 awards annually to students entering their second year of Engineering Technology programs at RRC.

For more information about Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries at Red River College, click here.

Magellan Aerospace James (Jim) S. Butyniec Memorial Award Outline

Magellan Aerospace Corporation is a global aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers and defence and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced proprietary products for military and space markets, and provides engine and component repair and overhaul services worldwide. 

To celebrate and remember their former President and CEO, Jim Butyniec, who was a respected leader in the aerospace industry for many decades, awards valued at $1000 each will be presented annually to students at Red River College. Jim and his family immigrated to Canada after World War II. The early years in Canada were not easy.  From these humble beginnings, Jim worked hard and made himself a success story. This award for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Technology students, who have demonstrated leadership qualities during their studies at the College, will keep Jim’s story celebrated for many years.

Two awards are available annually, and recipient selection will be based on, leadership qualities, financial need and academic standing.  One $1000 award is available to a domestic student enrolled in the final term (307) of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. The other award is available to a domestic student enrolled in the final term (307) of the Electrical Engineering Technology program. To be considered, eligible students should submit a completed application accompanied by a reference letter from an instructor, attesting to the student’s leadership qualities

Students entering business programs at Red River College have the opportunity for their education to be covered thanks to the generosity of community leader Gary Coleman.

The Gary Coleman Award for Inner-City Scholars helps students build successful careers on their own and removes barriers to post-secondary education, from enrollment to graduation.

The award is available to graduates of eight inner-city schools in Winnipeg who have been accepted into RRC’s Business Administration, Business Information Technology, or Business Technology Management programs. Recipients are free from the worry of financial barriers as the award covers the cost of tuition, program fees, books, and supplies.

With the help of this award, young students can hone their skills in three of RRC’s business-based programs, receiving the high-quality learning they need to become leaders in their careers.

Read More →

Recipients of the Gene Haas Foundation/Thomas Skinner Awards

Intrigued by the prospect of using computers to do a job he was trained to do by hand, Brian Carmona enrolled in Red River College’s CNC Machinist program to learn the computer numeral code that instructs the high-precision welders, cutters and other tools used in advanced automated manufacturing.

Now, two years later, he’s the recipient of the 2021 Gene Haas Foundation Legacy Award, given each year to a student in the CNC Machinist or CNC Machining & Advanced Technology program.

The recognition, he says, “has changed my life.”

“I’ve always loved the process of turning materials into useful things,” says Carmona, who began his manufacturing career right out of high school, working as a plasma operator for a company that built trucks for agriculture.

Before long, it became clear to him that trading the cutter for code would open up new career prospects in an industry shifting rapidly towards automation.

However, when Carmona wasn’t learning CNC in class, he was working long hours to make ends meet. Receiving the Gene Haas Foundation Legacy Award, which covered the cost of his tuition, program fees, books and supplies, removed the financial burden and let him focus on his training.

Now he has his sights set on becoming a Red Seal Machinist or Red Seal Industrial Mechanic/Millwright after completing RRC’s CNC Machining & Advanced Technology program – an opportunity, he says, that would have been impossible without the award.

Carmona is one of 17 RRC students honoured this year by awards and bursaries funded by the Gene Haas Foundation and presented in partnership with Thomas Skinner & Son. The Gene Haas Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Haas Automation, the largest machine tool manufacturer in the western world. Thomas Skinner & Son is the Haas Automation distributor for Western Canada.

Awards like these are vital to drawing students to programs aimed at filling critical workforce gaps, says Mark Blackner, Chair of RRC’s Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing programs.

“As a manufacturing hub, Manitoba is home to big industry players hungry for employees trained in advanced skills and technology. We’re grateful for this partnership because it ensures our students, equipment and facilities stay at the cutting edge, so we can support the manufacturing industry as it continues to grow and change.”

The manufacturing industry spans a wide range of sectors, adds Blackner, including transportation, medical technology, and agriculture – continuously adding to the need for highly specialized skills in computer-aided drafting, design, manufacturing, 3D printing, and mechatronics.

RRC’s partnership with Haas and Thomas Skinner began in 2008, when the College approached the two companies about acquiring CNC machines to help students catch up to the technology.

Since then, the partnership has grown to include scholarship and bursary support, and a $500,000 investment in the Haas Innovation Lab at the College’s Skilled Trades and Technology Centre, where manufacturing industry partners work with RRC experts and students on applied research projects. Thanks in part to this investment, the College now has one of the largest and most advanced manufacturing training programs in the country.

Paul Krainer, president of Thomas Skinner & Son, says he and his father, who owned the company before him, both saw the value of investing in education after they began supplying machines to local high schools.

“By forging deep relationships with schools and polytechnics like Red River College, we have a direct hand in training the future of our business. Technological advancement and disruption mean that training programs can’t lag behind. They must always stay one step ahead – and that takes ongoing investment.”

That belief was shared by Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation, whose generous financial support drives the partnership forward.

Krainer says the results of the partnership and others like it are already bearing fruit across the industry.

“We’re seeing more and better-trained people pursuing careers in precision manufacturing – and a stronger workforce making our country’s industry more globally competitive.”

As of today, a majority of the more than 400 Kromatix BIPV panels have been installed along the exterior of Red River College’s new building on Elgin Avenue.

The building, a hub for creative arts, technology and social innovation, includes specialized spaces and technology that will help students stay ahead of the curve today’s rapidly changing industries. A few of the new programs slated to launch this fall include:

• Digital Film and Media Production
• Data Science and Machine Learning
• Communication Management
• Interaction Design and Development
• Video and Motion Graphics
• Game Development – Programming
• Game Development – Design
• Full Stack Web Development