Alumni News and Views - Conestoga College

Connections Connections CONESTOGA COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE 

Volume 17, Issue 2 Winter 2006 

“Small business owners must continually be 

conscious of the many important relationships 

that they cultivate at home, at work, and in 

the community.” 

Denison Print... Not Just A Printing Company

LiveLife 

... and let us take care of the details 

We offer two great insurance plans for Alumni Members. 

Preferred Service Home-Auto Plan 

The Preferred Service Home-Auto Plan 

offers special discounts, extra coverages, 

and valuable benefits. 

• 24-hour, everyday service 

• Superior claims service 

• Online access to your insurance 

information 

Contact us today for a home or auto 

insurance quote. 

(Please identify yourself as a Member of the Alumni Association of 

Conestoga College and provide your Group ID code: CO) 

1.800.563.0677 or 

www.johnson.ca/conestoga 

Due to the existence of Provincial Automobile Insurance Plans, Auto 

Insurance and Auto Club are not offered in BC, SK, or MB. Only 

Home Insurance is available in these provinces. An alternate plan is 

available for QC. Call for details. 

MEDOC ® Travel Health Insurance Plan 

Get the protection you need for as little as 

$5* per month! 

• Year-round protection while outside your 

province of residence or Canada 

• Up to $5,000,000 comprehensive 

Emergency Medical coverage 

• Up to $4,000 Trip Cancellation Insurance 

Contact us today for more information. 

1.800.461.4597 or 

www.johnson.ca/medoc_mx 

* premium varies based on age, health status and applicable taxes. 

MEDOC is a registered trademark of Johnson Inc. 

MEDOC is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance 

Company of Canada

Table of Contents 

Editor’s Notebook 

Welcome to the Summer 2005 Edition of Connections . . . 2 

Alumni Association, Slate of Officers 2005/2006 . . . . . . . . 2 

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Cover Story 

Machelle & Tony Denison - Not Just an Ordinary Couple . . . 3 

Grad Profile 

Alumnus of Distinction Award Recipients 2005 . . . . . . . . . 5 

Paul Siebel... PAC Chair & Donor of Steel Teaching Aid . . . 6 

Beyond an Apprenticeship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Heard it Through the Grapevine 

Keeping in Touch with Our Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Lost Sheep 

Too Baaaad We Can’t Find Ewe!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Membership Has Its Benefits - Help Us Stay Up-To-Date. . 15 

PAC’s Profile 

Paul Kalbfleisch, PAC Chair - Advertising Program . . . . . . 16 

Steel Teaching Aid Officially Dedicated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Editor: Monica Himmelman* 

Creative Director: Valerie Gray* 

Contributing Monica Himmelman* 

Writers: Sam Egleston* 

Lynne Kattenhorn* 

John Sawicki* 

Ingrid Town 

Violet Boutilier 

Jason Sonser** 

Tom Kalbfleisch** 

Jonathan Wolfe 

Tracey Jasmine* 

Mike Shipley 

Brenda Warner 

Photos Cover - Rick Kowalczykowski, 

icon Photography Inc. 

Margie Williams, Kevin Garrett, Beatriu Canet 

* Conestoga Alumnus or ** Conestoga Student 

If you are receiving this magazine for your son or daughter, please 

have them update their address with the Alumni Office. If you 

enjoy receiving Connections please let us know. 

Connections is published by 

Development & Alumni Relations Department 

Conestoga College 

299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4 

519-748-5220, ext. 3459 in conjunction with the Promotional 

Design and Production Department 

Reprinting of any article in this publication, needs to be done 

with express permission of the editor at 519-748-5220, ext. 3459 

Campus Update 

Get Out the Hammers! Conestoga is Growing Again!. . . . 18 

Conestoga Program Earns Prestigious Yves Landry Award . . 20 

New Direction in Apprenticeship Trades . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Ground Broken for New Student Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Lauren Weber, Governor General’s Academic Medal Winner 22 

Student Life Coordinator Leanne Holland Brown . . . . . . . 23 

Woman to Woman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Valentine O’Donovan – A Leader in Technology & 

Philanthropy 1936-2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Alumni News & Views 

Reunions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Upcoming Reunions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Alumni Association Celebrates 15th Anniversary . . . . . . . 28 

Tim Kingsbury – A Challenge to Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

First Annual Alumni Golf Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Conestoga Students Inc. Looking to the Past . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Alumni Survive Hurricane Katrina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Privacy of Personal Information Statement . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Materials & Operations Management Program . . . . . . . . . 32 

Degree Opportunity for Accounting Grads . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Students Serve Up Pancake Breakfast at Oktoberfest . . . . 34 

Susan Hilton:An Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Mission Statement 

“The Alumni Association of Conestoga College is a network 

of volunteers committed to an active partnership among 

the Alumni, the Community, and the 

College in order to create a lifelong interest in 

the success of the College.” 

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 


299 Doon Valley Drive 

Kitchener ON N2G 4M4 

Before You Recycle 

reuse 

Please share this publication 

with a friend or neighbour. 

Connections - winter 2006 

1

I would like to take this opportunity 

to wish all of you a very happy 

holiday season, and health and 

prosperity in the coming year. 

It has been a busy and exciting time 

in the Development and Alumni 

Services Department these past six 

months. The summer seemed to fly 

by and we had record sales for our 

theme park tickets. The fine weather 

leant itself to outdoor family activities. 

Please make sure you check our 

website for the latest additions to our 

year-round offers of discounted 

tickets. 

It has been a season of firsts as well 

as celebration for us. 

This fall, for the first time I have 

2 Connections - winter 2006 


Welcome to the 

Winter Edition of Connections. 

Monica Himmelman 

formally added the Annual Fund to 

my portfolio here at Conestoga, and 

in that capacity have run the first 

fundraising campaign for Alumni. A 

targeted mailing was sent to the 

grads of the 70’s at the end of the 

summer, and we have received a 

very encouraging response. Sincere 

thanks to all of you who have 

considered investing in Conestoga. 

If you are interested in joining the 

growing numbers of Alumni who are 

giving back to their alma mater 

please see Tim Kingsbury’s article on 

pp. 29 and also the brochure and 

pledge card that are printed on the 

inside back cover. 

Alumni Steve Roth and Neil 

Aitcheson of Drayton Entertainment, 

invited Conestoga to join the 

excitement as Drayton opened their 

sixth and newest theatre — St Jacobs 

Country Playhouse — in Waterloo in 

October. The debut production was 

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and 

Steve, the Director of Operations for 

the new theatre, reserved 100 seats 

at the November 10th show for 

Conestoga Alumni and staff. The 

discounted tickets quickly sold out, 

and a most wonderful, magical 

evening was topped off by a 

personal backstage tour and meeting 

some of the cast and crew members. 

Many thanks to Steve and Neil for 

making this opportunity available to 

us. We hope to repeat this 

successful ‘Evening at the Theatre’ 

often in the years to come. For 

more information on Drayton 

Entertainment please visit their 

website at 

www.draytonentertainment.com 

The Alumni Association of Conestoga 

celebrated its 15th Anniversary this 

year and culminated the year with 

the Annual General Meeting on 

November 7th. The meeting was 

held in the Guild Room at the Doon 

Campus and was attended by over 

50 people. For more information 

about the Alumni Association’s 

activities and services, please refer to 

the Alumni News and Views section 

on pp28. the Association invites 

new volunteers to join their fun and 

energetic group. 

If you have ideas or suggestions that 

you would like us to implement, or 

comments regarding Alumni 

initiatives, I urge you to contact me. 

We welcome your input, and 

because of our readers interaction 

are able to present a magazine with 

variety and interesting articles. Please 

keep letting us know what you’d like 

to see. 

Alumni Association of Conestoga, Slate of Officers 2005/2006 

President ...............................................Glenn Campbell, 1984 Manufacturing Technician-Wood Products 

Past President.......................................Norm. Bertrand, 1985 Business Administration-Management Studies 

Vice-President.......................................Susan Milton, 2002 Human Resources 

Treasurer...............................................Mike Shipley, 1986 Business Administration-Materials Management 

Secretary ...............................................Vacant 

Member-at-Large ..................................Bob Foster, 1974 Business Administration-Marketing 

Member-at-Large ..................................Laurie Lafleur, 2003 Computer/Programmer Analyst (Co-op) 

Member-at-Large ..................................Carol Milmine, 1977 Broadcasting-Radio and Television 

Member-at-Large ..................................Vacant 

Member-at-Large ..................................Linda Taylor, 1985 Early Childhood Education 

Member-at-Large ..................................Alycia Tedford, 1999 Recreation and Leisure Services, 2002 Volunteer Management 

Faculty Representative.........................Anne Charles, Professor Liberal and Media Studies 

Support Representative .......................Vacant 

Administrative Representative.............Mary Wright, Manager, Co-op and Career Services 

CSI Representative ...............................Andrew Mercier, 2nd Yr-Police Foundations 

Ex-Officio..............................................Monica Himmelman, Alumni Services and Annual Fund Officer

Letters to the Editor 

George Vezza, Business 1983 

Dear Alumni Administrator, 

I would like to congratulate the 

College staff for the number one 

ranking they recently received. 

As a business graduate from 1983, I 

am proud of the rating that has 

confirmed to me what I already 

knew. My experience at Conestoga 

was a positive stage in my life and 

has helped shape my life and career. 

To all my fellow students that I have 

lost touch with, I hope that we one 

day meet again to talk and laugh 

about old times. My life is going 

well. I married during my first year 

of college and am happy to say that 

we will celebrate our 25th 

anniversary this December. My 

beautiful and supportive wife 

Rachelle has blessed me with three 

wonderful children, two sons 

(Wesley and Justyn) who attend 

Conestoga College in the Business 

program and Hailey who attends a 

private school here in the Dominican 

Republic. I have had the pleasure of 

working for Nestle, the world’s 

largest food and beverage company 

for the last 21 years. I have spent 

the last 9 years living and working 

abroad at the Vice President level. I 

have been privileged to work in 

Jamaica, Trinidad and now in the 

Dominican Republic. My career has 

taken me to many exotic locations 

and has allowed me to continue to 

learn. I have completed with honors 

an Executive Program in IMD 

Switzerland, and an Executive 

Leadership program at the London 

Business School in England. 

I have never allowed myself to be 

ashamed of attending a Canadian 


College versus a University. I believe 

every Conestoga graduate can reach 

their desired level both professionally 

and personally if they believe in 

themselves. 

I currently head up the Marketing 

and Communication Department 

with a staff of over 50 Brand 

Managers, operating in 27 Countries 

from Cuba to Bermuda. This is a 

challenging position and provides a 

high level of job satisfaction. 

Thank you Conestoga College for 

helping me reach my potential. 

Regards, 

George Vezza, Vice President, 

Marketing and Communications, 

Nestlé Region Caribe 

Monica, 

Have just had a wonderful lunch 

break reading the Summer Issue of 

Connections. What an informative 

publication. It made me wish that 

30 odd years ago I would have 

followed through with postsecondary 

education. Of course, in 

1969, the College was a few trailers 

on a site with no bus service - so I 

was doomed from the start. 

I was pleased to see that the Cowan 

organization has taken a great 

interest (my insurance roots of over 

25 years). I was definitely 

impressed by the number of local 

companies taking part in the co-op 

programs and others that support 

financially and others still that 

supply equipment for the varied 

courses. They should be very 

proud. 

As a citizen of Kitchener I am proud 

to call Conestoga College one of our 

little "gems". Keep up the good 

work. Of course, #1 is the only place 

for "our" College to be, isn't it?!!!! 

Emilie Brown 

RAISE Home Support 

Send your cards and letters to: 

Monica Himmelman 

Development & Alumni Services 

299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4 

Email: mhimmelman@conestogac.on.ca 

greystone design group inc. 

l-r... Ben Eby-1996, Stephanie Eby-1996, 

Maria Fejerpataky-2001, Kate Vanderlaan- 

2002, Luang Douangkham-2002, Paul 

Zegers-2000, Teresa Cabral-2005, Daewon 

Lee-2003, Mirjana Babic-Microcomputer 

Software Grad 2000, Peter Koning-2003, 

Mario Marin-1998, Nick Rosenburg-Sheridan 

Grad 2002, Nader El-Sarraf-Civil Grad 1999 

Hi Lynne / Monica, 

I've been meaning to contact both of 

you for a few weeks now. 

I want to offer a belated thank-you, 

on behalf of greystone, for the time 

spent preparing our recent 

Connections article. We are all very 

grateful to be featured and cannot 

thank you both enough. Please pass 

on our regards to your Connections 

team. 

Thanks again, 

Ben Eby, President - greystone 

1996 Construction Engineering 

Technology 

Keep those cards 

and letters coming! 

We love to hear 

from you. 

Monica and the 

Connections Team 


3

Just as Denison Print’s motto is “Not 

Just a Printing Company”, neither 

Tony nor Machelle Denison are just 

run-of-the-mill citizens of Waterloo 

Region. Both of them hold strong 

beliefs about the values of 

philanthropy and contributing to 

their community. Those beliefs are 

an integral part of what they, and 

their business stand for. 

Machelle (Huras) and Tony met 

while students at Conestoga, and 

were married the summer they 

graduated from the Business 

Administration—Marketing Program: 

1982. Both found employment in 

their field and life was good. For 

the next five years Tony and 

Machelle continued to gain 

experience and put money aside, 

with the thoughts of moving back to 

K-W where both of them were born 

and raised, and starting a family. 

That was until Tony and his brother 

Chris, went on a ski trip to Jackson 

Hole, Wyoming, where ideas of 

entrepreneurship and selfemployment 

monopolized their 

thoughts and conversations, both on 

the slopes and in the chalet. A 

franchise, (no pizza, no hamburgers) 

they decided would be their segue 

into their new careers. By the time 

they returned, all that remained was 

to “market” the idea to Machelle, 

and Chris’s wife, Dale. After the 


Cover Story 

Machelle and Tony Denison - Not Just an 

Ordinary Couple 

by Monica Himmelman* 

The Denison team - Front - l-r, Tony Denison*, Bert Anghad, Debbie Kleinschmidt, 

Yvan Gagné, Machelle Denison*, Kathy Martinello*, Ron Beingessner*. Back - l-r, Wayne Munroe*, 

Jay Mielke*, Dave Sitler*, Ted Near, Patrick Gagné* ( * - Conestoga grads) 

brothers’ convincing presentations, 

both women agreed to the idea. 

In 1987, they opened a print-andcopy 

franchise in Kitchener. A year 

and a half later, they struck out on 

their own—launching an enterprise 

that operated for the first three 

months from Chris’ garage. Since 

then the business has changed and 

grown. Now, 18 years later, Denison 

Print is owned by Tony and Machelle. 

It is a strong, vibrant company 

operating out of a 10,000 square-foot 

building, which features a 1870’s 

renovated two-room schoolhouse in 

Breslau, Ontario. There are 12 

employees, many of whom are 

Conestoga grads and/or students, and 

a management team led by Machelle 

on the Operations side, and Tony on 

the Marketing and Business 

Development end. Deb, Dave and 

Yvan, the other members of the 

leadership team are just as committed 

to the concept of inclusiveness and 

respect of all employees and 

customers as Machelle and Tony are. 

It is this strong commitment as well as 

knowing their customer’s needs and 

expectations, which make Denison so 

unique. Over the years, the company 

has evolved and adapted to industry 

changes and customer needs. 

Denison prides itself on providing 

complete solutions to customer needs 

in a timely fashion. 

Any self-employed small business 

owner knows that in order to be 

successful, one has to be willing to 

pitch in and substitute in many of the 

roles performed by the employees. 

Denison is committed to the cross 

training of all employees and stresses 

the complete value and respect of 

each employee. They stress the 

importance of teamwork and 

encourage staff to set goals for 

themselves. Several fun activities and 

events are scheduled on a regular 

basis in order to recognize the 

employee’s hard work and dedication. 

The Denisons motivate the staff to 

play a big role in the company. 

Machelle stresses that successful 

small business owners must be able 

to incorporate life events such as the 

premature birth of a child (their first 

child Addie was born 5 weeks 

premature, and just in time for the 

company’s year-end, and their son, 

Spencer, made his debut 4 weeks 

ahead of schedule too!), and the dayto-day 

operations. Over the 18 years 

that Denison Print has been 

operating, there have been many 

times that family needs and business 

commitments have had to be finely 

tuned in order to meet both. The 

balance is very important. Small 

business owners must continually be 

conscious of the many important 

relationships that they cultivate both 

at home and at work. 

The Denisons and their company are 

very committed to giving back to 

their community. As well as 

volunteering their time and 

experience to attend various 

program related, and school related 

events and panels at Conestoga, 

Tony is an Alumnus of Leadership 

Waterloo Region and is actively 

involved with both that organization 

and the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary 

Club. Both he and Machelle support 

Junior Achievement and the 

company assists many small nonprofit 

groups with advertising, 

design and printing. 

Denison Print received silver (2003) 

and bronze (2005) ICON Awards for 

Excellence in Advertising and

Marketing and also won a Waterloo- 

Wellington Community Philanthropy 

Award in 2001. Machelle, a 2005, 

Alumnus of Distinction Award 

Recipient from Conestoga, has a long 

and strong history of volunteerism. 

She has volunteered at just about 

every level of the K-W and Area 

United Way Campaign for the past 12 

years and has just been named the 

Campaign Chair for 2006. Her other 

passion is Junior Achievement, where 

she is a volunteer instructor, teaching 

Marianne Walker 

graduated in 1977 from our 

Nursing program. She 

developed her professional 

skills in a variety of 

capacities at Cambridge 

Memorial Hospital, concentrating 

on providing the 

best in patient care, 

fostering teamwork and 

mentoring other nurses. 

