On June 21, Alumni Relations hosted a Dental Hygiene alumni reunion, marking one of the first-ever program-specific alumni reunions at NC. This gathering was more than just a reunion; it was a heartfelt homecoming for 15 alumni from the Dental Hygiene program class of 2004, who came from near and far to reconnect with their NC family and brush up on their shared academic journey.

Dental Hygiene Alumni revisited their old classrooms and lecture halls at the Welland Campus.

The idea for the reunion sparked from a Facebook group where the alumni expressed interest in reuniting and revisiting the Dental Clinic that was once their training ground. Alumna Jenny Gibson took the lead in bringing the group offline, reaching out to Alumni Relations, and collaborating with Alumni Engagement Officer Tom Price to coordinate the day’s events.

Alumni traveled from various corners, with some driving several hours and one taking a flight, to return to their alma mater. Some stayed overnight at The Daniel J. Patterson Campus Residences, ready to rekindle old friendships and reminisce about their days at NC.

The reunion began in the morning at the Welland Campus where alumni mingled over refreshments and pastries at The Core. The group then toured campus, walking through the same hallways and classrooms where they formed special bonds, honed their skills, and studied tirelessly to achieve their academic and career goals. They also witnessed the renovations and new additions to campus, amazed at the evolution of their old stomping grounds.

“The college has changed so much,” said Gibson in awe of the campus’ advancements. “NC was a great place when I studied here, but I am impressed at how far it’s come with all the new programming and the advanced learning environments it offers students.”

Alumni revisited the Dental Clinic where they spent many hours studying and honing their skills through their hands-on learning experience at NC.

For alumna Cheryl Reigling, the tour was an opportunity to see the college through a new lens, as her own children are preparing to embark on their post-secondary journeys.

“I’ve been touring post-secondary institutions with my children who will be soon heading off to school,” she said. “I really wanted to see what supports and services the College has to offer, and I’m quite impressed.”

A highlight of the Welland Campus tour was a visit to the Dental Clinic. A sense of nostalgia filled the air as the group approached the clinic, its familiar scent reaching them from around the corner and bringing back vivid memories of their days as NC students. Inside, the alumni revisited the lab equipment and tools that supported their hands-on learning experiences and helped shape them into the dental hygienists they are today.

A special moment was shared among five close friends from the group: Christina Mitas, Jennifer Nero-Visca, Nora Garas, Sava Pijanovic and Lori Spinello. Their friendship, formed during their NC years, has remained strong over the past two decades, and they were thrilled to return to the place where their bond began.

Dental Hygiene alumni, Christina Mitas, Jennifer Nero-Visca, Nora Garas, Sava Pijanovic and Lori Spinello, at their NC convocation ceremony in 2004.

“The best part of NC is you guys,” Garas said to her friends. “Twenty years later and here we are, not many people can say they’re still this close with the friends they met at college. You are not just my acquaintances, but some of the closest friends in my life.”

Reflecting on their education, Garas also noted the exceptional quality of the Dental Hygiene program.

“Even though the program was challenging, the education NC provided prepared me for my career, and I felt more than confident on my first day as a hygienist,” she said.

Twenty years later, the five friends reunited at NC’s Welland Campus where their lifelong friendship first began.

The reunion concluded with a lunch and a visit to NC’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, where alumni got to enjoy the unique offerings from the College’s Learning Enterprises.

NC alumni interested in organizing their own reunion can contact Alumni Relations at niagaracollege.ca/alumnirelations/benefits/oncampus/.