2011 Alumni Magazine - Sault College

Photo courtesy of Allan Brunke
graduates to reap rewards
Sonny Spina,
Police Foundations
graduate and
Premier’s Award
nominee
Sault College
of alumni association
Across the province thousands of graduates benefit
from their college’s alumni associations with networking
events, volunteer opportunities, skills training and
group discounts. In an effort to follow in those very
footsteps, Sault College is working diligently towards
the establishment of an alumni
association that will not only
offer the same opportunities
to its own graduates, but also
provide a platform to showcase
the success of its former
students.
“We are just in the early
stages of developing the Alumni
Association,” said Alana Turco,
Sault College’s Advancement &
Alumni Relations officer. “To
date, we have received a very
positive response from many of
our graduates and look forward
to working together to develop
an active association. An
association will give our grads
a chance to stay in touch with
old classmates and friends.”
Sonny Spina, a 2002 Police
Foundations graduate, was
particularly inspired by his
time at the college, and felt compelled to contribute to a
place that, he felt, had given him so much. When Spina,
a former Premier’s Awards nominee, was contacted by
the college to share his experiences as alumni, he was
more than happy to participate.
“I think we all have that desire to go back and live our
college days again and bring with us the benefit of our
experience,” said Spina.
“I think it is important for alumni to get together and
share our experiences and network with each other. I
think that alumni will definitely benefit from an alumni
association because it will allow us to stay connected
to our college and to each other. It can provide us with
a lifetime link to our alma mater and allow us to keep
apprised of any new developments in our respective fields.
I am very confident that, as a result of this association,
we can only better ourselves and our positions.”
In addition to speaking at monthly alumni breakfasts,
which the college initiated in the fall of 2010, Spina is
also participating in the college’s new Campus Coaching
program, which pairs alumni with current students in an
effort to provide them with encouragement and support
in their chosen fields. Spina, who was named the 2008
officer of the year by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services,
said taking part in the program will allow him to share
valuable information about his field that can only be
found on the job.
“I hope that I can help give the students an
understanding of how things work in our field and I
hope that I can pass some of my knowledge to them,” said
Spina. “As alumni, we have a responsibility to ourselves
and to all current and future students who are following
us to get together and share our experiences. We have
to share our successes and our failures. Our goal should
always be that those who are following us will surpass
our accomplishments, and the only way they can do this
is if we help guide them. It is our experiences that will
give them hope and our leadership that will give them
inspiration.”
“By becoming a part of the Sault College alumni
association, our grads have an opportunity to stay
connected with the college,” said Turco. “As the
alumni association develops, there will be increased
opportunities for our grads to benefit from group
“We see our alumni as
our greatest ambassadors
and one of the keys to our
future success.”
discounts to a number of college partnerships.”
Graduates who are interested in becoming involved in
the establishment of a Sault College alumni association
are invited to contact the Advancement and Alumni
Relations office at (705) 759-2554, ext. 2622. Volunteers
are needed to assist with fundraising efforts, coaching
programs and special events.
By Liisa Allen
Sault College welcomes Prime
Minister Harper to our campus
Students and staff received quite the surprise
when they arrived at Sault College one
Monday morning
Prime Minister Stephen Harper drew a substantial crowd of conservative
supporters during a surprise visit to our Sault College campus. Guests were
afforded a sneak peek into the new academic wing at the College where Prime
Minister Harper addressed visitors regarding the Conservative focus for the
spring election.
Several Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree students, along with one of their
professors, were able to meet and converse with the Prime Minister about their
studies. Sault College President Dr. Common, also had the opportunity to show
the Prime Minister future expansion plans for our College moving forward.
Pharmacy
Technician
Join us to study in this new high
in-demand program – the only one
of its kind offered in a community
college in Northern Ontario for an
exciting, well-paying career in the
health-care field.
For information call Tanya at
705.759.2554 x 2222
www.saultcollege.ca
Dr. Ron Common, President, Sault College shows
Prime Minister Harper future plans for Sault College as
Ben Pascuzzi, Member, Board of Governors looks on
2 nd
CAREER
There has never been a better time to explore a Second
Career at Sault College. You may be eligible to receive
non-repayable funds to study with us.
For more information on Second Career programming,
contact Sault College at 759-2554 ext. 2222
We answer your calling!
This Employment Ontario
Program is funded in part by
the Government of Canada
6 Sault College Alumni 2011/2012 Sault College Alumni 2011/2012 7