BVCAA hosts first Aboriginal alumni reunion

On June 20, 2009 the BVCAA and Bow Valley College Aboriginal Centre co-hosted the first official Aboriginal alumni event in the College's history. Keynote and alumnus, Roy Bear Chief, spoke about his own educational journey and commended his fellow alumni for reaching their own personal and educational goals.

Alumna Charmaine Bressette inspired guests with her own story about struggling in school early on and coming to the College for Academic Upgrading after realizing that her own children would need her to help them through their studies. Once back in school, with the support of the staff and faculty at the Aboriginal campus, Charmaine was inspired to continue and graduated with her Education Assistant Certificate in June 2009. Charmaine plans to start work in the Fall and continue her studies in Behavioural Support so that she can specialize in her field.


The event was composed of a variety of elements meant to honour and celebrate the traditions of Aboriginal (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) alumni, including: a grand entry, blessing by elder Patricia Breaker, Pow Wow dance demonstrations, and traditional Metis dance performances. The afternoon ended with a round dance which started with a circle of alumni and grew to include all those in attendance.

The BVCAA and Aboriginal Centre look forward to making an annual tradition of celebrating the College's connection with the Aboriginal community and bringing our alumni back full circle.

Alumnus Roy Bear Chief inspires guests with keynote speech

Premier Stelmach digs into South Campus construction site

Premier Ed Stelmach jumped into a backhoe and deftly manoeuvred the controls, digging the bucket into the ground where South Campus will stand.
Bow Valley College (BVC) held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, marking the first dirt shoveled at the construction site.

Premier Ed Stelmach brings greetings from the Province of Alberta yesterday, during Bow Valley College's groundbreaking ceremony for South Campus.
“It’s wonderful to be here to help start a new chapter in education for Alberta,” said Premier Stelmach. “There’s no question a strong, knowledge-based economy is what will bring our province continued success — and even greater success in the future.
“Our potential lies within the mind and between the hands of our students, whom I had the opportunity to meet earlier. It is so important they have the opportunity to make their educational dreams a reality.”

Premier Ed Stelmach brings greetings from the Province of Alberta yesterday,

during Bow Valley College's groundbreaking ceremony for South Campus.

South Campus, a $193-million endeavour, will add to BVC 144,000 square feet of space on four fully developed floors. The project, funded by Alberta Advanced Educaton and Technology, BVC, and the City of Calgary, also allows for three additional floors to accommodate future growth needs.
With construction due to start in August, South Campus willopen in 2013 and provide street-level access from the C-train to career development and placement services, a bookstore, and the Aboriginal Centre.
It also will house classrooms, study areas and student gathering spaces, executive and administrative offices, plus three floors of expansion space which will be available for use by several academic partners. This afternoon, Bow Valley College will sign a memorandum of understanding with University of Lethbridge to explore opportunities for future use of a portion of space, shared program development, and transfer/articulation agreements
“Those familiar with the history of Bow Valley College will know that when we started in the early 1960s, we not only fought hard for classroom space, but also for our very existence, our place in the post-secondary landscape within the city and the province,” said Sharon Carry, BVC President and CEO.
“In the years since, the clear, long-term vision of our founders about adult learners has been proven right time and again. As a result we now find ourselves with a wonderful challenge — the challenge of keeping up with demand of our services.”
Applications to BVC programs have increased dramatically for the September 2009 trimester.
In conjunction with the redevelopment of North Campus, the South Campus construction confirms BVC’s reputation as a good steward of the environment in which learning takes place, Sharon said.
The province, Premier Stelmach added, needs the skills individuals will have following their graduation from BVC.
“The College is helping to ensure today’s and tomorrow’s work force will have the skills employers are looking for,” he said. “This expansion promises to give even more students the opportunity to access the education they want and the education they need — right in the heart of the city.”
Board of Governors Chair Scott Thon, BVC alumni Joshua Curly Rider, Kainai Nation Elder John Chiefmoon Sr. and City of Calgary Deputy Mayor Linda Fox-Mellway also took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.
For more information on today’s groundbreaking ceremony, find links to the news release and the archive of today’s live webcast on our expansion news page.

John Chiefmoon Sr., an Elder with Kainai Nation, blesses the future site of Bow Valley College's South Campus.

Re-posted with the permission of Marketing and Communications at Bow Valley College


For more College news go to The Current

The Power Within for Women - Special Rates for BVC/AVC Alumni!!!

Bow Valley College
Special Alumni Offer!

The Power of Women Series Presents ...

Barbara Walters, Erin Brockovich & Loretta LaRoche!
Live in Calgary, AB, September 18th, 2009 • 9:30AM to 4:30PM*
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Dear Alumni,

The Power of Women event will be presented in Calgary on September 18th, 2009 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. This event features an extraordinary line up of diverse guest speakers and promises to be a tremendous learning and networking opportunity for you and your guests!