She also developed 

managerial skills, and 

dedicated herself to further 

education. She has earned 

a nursing degree from 

McMaster University, a 

health sciences administration 

degree from the 

University of Toronto, and 

a professional designation 

as a certified health 

executive. Her expertise 

has led to committee 

appointments through the 

Ministry of Health and 

Long Term Care. She is a 

member of the national 

health services accreditation 

council and an 

executive member of the 

Canadian College of Health 

Sciences Executives. Today 

she is President and CEO 

of St. Joseph’s Health Care 

Centre in Guelph. 

Cover Story 

Business Basics to grades 5 & 6 

students. Machelle is also a 

volunteer with the Business 

Education Partnership of Waterloo 

Region Speakers Bureau. She makes 

presentations in elementary and 

secondary schools throughout the 

Region on subjects relating to career 

planning and entrepreneurialism. 

When time permits, Machelle loves to 

act in amateur theatre productions 

with the Elmira Theatre Company, 

and every now and again Tony has 

Bianca Bitsakakis is a 

1999 graduate of the 

Social Services program. 

She has gone on to earn 

an undergraduate degree 

at Renison College and a 

graduate degree at Wilfrid 

Laurier, and is now the 

program coordinator for 

Home Support Services of 

the City of Waterloo. She 

is also a member of 

Conestoga’s Social Service 

program advisory 

committee. 

In the community, she is a 

longstanding volunteer 

and leader with the 

Elizabeth Fry Society and 

helped develop support 

programs for 

implementation at the 

Grand Valley Institution 

for Women, where she is 

also active as a volunteer. 

Garth Dix is a 1974 

graduate of the 

Criminology and Law 

Enforcement program. He 

gained a position with the 

Brantford Fire Department, 

rising to the post of Chief 

in 2002. He has been 

president of the local 

firefighters association, 

and was a founding 

member of Conestoga’s 

Fire Services program 

advisory committee. 

His community service 

includes the directorship 

of Victim Services for 

Brantford and Brant 

County and a leadership 

role in the annual Heart 

and Stroke Foundation’s 

Big Bike for Stroke 

fundraiser. 

time to “tickle the ivories” on their 

piano at home in Waterloo. 

Tony and Machelle are “Not Just An 

Ordinary Couple”. They are amazing. 

They have taken their love for life, 

each other, their family and their 

community, added large doses of 

hard work, humour and commitment, 

and they are making a difference. 

For more information about Denison 

Print, please refer to their website: 

www.denison.on.ca, or call them at 

519-648-3636. 

Alumnus of Distinction Award Recipients 2005 

Raymond Ward is a 

1988 Law and Security 

Administration graduate. 

For 12 years he was with 

the Peel regional Police 

Service, during which time 

he was active in 

researching and 

implementing major 

procedural and technical 

innovations, resulting in a 

secondment with the 

Ministry of Community 

Safety and Correctional 

Services. He joined the 

Waterloo Regional Police 

Service in 2002. He is 

active in his community of 

Ayr through the Knox 

Presbyterian Church, the 

minor hockey and minor 

soccer associations, and 

the annual Fresh Ayr 

Festival. 

The Alumnus of Distinction Award 

Conestoga has established this award to honour its accomplished graduates. It is our 

opportunity to recognize outstanding Conestoga Graduates who have achieved substantial career 

achievement, made a significant contribution to society/community and have achieved 

professional or community recognition. Please contact the Development and Alumni Office for 

more information. 


5

Paul Seibel had a vision for steel 

fabrication and that vision became a 

reality when he graduated from the 

Civil Engineering Technology 

program in 1975. Paul has had a 

passion for steel fabrication as far 

back as the day he started as a 

student at Conestoga. It was Paul’s 

strong dedication as a student, along 

with the superior education he 

received at Conestoga, that fueled 

his desire to succeed. 

After graduation in 1975, Paul started 

working within the steel fabrication 

industry for XDG Ltd. and in 1988, 

was offered a chance to become part 

owner in the business. XDG Ltd. had 

separated itself into three sections 

which included: general 

construction, steel fabrication and 

exporting, but it wasn’t until 2000 

that Paul was given the opportunity 

to buy the assets of the steel 


Grad Profile 

Paul Seibel... PAC Chair and Donor of Steel 

Teaching Aid 

by Sam Egleston* 

It’s Back 

Paul Siebel addresses guests at dedication ceremony 

fabrication branch. Since the name 

of the branch was still closely suited 

to the XDG family, Paul decided to 

change the name to ACL Steel Ltd. 

The title ACL Steel Ltd. was created 

from the names of his three children: 

Amy, Craig and Lindsay. 

The name ACL Steel Ltd. has only 

been in circulation for five years but 

the roots of the company grow much 

deeper and longer than that. Paul 

has employees that began their 

careers with XDG but have made the 

journey with him to ACL Steel Ltd. 

ACL has employees with over 15 

years of experience and this is a true 

testament to the work environment 

provided and the dedication of these 

employees to the company. 

Paul currently sits on the Program 

Advisory Committee (PAC) for the 

Architectural Construction 

Technology Engineering program at 

Conestoga and enjoys the idea of 

contributing back to the school that 

started his career. 

In 2004, Paul approached the school 

about the fabrication of a steel 

teaching aid, which exhibits all steel 

fabrication joints used in today’s 

modern and growing construction 

industry. The College agreed that this 

would be an excellent opportunity 

for students and Paul was in contact 

with Bernie Melloul (Architectural 

Construction Engineering Technology 

alumnus and President of Melloul- 

Blamey Construction). With the help 

of both Paul and Bernie the steel 

teaching aid was constructed and on 

September 22, 2005 the official 

dedication ceremony took place 

unveiling the teaching aid. The steel 

structure stands over 14ft. tall and can 

be viewed outside the Woodworking 

building of the Doon Campus. 

Paul has recently moved his 

company to a new Kitchener 

location due to upsizing and has 

over 50 employees, which include 

many from the college system. ACL 

Steel Ltd. has created steel structural 

frames for many places including the 

Home Depot, Walmart, the Future 

Shop and the Conestoga College “E 

wing” addition. Paul’s daughter, 

Lindsay, is a recent graduate of the 

Public Relations program and a 

recipient of the “Welcome Home 

Award”. The award is offered to 

students with parents who are 

graduates of Conestoga. Paul is 

proud of his family connection to 

the school and is very grateful for 

the education he received 

throughout his three years at 

Conestoga. Paul Seibel is another 

true example of a Conestoga 

alumnus succeeding in the 

workforce and contributing back to 

the community they cherish. 

The Ontario Government has just announced that it will match all donations to endowed student 

bursaries in Ontario Colleges. The match is 1 - 1, and in some cases maybe 3 - 1! For more details, 

please contact Ingrid Town at itown@conestogac.on.ca or Beatriu Canet at bcanet@conestogac.on.ca

In 1980, Steve Tangney completed his 

apprenticeship at Conestoga as an 

Automotive Service Technician. In 

September this year, he began 

employment as an Education Officer 

with the Ministry of Education. 

Amazing what can be achieved when 

an individual demonstrates an 

unwavering commitment to on-going 

professional development and 

community service. 

Steve is a self-effacing fellow who 

has progressed through a myriad of 

interesting roles since beginning in a 

full-time position as an auto 

mechanic. Initially, he worked at 

Epoch’s Garage in Kenilworth, next 

in Toronto at McBride’s Delivery, 

then at Arthur Chrysler Plymouth. As 

a licensed tradesperson, Steve 

discovered he enjoyed working with 

apprentices and this led to the next 

step in his professional development. 

In 1988/89, Steve spent a year at 

Althouse Teacher’s College, University 

of Western Ontario to qualify as a 

secondary school technological 

studies teacher. In addition to 

Journeymen and teaching credentials, 

Steve now holds a Bachelor of Arts in 

Adult Studies from Brock University, 

a Diploma of Education in 

Technological Education with an 

Honours Technological Studies 

Specialist designation from the 

University of Western Ontario. 

Steve discovered he enjoyed working 

with apprentices and this led to the 

next step in his professional 

development. 

These qualifications are only a few 

among the list of the additional 

qualifications he has acquired over 

the years. As well, Steve is affiliated 

with several professional 

organizations which support 

technological education, co-operative 

education, school guidance 

counsellors and teachers’ professional 

development. It is clear that Steve has 

demonstrated dedication to lifelong 

learning and the value of education 

that began with his apprenticeship 

and that has moved full speed ahead 

since then. 

Upon graduation from teacher’s 

Grad Profile 

Beyond an Apprenticeship 

by Lynne Kattenhorn* 

Steve Tangney, 2004 Alumnus of Distinction 

Award Recipient 

college, Steve’s first position was one 

year spent as a secondary school 

teacher at Galt Collegiate where he 

taught not only Transportation 

Technology but Construction 

Technology, as well. In 1990, Steve 

joined the Waterloo Catholic District 

School Board where he spent the 

next fifteen years. His first position 

was with St. Mary’s High School and 

here he began his involvement with 

co-operative education. His 

responsibilities included marketing 

the program, setting up suitable 

workplaces for students in grades 

eleven and twelve and visiting each 

student during the course of the coop 

work term. Steve enjoyed 

witnessing the students’ success in 

the workplace and this led to 

involvement with the Ontario Youth 

Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). In 

1998, Steve’s role focused on OYAP 

activities full-time. 

In 2002 Steve took on a new 

challenge at the WCDSB, as a 

program consultant for Guidance, 

Co-operative Education and 

Technological Education. His 

enthusiasm was evident as he 

described the challenges around 

balancing the needs of the guidance, 

technology and co-op subject areas. 

In 2004, the provincial government 

allocated 45 million dollars for 

equipment renewal in secondary 

Technological Education programs. 

Steve worked with school program 

heads to up-date inventory, devise 

equipment standard lists and develop 

priorities in the nine subject areas 

that include Transportation, 

Construction, Communications, 

Technological Design, Manufacturing, 

Hospitality, Health and Personal 

Services, Computer Engineering and 

Computer and Information Sciences. 

Steve quickly realized how important 

it is to liaise with all community 

partners to help create successful and 

sustainable programs for our 

secondary students. The Waterloo 

Region is blessed with people and 

organizations willing to assist with 

this endeavour and Conestoga is a 

great example of this generosity. 

Examples of this support are industry 

student awards such as the Toyota 

Motor Manufacturing Company – 

Motive Power Award of Excellence, 

the Linamar Corporation – Precision 

and Tooling Award of Excellence 

and the Landscape Ontario – 

Waterloo Chapter, Horticulture 

Technician Scholarship. Another 

achievement was the creation of the 

Motive Power and Precision 

Machining Articulation Agreements 

with Conestoga and the Ministry of 

Training Colleges and Universities. 

“I hope I can make a difference by 

improving curriculum for students. To 

me, the project is about students.” 

His current secondment to the 

Ministry of Education is to support a 

review and revision of the 

Technological Education 9-12 

curriculum. Steve acknowledges this 

new role will be a challenge, but he 

is pleased with the opportunities 

presented. “I hope I can make a 

difference by improving curriculum 

for students. To me, the project is 

about students.” This is the laudable 

attitude that Steve has held from the 

day he first graduated and began his 

multi-faceted career. 

When asked what he feels is the 

highlight of his varied 

accomplishments, Steve generously 

gives credit to the many colleagues 

and friends he has worked with over 

the years. Working in partnership 

with the two Waterloo Regional 

school boards, Conestoga College of 

Technology and Advanced Learning, 


7

as well as industry partners has 

provided a great deal of satisfaction. 

Steve is particularly proud of the way 

in which these partnerships reflect 

our community. A genuine 

achievement cited by Steve is the 

Community Home-Build program in 

which students are employed on-site 

in a real world environment building 

a home from foundation to 

completion. Steve expressed gratitude 

to Reid’s Heritage Homes and 

Grandview Homes for enriching this 

worthy program as once again it is 

the students that benefit. 

“...teachers have a moral responsibility 

to use multiple teaching strategies that 

address the differentiated learning 

needs of children, adolescents and 

adults.” 

Steve has somehow found time to 

participate and lead a diverse array of 

community committees during his 

career in education. While too many 

to mention here, a few notable, 

recent contributions to his community 

include Chairing the Grand 

Connections - School/College /Work 

Initiative (2004 – 2005), Co-Chairing 

the Waterloo Regional Technological 

Skills Competition Steering Committee 

(1998 – 2005) and Co-Chairing the 

Co-terminous Directions Partnership 

Committee (2002 – 2005). 

In his volunteer role with Skills 

Canada Ontario, Steve has supported 

both school, regional and provincial 

competitions. Mentoring students and 

organizing competition logistics with 

the school board and Conestoga 

where the regional competitions are 

held each year are the two most 

satisfying aspects of this volunteer 

commitment. Steve has every reason 


Grad Profile 

to be proud of the success of this 

program as the Waterloo Regional 

Competition involves 400 to 500 

students annually and is larger than 

any provincial competition other than 

the Ontario event. Leisa Cronsberry, 

Liaison Officer at Conestoga College 

has worked closely with Steve to 

ensure Regional Skills competition 

day runs smoothly. She says her 

favourite Steve quote is, “this is the 

best one ever.” This statement is 

something the team would enjoy a 

chuckle over as it is said each and 

every year. It exemplifies the positive 

approach Steve consistently takes in 

all his undertakings. 

Steve is committed to a personal 

philosophy of teaching and learning 

that encompasses basic tenets such 

as, “all children, adolescents and 

adults can learn and have an equal 

right to the best learning opportunity 

our society can provide, and further 

that they have multiple intelligences 

and learning styles that all are equally 

valid”. He believes that teachers must 

first understand and value their own 

intelligences and learning style before 

they can address these in their 

students and that teachers have a 

moral responsibility to use multiple 

teaching strategies that address the 

differentiated learning needs of 

children, adolescents and adults. Very 

importantly, Steve recognizes that 

“teachers should not teach in 

isolation but rather they should 

endeavour to work with colleagues 

and the community in ‘Professional 

Learning Teams’ to improve student 

learning and thus their teaching skills 

and abilities.” 

An apprenticeship program is an 

excellent base for anyone, Steve 

asserts. “It allowed me a lot of 

opportunities and it is something I 

The Alumni Association of Conestoga presents the 

Welcome Home Award 

for students beginning their first year in 2006 

In order to be eligible: 

• you must be enrolled in a diploma or certificate program 

• at least one parent must be an Alumnus of Conestoga 

Awards will be distributed at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in November. 

For more information, contact Monica Himmelman at 

519-748-5220 ext. 3459 or email mhimmelman@conestogac.on.ca. 

could always go back to should I 

wish to change directions once 

again.” He feels the new melding of 

Technician and Apprenticeship 

programs in the Co-op Diploma 

Apprenticeship Program will be an 

excellent additional option for young 

people interested in entering a trade. 

It can be very frustrating for guidance 

counselors attempting to help 

students and their parents gain 

entrance into an apprenticeship. This 

new program opens doors that didn’t 

exist before and everyone benefits 

when barriers are reduced for our 

youth. 

On a personal note, Steve and his 

wife Angela have three daughters, 

Andrea, 17, Bayley, 16 and Gabriella, 

9. All three girls are active in sports 

and Steve who is very familyoriented, 

has enjoyed coaching minor 

hockey and lacrosse, as they 

participate on a myriad of teams. An 

avid sports fan himself, Steve enjoys 

keeping up with his favourite teams, 

as well as participating on both 

recreational and competitive curling 

teams. 

“career paths are not always linear”. 

He encourages students to follow their 

passions...” 

If Steve were to offer young people 

advice it would be that “career paths 

are not always linear”. He 

encourages students to follow their 

passions, as the most important 

factor in success is to like what you 

do. All the rest will fall into place. 

What is next for this hardworking 

and accomplished gentleman is hard 

to say, but whatever it may be, there 

is not doubt it will be done not well, 

but very well!

Ambulance and 

Emergency Care 

1991 

Marion Taylor married 

Robert Gilmar, an OPP 

officer, on May 17, 2002. 

They have a daughter, 

Mariah Taylor Riley Gilmar, 

born June 29, 2004. 

Marion is a full-time 

paramedic with Huron 

County and works on a 

casual basis as a registered 

nurse in the emergency 

department at University 

Hospital, London. 

Business 

Administration – 

Accounting 

1991 

Jeff Sutton says hello to all 

his fellow accounting grads 

of 1991. “After two years 

in India, I returned to 

Kazakhstan in June 2004 to 

take up a senior 

management position with 

a UK-based marine services 

company operating in the 

Caspian Sea area.” 

2004 

Lindsay Riggin writes, “I 

have recently graduated 

from Lakehead University 

with a B. Admin., and I am 

pursuing my CA 

designation. Couldn't have 

done it without the support 

of Conestoga College!!!!!!” 

Business 


Management Studies 

1998 

Grape Vine 

Heard it Through the Grapevine 

Keeping in touch with us will keep you in touch with your classmates! Send us an update and it will be included in 

the next issue of Connections. 

To protect the privacy of our alumni, we do not publish addresses. If you want a message forwarded, we will 

forward mail on your behalf. Please call 519-748-5220, ext 3463 or email mwilliams@conestogac.on.ca and we will 

connect you. Thank-you to all those who have sent in updates. Due to space availability, some messages may be 

edited in order to maximize feedback from all Alumni Members. 

Jeff Pacosz leaves this 

message: “Hi to the class 

of ’88. Hope everyone is 

doing fine! I have changed 

careers and am now selling 

real estate. If anyone needs 

help buying or selling a 

home, please call. I would 

love to hear from you!” 

