By Stacy Cardigan Smith (Creative Communications, 2006)

One of Red River College’s newest counsellors is a long-standing pillar in the local LGBT* community – and now his involvement and support has been recognized with an award from Manitoba’s LGBT* Chamber of Commerce.

Chad Smith, who joined Red River College in late August, was given the Community Leader Award during the LGBT* Chamber’s Annual Business Awards in late October. The award recognizes an individual, business or organization that has made a significant, long-term contribution to Manitoba’s LGBT* communities.

“It was amazing,” Smith says of the award. “It’s very nice to be recognized for the work and the contributions you do because that’s not why we do it. We don’t do it to be awarded, so to have something like that happen is very flattering and honouring and humbling.”

Prior to joining RRC, Smith spent four years as executive director with Rainbow Resource Centre, a not-for-profit providing support, education, programming and resources to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit communities of Manitoba and North Western Ontario.

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For the first time ever, the students of Red River College’s Disability and Community Support program, together with the Diversity and Immigrant Student Support department, have joined forces to create awareness about the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

In 2010, Canada became a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Dec. 3 is a day of celebration where we acknowledge the ever-increasing recognition of the human rights of persons with disabilities.

The government of Manitoba is about to pass accessibility legislation (Bill 26), which is a significant step toward eliminating barriers, in terms of both physical access and economic opportunity. These decisions show real progress toward greater inclusion for people with disabilities.

This day, however, also reminds us there are still many barriers that need to be broken in terms of education, employment, healthcare, transportation, housing and social support systems. At present, many persons with disabilities in Manitoba still experience marginalization or exclusion from the activities of daily life. Read More →

At a special plaque unveiling, Red River College honoured Maxim Truck & Trailer’s partnership with Red River College with the naming of a classroom.

The Maxim classroom signifies the long standing partnership between Maxim Truck & Trailer and Red River College which includes support of Alumni and student success and a generous $100,000 pledge to the Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre in 2012.  Maxim President, Doug Harvey served as the Capital Campaign Chair of the HETC fundraising campaign and through his network was able to assemble a group of industry representatives to aid in supporting this project. Mr. Harvey has been a driving force in the success of the activities related to the campaign that will benefit apprentices and the industry for years to come.

Pictured L-R: President Maxim Trucking Inc. Mr. Doug Harvey & President and CEO, RRC Mrs. Stephanie Forsyth.

“Doug Harvey’s contributions to Red River College and to various causes and organizations demonstrate what an incredible philanthropist and friend he is to the Manitoba community,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO, Red River College. “With his passion for the transportation industry, Doug Harvey has been one of the most influential reasons for industry engagement in this monumental project that has allowed the realization of a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art technical training centre.”

“The importance of Heavy Duty Technicians to our business cannot be overstated,”said Doug Harvey, President, Maxim Truck & Trailer.  “We are proud to support a first-class training centre at Red River College that helps promote, attract and train heavy duty technicians for the transportation industry.”

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Please join us on Friday, November 22 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in the Voyageur Restaurant at the Notre Dame Campus to celebrate the annual Welcome Party for Immigrant and International Students. Take part in celebrating diversity and extending a warm College welcome to our immigrant and international students.

As we are celebrating diversity, we welcome you to share your traditions and come dressed in cultural clothing, and dressed for a party! Please bring a donation of non-perishable food items (canned food) for the RRC Student Food Bank. This is a College-wide and family-friendly event; everyone is welcome to bring family, children and friends.

This year’s party features live music and entertainment including performances by Punjab Dancers from India, South American band, Descarga Latina, African drummer, Evans Coffie and Cuban dance group, Yoslai de la Rosa. Take part in fun activities for children including arts and crafts, face painting and balloons. Participate in educational games and cultural teachings brought to you by RRC’s Aboriginal Student Support and Community Liaison Department. Enjoy lots of dancing and sample global cuisine.

Please register by Friday, November 15. To register, please find the attached invite and visit the on-line link: http://blogs.rrc.ca/diversity/welcomeparty/

If you have any questions please contact, Lauren Konrad, Student Integration Coordinator at 204.631.3345 or lkonrad@rrc.ca.

This event is organized by the Diversity and Immigrant Student Support department, with additional sponsorship from the International Education office and the RRC Students’ Association.

Since the 1930s, Red River College has delivered programs to provide a skilled workforce and drive Manitoba’s economy.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, a special ceremony took place at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus to mark the College’s 75th Anniversary. Live-streamed to all nine campuses, the celebration paid tribute to the countless staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of the College who over the years have helped to make RRC one of North America’s leading post-secondary institutions – and Manitoba’s only polytechnic.

“Red River College has become a network of choice for post-secondary education and is a critical source of knowledge, training, research and innovation,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president and CEO, Red River College. “We’ve come a long way in 75 years and – as proud as we are of the past – we are equally excited about the vision for the future.”

“My sincere congratulations to Red River College on their 75th anniversary,” said the Hon. Erin Selby, Manitoba’s minister of advanced education and literacy. “The College plays an integral role in meeting our government’s target of adding 75,000 workers to Manitoba’s labour force by 2020.”

“On behalf of students past and present, I want to congratulate the College on their 75th Anniversary,” said Jocelle Cuvos, president of the Red River College Students’ Association. “The College has always been dedicated to students’ success and the SA is proud to be a partner in the continued success of students at RRC.”