Alumni and guests of Bow Valley College are eligible to receive a corporate discount. A block of tickets have been set aside for Bow Valley College alumni and their guests.

See these dynamic speakers in person!

Barbara Walters, ABC News correspondent; “The Barbara Walters Specials”; Creator, co-host and executive producer of ABC Daytime’s “The View” on Leadership
Erin Brockovich, Environmental activist, motivational speaker , television host and producer on Corporate Social Responsibility
Loretta LaRoche, Best Selling Author, Stress Management Consultant on Life Is Short – Wear Your party Pants (Stress Management)
Jean Chatzky, Best Selling Author, “Make Money, Not Excuses” on Finance

Bow Valley College Alumni Discount:

For a limited time, alumni and guests of Bow Valley College can register for The Power of Women session at a corporate rate of $189 plus GST/SC ($140 savings off the regular rate of $329)

Group Rate: A Great Team Building & Client Hosting Experience!

Purchase 5 tickets and receive a complimentary 6th ticket. (Very Limited Time Offer)To Register Call Ryan Toll Free 1-866-886-4775

Please contact The Power Within Inc., the company coordinating the event, to reserve your tickets. Call toll-free at 1-866-886-4775 and be sure to let Ryan know that you are calling for the Bow Valley College alumni rate. Visa, MC or AMEX are acceptable forms of payment.

For more details, please visit http://www.powerwithin.com/pdf/Calgary_POW_2009_RM.pdf
Ask about VIP tickets, includes a preferred seating area. Corporate rate is $269 (regular rate $395).

In order to receive the Bow Valley College corporate discount, registrations must be done by telephone Toll Free 1-866-886-4775. Online registrations do not qualify for a discount.

Please forward this invitation to your colleagues and guests because as a guest of yours, they will be able to take advantage of this special offer!
All sales are final. Tickets are transferable. Please add $5 service charge per transaction

BVC Welcomes Alumni to celebrate National Aboriginal Day

BVC welcomes alumni to celebrateNational Aboriginal Day, June 21

CALGARY—Bow Valley College (BVC) is putting out a call to all of its First Nations, Métis, and Inuit alumni. It’s time to celebrate and honour the College’s Aboriginal connections with the first BVC-AVC Aboriginal Alumni Reunion on Saturday, June 20.

BVC’s reunion—welcoming graduates from Bow Valley and Alberta Vocational colleges—precedes National Aboriginal Day on Sunday, the highlight event of Canada’s National Aboriginal History Month.

“Our institution has a long, rich history with the surrounding Aboriginal communities and we want to honour the generations of alumni who have chosen Bow Valley College – or AVC – as the catalyst for enriching their own lives through education,” says Alumni Relations Coordinator Colleen Bangs.

“I look forward to meeting and hearing the stories that our Aboriginal alumni will bring to this reunion.”

The reunion will feature keynote speaker Roy Bear Chief, a BVC Academic Upgrading alumnus. Bear Chief, a member of the Siksika Nation Council, was a 2004 grand category winner in Distinguished Service in the Provincial Awards Celebrating Excellence and went on to attain his diploma in social work from Mount Royal College and then bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from University of Calgary.

The program will feature First Nations’ powwow dances, traditional Métis dancing by the Acuna Dancers, and the Sorrel Rider Drum Group with Frank Turning Robe. Other distinguished alumni taking part in the program include Patricia Breaker, Elder; Teresa O’Krane, Academic Foundations valedictorian of BVC’s Class of Winter 2008; and Sandra Crazy Bull.

What: First BVC/AVC Aboriginal Alumni Reunion
Where: Inglewood Community Association
1740 24 Avenue SE
When: Saturday, June 20
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

All Bow Valley College (and AVC) Aboriginal Alumni are invited!

The BVCAA and the Aboriginal Centre at Bow Valley College are pleased to be partnering up to co-host an honouring celebration for Bow Valley College (and AVC) Alumni.

Are you Métis, First Nations or Inuit and attended Bow Valley College (or AVC)? If so we are looking for YOU!

The Aboriginal Centre and Alumni Association at Bow Valley College would like all Aboriginal Alumni to the first BVC/AVC Aboriginal Alumni Reunion on Saturday, June 20 at the Inglewood Community Association 1740 – 24 Avenue SE from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The event will include a program of distinguished Aboriginal Alumni speakers, traditional First Nations and Métis dancers and a buffet lunch.

Please RSVP to alumni@bowvalleycollege.ca by June 15, 2009 – feel free to extend the invitation to other Aboriginal Alumni that you know who attending AVC or Bow Valley College (include their names in your RSVP).