2001 

Vicky Oliver (Katsios) 

married on October 5, 2003 

and had a little boy, Robert 

Thomas, born on 

December 15, 2004. 

Do you have an 

Announcement for Grapevine? 

Contact Development & Alumni by 

April 30, 2006 for inclusion in your next 

issue of Connections. 

Business 


Marketing 

1991 

From Brian Longmire: “Yup 

things are going great for 

Darlene and I, married 13 

years now and have three 

great kids plus a great 

foster daughter. I do enjoy 

our visits and tubs with 

Whiting and Jackie. Where 

is everyone else???” 

2003 

Best wishes to Tara Vincar 

and Tim Campbell, who 

were married on October 

8th, 2005. 

Business 


Materials Management 

1982 

Andy and Teresa (Weston) 

Munro (Early Childhood 

Education 1998 & Resource 

Teacher Program 1999) are 

the proud parents of Bruce 

Weston Munro born on July 

18,2005. Bruce is the 

perfect gift in celebration of 

their 22nd anniversary on 

Sept 24, 2005. Andy, Teresa 

and Bruce reside in 

Stratford , Ontario. Andy 

works at TMMC in 

Cambridge and Teresa is on 

maternity leave from Anne 

Hathaway Day Care, 

Stratford 

1992 

Mosetsanagape (Mabe) and 

Modise Koofhethile have 

now been married for 

seven years. They are 

currently living in 

Botswana in Southern 

Africa, and would be 

interested to hear from 

their ex classmates who 

graduated in 1992 at the 

Guelph Campus. If you 

would like to get in touch 

with Mosetsanagape and 

Modise, contact Margie in 

Alumni Services at 

mwilliams@conestogac.on.ca 

2001 

Stephen and Michelle Kauk 

are happy to announce 

their first wedding 

anniversary on October 2, 

2005. Stephen would like 

to hear from anybody who 

he went to college with 

and can be reached at 

stkauk@yahoo.com. 

Career Development 

Practitioner 

2003 

Hazel Courtney sent this 

message, “I am doing 

contract work for the 

Working for Work 

Employment Office as well 

as Business Advisory 

Services of Ontario and the 

Ontario Disability Support 

Program. My business 

name is Pathways 

Consulting Service.” 


9

Civil Engineering 

Technology 

1985 

Andy Telfer sent this 

update: “Over the past ten 

years I have worked 

mainly for non-profits and 

charities. 

I volunteer a lot, but most 

of my paid work has been 

in recycling and waste 

reduction. A few highlights: 

I hosted the Irish 

Environmental Protection 

Agency in a Best Practices 

tour of recycling and 

composting facilities in the 

Vancouver Area. The United 

Nations Environment 

Program's International 

Children's Conference on 

the Environment hired me 

as their Conference 

Greening Manager. Recently, 

my diploma played a key 

factor in my work with 

planning the rehabilitation 

of a river estuary on 

Vancouver Island. I have 

now worked for two Land 

Trusts, agencies that protect 

natural special places. My 

engineering and surveying 

background contributed 

significantly to my 

understanding of the issues 

that many threatened areas 

face. In fact, I recently 

chaired a stormwater 

management planning 

committee for the City of 

Campbell River. This work 

may sound grandiose, but 

really I'm a regular guy with 

a young family who 

happens to have graduated 

from Conestoga College. 

Anyone who follows their 

heart and their dreams can 

encounter similar or even 

more amazing experiences. 

Outside of work and 

volunteerism, I still play 

hockey, hike, now 

compete in triathlons and 

sing in a local choir.” 


Computer 

Programmer/Analyst 

2004 

Congratulations to Medardo 

Canada. He married, 

bought a house and now 

he and his wife are 

expecting their first child. 

Construction 

Engineering 

Technology 

1994 

Mike Mosdell is attending 

the Ontario Institute for 

Studies in Education at the 

University of Toronto. 

Early Childhood 

Education 

Grape Vine 

1977 

Lynn Crowder writes, “Life 

is good for me. I am 

celebrating 25 years of 

marriage this year. 

Currently, I have my own 

counseling practice in 

Windsor, working through 

an EAP program with 

Daimler Chrysler. My 

clients are families, 

individuals and of course, 

kids. I finished my play 

therapy training a couple of 

years ago, and moved away 

from the bereavement 

focus. I had developed the 

children's bereavement 

program for the Canadian 

Mental Health Association 

in Windsor, called the Kid's 

Griefworks and operated 

that program for five years.” 

Lynda (nee Houle) and 

Mike Roy were married 

April 16,2005 in Kitchener 

Wedding Chapel. Lynda is 

currently working at 

Winston Park YMCA in the 

Toddler Room. Mike is 

employed by Grand River 

Transit. They have a 

combined family of six and 

one grandchild (22 

months). 

1997 

Diana (Crawford) and 

James Ings delivered a 

healthy baby girl (Holly 

Mary Ann) December 18th 

2002. 

2000 

From Michelle Bishop 

(Brown): “I was married in 

Aug. 2000 after graduation, 

and had my son, Kaeden 

in Sept. 2001. We also 

have a daughter now, Ellia, 

who was born Aug. 2003. 

I'm running a small home 

daycare.” 

Kelly Hendry (Firth) 

announces, “Tyson Liam 

was born May 12, 2005 

weighting 8lbs 10oz. I'm 

now a mom of two healthy 

boys. Wanted to say hi to 

the class of 1999. Especially 

to Kelly and Amanda!! Best 

wishes to everyone.” 

2002 

Wendy Cuthbert sent us this 

note: “Upon graduating, I 

worked in several on-call 

positions at local day care 

centres. I’ve been working 

at Brantwood Centre in 

Brantford as a permanent 

part-time counselor for the 

last 3 years. I work with 

adults with physical and 

mental challenges in a 

group home setting. I also 

work part-time at 

Lansdowne Children’s 

Centre as a support worker. 

I am getting married 

January 2006 in Mexico. I 

met my fiancé Kirk in my 

hometown of Brantford, 

where we currently reside. 

I’d like to hear what other 

graduates of ECE 2002 are 

up to these days. A big 

“Hi” to Janeth Coll and 

Amanda Beacock! I still 

think about all of you. 

Hope to hear from you 

soon!” 

2005 

Congratulations to Kerri 

Wood who writes, “In the 

next few months I am 

finally going to become an 

aunt.” 

Early Childhood 

Education Resource 

Teacher 

2000 

Best wishes to Carol 

Guernsey on her marriage 

to Alan Keillor on 

September 16, 2005 in 

Coburg, Ontario. The 

happy couple 

honeymooned in Scotland 

and will reside in KW 

following their return. 

Educational Assistant 

1995 

Linda Dale (Brown) writes: 

“David and I were married 

in a backyard ceremony on 

July 9, 2005 – a second 

marriage for both of us. 

Among those attending 

were our seven children 

and two grandchildren.” 

General Arts & 

Science 

1994 

From Alicia Henriquez: 

“After graduating from 

Conestoga College, I began 

my studies at Queen's 

University and graduated in

1999. I now have a 

bachelor's degree in 

Nursing Science, and am 

working as a Public Health 

Nurse in the health 

department at a the region 

of Peel in Mississauga.” 

General Business 

1992 

Debbie (Jones) Anderson 

would enjoy talking to 

former classmates. Debbie 

and her husband Chad 

(married Feb. 1993) own 

and operate 4 farms in 

Mooretown. They have 3 

kids Kaitlynn - 11, Daniel - 

9, and Kendyl Grace - 6. In 

her spare time Debbie 

works at the gift store she 

owns in Petrolia, Ontario. 

You can reach Debbie at 

danderso@rivernet.net 

2000 

Daniela MacDonald 

(Valenzuela) married Colin 

MacDonald on June 3, 2005. 

They have a “beautiful and 

energetic” 3 year old son, 

Nicholas. Daniela works in 

individual operations at 

Sunlife Financial. 

Graphic Design 

1982 

Diane Ransome writes: 

“Graphic Technician 

Program Grads! Are there 

any former classmates that 

have made the move to the 

west coast? I'd like to look 

them up.” 

Want to get in touch with 

Diane? Just email 


and we’ll pass along your 

message. 

1994 

Sally Van Paemel started her 

own business 2 years ago. 

She recently chaired the 

London Y Women of 

Excellence Awards, held on 

May 3rd. There were 1100 

people in attendance and 

over $100,000 was raised. 

The proceeds this year go 

to the London Y 

Community School Program 

- which provides 

programming that enhances 

literacy and social skills to 

youth and their parents in 

various London schools. 

Human Resources 

Management 

Grape Vine 

2003 

Congratulations to Bonnie 

Bishop (St. Gelais) who 

married Dr. William Bishop 

on August 23, 2005 at the 

Vineland Estates Winery, 

surrounded by family and 

friends. In September, 

Bonnie began a new 

position at the University 

of Waterloo. 

Journalism – Print & 

Broadcast 

“Hi former journalism 

students and those who 

were on Spoke Staff! Yes, 

Don Breen, the Writing 

Machine is still around, still 

writing, but mainly 

involved with the 

disabled.” 

1971 

Dave De Jong and his wife 

Maureen (nee Corcoran, 

Legal Secretary, 1970), 

celebrated their 35th 

anniversary this year with 

an open house attended by 

some friends from 

Conestoga days. Conestoga 

grads attending the open 

house were Mary Simpson 

(Social Services, '71), one of 

Maureen's bridesmaids, and 

Janice Horvath (nee Heath, 

Social Services '70). Dave 

writes, “We still keep in 

touch with a number of our 

fellow grads on a semiregular 

basis, gathering at 

each other's homes for 

special occasions or meeting 

at events such as 

Oktoberfest.” 

1990 

Lisa Shiels-Funston would 

like to contact Trina Eder. 

If you’re out there Trina 

contact the Alumni Services 

office and we’ll make sure 

you and Lisa get in touch! 

Law & Security 

Administration 

1998 

Maureen says hello to her 

fellow LASA grads of 1998. 

“I’m doing great, living in 

Welland with my commonlaw 

husband, dog and two 

cats. I now work as a 

commercial broker in a 

large firm in St. Catharines 

after being a 911 operator 

for a few years in both 

Chatham and Niagara. I 

hope everyone who was in 

my LASA program, along 

with anyone who lived in 

the Doon residence 96-98 

(especially my old 

roommate Jessica Paluch) 

will call the Alumni office 

to get my email and get 

back in touch!” 

Legal Secretary 

1976 

Rosemary Barton (Kornett) 

currently lives in Florida 

and would love to travel 

home for a reunion. If 

anyone is planning a 

reunion please contact the 

Alumni office, and we’ll 

put you in touch with 

Rosemary. 

1979 

Maria McDougall 

(Carvalho) and her 

husband Randy (Hydraulic 

& Pneumatics 1980) were 

married in April 1981. 

They have two children, 

Sarah, 23 and Joshua 19. 

Nursing 

1975 

Jane Hamilton Wilson has 

recently accepted a faculty 

position at Conestoga 

College, Doon Campus to 

teach in the Collaborative 

MacMaster Mohawk 

Conestoga BScN program. 

She has been working as a 

Family Educator on an 

outpatient team 

specializing in early 

intervention for psychosis 

since completing her MHSc 

degree in 1990. Jane is 

presently a Ph.D. candidate 

in the School of Graduate 

Studies at University of 

Alberta. 

1987 

Cheryl Denise Miller 

(Bauman) is currently living 

in Philippi, West Virginia 

where she works as a nurse 

at a senior centre. In 2005, 


11

a collection of her poetry, “I 

Saw God Dancing”, was 

published by DreamSeeker 

Books and is described as 

follows: “The narrative 

poetry of Cheryl Denise 

gathers together her 

Canadian Mennonite roots, 

rural life and her 

attachment to the people 

and mountains of West 

Virginia. Her poetry is rich 

in concrete detail and many 

poems contain a storytelling 

quality. Subjects range from 

sheep farming to lusts and 

longings, biblical women, 

legs, old lovers and 

laundromats. Often 

humorous, she penetrates 

to the deep current of 

human relationship.” 

1992 

Fran Brunskill writes: 

“Hello classmates! I have 

moved from Mississauga to 

Surrey, BC. For the latest, 

visit our website at 

www.millenicom.com/john 

brunskill” 

Police Foundations 

2001 

Jordana Zona was married 

to Cst. Chris McHugh 

(graduate of Police 

Foundations 2000) on July 

17, 2004. They now reside 

in Georgetown, where 

Chris works for Peel 

Regional Police. 

Pre-Service Firefighter 

2003 

A Wedding!! On July 9, 

2005, Todd MacDonald and 

Amanda Martin (Business 

Administration-Accounting 

2004) tied the knot! The 

MacDonalds are living in 


Grape Views 

Barrie, both working, using 

the education they received 

from Conestoga. 

Recreation Leadership 

1995 

From Brad Crawford: Hola 

to all of my old classmates 

and “Lerning Unet 

Advysers”! In 2002, my 

face almost broke (such a 

big smile) when I married 

Mari Carmen in Mexico 

City. We lived in Mexico 

for 2 years before coming 

back to Canada. October 

26, 2004 became the best 

day of our lives when our 

son Jeronimo was born. 

We have just bought a 

house in North Vancouver 

and are excited about the 

arrival of our next child in 

January. 

On the employment front, I 

have finally settled into 

Canadian Outdoor 

Adventures as the 

Operations Manager. Since 

graduation, I've been doing 

a bit of globetrotting as a 

whitewater raft/kayak 

professional and finally have 

decided that it's something 

saved for the weekends. If 

anyone is coming out to the 

west coast make sure you 

give us a ring. 

Social Services 

1998 

Andrea Robinson is the 

proud grandmother of 

Abigail Hannah Robinson 

born September 8, 2003. 

2000 

Sandra Murray sends this 

note: “Time has flown and 

it seems like yesterday that 

we graduated and said we 

would all stay in touch. I 

am still employed at my 

final placement though the 

name has changed. Darn 

that Dick Parker for telling 

me I needed to round out 

my experiences! It has 

been six years since I was 

a student at the Perth CAS 

and looking back...who 

knew! I still love my job as 

a protection worker. Oh, 

btw I have another 

grandchild to boot! I hope 

that my fellow classmates 

are doing well also! I miss 

our fun times! Email me at 

smurrayba@yahoo.ca Take 

care all xo” 

2004 

Shannon Joseph (Kempel) 

was married on July 16th, 

2005. She writes, “It was a 

wedding to remember, we 

were supposed to get 

married outside but it 

rained and the power went 

out twice, once during my 

husband’s vows, then 

during mine. Everyone tells 

me they will never forget 

our wedding.” 

Systems Analyst 

2003 

Mukul Padhya says, “Hello 

to Norbert and everybody! 

Hope all of you are doing 

great and keep up the 

good work. Good luck!” 

Welding Engineering 

Technician 

1994 

Mark Connely was married 

Feb 14, 2004 to Christina. 

“We are expecting a little 

bundle of joy in October. 

I am currently working 

around the corner from the 

College at Tri County 

Welding Supplies.” 

Men’s Outdoor Alumni Varsity Soccer Team 

Calling all Varsity Alumni! 

Duane Shadd and Marlene Ford of the Rec Centre are updating their Varsity team 

lists. If you were a member of a Varsity team, please contact us in the Alumni 

Services office to let us know. Email mwilliams@conestogac.on.ca with your name, 

address, year and program and sport. Please let your team members know we’re 

looking for them!

Lost Sheep 

We’ve Lost Connection with Our Alumni 

Help us find our lost alumni! Do you know the whereabouts of any of these lost sheep? 

Please ask them to contact the Alumni office at 519-748-5220, ext. 3463 or update their 

information on the Alumni section of our Web site at www.conestogac.on.ca. 