Annually, Red River College has more than 30,000 enrolments in full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs. Through award-winning instruction and training on state-of-the-art equipment, RRC prepares its students to become leaders in their fields, while partnering with industry to conduct research and ensure curriculum remains up-to-date.

Find out more about RRC’s 75th anniversary festivities →

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 2:30 p.m., a special ceremony will take place at the Notre Dame Campus, to officially mark Red River College’s 75^th anniversary.

The event will take place in the Voyageur Dining Room, and will be live-streamed to all nine RRC campuses, celebrating the countless staff, students, alumni, donors and friends of the College who have contributed to the vision of making RRC one of North America’s leading post-secondary institutions, and Manitoba’s only polytechnic.

The afternoon celebration will include a short program featuring the RRC Daycare Choir and Aboriginal drummers. In the evening, a Homecoming Barbecue will be held from 4:00-7:00pm at the Notre Dame Campus’ D,E,F courtyard, featuring a live performance by Free Ride.

Red River College’s Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC).

Red River College wishes to recognize the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during National Trucking Week in Canada.

“Red River College works closely with the trucking industry in Manitoba to ensure we provide training opportunities to drive the economy and provide a qualified workforce,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of RRC. “We want to recognize National Trucking Week and applaud the Manitoba Trucking Association and its members during this celebratory week.”

In 2009, RRC opened its innovative Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre (HETC), which offers training in the areas of Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Truck and Transport Mechanics, and Transport Trailer Technician. The facility has provided the College with increased enrolment opportunities in the heavy duty and transport trade programs.

HETC also supports Manitoba’s growing green-energy economy by affording opportunities for conducting applied research and advanced training in leading-edge technologies such as biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen and electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and emissions and cold-weather testing. Read More →

Preliminary numbers for Red River College’s (RRC) Fall 2013 enrolment show significant increases in specific diploma, degree and certificate programs, with overall enrolment remaining at par with the 2012/2013 academic year.

“Red River College offers over 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and certificate programs that provide opportunities for students to walk off the graduation stage and into meaningful careers,” said Stephanie Forsyth, president of Red River College. “Our applied, experiential approach to education in innovative learning environments is attractive to students and this is reflected in our enrolments. Students know that RRC is working closely with industry and communities to fill jobs and create businesses critical to Manitoba’s economy.”

Of particular note are enrolment increases in Culinary Arts (up 29%), and Hotel and Restaurant Management (up 48%). In other diploma and certificate programs, Automotive Technician (up 33%), Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (up 33%), Architectural/Engineering Technology (up 52.9%), and Electronic Engineering Technology (up 29%) all saw increases, as well.

RRC’s new Construction Management degree program (up 19%) and Nursing degree program (up 12%) have also seen significant gains this academic year.

Reflective of RRC’s visits to India and China, the College successfully attracted more international students to Manitoba. In 2013, RRC welcomed 602 international students to the College, an increase of 24% from last year. Read More →

Red River College is pleased to announce the hiring of Erik Hansen (left) and Dylan Power as Co-Head Coaches of the Rebels Men’s Volleyball team.

“As alumni of the volleyball program, Dylan and Erik bring a passion not only to the sport of volleyball but to the Rebels program,” says Shane Ray, manager of athletics and recreation services for RRC. “We are excited about the next step in the Rebels Volleyball program and the direction it will take under Erik and Dylan’s leadership.”

Power holds his Level 1 NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) and is no stranger to Rebels athletics. Having completed four seasons with the Rebels, he has captured three league titles, and been named the Championship Final Four MVP. He also holds a national gold and silver medal with the Manitoba provincial team and Bison Club volleyball team, respectively. Dylan is currently finishing his fifth year of university, studying Business Technology Teacher Education at RRC and the University of Winnipeg (joint program). Read More →

Red River College is pleased to be participating for the first time in Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row Project.

The initiative’s roots date back to 1986, when Winnipeggers Ron and Eunice O’Donovan produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than they could consume. Their vegetables were so well received by Winnipeg Harvest, the O’Donovans encouraged friends and neighbours to donate their surplus produce, too. Since then, Grow-A-Row has yielded millions of pounds of fresh fruit and veggies.

At RRC, the project is being led by Gord McLeod (shown, at left) and his Pavement & Grounds team. In between weed-whacking, mowing and other regular duties, staff and student employees take time from their schedules to tend to the garden and its bounty.

The 30′ x 60′ plot is located between the West Parking Lot and the old Greenhouse.

“Six weeks ago this was just a grassy area,” says McLeod of the space. “We tilled it and added 12 cubic yards of compost from our on-site compost pile to get the soil nice and healthy.”

The team then planted russet potatoes and carrot seeds, and in a matter of weeks, the garden had sprouted. Harvest is expected to take place in late September; during that time, staff and students will be invited to participate in a harvest-picking party.

“This is a great project for many reasons,” says Nancy Alexander, Vice-President of Human Resource Services and Sustainability at RRC. “It supports the College’s values of sustainability and wellness and strengthens our connection to the community. I want to thank Gord and his team for their work on ‘grow-a-row’ and look forward to expanding the project in years to come.”

Students and staff who’ve spent the summer months tending to their own gardens can participate in Grow-A-Row by dropping off fruit and veggies at Winnipeg Harvest from Monday to Saturday.