Rudy Brown Honoured At Grand Opening Celebrations - Ridgetown ...

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A Message From...OAC DeanCongratulations on the grand opening of theRudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre.This new facility reflects the commitmentand dedication of staff, volunteers, andmany generous donors.It marks the beginning of a new era forRidgetown Campus, with new facilities,enhanced educational programs andleading edge research for agriculture,food and the environment.The first cohort of degree students began their studies atthe campus this September, enrolled in the EnvironmentalManagement major of the unique Bachelor of Bio-ResourceManagement program. Over the next four years, through studiesat two University of Guelph campuses, these pioneers willdevelop the science, technology and business skills requiredto launch successful careers in environmental management.Ridgetown’s growing profile as an environmental leader is furtherenhanced by new research focused on areas such as nutrientmanagement and the development of biological sources of energy.In September 2007, the BBRM program will expand further whenthe Equine Management major begins at Kemptville Campus.This continued development of OAC’s regional campuses asproviders of distinctive, high quality educational programs hasbeen designed to fulfill industry requirements for skilled workers,while meeting the needs of a new generation of learners.My thanks to you all for your continued commitment to excellencein food, life, and leadership.Dr. Craig J. PearsonDean, OACROOTS StaffJanet Nauta, EditorLiz Meidlinger, Project ManagerPhoto SupportJoseph KrogmanRichard ArmstrongDeuce Design Inc.Blenheim News TribuneAddress Updates, Alumni Corner Newsor ROOTS story ideas:Janet NautaAlumni Services Co-ordinatorE-mail: roots@ridgetownc.uoguelph.caPhone: 519-674-1504University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus120 Main Street East,Ridgetown, ON NOP 2C0Phone: 519-674-1500Fax: 519-674-1530www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.caRidgetown Campus DirectorThe Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centreis now open and it is simply fantastic. It was aremarkable team effort, and our thanks andappreciation go out to each of you who workedso hard on the fund raising and construction forthis very important project. Well done indeed.This will be my final message for ROOTS, as mytenure as Director is coming to a close in earlyJanuary, 2007. For me, it has truly been an honourand privilege to serve as Director of this wonderfulinstitution. Ridgetown is blessed with very talented and dedicated facultyand staff, all of whom work hard for the diversified clients that we serve.I am indebted for their support and guidance over the last 10 years.In this position, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a greatnumber of exceptional folks and have enjoyed tremendous workingrelationships with them all. Whether alumni, OMAFRA staff, Universitycolleagues, municipal government, industry or community - all have beenextremely helpful and willing to discuss how we might strengthen,improve and broaden the educational, research, extension and businessdevelopment programs that Ridgetown offers.The Ridgetown Agri-Food Foundation, which was formed by alumni andindustry supporters in 1997, has been a personal delight to work with.The dedication of this group to Ridgetown is truly remarkable. Despitehaving very busy careers and responsibilities, they have made theCampus a priority and contributed significantly to the success thisinstitution enjoys.Although we became part of the University of Guelph in 1997, the Ministryof Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs still continues to provide verysignificant funding, direction and support to this campus. Clearly, wewere only able to construct the Rural Development Centre as a resultof fantastic Ministry and provincial government financial support.We continue to enjoy and value highly our very good working relationshipwith OMAFRA and its employeesSimilarly, the leadership at the University of Guelph, headed by PresidentAlastair Summerlee, VP-Research Alan Wildeman, Dean Craig Pearsonand AVP Rob McLaughlin, has been vital to the Ridgetown Campus.Their willingness to share their skill, wisdom and vision has been greatlyappreciated. They are all great supporters of the Ridgetown campus andwhat we believe in.Being Director of the Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, has beena remarkable experience. I thank you all for this opportunity and for yoursupport. It has been a blast.Dr. Gary AblettDirector, Ridgetown Campus2roots@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
Ridgetown College Is NowUniversity of Guelph,Ridgetown CampusThis school has gone through several name changes inits 55-year history. From its roots as the Western OntarioAgricultural School to Ridgetown College of AgriculturalTechnology to Ridgetown College, over 5,000 studentshave graduated since the first students started in 1951.In the spring of 2006, a new name was announced –University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.“The new name clearly reflectsthe integration of the Ridgetownteaching and research programswithin the University of Guelph,”says Dr. Gary Ablett, CampusDirector. Ridgetown Campushas been part of the University of Guelph since 1997. “This name change is apositive opportunity to let all our potential students, clients and stakeholdersknow that we are a unique campus within the University of Guelph. RidgetownCollege has been a well respected name in the rural community, and nowadding the University of Guelph to the name, with its world-wide reputation,clearly enhances our campus recognition,” notes Associate Director,Dr. Ron Pitblado.Ridgetown Campus has significantly benefited from its integral relationshipwith the University of Guelph. The University affiliation has allowed increasedresearch funding opportunities, and encouraged new education andextension programs. University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus also supportsgraduate students completing their Masters of Science and Doctor ofPhilosophy degrees.Degree Students BeginClasses at RidgetownUniversity of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campushas welcomed the first undergraduate degreestudents in the institution’s history. Students inthe new Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management(BBRM) program, studying in the EnvironmentalManagement major, will complete their first twoyears of the four year program at Ridgetown.They will complete their final two years of studyat the University’s Guelph campus. The newdegree program offers students a unique blendof applied and theoretical environmental training,with an emphasis on business skills andexperiential learning opportunities.“Graduates from this program will be wellpreparedfor a wide variety of environmentalcareers,” says Dr. Gary Ablett, Campus Director.“These students represent a milestone in ourinstitution’s history and offer a glimpse of theinnovative educational opportunities that canand will be delivered at this campus. This excitingnew undergraduate program is the result of strongUniversity leadership and complements OAC’sprogram priorities in the areas of environment,agriculture, food and rural communities.The new group of undergraduate studentscomes from across the province. Michelle Verbeek,a Ridgetown resident, is one of the students in thefirst BBRM class. “I chose this program becausethere are many diversified job opportunities inenvironmental management,” she says. “Havinguniversity courses offered locally is also a greatadvantage.” London resident Chris Williamson isenjoying his experience in Ridgetown. “The smallcampus is awesome and it’s easy to meet newpeople,” he says. Michael Armstrong, a Guelphresident notes, “Today we were in campus testplots using soil probes. It was great to be learningsoil science in the field.”In total, almost 500 degree, diploma and certificatestudents are studying at Ridgetown this year,with enrollment remaining very strong in theAgriculture diploma, a cornerstone programfor the campus.3
Page 5 and 6: ▲ With seating for 1200 people, t
Page 7 and 8: Surrounded by friends and family fo
Page 9 and 10: ELT’s green roofs can be installe
Page 11 and 12: The use of a blimp for this field r
Page 13 and 14: Class of 1956 Celebrates 50 th Anni
Page 15 and 16: Cesar Ardila - Government Interpret
Page 17 and 18: Ridgetown Campus students participa
Page 19 and 20: Rob Reid (centre) along with Norm C

Rudy Brown Honoured At Grand Opening Celebrations - Ridgetown ...

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