Graphic Design 

1971 Bruce Coxon 

Alan Harvie 

1976 Erick Baird 

Meriam Clarke 

(Bendrihem) 

Irene Olsen (Niehus) 

1977 Astrida Bohm 

Philip Brazeau 

Robert Capling 

Laura Kocher 

Susan Lahosky 

Marcia McDougall 

Yvonne Schaffer 

Frank Schepens 

1978 Cameron Bender 

William Hartley 

Caroline Jarvis 

Barbara Pearn 

Deborah Randall 

Cheryl Starr 

Elaine Wickie 

1979 Christine Wake 

Melinda Gurney 

Philip White 

1981 Kathy Clerk 

Christopher Corke 

Gwen Gascho 

Roger Gremo 

Blaine Grouette 

Hilrita Hoekstra 

Steven Kotan 

Monica Liedtke 

Brenda MacKenzie 

Cindy Mark 

Carmela Mason 

Joseph McGuinness 

Darlene Miller 

Rosemary Pagnan 

Jennifer Totzke 

Gayle Westman 

Sahron Zaniewski 

1982 Julia Archer 

Keith Batey 

Barbara Baugart 

Melissa Beechey 

Peter Bradford 

Kenneth Clements 

Joseph Dwyer 

Julie Falu 

Marie Feenstra 

Paul Foster 

Marion Held 

Kimberley Higgins 

Diane Hook 

Kelly Howden 

Richard Jurevicius 

Judith McMillan 

Paula McNally 

Patti O’Rourke 

Brian Price 

Stephen Price 

Ella Purdon 

Heather Robertson 

1983 Brian Dolinski 

Sherri Drew 

Sharon Erhardt 

Laurel Howald 

Doris Kress 

Jan McNeill 

Nancy Nevala 

Laura Schmiedendorf 

Carol Simpson 

Gerhild Unny 

Wendy Zettle 

1984 Meena Boyal 

Raymonde Brown 

Lina Carpino 

Karen Lewis 

Shelley McGuire 

(Plummer) 

Patricia Polo 

1986 Norma Bissonnette 

Susan Breen (Bass) 

Shona Bruce 

Carolyn Hanna 

Nicole Laurin-McCrae 

Sharon Rees 

Barbara Salzman 

Susan Scherrer 

Drew Welsh 

Pauline Whyte (Hogbin) 

Patricia Wray 

1987 Mark Bugdale 

Tracy Card (Stalkie) 

Sheri DeGraaf 

Kelly McCracken 

(Hofstetter) 

Lori Osinga 

Lisa Rundle-Tuckey 

Darlene Sauder 

1988 Sharon Bauman 

Wayne Beker 

Jerry Benjamins 

Jason Boettger 

Suzan Diamante 

(Manoochehri) 

Toni Henhawk 

Kevin Morris 

Tracy Siefert (Wilson) 

Sharon Zehr 

1989 Barbara Becker (Good) 

Dave Gowman 

Scott King 

Richard Klaver 

Karim Lalani 

Dawn McClintock 

Lisa Musclo 

Cheryl Reibling 

Louise Van Hooydonk 

Personal Support 

Worker 

1998 Pauline Carere (Kuepfer) 

Anne Everett 

Lisa Farrer 

Andrea Golz 

Brenda Graf (Strittmatter) 

Lorenza Guevara (Gaspar) 

Shannon Johnson 

Marion Kelly 

Beatrice Kiduli (Lokonoi) 

Tristyn Laderoute 

Jacqueline Lartey (Toney) 

Nancy Lashbrook 

Marie Lenting 

David Losey 

Joan Murphy (Threndyle) 

Danyelle Orton 

Diana Ough 

Valencia Parker 

(McDonald) 

Melodie Remus 

Kimberley Schlauch 

(Stevenson 

2000 Elaine Bregman 

Jenny Wilts 

2001 Hamdiina Gelani 

(Mohiddin) 

Shannon Gould 

(McClenaghan) 

Rachel Hammond 

Terry Hynes 

Kristine Kraehling 

Amanda Legge 

Ruth Marcus (Lascu) 

Criselly Moreno-Garcia 

Tricia Morlock 

Marjorie Patterson 

(Smith) 

Virginia Shortt 

Netsanet Showarkabh 

Sherry Smeltzer 

Brenda Vesely 

Verna Weber 

Jeffrey Whittle 

2002 Nicole Bedard 

Giselle Chase 

Danqun Chen 

Judith Coulombe 

Vanessa Depeazer 

Terri-Lynn Gallagher 

Mia Harnett 

Zeljka Janjic (Krizan) 

Donna Labonte (Blewett) 

Angie Lam 

Sharina MacPherson 

(Drake) 

Alysa Litt (Droog) 

Hakima Moallim 

Tammi Redmond 

Kerry Robertson (White) 

Kary Robinson 

Theresa Sherrin 

Debra Ward 

Pamela Weston (Auld) 

Coralee Young 

2003 Elizabeth Baldwin 

Melanie Barney 

Heather Campbell 

Corinne Dagenais 

Carmel Dietrich 

Ann Gerrits 

Magorzata Gromek 

Melissa Grunert 

Judith Henderson 

(Whittaker) 

Gordana Jovic 

Pamela Keating 

Sandra Nicholas 

Katie Nicholson 

Brenda Nyveld 

Julie Perry 

Nadine Peters (Reimer) 

Rebecca Schwark 

Marie Wilson (North) 

Danielle Workman 

(Ouellet) 

2004 Esther Atemo 

Janey Gayman (Wager) 

Mary Greulich 

Amanda Levely 

Maryam Naji 

Lisa Pavao 


13

Social Services 

1970 Jim Armstrong 

Loraine Culham (Hamilton) 

Denise Gilles (Meyers) 

Joan Heard (Davies) 

Robert Vanryn 

1971 Larry Bloomfield 

Kathleen Brubacher 

Ruth Ann Campbell (Fuller) 

Fidelia Davis 

Gordon Schreiber 

Mary Simpson 

Harry Smith 

Paul Smith 

John Steinberg 

Donna Tonkin (Brewer) 

Wayne Travers 

Bruce Zinken 

1972 Mary Job 

Carol Kolohon (Pilgrim) 

Andre Lalonde 

Harry Milbrandt 

Gloria Spencer (Shantz) 

Grace Stark 

1973 Leono Carle-Corbeil 

Barbara Erb 

Diane Fair 

Jane Falconer (Valiee) 

Susan Finnie 

John Gilbert 

Keith Goebel 

Irene Gulliver (Reyenga) 

Patricia Hogan 

Margaret Luck 

In Memoriam 


Lost Sheep 

Deborah Moon 

Shirley Morrison 

Margareta Ruigrok 

Diane Shaver 

Helga Tewfik 

Catherine Vallee 

Lynne Vance (Hart) 

1974 Hilde Besser 

Catherine Collett 

Linda Jacober (Stumpf) 

Helga Naguib 

Patricia Robinson (McEachern) 

Josphine Stark (Marriott) 

Mike Weber 

1975 Teresa Doyle 

Frances Elliott 

Mary Fearnall 

Lynda Forbes 

Gayle Livingston 

Carol Mannion 

Heather McHugh (Shaw) 

Gloria Nafzigar 

Heather-Lee Strongitharm 

John Thomson 

Sandra Turner (Palvetzian) 

Margaret Yule 

Eileen Zarnke 

1976 Joan Baigent 

Linda Beckman 

Maureen Billard (O’Halloran) 

Patricia Boshart 

Gwendolyn Hout (Cressman) 

Faye Janes 

Joan Locke 

Gloria Nafziger (Kropf) 

Valerie Patterson 

Lois Schmidt 

Barbara Shillinglaw (Penrose) 

Wayne Stovell 

Charlotte Timmins 

Gail Walker 

1977 Karen Brandon 

Annette Campbell 

Annette Chan 

Helen Croth 

Lois Harrison 

Daniel Kramer 

Sharon Scott 

Lynn Shakespeare 

Linda Shale 

1978 Sandra Burgess 

Gray Eakins 

Ruth Fereiro 

Louanne Forwell 

Treavor Jones 

Cheryl Karr 

Nikki Oakley 

Linda Prica 

Ruth Pletch 

Sue Rhem 

Violet Waller 

1979 Peggy Allen-Winslow 

Grace Almeida 

Grace Estevan 

Joyce Lovett 

Gordon MacDonald 

Diane Reinhart 

Catherine Scherrer 

Margaret Turner 

In Memoriam information is drawn from a variety of sources including newspaper obituaries and personal communications. The brevity of 

some entries reflects the limited nature of information received. Due to space constraints, it is not always possible to run full-length obituaries. 

Jeremy Atkins – 1997 Computer Programming/Analyst 

It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing Jeremy Atkins, on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 in his 31st year. He will be greatly 

missed by soul mate, Susan (nee Hardwick); cherished father to Ethan, Connor and a precious last gift to be born in December; beloved son 

of Paul and Elizabeth Atkins. Jeremy was affiliated with the Brantford City Council, the Brantford Heritage Committee, and the Brant County 

Soccer Preschool Division "B". Jeremy was a Systems Analyst Manager at Economical Insurance Company in Waterloo. 

Cheryl Boergers – 1977 Early Childhood Education 

Following a lengthy illness, at K-W Health Centre of Grand River Hospital on Sunday, May 29, 2005, age 48 years. Cheryl belonged to St. 

Matthew’s Lutheran church and had been an Early Childhood Teacher prior to her illness. Beloved wife of Ernest Boergers; loving mother of 

Jonathan, Jennifer, Sarah and Kathryn. 

Judith Weicker (Carter) – 1983 Nursing 

After almost a two-year fight against breast cancer, Judy Weicker passed away April 19, 2005. Judy is survived by husband Gerald, children 

Kelly Wolfe (Andrew Sabo), Robert Wolfe (Liz), Rebecca Wolfe, Richard Wolfe, Regina Wolfe (D.J. Curtis), Dave Weicker (Tina) and Susan 

Forgues (Pete). Will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Destin, Colton, Dakota, Steven, Jessica and Kayden and her brother John Carter 

(Val). and their families. Judy was a registered nurse and worked at Columbia Forest Long Term Care Facility. She touched a lot of lives with 

her love and compassion.

Lost Sheep 

Membership Has Its Benefits 

Ten reasons to keep your address information up-to-date with the Development & 

Alumni Services Office: 

Class Reunions 

Free Resumé Critique 

Access password to Job Postings 

Home, Auto and Travel Insurance through 

Johnson Insurance Inc. 

Discount tickets to theme parks and special 

events 

Help Us Stay Up-To-Date 

Name Program Year Graduated 

Name while attending College Extracurricular Activity i.e. varsity team, student government 

Address Apt. No. City 

Province Postal Code Telephone No. 

Getting married? New job promotion? Special message for a former classmate/teacher? 

Let us know what you would like us to share in Connections. Why not send a photo too? 

Employer Name: Position Held: 

Employer Address: City 

Postal Code Telephone No. E-mail Address 

I hereby authorize the release of information contained herein or collected from a third party (such as a family member) to the aforementioned. ❒ YES ❒ N0 

Signature Date 

Free Connections Alumni magazine 

Access to the Learning Resource Centre 

Reduced membership rates at the 

Conestoga Recreation Centre 

MBNA - Canada Bank MasterCard 

Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities 

Welcome Home Award 

As a member of the Alumni Association, we want to be sure that you are receiving your copy of Connections. Please help us to keep your records accurate and up-to-date. Complete 

the information if your status has changed, and mail, drop off or fax to: 

Development & Alumni Relations Office 



Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4 

Fax: 519 748-3532 

I am willing to have my name and phone number given to fellow alumni for the purpose of class reunions, class directories and alumni events. ❒ YES ❒ NO 

Please indicate any of the information you do not wish printed in alumni publications. 

The personal information obtained on this form is used for administrative, fundraising, and statistical purposes of the Development & Alumni Relations Office, the College and/or 

ministries and agencies of the governments of Ontario and Canada. This information is collected under the authority of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M. 

19 and R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 770. 

Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to the Development & Alumni Relations Office, Conestoga College, 

299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4. Telephone 519-748-5220, ext. 3459. 


15

Paul Kalbfleisch has been a valuable 

resource for Conestoga’s Advertising 

Program practically from the 

beginning. An article in 

Connections about the new program 

prompted Paul to join the 


PAC’s 

Profile 

(PACs Program Advisory Commitees) The Board of Governors appoints Program Advisory Committee members for 

degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and 

recent program graduates. 

Paul Kalbfleisch 1980 Graphic Design Grad and Member 

of the Advertising Program Advisory Committee 

Paul Kalbfleisch and Christina Simoes. 

Christina is from our first graduating class, 

2003 and now works for RIM. Her title is 

Marketing Manager, Customer Programs. 

Advertising Program Advisory 

Committee. Paul has provided 

knowledge and expertise to the 

program as it grows. Paul has 

volunteered as emcee for the annual 

advertising gala evenings and 

according to reports was brilliant, 

witty and charming. He is also 

called upon to be a guest speaker 

and provides information interviews 

for the students of the program. 

Paul graduated in 1980 from the 

Graphic Design program. Since 

then he has worked in London and 

Toronto. He became a partner in a 

small advertising agency where he 

gained experience as an art director, 

a creative director and account 

manager. In his search for a 

broader creative challenge, Paul 

joined The Mutual Group as a 

marketing communications officer, 

where he was a key player the 

development of the Clarica brand. 

As a result, Paul worked with global 

leading marketing consultants and 

brand consultants, including Landor 

Associates in New York. For the last 

4.5 years, Paul has been overseeing 

the BlackBerry brand. This role has 

given him the unique opportunity to 

develop marketing ideas with the 

world class creative resources such 

as Second City photographer Annie 

Leibowitz and Hollywood film 

production companies. 

Waterloo Region has grown by leaps 

and bounds over the 25 years since 

Paul graduated from Conestoga. He 

has proven that global opportunities 

are available in our own community, 

and “you never know how far you 

can go.” 

Thank you Paul for giving back to 

Conestoga. 

Are you looking for an interesting and 

rewarding volunteer experience? 

We Need You! 

The Alumni Association of Conestoga College is 

looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join its 

dedicated team. We need volunteers to help 

with committee work, special events and 

organizing off-campus Alumni Chapters. 

Please contact Monica Himmelman at 

519-748-5220, ext. 3459 or e-mail 

mhimmelman@conestogac.on.ca for more 

information about these exciting opportunities.

PAC’s Profile 

Steel Teaching Aid Officially Dedicated 

by John Sawicki* 

l - r, President John Tibbits, ACL Steel Ltd. 

President Paul Seibel and CISC Ontario Region 

Chair Chris Adach 

It's five metres tall, three metres 

wide and weighs almost a ton -- a 

tower of visually arresting steel. 

There's nothing quite like it. Is it a 

modernist sculpture? 

It's better than that. It's a steel 

teaching aid, donated by the 

Canadian Institute of Steel 

Construction (CISC), with the 

assistance of a number of local 

industries. It will help Conestoga 

Construction, Architecture and Civil 

Engineering Technology students to 

observe and learn about all of the 

welding processes used in steel-based 

construction. 

The steel teaching aid is a collection 

of structural steel meant to help 

students see first-hand how a wide 

variety of structural steel shapes are 

joined to form framework for 

buildings, towers, bridges and other 

structures. 

Located adjacent to the 

Woodworking Centre of Ontario at 

Conestoga's Doon campus in 

Kitchener, the impressive structure is 

efficient in a number of ways. 

Students can actually see the work 

Conestoga Grads Paul Seibel (left), President of 

ACL Steel Ltd & Bernard Melloul, President of 

Melloul Blamey Construction Inc. 

being discussed. Faculty can 

comment on and illustrate structural 

procedures effectively. The aid is 

conveniently in a single, on-campus 

location, which reduces the costs 

and inconvenience associated with 

visiting many different job sites 

throughout the region. 

Industrial participants in the project 

included: ACL Steel Ltd.; Albrecht 

Bros. Reinforcing Steel Ltd.; Dufferin 

Custom Concrete Group; Dymin 

Steel Inc.; G. Melo Excavating Ltd.; 

the former Sze Straka Engineering, 

now part of MTE Consultants Inc.; 

Melloul Blamey Construction Inc. 

and York-Ennis, A Division of Russel 

Metals Inc. These firms donated 

time, effort and materials to bring 

the teaching aid to Conestoga. 

Official dedication of the steel 

teaching aid, complete with the 

unveiling of a commemorative 

plaque, took place on September 22 

at the site. Speaking were 

Conestoga President John Tibbits, 

CISC Ontario Region Chair Chris 

Adach and ACL Steel Ltd. President 

Paul Seibel. 

"This unique, generous gift is both 

distinctive and valuable," President 

Tibbits said. "We particularly 

appreciate the efforts of the many 

area businesses that gave time, 

energy and materials to the project, 

which will provide valuable learning 

opportunities for our Architecture- 

Construction and Civil Engineering 

Technology students." 

Thanks to all of the Program Advisory 

members who give so willingly of their 

time and expertise. 


17

y Ingrid Town 

Everyone is talking 

about skilled trades 

Today’s front page article in the local 

newspaper announced an upcoming 

need for 1,500 skilled trades workers 

in construction from our area for the 

refurbishment of the Bruce Nuclear 

Power Plant. 

Debbie Travis, diva of home décor 

television show “Facelift”, and the 

upcoming show “From the Ground 

Up” is scouting for new talent among 

young people to encourage them to 

consider skilled trades as an 

educational and career choice. 

“Construction can be a very 

exciting career and we hope that 

more students will begin to see 

that.” 

Martha George, Executive Director of the 

Grand Valley Construction Association 

Why are skilled trades creating such a 

buzz? Quite simply, skilled trades are 

rewarding. The feeling of 

accomplishment from creating a home, 

a hospital, an arena, or a community 

centre is a feeling that you will get 

every time you see that new building. 

Whether your skill is carpentry, 

masonry, plumbing, or electrical, you 

are making those buildings where 

people gather a reality. It’s thanks to 

skilled trades workers that our 

communities are growing in beauty 

and in size. And Conestoga is 

growing in response to the need for 

more skilled trade’s workers. 

Skilled Trades 

Centre of Excellence 

Conestoga has begun an ambitious $7 

million dollar campaign to purchase a 

large former high school property in 

Waterloo in order to centralize many 

of its apprenticeship programs. This 

new location at 180 University 

Avenue will provide 12 acres, and 

123,000 square feet of space with the 

potential to expand to 250,000 square 

feet. This move will allow Conestoga 

to grow in Waterloo by at least 58% 


Campus Update 

Get Out the Hammers! 

Conestoga is Growing Again! 

University Heights, 180 University Avenue, Kitchener 

immediately. This campus will give 

us the opportunity to effectively and 

efficiently deliver more cost effective 

quality programming to help ensure 

student success. 

John Tibbits, president of Conestoga 

feels strongly about this subject. 

“Without question, the skills agenda is 

one of the most important issues 

facing Canadian society, because it 

ties together higher education, 

economic competitiveness and 

prosperity, and personal opportunity. 

Conestoga is committed to moving the 

skills agenda forward, and initiatives 

such as the acquisition of the 

University Heights property allow us 

to create new, innovative pathways to 

skills education, for the benefit of our 

students and our community." 

Martha George, Executive Director of 

the Grand Valley Construction 

Association agrees wholeheartedly. 

“We are fully in support of this 

initiative because it will help provide 

skilled workers in the future for an 

industry that desperately needs them. 

This move by Conestoga really fosters 

the construction industry which is 

rapidly becoming a career of choice 

and is growing in complexity.” 