The Bow Valley College Alumni Association (BVCAA) has partnered with the Calgary Vipers

This season the Calgary Vipers will be hitting home runs and entertaining Calgary baseball fans for their fifth season. In celebration of this landmark year the BVCAA has partnered up with the Vipers and alumni are now eligible for special rates to all home games*.

"We offer great entertainment at a price that families can afford", says John Conrad - Calgary Vipers President.

It is this type of family-centered thinking that led the BVCAA to partner with the team. "We want to give our alumni the opportunity to get out in a family-friendly atmosphere, the Vipers offer this environment and an amazing team to cheer for", says Colleen Bangs - Alumni Coordinator at Bow Valley College, "The Vipers organization, like the BVCAA, is working to grow its reach in the community. This partnership is a good opportunity for the BVCAA and the Vipers to extend their reach while working together."

The BVCAA will be hosting an Alumni tent at the August 5 home game at Foothills Stadium. 100 tickets will be made available to alumni in mid July. If you are interested in attending watch for details next month!!!

*BVC Alumni can present their alumni benefit card at the Vipers ticket booth to receive: 4 tickets for the price of 3 (any section) or student pricing on single tickets (any section). For more details go to: www.bowvalleycollege.ca/alumni and look in the benefits section.

National Partnership to Train Immigrant Professionals meets Workforce Needs

Bow Valley College (Calgary) in partnership with Vancouver Community College and Seneca College (Toronto) will be launching a new training program, Success in the Workplace, to up-skill working immigrant professionals who want to be more competitive and effective in the workplace.
Success in the Workplace; Communication and Business Skills Training for Immigrant Professionals, will target the areas that are often a barrier for skilled Immigrant Professionals in reaching their career goals. The program will work with foreign trained professionals including Engineers, Accountants, Geologists, Bankers, Architects, and Chemists. Using the Essential Skills framework as identified by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) as the basis for program development, participants will build skills in Oral Communication, Writing, Critical Thinking, and Working with Others. Through the use of case studies and simulation activities, participants will be coached in giving feedback, making presentations, communicating clearly and accurately, and finally writing professionally.
Conrad Murphy, Director of TOWES (Test of Workplace Essential Skills) and the Centre for Career Advancement at Bow Valley College, is enthusiastic about the potential of this program. “In order to have a competitive workforce now and into the future, Canada needs to address key gaps in this workforce. For years, we have advocated to our highly educated immigrant students that ongoing training and development is required to progress in the workplace. The Success in the Workplace Program will provide them the opportunity to continue on with their skills development.”
The unique aspects of this 16-week program are:
· A blended approach to training that includes both classroom and on-line instruction that will facilitate time flexibility on-line combined with face to face coaching and training in class.
· Employer participation that gives students real workplace feedback.
· Funding and support from the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, HRSDC which has invested into the development of the curriculum and the launch of the pilot in September 2009. The pilot will be free of charge for participants.
· Recognition of the ongoing need for continuous learning and skill building within the population of Immigrant professionals who are working and contributing but not yet realizing their potential.
For further information www.bowvalleycollege.ca/crtp or email Laurel Madro: lmadro@bowvalleycollege.ca
Ted Hougham: thougham@vcc.ca or Amy Koning: Amy.Koning@seneca.on.ca

Job Search Jump Start by BVCWorks

In light of the current economic situation, BVCWorks is aiming to equip graduates of our career programs with the skills, tools, and support to successfully navigate the job search process. The target audience is students who have completed a career program and have not been employed out of the practicum experience in their specialization.

Overview:
· Format: mix of small and large group activities, computer lab time, and practice exercises
o 5 – 12 students per Jump Start session
o Ideally students would be clustered into session by career area – Administration, Business, Health Care, Human Services
· When: For the first run of Job Search Jump Start, BVCWorks is planning
o June 22 – 25, & June 29, 2009, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
o June 26, 2009, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm for Mock Interviews – each participant will be present for two hours during that day
o 9:00 am – 11:00 am July 6, 13, 20 and 27 for Job Search Club support
· Where: Main Campus, divided between classroom and computer lab

Outline:

June 22-26:

Day 1: Resumes (2 hours with optional 3rd hour of coaching available in computer lab)

Day 2: Cover Letters (2 hours with optional 3rd hour of coaching available in computer lab)

Day 3: Finding Leads (2 hours)

Day 4: Preparing for the Interview(2 hours)

Day 5: Mock Interviews (2 hours – 1 hour being interviewed, 1 hour on interview panel)

June 29:

Day 6: Creating your Game Plan (2 hours)

July 6 and following Mondays:
Job Search Club (2 hours - 1 week after Day 6)

For additional information please email: bvcworks@bowvalleycollege.ca