Most owners of construction companies 

got their start by mastering a skilled 

trade. And yet, we have trouble 

attracting young people to these trades. 

In fact, many high school students 

who feel uninterested or unprepared 

for university drop out of school 

because they just don’t know about 

the exciting opportunities in skilled 

trades. Conestoga is a college that 

prides itself on connecting life and 

learning, and is dedicated to tackling 

the issue of growing drop out rates. 

“For the sake of our futures, and 

for the economy, we must 

smarten up and start putting 

resources where they are really 

needed – the trades.” 

Sheila Sutherland, Conestoga student. 

Conestoga student Sheila Sutherland, 

whose letter to the editor was chosen 

as the letter of the day by the K-W 

Record on October 3, 2005 had this 

to say about Trades education: 

“There are jobs where you can make a 

very good dollar using your brains and 

hands, strategically figuring out 

problems and making things work. 

There are so many jobs in the trades 

that are simply being ignored because 

the trades are still seen as dirty, lowclass 

jobs. It’s up to society to change 

that opinion. Trades are for the bright, 

for the hard workers, and for those 

who want to make a difference.” 

And our community partners are 

doing just that. As of today, donors 

have already pledged a very 

generous $1.3 million to expand 

skilled trades in our region.

Start young! 

So how do we let our young people 

know the value of skilled trades 

today? Conestoga faculty members 

spent a great deal of time examining 

how other regions and provinces 

tackle this issue and came across an 

innovative project that was piloted in 

the Ottawa region. Mike 

McClements, AVP of Conestoga’s 

School of Engineering and 

Information Technology, Trades and 

Apprenticeships, was very pleased 

with what they discovered. “We 

studied the Ottawa program closely, 

and saw the success that takes place 

when youth are introduced to skilled 

trades at an earlier age.” Conestoga 

is now moving ahead on an exciting 

initiative with the Waterloo Region 

District School Board to create a 

system whereby construction trades 

are introduced to students while 

they are in secondary school by our 

instructors at our facilities. 

This exciting new campus in 

Waterloo will be a hub where 

Conestoga will be able to work at 

reducing youth unemployment, and 

encouraging young people to enter 

rewarding careers in skilled trades. 

What Else is Cooking in 

Waterloo? 

These exciting plans for the campus 

on University Avenue include another 

centre of excellence - in Hospitality. 

Currently housed in the 435 King 

location, our existing Food and 

Beverage and Culinary Arts 

programming will be able to expand 

to offer new programs aimed at 

meeting the needs of the food and 

beverage industry. As the Waterloo 

Region continues to grow, the 

requirement for fine dining and locally 

representative cuisine is also growing. 

The need for graduates in culinary arts 

and food and beverage services is 

continuous, and yet Conestoga has 

been unable to offer expanded 

programming in these areas due to 

space and equipment limitations. 

By raising sufficient funds, we will be 

able to offer more diploma programs, 

and accommodate up to three times 

as many students in programs such as 

Culinary Management, and Chef 

Training. Again, this type of 

Campus Update 

Conestoga is Growing Again - continued 

programming will help us keep youth 

in education, and keep interested 

students in our community. 

Just the Facts 

The existing programs that will be 

re-located to the new Waterloo 

campus include all of the residential 

Apprenticeship Programs such as 

Cabinet Maker, Carpenter General, 

Electrician – Construction and 

Maintenance, Plumber, as well as all 

the related continuing education 

programs and related applications 

for those trades. Once we are able 

to move these residential 

construction programs to University 

Heights, we could eventually add 

courses in areas such as drywall, 

sheet metal, framing and masonry. 

All Hospitality programming, 

including Chef Training, Food and 

Beverage Management, Bartending, 

and eventual apprenticeships in 

hospitality will move to this campus 

as well. 

A new opportunity with a co-op 

component that Conestoga has 

developed this year is a joint 

apprenticeship/ diploma program. 

This Co-op aspect enables applicants 

to overcome the main barrier to 

gaining an apprenticeship, which is to 

secure employment before applying. 

Conestoga is the 4th largest training 

delivery agent in the college system, 

and our apprenticeship programs 

have grown by 65% over the last 

years. This has been the fastest 

growing area at Conestoga, and we 

have developed four new 

apprenticeship programs, as well as 

developed articulation agreements 

with several school boards. Conestoga 

offers five certificate programs, 14 

apprenticeship programs, and five 

diploma programs in the School of 

Trades and Apprenticeships. Last year, 

we had approximately 2,500 students 

enrolled in that school. 

The Government of Ontario has 

made a commitment to increase the 

number of new entries to 

apprenticeships by 26,000 by the 

year 2006/07 to meet industry’s 

need. They are also committed to 

providing $50 million to assist 

colleges with the renewal of the 

apprenticeship system – but these 

funds are often only made available 

as matching funds for donations 

made by industry partners, 

individuals, or foundations. 

With the Ontario Government’s 

commitment to expand the trades in 

Ontario, the Waterloo Region must 

respond by encouraging an 

investment in space and resources for 

that training to take place. In order 

to benefit from potential government 

investment, and from the resulting 

increase in skilled trades capacity, 

capability and prosperity, along with 

Conestoga wants to offer three routes of entry for 

skilled trades training: 

1. Traditional – a formal agreement between the apprentice, the employer and the 

Ontario government whereby the apprentice spends 10% in school training and 

90% on the job training to finish an apprenticeship in 2 – 5 years 

2. In conjunction with the school board – a program geared to students who have 

an interest in trades and are seeking state-of-the art training where they will 

integrate into the workforce while still in the secondary school system. 

3. Apprenticeship/diploma route – an avenue whereby students can obtain a 

diploma and on the job training towards an apprenticeship without having to 

gain employment first. 


19

The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) 

pre-apprenticeship program of 

Conestoga has been named one of 

five winners of an academic 

excellence and innovation award 

from the Yves Landry Foundation. 

The Conestoga award is $5,000 and 

was presented in Toronto on October 

20 at the Foundation's sixth annual 

STARS Technological Education 

Awards Gala, held at the Westin 

Harbour Castle. 

The WIST program, which has 

operated at Conestoga since 2001 at 

the Doon (Kitchener) and Guelph 

campuses, has been named by the 

Foundation as an outstanding technical 

co-operative education program. 

Funded by the Ontario Women's 

Directorate through the Ministry of 

Training, Colleges and Universities, 

WIST aims to address the shortage of 

skilled workers in the manufacturing 

and construction sectors by offering 

opportunities to unemployed or 

underemployed low-income women, 

who are unable to pursue options in 

the skilled trades because of a lack 

of math skills, computer literacy and 

hands-on experience involving 

technical equipment. 

WIST initiatives are consistent with 

the higher profile being assigned 

apprenticeship education by the 

provincial government in recognition 

of the value skilled apprentices bring 


Campus Update 

Conestoga is Growing Again - continued 

the reduction of unemployment, we 

must respond by creating more 

opportunities and more innovative 

solutions to train our apprentices. If 

Conestoga is unable to do so, 

Ontario funding will be directed to 

other institutions that can, we will 

continue to face youth 

unemployment. If we cannot meet 

this challenge, our young people 

who are interested in skilled trades 

will leave the community to find the 

opportunities they are seeking 

elsewhere. 

Conestoga Program Earns 

Prestigious Yves Landry Award 


As 80% of our graduates tend to 

stay here in the Waterloo Region, 

we feel strongly that we must offer 

our students the best possible 

education and training to encourage 

them to stay in our region, and to 

keep our local industry partners 

supplied with top-notch skilledtrades 

workers. 

With enough support from 

community leaders, alumni and 

friends, we hope to move into 

University Heights in time to offer 

programming by September 2006. 

Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation 

& President John Tibbits 

to the workplace and the economy 

as a whole. 

Conestoga's WIST participation has 

been in the areas of carpentry, 

millwright, and precision machining 

and tooling. Almost one-fifth of the 

WIST participants in Ontario have 

been at Conestoga, more than 50 

women have successfully completed 

studies and workplace-related 

practical experience, and of these, 

almost all are employed in industry, 

many as registered apprentices. 

Success has been due to the cooperation 

of community 

organizations, employers, unions, 

government agencies and the 

College. Local assistance agencies 

have promoted the program in 

Waterloo Region and in Wellington 

and Oxford counties. District school 

boards have also assisted. Individual 

companies and sectoral associations 

If you would like to support this 

exciting new initiative in skilled 

trades, please use the pledge form 

on the inside cover of the magazine 

and mark Skilled Trades Expansion 

under “other”. Special note – every 

gift up to $500,000 will be matched 

2 -1 by one of our donors. We will 

update you on this donor and 

others in our next issue of 

Connections. Every dollar counts! 

For more information, please 

contact Ingrid Town at 519-748- 

5220 ext. 3490 or 

itown@conestogac.on.ca. 

have been active in seeking and 

offering work placements to students 

and graduates, as have a number of 

union locals. 

WIST continued this fall, with the 

start of another carpentry program at 

Conestoga's campus in Guelph. 

The other four organizations to be 

recognized at the October 20 STARS 

gala are the University of Waterloo, 

the University of Windsor, Northern 

College of Applied Arts and 

Technology, and the York Region 

District School Board. 

The Yves Landry Foundation, 

established in 1998, is based on the 

vision, principles and hopes of the 

late Yves Landry, Chairman, President 

and CEO of Chrysler Canada Ltd. 

from 1990 to 1998. The Foundation 

provides the opportunity for 

business, education and government 

to collectively be part of the solution 

to advance technological education 

and skills training in order to resolve 

the skilled labour shortages facing 

Canadian industries. The STARS 

event provides the platform both to 

honour those working in alignment 

with the Foundation's mission and to 

promote awareness of excellence in 

the effort to reduce current and 

future skills shortages. 

The website for the Foundation is: 

www.ylandryfund.org.

After only one year of in-school 

academics, Sarah Wallace and 

Steven Richmond are working as 

General Machinist Co-op 

Apprentices for a dynamic 

international company, Engle 

Canada Inc. When we met them 

in the bright, clean and friendly 

atmosphere of Engel’s machine 

shop, they were concentrating on 

drilling and tapping using lathes 

and mills. John Beliski, the 

Machinist/ Apprentice Coordinator, 

acknowledges that even though 

they only started working early in 

September 2005, they are already 

part of the team; they are being 

trained and are meeting the 

challenge. 

Both Sarah and Steven have agrarian 

roots which exposed them to 

working with hand tools and 

automated equipment from a young 

age. Sarah was mentored in high 

school by the shop teacher and 

became a peer-helper, which makes 

her feel comfortable around 

machines. She finds the work 

interesting and new every day. 

Steven also realizes how lucky he is 

to have found an apprentice 

position. He feels it has a lot of 

advantages because he likes to work 

with his hands and is not hesitant to 

try anything new. 

Through the School of Trades and 

Apprenticeship, Conestoga is 

entering the second phase of a pilot 

program which provides the upfront 

academic skills for 

apprenticeships before students first 

reach the shop floor. The unique 

Mechanical Technician Co-op 

Diploma Apprenticeship is in its 

second year, with a full enrolment of 

82 students. Students are available in 

options of Tool and Die/Tool Maker, 

General Machinist, Machine Tool 

Builder Integrator and Industrial 

Mechanic Millwright. 

Funded under a Ministry of Training, 

Colleges and Universities initiative, 

this is one of a select number of 

programs intended to produce 

graduates with both certified 

apprenticeship skills and full college 

technical diplomas. Already 

sponsored by a consortium of local 

Campus Update 

A New Direction in Apprenticeship Trades 

by Voilet Boutilier 

Sarah Wallace, John Beliski, Steven Richmond 

industries, students are seeking 

employment in Ontario for their 

work term. The program includes 

1.5 years of study with two periods 

at Conestoga and a fully-paid 52week 

co-op work term in industry. 

There are also many benefits to the 

employer community. Employers 

may be eligible for the up to $5,000 

Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit, 

per student apprentice in the 52week 

work term. Employers have 

the opportunity to evaluate co-op 

students as potential full-time 

employees, thus reducing 

recruitment costs. Employing co-op 

students may be a means to satisfy 

cyclical, short-term or project needs. 

Employers can also establish and 

enhance their profile on-campus 

among students and faculty 

For information on how to hire a 

co-op student from this program 

contact Sonja Roy-Smith in the 

Co-op office at 

sroy-smith@conestogac.on.ca 

Juergen Winkler, Manufacturing 

Manager at Engel said, “We need 

experienced journeymen, and they 

are not just walking through our 

door. We originally interviewed for 

the apprentice positions from 

outside the college and the 

respondents seemed to have the 

view this was ‘for fun.’ It was clear 

after these interviews that the better 

choice was to work with Conestoga. 

The students coming from the 

apprenticeship training program 

possess a huge difference in 

skills.” Engel interviewed five 

candidates from the Mechanical 

Technician Co-op Diploma 

Apprenticeship program and 

“all were great.” “Having the 

students first go to school for 

one year is the way to go,” 

Winkler said. 

John Beliski, the Machinist/ 

Apprentice Coordinator, said he 

was “Really impressed from the 

first day. The co-op students 

did not come in green. They 

made my job easier. Sarah was 

using a CNC machine on day 

one.” John also said he was 

impressed with their strong 

work ethic. 

The plan is for both Sarah and Steven 

to eventually be responsible for all 

service and re-work modifications 

which are frequently a rush. The 

company plans to purchase new 

machines and rotate the co-op 

apprentices though assembly and 

CNC programming to see the whole 

spectrum of manufacturing at Engel in 

order to get a feeling for future 

opportunities. 

Company Profile 

Engel is a worldwide company, with 

its North American headquarters in 

Guelph. The Guelph location involves 

production of injection molding 

machines with clamping forces up to 

500 US tons, and automation 

equipment for the plastics industry. 

This location employs 365 people. 

For more than half a century Engel 

has been meeting every molding 

challenge with expertise in injection 

machine molding technology, in 

machine control, and in automation 

and in process technology. 

Add to this their fully integrated 

robots and automation systems, along 

with applications technology - such as 

long glass fibre, multi-color molding, 

expansion injection molding or 

watermelt - to name a few - and 

Engel's status of single source 

supplier and integrator for the 

complete injection molding industry 

can be easily understood. 


21


Campus Update 

Ground Broken 

for New Student Centre at Conestoga 

Conestoga president, John Tibbits and 

CSI president, Justin Falconer 

Construction is set to begin 

on the new Student Centre at 

Conestoga. The project is scheduled 

for completion in the fall of 2006. To 

mark the occasion, Conestoga 

President John Tibbits and Conestoga 

Students Inc. (CSI) President Justin 

Falconer officiated at a groundbreaking 

ceremony attended by 

students and Conestoga officials on 

Monday, October 24. 

President Tibbits remarked, 

"I congratulate CSI for having the 

vision and making the commitment to 

this centre, which will raise the 

quality of experience for our students. 

We want the highest possible success 

rates for our students, so quality of 

experience is very important in 

attracting and retaining the best 

possible students for Conestoga." 

CSI President Falconer said, "I want 

to thank the students of this College 

for their trust and financial support." 

He added that the student association 

shares the College's goal of attracting, 

retaining and graduating more 

students. He further stated, "Whether 

they are new students, returning 

students or returning alumni who are 

furthering their academic certification, 

this new space will offer unparalleled 

opportunity for students to succeed. 

It will house the important and 

necessary services that students 

expect and enjoy." 

The $6.5-million project will be 

student-financed in large part, and 

will entail renovation of 16,000 sq. ft. 

of the existing Doon campus main 

building, plus construction of 31,000 

Congratulations to Lauren Weber, 

(2005 Electronics Eng. Technology- 

Telecommunications Systems) cowinner 

with Christopher Kuntz of 

the Governor General’s Academic 

Medal. Lauren entered Conestoga in 

the fall of 2001 following his 

graduation from Kitchener-Waterloo 

Collegiate and Vocational Institute, 

and proceeded directly through the 

Electronics Engineering Technology - 

Telecommunication Systems 

program. He participated in the cooperative 

education stream of the 

program, spending his off-campus 

co-op terms employed at Research 

In Motion (RIM), the internationally 

sq. ft. of new space. 

When completed, the Student Centre 

will feature not only amenities such 

as a bistro, student lounge, study 

rooms, games room, broadcast booth 

for CJIQ-FM and retail space, but will 

also include direct access to a 

number of important student 

services: counseling, student 

advisement, health services, disability 

services, a testing centre, an adaptive 

technology lab, computer stations 

and student government offices, as 

well as meeting space for student 

clubs and associations. 

Lauren Weber 

Governor General’s Academic Medal Winner 


known firm based in Waterloo. That 

experience has led to a position with 

RIM in the compliance area, which is 

responsible for ensuring that RIM’s 

products meet all technical standards 

and specifications for the Canadian 

and global markets. His overall 

academic average at Conestoga was 

95.47 per cent. 

This bronze medallion is 

commissioned by the Office of the 

Governor General of Canada. It 

goes to the graduating student with 

the highest overall academic grade 

average for all courses in a diplomalevel 

program.

Leanne Holland Brown is a name 

students, staff and faculty at Conestoga 

will soon come to recognize. 

Holland Brown is the new student 

life coordinator at the College. She 

said her position with the school is 

mainly about enriching the student 

life experience. 

“One element of this position 

includes centralized communication 

around all of the wonderful things 

that are happening at the College: 

student success and achievement, 

opportunities for students to get 

involved and meet other students and 

workshops and presentations that are 

helping students to achieve academic 

success” Holland Brown said. 

One of the projects Holland Brown is 

currently working on is maintaining 

the new Student Life website, called 

CONNEX. Connex was designed to 

connect students to activities, 

initiatives and opportunities taking 

place at Conestoga that will affect 

student life. 

“We’re hoping that students will get 

into the habit of checking CONNEX 

regularly” Holland Brown said. 

“Every Monday, there will be new 

information in the news and updates 

section of the site.” 

“Everyone has been really receptive 

and really excited about Connex and 

I think it’s going to benefit the 

students tremendously,” Holland 

Brown said. 

A link to the Connex site can be 

found in the Current Students section 

of the College’s website. 

Carol Gregory, Director of Student 

Development at Conestoga, said one 

of Holland Brown’s mandates is to 

develop the overall plan for student 

life at the College. 

“Within that, she would be working 

on developing student leadership 

opportunities,” Gregory said. “We 

think it’s important, to encourage 

students throughout the various 

College campuses to develop into 

student leaders.” 

Gregory said Holland Brown is going 

to help the student life experience 

Campus Update 

Student Life Coordinator 

Leanne Holland Brown 

Jason Sonser** 

tremendously. “Leanne is very 

passionate about student life and 

she’s got the breadth and depth of 

experience.” 

Holland Brown said another aspect 

of her position as Student Life Coordinator 

is creating and providing 

student leadership opportunities. 

“(That) translates into opportunities 

for engagement and involvement at 

the College. Student leadership 

initiatives provide students with 

opportunities to learn, grow and gain 

life skills that will benefit them 

immensely down the road”. I’ve only 

been here a short time and already 

I’ve learned there are so many 

fantastic things happening at the 

College in the area of student 

accomplishments and student success 

– there are many committed and 

wonderful students here,” she said. 

Holland Brown said, as in any 

institution, communication about 

events can be difficult sometimes. 

“I’m really hoping a lot of that 

information will come through 

CONNEX so we can share, with the 

College community, all of the great 

things that are happening with staff, 

faculty and students.” 

Holland Brown thinks it is a great 

time to be at Conestoga because 

there is a lot of change and transition 

happening. “It’s a terrific time to be 

starting when people are very openminded 

to new ideas and excited 

about new initiatives.” 

Holland Brown said for a lot of 

people, student life was never a term 

that was really part of their own 

educational experience. “I think 

student life has become an important 

element of the post-secondary 

education experience” she said. 

“Student life is about creating a 

positive and engaging experience 

that encompasses the out-of-theclassroom 

experience. Student life is 

about supporting academic success 

while providing opportunities to get 

involved in meaningful ways, learn 

about yourself and taking advantage 

of opportunities that lead to personal 

growth and development”. 

“That means opportunities for 

engagement with students, staff and 

faculty, as well as opportunities for 

involvement,” she said. “I also think 

a significant piece of it is creating 

opportunities for developing life 

skills that are valued by employees 

and give students an advantage over 

other students.” 

Holland Brown said people seem 

genuinely excited about having her 

at the College. “I have had the most 

warm, welcome reception here that 

I’ve ever had,” she said. “Everyone 

has been so helpful and so friendly.” 

Gregory said she is thrilled about 

having Holland Brown as the student 

life co-ordinator. “We needed 

someone with her focus. She’s the 

right person to do it. She’s passionate 

about it and she’s got some 

tremendous ideas. I don’t think we 

could have asked for a better person.” 

Holland Brown graduated in 2000 

from the University of Waterloo from 

the Waterloo/Brock Concurrent 

Education Program with a Bachelor of 

Education degree in French Teaching 

Specialization. However, she never 

taught French after graduation. She 

worked as a Residence Life 

Coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier 

University for three years, then spent 

a year in England teaching English. 

Most recently, Holland Brown 

worked as Residence Life 

Coordinator at the University of 

Waterloo for a year. 


23


Campus Update 

Woman to Woman: Presentation Provides 

Women with Useful Advice 

by Tom Kalbfleisch** 

Female students in the technology 

and trades programs at the College 

who attended a Women in 

Technology and Trades (W.I.T.T) 

presentation received excellent 

advice from other women who have 

successfully met the challenges of 

the workplace. 

About 36 students attended the 

hour-long presentation held on Sept. 

28 and in addition to receiving great 

advice, they got to meet other 

female students in their program 

and ask the presenters questions. 

The guest speakers, who each gave 

five-minute presentations about their 

life as a female in the world of 

technology and trades, included 

Nicole LeClair, a Welding 

Technology graduate, Pam Bunker, 

l-r Jodi Norris, Nicole LeClair, Pam Bunker, 

Philomena Bonis 

an Architecture-Construction 

Engineering Technology graduate, 

Jodi Norris, a Civil Engineering 

graduate, and Philomena Bonis, a 

teacher and aspiring astronaut. 

“My goal is to see the earth with my 

own eyes,” said Bonis, a Grade 7-8 

teacher at Queensmount Public 

School in Kitchener. “It doesn’t 

matter what I have to do to get 

there, but that is my goal.” 

Bonis applied to NASA for a job as a 

space education specialist, her 

application was accepted but 

because she’s not an American 

ctizen she did not get the job. 

“It’s one of many things on my list 

of accomplishments,” said Bonis. “I 

was still very pleased to at least 

have my application accepted.” 

The event was organized by Julia 

Biedermann, the Chair of 

Engineering and Information 

Technology. Other organizers 

included Shawna Bernard, a 

member of Student Services and 

Jane Carr, a professor in technology. 

Valentine O’Donovan – A Leader in 

Technology and Philanthropy 1936-2005 

Conestoga President John Tibbits, 

staff, faculty and students were 

saddened by the passing of 

community leader Val O’Donovan last 

year. "Val O'Donovan was notable for 

his vision, enthusiasm and dedication 

to excellence” said Tibbits recently 

when asked about Mr. O’Donovan. 

“He believed that Canada had a major 

role to play in the world, both 

economically and in the advancement 

of knowledge. The success and 

leadership of COM DEV in the field 

of satellite system technology owes 

much to Val and the team he built 

when he moved his business from 

Montreal to Cambridge.” 

Valentine O’Donovan was born in 

Ireland in 1936. In 1953 he went to 

work for Pye Ltd. in Cambridge, 

England as an engineering apprentice. 

Using a company funded part-time 

day release program he studied 

engineering at the Cambridge College 

of Arts and Technology. He graduated 

in 1959 and joined the staff of Pye 

Telecommunications as a professional 

engineer. In 1962 he invented a new 

type of microwave multiplexer and 

his paper describing it, “Microwave 

Branching Systems”, was published in 

the Journal of the Institution of 

Electronic and Radio Engineers. It 

was awarded the Leslie McMichael 

Premium for the best paper published 

in the Journal on the topic of Radio 

Communications in 1963. 

That same year, he immigrated to 

Canada and joined the 

Communications Division of RCA in 

Montreal, where he participated in 

the engineering development of the 

first generation of satellite earth 

stations. These had antennas more 

than 100 feet in diameter and 

communicated with the very first 

“Early Bird” geo-synchronous 

satellites. In 1969, he transferred to 

the Space Systems Division and led 

the team developing the technology 

required for advanced microwave 

payloads for Communications 

Satellites. In 1971, he became the 

manager of the Satellite Transponder 

Department which was responsible 

for designing the payloads used in 

the Canada/USA Communications 

Technology Satellite (Hermes) and the 

first USA Domestic Satellites (RCA 

Satcom). A few years later, he coauthored 

a book entitled “Microwave 

Filters for Communications Systems”. 

In 1974, Mr. O’Donovan left RCA to 

become President and Chief 

Executive Officer of COM DEV, a 

new start-up company that eventually 

settled in Cambridge, Ontario. He 

took the company from a fledgling 

operation, to a globally recognized 

leader in its industry. Ten years later, 

COM DEV was the first gold medal 

winner in the category of 

“Technology Innovation” when the 

Canada Awards of Excellence were 

inaugurated. In May 1990, he became 

Chairman of the Board and Chief 

Executive Officer. In June 1999, he 

stepped down from the role of CEO 

while retaining the position of 

Chairman of the Board. In 2004, Mr. 

O’Donovan resigned from his duties 

as Chairman of the Board and 

Director of the Company he founded 

over 30 years ago. 

Today, COM DEV is the largest 

Canadian-based designer and

manufacturer of space hardware 

subsystems, with facilities in Canada, 

the United Kingdom and China. The 

Company manufactures advanced 

products and subsystems that are sold 

to major satellite prime contractors for 

use in communications, space 

science, remote sensing and military 

satellites. 

In 1992, Mr. O’Donovan was the 

winner of the Institution of Electrical 

and Electronic Engineers’ 

McNaughton Gold Medal, which bore 

the citation: “for sustained leadership 

in the development of space 

technology and for transforming a 

fledgling company into a significant 

international player in the field of 

satellite communications”. One year 

later, he received the Laurier 

Outstanding Business Leader from 

Wilfrid Laurier University and in 1995 

the University of Waterloo awarded 

him the Degree of Doctor of 

Engineering (Honoris Causa). In May 

of 1997, he became the 7th 

Chancellor of the University of 

Waterloo, and served as Chancellor 

from 1997-2003. In 2001, Mr. 

O’Donovan became the second 

recipient of the Canadian John 

Herbert Chapman Award of 

Excellence, in recognition for those 

Canadians who have made an 

exceptional contribution to the 

Canadian Space Program. In 2003, 

he became a member of the Order of 

Canada for his vision and leadership 

in the space science and technology 

sectors. 

Mr. O’Donovan helped facilitate the 

move of the University of Waterloo’s 

School of Architecture, he and his 

wife Sheila contributed $3 million 

towards the school’s move to 

Cambridge. The O’Donovan family 

have also been most generous 

benefactors to that university in other 

ways, including the creation of 

endowed research chairs, one in the 

Faculty of Arts, another in the Faculty 

of Engineering (the O'Donovan Chair 

in Engineering), and have donated a 

number of rare Canadian historical 

volumes to the UW Library. 

In July 2000, Sheila and Val 

O’Donovan offered a founding gift to 

begin the process of establishing a 

charitable foundation to establish a 

Campus Update 

Valentine O’Donovan – continued 

hospice. The Lissard House is 

committed to helping people who are 

dying of cancer, live the life 

remaining to them as fully as 

possible, and to easing the challenges 

facing their loved ones. It is the only 

freestanding hospice serving people 

in the Waterloo Region. 

Conestoga has also been the recipient 

of Mr. O’Donovan’s generosity. 

Through COM DEV, the College has 

benefited from countless gifts of 

technology, learning resources, and 

equipment over the years. COM DEV 

has also given over $56,000 in 

support of student awards and 

almost $200,000 in support of the 

School of Engineering and 

Information Technology, Trades and 

Apprenticeships. COM DEV has 

also recently established two 

scholarships for students in our new 

Integrated Telecommunication and 

Computer Technologies and 

Integrated Advanced Manufacturing 

Technologies applied degree 

programs, as well as a special new 

award for co-op students who are 

working at COM DEV and who are 

enrolled in the Electronics 

Engineering Technology Program. 

A number of COM DEV’s employees 

give of their time to contribute 

meaningfully on Program Advisory 

Committees, helping the College 

ensure that the curriculum is up-todate 

and current with advances in 

technology. 

John Tibbits notes that our 

partnership with COM DEV has not 

diminished over the years, but that 

in fact it continues to grow and 

flourish: “Conestoga is very pleased 

to have a strong partnership with 

COM DEV, a two-way relationship 

that sees COM DEV support our 

activities and participate in a variety 

of Conestoga boards and 

committees, as well as provide our 

co-op students and graduates with 

valuable learning and employment 

opportunities." 

Since 2001, COM DEV’s CEO John 

Keating has been a member of the 

Conestoga Board of Governors, 

where he infuses each meeting with 

his trademark enthusiasm and 

passion for education at Conestoga. 

Survived by his loving wife Sheila, 

his three children Simon, Stephen, 

and Chris, and seven grandchildren, 

Mr. O’Donovan will be missed not 

only for his remarkable impression 

on the worlds of technology and 

learning, but also by the community 

where he and his family have made 

such a meaningful impact. 

The Conestoga community wishes to 

recognize and thank Mrs. 

O’Donovan and COM DEV who 

continue to nourish the 

entrepreneurial spirit of business, 

technology, and of giving back to 

the educational community. Their 

endeavours continue to enable us to 

enrich our students’ learning 

experience through their generosity 

and commitment. 


25

Reunions 

1974 & 1975 Recreation 

Leadership 

This was our second annual reunion 

and we have rededicated ourselves 

to doing it all over again next year 

on the 2nd Sunday in August (which 

makes the next one August 13, 2006), 

at Sage's Campground in Cambridge. 

Despite the rain, attendance was 

great. 

The following grads attended: Gerry 

Currie, Glenda Boughner, Ron Sage, 

Jane (Querin) Curtis, Toby Goodwin, 

Eleanor (Bibbey) Mille, Lorie 

(Seymour) Wild, Judy (Bannon) 

Buck, Brian Wilson, Bert (Liz) 

Callaghan, Bob Ballantyne and Denis 

Kuhl. Spouses attended as well, 

much to the delight of the group. 

We enjoyed a lovely day, the rain 

for the most part held off. The 

reunion was held in the covered 

pavilion area of the campground 

and much to our surprise, no more 

"port a potties". Ron Sage had 

recently installed two “real” 

bathrooms, with running water and 

toilets that flushed! So we were a 

happy crew! Toby brought a year 

book, so we all reviewed this and 

laughed, lots of talking and eating 

and had a few rounds of Bocci ball. 

Thanks to Jane and Ed Curtis, our 

photographers. 

back: Gerry Currie and Lorie Wild 

middle Bert Callaghan, Eleanor Mille, 

Brian Wilson, Jane Curtis and Ron Sage 

front Toby Goodwin, Bob Ballantyne, 

Denis Kuhl, and Judy Buck An 


Alumni News and Views 

These three couples were together 

in college, all from the class of '75. 

Eleanor and Brian Mille celebrated 

their 30th anniversary last year. Lorie 

and Bob Wild and Brian and Cathy 

Wilson each celebrate 30 years this 

year. A fitting celebration for the 

class of '75's 30th year reunion. 

1987 Business Administration 

– Management Studies 

The reunion was on August 27th at 

one of the grads' farm in Acton. We 

had about 10 families (approx 35 

people) in attendance. Though it 

was a rainy day, the children still 

had fun getting to know each other 

as the parents allowed them to play 

soccer, tag and swim. Thanks to the 

mothers who brought changes of 

clothes so the kids were warmed!!!. 

We had a camp fire later that night, 

once things dried up a bit, roasting 

marshmallows and hot dogs, and 

continued with our story telling. It 

was a potluck dinner affair and we 

had enough food to feed twice as 

many families. 

Everyone had a good time 

reminiscing about our college years 

plus getting caught up on all our 

current lives, jobs, children and the 

families extracurricular activities. 

1985 Nursing – Doon 

On September 24, 2005, the Nursing 

class of 1985 held a successful 

reunion at the Black Shop Restaurant 

in Cambridge. There were 29 

people in attendance and we hope 

to get together again in five years. 

Invitation 

Attention Graduates of Criminology & Law Enforcement, Law & Security 

Administration and Police Foundations programs… 

Don Douglas is retiring from Conestoga after 36 years! You are invited to the 

celebration to be held Tuesday May 2, 2006 4 – 7 pm 

For more information please contact Heather Bortolussi at 

hbortolussi@conestogac.on.ca or Harry Stavrou at hstavrou@conestogac.on.ca

Upcoming Reunions 

Business Administration – Materials 

Management - All Years 

Mike Shipley and Mark Morrison, both 1986 graduates of 

the Materials Management Program are planning a Cross- 

Generational Reunion of ALL Grads from the program. 

The Reunion will take place in the fall of 2006 and they 

are looking for volunteers to help organize the event. 

Anyone interested in helping out can contact Mark 

Morrison at mark.morrison@sympatico.ca or 519-823-0383 

or mwilliams@conestogac.on.ca We look forward to 

hearing from you. (For more information on the reunion 

and organization of the Materials Management Alumni 

Chapter, please see page 32) 

1996 Early Childhood Education 

Shauna Dietrich (Psenak) is planning a 10 year reunion 

for fellow classmates. If you would like to get to gether 

on May 6, 2006 for dinner and a social, please contact 

her at psenakshauna@hotmail.com. Once she gets a 

number of responses, she can make reservations in 

Kitchener at a casual restaurant and give out further 

information. If you need other contact information for 

Shauna, please call Margie in the Development & Alumni 

Relations office. 

1986 Nursing – Doon 

Make plans now to attend a 20 Year Reunion on May 12 

& 13, 2006. Events include an opening wine & cheese 

reception on Friday night and on Saturday, breakfast and 

shopping in St. Jacobs, followed by a college tour and 

dinner at Golf’s Restaurant in the evening. Call Margie in 

the Development & Alumni Relations office or Cheryl 

Rook at 519-576-2049. 

Lost Sheep 

Sandra Abud 

Kim Aelan (Filsinger) 

Karen Findling 

(Gingrich) 

Charlene Fletcher 

Charles Hogan 

Airi Koivula 

Diane Lewis 

Patricia McNeice 

Florence McPhee 

Laura Moore 

1986 Secretarial Arts – Executive 


Are you planning a reunion? We can assist you with the details, including mailing of your reunion information, and 

booking of on-campus facilities. Get on board and start planning a reunion for your class. For more information, 

contact the Development & Alumni Relations Department 519-748-5220, ext. 3463 or email alumni@conestogac.on.ca. 

Louise Peitsch 

Evelyn Priddle 

Iris Rawlings (Splett) 

Jacqueline Wigboldus- 

Brower 

Attention 1986 grads of the Executive Secretarial 

Program! Mark your Calendars Now for Saturday, 

September 30th, 2006 

Leave your spouse at home and join us in Kitchener- 

Waterloo for an evening of fun, recollection and laughter. 

Location and time to be determined once we see how 

many of you can make it. 

RSVP by March 1, 2006 to nancyb@hotmail.com or 

svancleef@rim.com 

alumni@conestogac.on.ca 

Lost Sheep 

Edith Baer 

Tracey Beninger 

Lisa Brotzel 

Judy Cockburn 

Joanne Deleary 

Carol Dunn 

Marlene Exel (Van der 

Leeuw) 

Kathryn Guignion 

Laurie Hamel 

Corrie Hart 

1991 Business Administration - Accounting 

Book June 10, 2006 for a 15 year reunion! Please 

contact Mark at mjolley@craworld.com for more 

information. 

Lost Sheep 

Wayne Bell 

Mark Brown 

Joanna Craig 

Brenda Evans 

Janet Gehl 

1976 Nursing- Stratford 

Plans are underway for a reunion in Fall 2006! If you 

would like to help organize the event, please contact 

Joyce Jackson (Garner) at jjacksonrnbscn@yahoo.ca or 

call the Alumni office. 

Lost Sheep 

Wendy Boniface 

Janis Demmerling 

Lisa Evans 

Valentina Galachiuk 

Brenda Halloran 

1996 Nursing – Stratford 

It’ll be 10 years since graduation – let’s get together to 

plan a reunion! Please call Margie in the Alumni office 

for more information. 

Lost Sheep 

Lisa Boudreault (Baker) 

Eva Dyck 

Kimberley Greer (Nickel) 

1987 Business Admin. – Management Studies 

Plans are underway for a 20th Reunion in 2007. If you 

are interested in more information, please contact Carole 

Patterson (VanPaemel), at pattersonhome@rogers.com. 

Lost Sheep 

Tahani Aburaneh 

Gerald Adam 

Terry Becker 

John Bezruki 

John Binder 

Sandra Case 

Ken Colquhoun 

Michele Hart 

Joanne Heipel 

Gabriela Hembruch 

Allison Lackner 

Sherry Lawson (Wall) 

Nadia Massarotto 

Donna McCabe 

Carole Neu 

Teresa Nowak 

Gloria Piron 

Gabriela Pizziola 

Lynn Pomeroy 

Kathleen Hutchinson 

(Preissler) 

Shelley Kitchen 

Robert McOuatt 

Dorothy Schnittker 

Tracey Stone (Redwood) 

Marylyn Jenkins 

Gail Livingston 

Donna MacDonald 

Donna McKenzie 

Carrie McQueen 

(Burrell) 

Bobbi McGregor (Plater) 

Isis Melville (Manning) 

Jacqueline Ropp 

Karrie Taylor 

Elizabeth Dieterle 

Donna Dunnett 

(Davison) 

Michael Hartman 

Steve Hoffard 

David Krzewski 

Nancy Leonhardt (Nairn) 

Blaine McEwan 

Joe McGrath 

Teresa Postma 

Veronica Power 

Sharon Prior 

Laurie Ramseyer 

Talmadge Reid 

Tamara Reynolds 

Denise Schell 

Susan Schoch 

Anita Singh 

Angela Skinn 

Dimolkia Vacalopoulos 

Pamela Wood 

Christine Vettor (Shaver) 

Wassana Vongsa 

Petra Wiens 

June Wilson 

Dawn Zettel 

Sandy Ostrom 

Esther Park 

Paula Rosser (Dietrich) 

Theresa Thachuk 

(Cushing) 

Marlene Zehr 

Judith Zehr 

Matthew Middleton 

Robert Morris 

Spencer Murray 

Victoria Scott 

Joanne Sims 

Lorraine Stillaway 

Cindy Weber 

Linda Worsnop (Dienst) 


27

November 7th, 2005 was the date of 

the Alumni Association of Conestoga’s 

15th Annual General Meeting. The 

event was held in the Guild Room at 

the Doon Campus, and was attended 

by over 50 people. The out-going 

President, Brett Tucker welcomed the 

guests and Conestoga President, Dr. 

John Tibbits was the key-note 

speaker. He outlined his vision of 

the future for Conestoga, and thanked 

the Alumni Association for all of their 



Alumni Association of Conestoga 

Celebrates 15th Anniversary 

l-r Linda Taylor, Alycia Tedford, 

Monica Himmelman & Mike Shipley 

Sponsorship of Conestoga 

alumni soccer teams for the Annual 

In-Door Soccer Tournament, hosted 

each year by Conestoga Athletics, and 

organized by Alumnus Marlene Ford 

Sponsorship of both the 

Classic Golf Tournament, and the 1st 

Annual Alumni Varsity Golf 

Tournament. 

Organizing events such as the 

SWAK (Sealed with Alumni Kisses) 

Day Carnation Sales (Feb. 14th each 

year), and the Alumni Annual 

Skating Party. 

Supporting Conestoga’s 

Annual Fund and creating an 

Alumni Association Entrance 

Scholarship. 

support over the past 15 years. There 

were several past-presidents in 

attendance and Dr. Tibbits recognized 

their leadership contribution. 

Mike Shipley, Treasurer presented the 

Annual Financial Report which was 

approved by the voting members in 

attendance, and Norm Bertrand, Past- 

President presented the Nominating 

Committee’s report and the Slate of 

Officers for the coming year. 

Darren Desmarais, Consultant with 

Johnson Inc. presented the Annual 

Affinity Partnership report and gave an 

up-date on the current trends and 

products available in the home and 

automobile insurance industry. He 

then presented the Association with 

the largest affinity-partnership cheque 

in the Association’s history--$25,481.90. 

The last item on the agenda was the 

presentation of the Welcome Home 

Awards. This year there were 13 

Alumni Association Gives Back 

Sponsoring six awards for 

graduating students from various 

program areas, and sponsoring the 

Conestoga team in the Ontario 

College Marketing Competition. 

Purchasing 50 signs which are 

used at various Conestoga events 

such as Tech@Work and on-campus 

Job Fairs. 

Purchasing a life-size 

mannequin, known as Randy, for 

use in the Police Foundations, Pre- 

Service Firefighters, and Law and 

Security Administration Programs. 

The purchase of a designated 

printer for the Registrar’s Office to 

produce official records and 

documents (cost-shared with CSI). 

recipients of this award which has 

been presented annually for the past 

three years. Brett and Mike 

presented each eligible, first-year 

student with a cheque for $250 and a 

gift for their parent. 

Monica Himmelman, Alumni Services 

and Annual Fund Officer, presented 

Brett Tucker, with a gift of 

appreciation from Conestoga, 

recognizing Brett’s significant 

contributions to the Association and 

to Conestoga. 

After the adjournment of the formal 

part of the meeting the Board 

members and guests enjoyed a social 

time with refreshments and a powerpoint 

presentation which highlighted 

the activities of the Association over 

the past year. Special thanks to Anne 

Charles, Faculty Representative to the 

Board, and Margie Williams Alumni 

and Annual Fund Assistant, for 

creating this wonderful presentation. 

Over the past year the Alumni Association of Conestoga has invested in Conestoga and the community in the 

following ways: 

Promotional items such as 

pens and magnets, cards and 

letterhead, used to promote and 

raise the profile of the Association 

and Conestoga College 

Board Development: Strategic 

Planning Day, attendance at 

provincial conferences, (CCA. and 

Opening Doors) and Volunteer 

Recognition Evening. 

Donations to the Kelly Family- 

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, and 

Student Services emergency fund. 

Sponsoring the Alumni 

Association of Conestoga’s Welcome 

Home Award.

Conestoga Needs Long- 

Term, Stable Funding 

In order to continue to provide the 

quality education and equip our 

graduating students with the skills 

that they need, Tim Kingsbury, 1982 

Business Administration—Materials 

and Operational Management 

graduate, and 2005 Alumnus of 

Distinction Award Recipient invites 

you to join him in pledging financial 

support to Conestoga. 

Tim has committed an annual 

donation of $100/year over the next 

twenty years. This generous gift will 

provide an on-going, long-term 

financial resource which will help 

Conestoga provide the same high 

quality education that he received, 

for the next generations of students. 

Tim's message to you is this: "If 

every graduate made this type of 

Affinity Partnership Johnson Inc. Platinum 

Sponsors 

On Sunday September 25, the first 

annual Conestoga Alumni Athletic 

Golf Tournament was held at 

Beaverdale golf course. It was a 

great day of golf and fun times with 

40 golfers hitting the links. Over 

$1000 was raised at this inaugural 

event. 

A special thanks goes to our 

sponsors: Johnson Inc, Conestoga 

Residence & Conference Centre, 

Conestoga Students Incorporated 

and the Alumni Association. 

Additionally, we'd like to extend a 

thank you to everyone who helped 

with the tournament, we couldn't 

have done it without you! 


Tim Kingsbury – A Challenge to Alumni! 

pledge, Conestoga would be able to 

count on $4.5 million a year for the 

next twenty years from it's Alumni. 

With this type of stable funding 

Conestoga would be able to plan for 

the future and continue to provide 

the up-to-date technology and tools 

for our students, so that they are 

well equipped for tomorrow’s 

workplace.” 

Tim is also committed to attending 

any class reunions, workshops or 

networking opportunities to 

encourage and promote Alumni 

Giving Back. He will make an 

additional donation to Conestoga for 

every donation pledged. Please 

consider Tim’s invitation and join the 

growing number of Conestoga grads 

who are giving back to their school. 

For more information on how to 

become part of the Donor Family at 

Conestoga, please see the inside 

First Annual 

Conestoga Alumni Athletic Golf Tournament 

Alumni Association Foursome 

l-r Harlyn Milmine, Sara Marie Thompson, 

Andrew Mercier & Mike Shipley 

Hockey sticks on the putting green?! 

Tim Kingsbury, 2005 Alumnus of Distinction 

back cover of this magazine, or 

contact Monica Himmelman at 

519-748-5220 ext. 3459, or by email: 

mhimmelman@conestogac.on.ca 

Results: 

Putting Contest.......................Glenn Menard, 

Larry Himmelman 

Lady’s Longest Drive ..................Cathy Taylor 

Men’s Longest Drive.................Jason Stolper 

Lady’s Closest to the Pin.........Lindsay Seibel 

Men’s Closest to the Pin ......Larry Himmelman 

Top 4 ...........................................Jon Olinski 

Mike Harris 

Shawn Scott 

Brad Whiteford 


29

CSI invites all Conestoga alumni to 

share their involvement in various 

student associations at Conestoga 

College. CSI would also appreciate if 

you can help with filling in the 

missing spaces of the past executive 

from the student association. 

Over the past few months, 

Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) has 

been researching its past-executive 

members dating all the way back to 

it’s beginning as the Doon Student 

Association (DSA). To date, CSI has 

been able to discover its past 

Presidents and past Vice-Presidents 

dating back to the mid-1970s. CSI 



Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) 

Looking to the Past 

by Jonathan Wolfe 

0has also discovered its first 

president Neil Aitchison and its first 

vice-president Andrew Dysart in 

1968. 

To get to where we are today, CSI 

had to dig deep into the archives, 

looking at past issues of the “Spoke” 

newspaper dating back to the 1970s 

and reading through the past 

agreements with the college along 

with past DSA/CSI corporate 

documents, with dust included. 

Along with researching the DSA past 

executive, CSI has come across its 

past with the Waterloo Student 

Association, Guelph Student 

CSI Executive 

Year of Term President Vice-President(s) 

Association and the Stratford Nurses 

Association. 

CSI is looking to take all information 

collected and build historical 

archives. By building the archives, 

CSI plans to learn more about the 

past, while the organization looks 

ahead to the future. CSI will 

construct a wall plaque to 

commemorate the efforts of past 

student leaders. 

Send your stories and information 

about the past to Jonathan Wolf, 

Director at Conestoga Students Inc. 

at 748-5131 ext. 22 or 

jwolf@conestogac.on.ca. 

2005-2006 Justin Falconer Leanne Bird 

2004-2005 Justin Falconer Scott Ingram-Cotton 

2003-2004 Justin Falconer Carie Laycock Ethan Miller 

2002-2003 Jon Olinski Justin Falconer Jay Mielke Jeff Stemmler 

2001-2002 Jon Olinski Jody Andruszkiewicz Ginny Hawkrigg Jaime Taylor 

2000-2001 Phil LeBeau/Brad Whiteford Mike Harris Brad Whiteford Jon Olinski 

1999-2000 Ellen Menage Mike Harris Jenn Hussey Steve Coleman 

1998-1999 Kristin Murphy Gerry Cleaves Jenn Hussey 

1997-1998 Chris Kroeker Gerry Cleaves Johanna Stevens 

1996-1997 April-Dawn Blackwell Beverly Cutone Krista Ogg 

1995-1996 Dawn Mittleholtz April-Dawn Blackwell 

1994-1995 Sabina Kampf Jackie Allin 

1993-1994 Ron Lehman/Geoff Pearson/Sabina Kampf Geoff Pearson Jennifer Kurt 

1992-1993 Todd Sutherland Steve Tremblay Mark Weicker 

1991-1992 Jeffery Nold Anita Arnold Jamie Slater 

1990-1991 John Lassel Liz Hermle 

1989-1990 John Lassel Marjorie Hewitt 

1988-1989 Bryon Shantz Christine Wettlaufer 

1987-1988 Paul Colussi Tony Karais 

1986-1987 Bruce Hunking Paul Colussi 

1985-1986 Brian Schmidt Eian Campbell 

1984-1985 Dan Randall Rich Tryon 

1983-1984 Jacqueline Matthews Norm Bertrand 

1982-1983 Randy Hutchings Jacqueline Matthews 

1981-1982 Dan Ryans Kevin Nosalik 

1980-1981 Glen Seibel Rob Reale 

1979-1980 Dana Culp Val Saturno 

1978-1979 Dana Culp Gerry Daly 

1977-1978 Howard Elliot/Dana Culp Val Saturno 

1976-1977 Al Landry Scott Heal 

1975-1976 Jane Mitchell Jeff Paleczny 

1974-1975 

1973-1974 

1972-1973 Al Pyra 

1971-1972 

1970-1971 Peter Vandeweg John Elliot 

1969-1970 Neil Aitchison 

1968-1969 Neil Aitchison Andrew Dysart 

1967-1968

Tracy and Sean Jasmins, fellow 

graduates and close friends of Mike 

and Suzanne Kelly sent us the 

following messages: 

September 9th 2005 

“Mike and Suzanne (Malette) Kelly 

(Broadcasting, Radio and Television 

Program grads in 1991 and 1992 

respectively), have been living out 

their dreams in Biloxi Mississippi for 

the past five years. Suzanne, who 

grew up in Kitchener, is the News 

Director and morning Radio 

Newscaster for Triad Broadcasting in 

Biloxi, and Mike, who originally hails 

from Seaforth, is the Director of 

Broadcasting and Media Relations 

and the “Voice” of the Mississippi 

Seawolves (East Coast Hockey 

League). In January of this year they 

proudly welcomed their first child, 

Gregory 

Following the hurricane evacuation 


Alumni Survive Hurricane Katrina 

by Tracey Jasmine* 

Conestoga College is committed to 

protecting the privacy of your 

personal information. Information, 

such as your address, telephone 

number and work information, is 

collected and used under the 

authority of the Ontario Colleges of 

Applied Arts and Technology Act, 

R.S.O. 2002 and its regulations. It is 

disclosed to Conestoga employees 

only as appropriate, and is restricted 

to volunteers who act on behalf of 

Conestoga and understand the 

privacy policy and confidentiality 

expectations. 

When you, as a student, graduate, 

parent of a graduate or friend of 

Conestoga, provide personal 

information to the school through 

formal channels (e.g., forms) and/or 

informal channels (e.g., 

conversations), record of that 

information may be kept on file. 

Conestoga may draw upon this 

information to advance its goals of 

notice, the Kelly’s packed what they 

could in fifteen minutes and drove 

four hours to Pensacola, Florida to 

stay with friends and wait out the 

storm as Hurricane Katrina ravaged 

the Gulf Coast. Thankfully they are 

all safe, but their lives have been 

forever changed by this devastating 

event.” 

November 1st, 2005 

We last spoke to Mike and Suzanne a 

couple of weeks ago. Here is their 

message. 

“Dear Friends, 

We want to thank you for your 

support and prayers. 

It’s been a touchy few weeks since 

Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi 

Gulf Coast area on August 29th. 

After fleeing to safety for 12 days to 

friends in Pensacola Florida, we 

returned to Biloxi.The water is 

contaminated, but it’s a liveable 

situation.We have been unable to 

locate some of our friends in the 

area that stayed during the storm. 

More than 5,000 structures in Biloxi 

alone were demolished.The area 

looks like a war zone with military 

helicopters and trucks helping in the 

search and recovery.We are counting 

our blessings. 

The Mississippi Sea Wolves hockey 

team suspended operations for this 

upcoming season. Mike has accepted 

an offer to remain with the team to 

work in the community and help in 

the healing process. He’ll be back on 

the air calling games in October 

2006. Suzanne was hired back as the 

morning news anchor and director 

despite considerable damage to the 

radio station” (they are currently 

broadcasting from makeshift studios 

in a trailer). 

Privacy of Personal Information Statement 

excellence in education and cocurricular 

activities, efficient 

administration, active alumni 

relations and successful fundraising 

towards school priorities and 

objectives. To further these goals, 

and to help us better celebrate the 

achievements and sometimes mourn 

losses within the Conestoga 

community, the school may also 

keep on file publicly available 

information (e.g., newspaper 

clippings). 

Personal information attained by 

Conestoga is, under no 

circumstances, rented, sold or given 

to any organization outside of the 

Conestoga community. Rather, this 

information is used strictly within 

Conestoga to improve our 

communications, to strengthen our 

school community and to better 

engage parents, students, alumni, 

donors, friends and volunteers as 

participants in the Conestoga family. 

For further information on our 

commitment to protecting your 

privacy, please contact Charlene I. 

Cloutier, Executive Assistant to the 

Vice-President, Finance and 

Corporate Performance at 519-748- 

5220 ext. 3233. If you would prefer 

not to have your personal 

information retained, or if you have 

concerns about our privacy policy, 

please notify Monica Himmelman or 

Margie Williams, in the Development 

and Alumni Relations Department. 


31

The Materials and Operations 

Management program is designed to 

provide the grad with the skills and 

knowledge required for employment 

in the highly specialized and 

expanding fields of production and 

inventory control, purchasing, traffic, 

logistics and value analysis. The 

Materials and Operations Management 

diploma is internationally recognized 

by three professional associations the 

Purchasing Management Association 

of Canada (PMAC), the Educational 

Society for Resource Management 

(APICS) and the International 

Materials Management Society (IMMS). 

By having the Materials and 

Operations Management Diploma, 

grads are eligible for advanced 

standing at the following institutions: 

Northwood University, Michigan and 

Athabasca University, Alberta. 

Since 1975, the Materials and 

Operations Management program has 

had 31 graduating classes with over 

1039 grads. The Alumni Association 

of Conestoga is encouraging all 

alumni from all programs to start 

forming chapters. Back in April, Mark 

Morrison, Tim Kingsbury, and Mike 

Shipley began organizing the Materials 

Management Alumni Chapter. We are 

hoping to organize a Cross 

Generational Reunion in 

October/November 2006, depending 

on the completion of the new Student 

Centre at the Doon Campus. The 

chapter is in the introductory stages 

and over the next year or so it will 

become a very important resource for 

grads and current students of the 

program. The following employers 

have supported the development of 

the Materials Management Alumni 

Chapter: AirBoss Rubber 

Compounding, Lear Canada, McNeil 

Consumer Healthcare, and Linamar. 

The following are some 

insights from Materials 

Management Grads. 



Materials and Operations Management Cross- 

Generational Reunion 

by Mike Shipley 

Company Profiles 

AirBoss Rubber Compounding 

The Kitchener facility is the largest 

single independent capacity for 

custom rubber mixing in North 

America. 

Lear Canada 

Lear is ranked No. 127 on the 

2005 Fortune 500 list and named 

the “Most Admired Company” in 

the motor vehicle parts sector by 

Fortune for the past three years. 

Lear is one of the leading 

automotive suppliers in electronic 

and electrical products. 

McNeil Consumer Healthcare 

McNeil Consumer Healthcare is 

part of Johnson & Johnson Inc. 

The Guelph facility opened in 

1980 and produces Tylenol and 

other over the counter 

medications. 

Linamar Corporation 

Linamar has come a long way in 

its 38 year history. It has grown 

from a small operation to a $1.8 

billion company. Linamar is a 

global manufacturer and supplier 

of leading edge solutions to the 

automotive industry and beyond. 

The firm is comprised of 32 

facilities, 20 of which are located 

in Guelph. 

Lynn McLaughlin, 1998 Grad 

Inventory Control Supervisor, Elmira 

Pet Products 

I remember back four years ago to 

the first time as an Inventory Control 

Supervisor being asked not only to 

take part in my first physical 

inventory, but to organize, lead and 

oversee this inventory count. As 

well as having the responsibility of 

training all counters, I had to ensure 

that the count was accurate to within 

3%. At work, I was cool and 

collected... appearing very confident 

and as sure of my role as I could 

muster. It had been almost four 

years since I had studied all that 

should be covered to suitably 

perform a physical inventory... was I 

really going to be able to do this? 

Would I perform in the manner that 

this company expected? Back in my 

office, my mind never stopped 

spinning, trying to remember all of 

the steps that must be performed 

and each function that needed to be 

completed prior to starting and 

exacting a clean and accurate 

inventory count. I needed to ensure 

not only that all steps were covered, 

but that they were completed in the 

proper sequence. What did the 

counters need to know? What did 

an inventory tag need to look like? 

How was I to run the QAD system 

that this company was using and 

reconcile the inventory count? Was 

the training that I received going to 

be enough? Am I going to neglect to 

carry out some key instruction - will 

I have the entire work force 

snickering at my incompetent, feeble 

attempts at running the show? Well, 

I had no need to worry; the 

inventory went off with great 

satisfaction. I was praised by my 

superiors and gained the admiration 

of fellow workers and subordinates. 

It wasn't that the inventory went off 

without a hitch, but it was completed 

accurately, in a timely fashion, and 

all problems resolved to satisfaction. 

The Materials Management program 

and all that I had learned at 

Conestoga College came back to me 

and served me well. 

I am now approaching yet another 

physical inventory. I have performed 

physical inventories for Heinz, Del 

Monte, DLM Foods and now Elmira 

Pet Products and I no longer lose any 

sleep. I know that this inventory will 

be performed well and it will 

reconcile without a great deal of 

issues. Auditors will come in, 

scrutinize everything and go home 

happy. The new owners of Elmira 

Pet Products will feel confident that 

they are buying material that is 

accurately reflected in the books. 

Thanks in part to the training that I 

received in the Materials Management 

program at Conestoga.

Shawn Casemore, 1995 Grad 

Since choosing the Materials 

Management Diploma Program, I 

have had the opportunity to work in 

all areas of the Materials 

Management field. Of the positions 

I have held, I have had the 

opportunity to work as a Senior 

Production Planner, Senior Master 

Scheduler, Materials Supervisor, 

Senior Buyer and am currently the 

Materials Manager for a small but 

growing company in the Owen 

Sound area. The benefits that this 

program has offered me are two 

fold. Firstly, it has offered a variety 

of career options due to the broad 

range of subjects that are covered 

throughout the program. Secondly, 

there is a growing recognition in the 

work world of the benefits that 

Materials Management grads can 

offer, from improved utilization of 

freight to increased contributions to 

the bottom line. This increased 

recognition along with a vast 

knowledge of production related 

fields offers a great deal of flexibility 

for any graduate’s career, something 

which is key in today's environment. 


Materials and Operations Management continued 

Business Administration – 

Accounting graduates have the 

opportunity to earn a degree from 

the Southern Alberta Institute of 

Technology (SAIT) through study at 

the Doon Campus under the 

tutelage of Conestoga instructors. 

To earn a Bachelor of Applied 

Business Administration with a major 

in Accounting and Information 

Technology, a graduate must first 

complete Conestoga’s post-diploma 

certificate, Accounting and 

Information Technology (AIT), and 

then apply to CGA Ontario and SAIT 

to complete two four-month directed 

field study courses, which can be 

accomplished from any accounting or 

IT job location. The AIT certificate is 

Doug Willms 1982 Grad 

• All the courses seemed very 

practical and useful at the time I 

studied them. 

• The teachers in the program were 

all experienced out in the field. 

They'd all worked for various 

companies that used the MM 

position/function in their 

organization(s). 

• I liked the fact that we also got 

immediate recognition status (at 

graduation) in the PMAC and CAPICs 

associations. 

• The MM program also gave grads 

the option of branching out into a 

specialized areas of Materials 

Management - e.g. Industrial 

Engineering, Quality Control, 

Purchasing Manager or Comptroller 

a ten-month program if completed on 

a full-time basis, but it is possible to 

stretch it out by applying as a parttime 

or continuing education student. 

Graduates of the AIT program may 

use their certificate to apply for 

transfer credits with CGA Ontario. 

To become a Certified General 

Accountant after the SAIT degree, 

Tim Kingsbury - 1982 

Graduate 

Materials Management was, in terms 

of a career, the greatest thing that 

ever happened to me. I graduated 

high school in the late 70's, with 

turmoil in the job market place, when 

a plain university degree no longer 

guaranteed you a good job. I landed 

in Materials Management and had no 

idea how valuable my education was 

until I graduated. My peer group was 

MBA's and within the first couple of 

years of graduation, it became 

obvious that my education gave me a 

competitive advantage over my them. 

As I rose rapidly through the ranks at 

Canada's largest company, my 

education was a key factor for my 

success. Ten years into the work 

force, I realized that my education in 

Materials Management was an 

absolute bargain, in terms of time 

spent to take the course and the 

money it cost at the time. Over the 

past 20 years, I have consistently out 

performed my peer group, and made 

incomes relevant to Harvard and Yale 

graduates, whose education took 5-7 

years and several hundred thousand 

dollars. Without any doubt, Materials 

Management was the foundation for 

that success. 

Degree Opportunity for Business Administration – 

Accounting Grads 

by Brenda Warner Southern Alberta Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Applied 

Business Administration 

For information: 

Brenda Warner: 519-748-5220 ext 3818 or warner@conestogac.on.ca OR 

Frank Mensink: 519-748-5220 ext 3245 or fmensink@conestogac.on.ca 

http://www.conestogac.on.ca/jsp/programs/schoolbusiness/acctinfotech.jsp 

To register for full-time or part-time: www.ocas.on.ca (College code is CONS, program code is 

1109, campus code is 12) 

To register for continuing education: 

http://www.conestogac.on.ca/jsp/cecatf/how2regprograms.pdf 

two CGA courses with their exams 

would remain plus practical 

experience at the senior level. 

For admission requirements, dates 

and locations of upcoming 

information sessions or other 

information, visit the website or 

contact one of the people listed in 

the information box above. 


33



Students prepare 

to serve lunch in 

our Waterloo 

Campus dining 

room 

Conestoga students serve up a pancake breakfast at Oktoberfest 

Above: Current Chef Philippe Saraiva with retired Chef 

Peter Bassin. It was Peter’s idea to have his students 

cook a pancake breakfast at the annual Oktoberfest 

Community Breakfast 20 years ago. 

This year Conestoga students mixed 1,600 pounds of 

pancake batter to make 20,000 pancakes and cooked 

nearly 40,000 sausages for the Kitchener/Waterloo 

community. 

Joe Pavia, 1989 BRT grad and Conestoga President, John Tibbits at 

Oktoberfest Community Breakfast


l-r: Monica Himmelman, Alycia Tedford and Mike Shipley, front: Randy 

The Alumni Association purchased a life-size mannequin, 

known as Randy, for use in the Police Foundations, 

Pre-Service Firefighters, and Law and Security 

Administration Programs. 

Susan Hilton: An Update 

We featured an article on Susan Hilton in our Winter, 2000 edition of 

Connections. At that time she had recently celebrated her first anniversary 

with her new heart. Susan had been diagnosed with hypertrophic 

cardiomyopathy, a disease that had claimed the lives of her grandmother, her 

uncle and her 17 year-old brother Scott. In 1998, Susan received a heart 

transplant. 

What has Susan been doing since her new lease on life began? It took some 

time for Susan to get her “land legs” after having been so ill for such a long 

time, but once she got her stride, there was 

no holding this determined young woman 

back. As her body adjusted, Susan decided 

to take her Mother’s advice to go back to 

school. As a result of medication that Susan 

will have to take for the rest of her life, some 

areas of nursing are no longer an option for 

her. Therefore, the opportunity to take 

certification courses in Leadership and 

Susan Hilton - now 

Management at St. Mary’s General Hospital 

through McMaster University, seemed a logical 

step. One step lead to another, and Susan applied for the Bachelor of Science 

Nursing Program, from which she graduated in June of 2005, Magna Cum Laude, and 

on the Dean’s Honour List. 

This fall Susan became a part-time faculty member here at Conestoga, teaching in the 

Practical Nursing Program. What’s in the future for this inspirational woman? “I’d 

love to get my Master’s of Science degree, and become full-time faculty at Conetoga. 

To teach here full-time would be a dream come true”. 

Susan’s 1st Birthday with her new 

heart - Connections, Winter 2000 

Planning a Reunion? 

The Development and Alumni Relations office would be happy to 

assist you with planning the details. We offer: 

✔ class lists & grad tracking ✔ publish your article & pictures in 

✔ print & mail your invitations free Connections 

✔ advertise your reunion in 

Connections 

✔ assistance with planning your 

reunion 

✔ we will act as contact for RSVP 

information 

✔ we will help arrange location & 

guest speakers 

✔ door prizes & handouts 

plus any other details that would make 

your reunion the event of the year. 

Call 519-748-5220, ext. 3463 


35



Annual Alumni 

Winterfest 

Sunday, February 5 

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Conestoga Rec Centre 

• Free Skating 

• Games for the Kids 

• Prizes 

RSVP 519-748-5220, ext. 3463 or 


Don’t forget the Alumni Indoor Soccer 

Tournament: February 4 & 5 

8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Conestoga Rec Centre 

Ski 

Chicopee 

Four Hour Lift 

Ticket $20 

for tickets call 

Alumni Services 

Ontario Science Centre 

Combo Ticket 

Science Centre & Omnimax Film 

Child 4-12 yrs $8 

Youth 13-17 yrs $11 

Adult 18-64 yrs $15 

Dates to Remember 

Job Fair ........................................................ Feb. 1 

Alumni Soccer Tournament........................... Feb. 4 & 5 

Alumni Association Annual Winterfest ........... Feb. 5 

SWAK (Sealed With Alumni Kisses) Day ........ Feb. 14 

ECE Conference............................................ Mar. 24 & 25 

Broadcasting Awards Banquet ...................... April 5 

Conestoga Classic ........................................ May 31 

Convocation.................................................. June 14 & 15 

For more information, please check our website or call 

the Alumni Office at 519-748-5220 ext. 3463 

Galaxy Cinema 

Cineplex Odeon 

Good Any Time Movie Pass 

Adults $7.50 

Children 13 & under $5 

Job Fair 

Wednesday, 

February 1, 2006 

10:00 am - 3:30 pm 

RIM Park 

The largest Job Fair in Canada 


University of Guelph 

University of Waterloo 

Wilfrid Laurier University 

www.partners4employment.ca 

For ticket information contact 

Margie Williams at 519-748-5220, ext. 3463 

Payment of cash & cheque only 

www.conestogac.on.ca

How can I invest in the Annual Fund? 

Complete the attached pledge form and return it to Development and Alumni Relations in the 

Student/Client Services Building, Doon campus. Payment can be made by cheque, credit card or 

payroll deduction (Conestoga employees only). 

Please return your pledge card to: 

Conestoga College Annual Fund 

Development and Alumni Relations 


Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4 

Charitable Registration Number: 10696 6799 RR0001 

If you have questions, please contact Monica Himmelman at 519-748-5220, ext. 3459, or email 

annualfund@conestogac.on.ca. 

Yes! I want to give 

❒ $50 ❒ $100 ❒ $250 ❒ $500 ❒ $1000 ❒ $2500 Other: $ ______ 

Name _________________________________________________________________________ 

Address _______________________________________________________________________ 

City ________________________________Prov. ____________Postal Code________ 

Phone_______________________________E-mail________________________________ 

❒ Cheque (payable to Conestoga College) ❒ Visa ❒ MasterCard ❒ American Express 

❒ Payroll deduction (Conestoga employees only) 

Please deduct this amount from my pay in 12 installments. 

Credit Card Expiry Date: Month Year 

Credit Card 

Number 

Cardholder’s 

Name 

Did you know that every year Conestoga graduates more than 3,500 new professionals in the fields of Technology, Business, 

Health Sciences, Community Services, Trades and Apprenticeships and Communications? 

Conestoga has a tradition of striving for excellence and relevance. For seven straight years it has been rated the overall #1 

public college in Ontario. Giving to the Annual Fund will allow us to continue to respond to the changing economic environment 

and provide the educational opportunities our community needs to grow and thrive. 

Gifts from alumni, parents, employees and friends, allow Conestoga to develop innovative programs, purchase state-of-theart 

equipment, attract skilled and experienced faculty and staff, and provide students with tools for success. 

Your investment will help us move forward in meeting the needs of the community. 

Help plan for the future 

by investing in the Annual Fund! 

First Name Surname 

Cardholder’s Signature ____________________________________________ 

“I have amazing memories of, and a real 

attachment to Conestoga. For the first time 

in my academic career, I was embraced by a 

system that encouraged me to fulfill my 

potential. I give back so future students will 

have the same opportunities I had.” 

Neil Aitchison, Class of 1970 

Broadcasting - Radio and Television 

I would like to invest in: 

❒ Highest Priority Needs ❒ Campus Expansions ❒ Learning Resource Centre 

❒ Technology Infrastructure ❒ Degree Programs ❒ Student Awards 

❒ Other _____________________________________________________________ 

Did you graduate from Conestoga? If yes - Year___________________________________ 

Name at time of Graduation ________________________________________________ 

Is this a joint gift with your Spouse? ❒ Yes ❒ No 

Did your spouse graduate from Conestoga? If yes - Year_____________________________ 

Name at time of Graduation ________________________________________________ 

Recognition of Your Gift 

❒ I would like to be recognized for my investment via the Annual Donor Report, and would like 

my name to be listed as 

________________________________________________ 

❒ I prefer to remain anonymous. 

The personal information obtained on this form is used for administrative, fundraising, and statistical purposes 

by the department of Development and Alumni Relations, the College and/or ministries and agencies of the governments 

of Ontario and Canada. This information is collected and used under the authority of the Ontario 

Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, R.S.O. 2002, and regulations thereunder. 

(Three electronics students’ photo courtesy of The Record.)

Happy Holidays 

from all of us at Development & Alumni Services

Alumni News and Views - Conestoga College

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