A photo gallery from 2024 Niagara Day is available on Google Photos
Belly-aching laughter and applause could be heard from the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre on October 23 when staff and faculty gathered at the Welland Campus for Niagara Day – a cherished, annual Niagara College tradition.
Co-hosts Ali Ryder, Outreach and Education Coordinator in Student Recruitment, and Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg, Professor in the Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program, returned to the stage for the second consecutive year, entertaining employees throughout the program with their humorous banter and musical interludes.
The morning began with a Land Acknowledgement, offered by Maija Saari, Associate Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies, followed by a moving Indigenous opening from Karl Dockstader, Indigenous Cultural Advisor.
President Sean Kennedy provided welcoming remarks, thanking employees for their contributions over the past year and noting how NC’s student-focused and collaborative approach is at the core of the College’s success.
“I am so proud of our NC Life, our sense of community, and our deep caring for one another, our students and our communities,” said President Kennedy.
President Sean Kennedy at Niagara Day 2024
President Kennedy highlighted initiatives from the last year that have advanced key areas of focus within NC’s Strategic Plan, including the College’s 2024-2029 Sustainability Plan (A Time for Action) and new Strong Students, Stronger Futures scholarship for First Nations students and Former Youth in Care.
He celebrated college milestones, including the new Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree program, the transition to the Brightspace learning management system and NC’s latest ranking as the top college in Canada for research funding, and encouraged employees to support NC’s recruitment efforts through the year, including at the upcoming Open House on November 9.
Employees also heard from NCSAC President Dipal Patel, who spoke about the shared commitment between NCSAC and NC to enrich the lives of students, and celebrated the latest College Educator Development Program (CEDP) graduates.
Another memorable year-in-review video was played, featuring college, employee and student success stories from the past year.
Special presentations also underscored NC’s innovative and caring spirit.
Members of the NC Engage working group provided an update about the College’s new student engagement app, highlighting how the tool has enhanced the wholistic student experience with its more than 3,800 users so far.
Employees learned more about Research and Innovation‘s activities, hearing from staff and students from the award-winning division, and shared in the excitement when members from the NC Cares United Way workplace campaign announced that the College is well on its way to reaching its $50,000 goal with $24,893 raised to date. Find out how you can support the campaign by visiting the NC Cares website.
Award winners
The awards segment was a key highlight of Niagara Day, honouring the outstanding individuals and teams who exemplify NC’s values and innovative spirit.
Recognition included the esteemed Awards of Excellence, the NC Champion Award, the President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success and the NC ExperieNCe Awards (years of service).
Below is a list of this year’s recipients. Please stay tuned for recipient profiles on InsideNC.
Congratulations to all recipients and thank you to everyone who joined the celebration or contributed to Niagara Day 2024!
Awards of Excellence
The Awards of Excellence recognized three outstanding employees and one team for their remarkable contributions to the NC community.
- Administration Award: Carly Root, Director, Community Relations and Events
- Faculty Award: Alex MacGregor, Professor, School of English Language Studies
- Support Staff Award: Elaine Burgess, Clinical Nurse Supervisor, School of Nursing & PSW
- Team Award: Learning Management System (LMS) Transition Team
President Kennedy with the 2024 Awards of Excellence recipients (L-R) Carly Root, Alex MacGregor, Elaine Burgess
NC Champion
This year’s Niagara Champion Award was presented to Katherine Gottli, Student Advisor in the School of Access Studies, for her steadfast college recruitment efforts.
Niagara Champion Award recipient Katherine Gottli (middle right) with Dorita Pentesco, Senior Director, Marketing and Student Recruitment, Ian Aikenhead, Director Student Recruitment, and President Kennedy (L-R)
President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success
The President’s Award for Innovation in Student Learning and Success is presented annually to up to five innovations that promote new ways of teaching, engaging and supporting students.
This year’s recipients are:
Justice and Fitness Training Centre
Innovators: Sandro D’Annunzio, Sonya Siebert, Pam Rocca, Janelle Diemert, Cherina Gourley, Angela Gallo, Carrie Schachtschneider, Jane Kalinina
Innovators from the Justice and Fitness Training Centre
It’s an IDEA – Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility through VR
Innovators: Jim McEwen, Jamie Oresar, Theresa Anzovino
Community partners: Maureen Connolly, Brock University; Qi Wan, Brock University; Evan Sitler-Bates, XpertVR; Drew MacNeil, XpertVR
Innovators Jim McEwen and Jamie Oresar respresenting It’s an IDEA
Innovation Mentorship Program
Innovators: David DiPietro, Robert Madronic, Stefanie Elia, Ali Ryder
Community partner: Dave Vandermolen, Sir Winston Churchill SS
Innovators representing the Innovation Mentorship Program
Culinary Academic Foodservice Innovation
Innovators: Brian Kerr on behalf of Central Stores; Maija Saari, Olaf Mertens, Avi Hollo on behalf of Academic Faculty; Craig Youdale on behalf of Dean’s Office; Victor De Oliveria and Justin Downes on behalf of Benchmark
Staff and faculty representing the Culinary Academic Foodservice Innovation
A Senior’s Freshman Year
Innovators: Jackie Frail, Heather Vokey
Community partner: Heidehof Home for the Aged
President Kennedy with Jackie Frail representing A Senior’s Freshman Year
ExperieNCe Awards
Employees celebrating milestones in service were honoured with NC ExperieNCe Awards, presented by Dr. Chris McGrath, Vice President Students, and Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice President Research, Innovation and Strategic Enterprises. This year’s 30-year cohort is the largest in NC history and includes Vice President, Academic Fiona Allan and Vice President, International Sean Coote.
Celebrating 10 years of service
Some of the NC ExperieNCe Award 10-year recipients at Niagara Day 2024
All 10-year recipients include (not in alpha order): Adam Upshaw, Andrea Crompton, Andrea Walker, Emily Andrews, Ann Price, April Tyrrell, Domenico Benincasa, Bohumil Kaspar, Laura Bond, Carolina Boucher, Kylie Boyd, Brett Didemus, Brianne Harmon, Charmaine McNeil, Chiang Ching-Hsiao, Brian Chmay, Christina Butler, Christopher Dionne, Claire Price, Courtney Evers, Rachel Crane, Erika Sindelar, Alessandra Fierimonte, Michael Gabrielli, Linda Gigliotti, Tanja Groeneveld, Nathan Groenveld, Paul Heinen, Jaclyn Frail, Jamie Consoli, Christine Janzen Neufeld, Jeffrey Manser, Jeffrey Timko, Jenna Wilson, John Hilbing, Maximilian Kaiser, Kathryn Briggs, Kelly Martindale, Koryn Freeman, Helena LaFratta, Carrie Lavis, Leonard Hollowell, Chantelle Mamone, Megan Swinimer, Hannah Melindy, Melissa Gennings, Nathaniel Ferguson, Nicholas Vesprini, Nicole Oud, Peter Rod, John Piccolo, Darlene Polich, Vicky Poulakakis, Scott Baechler, Randee McIntosh, Brenda Richards, S. David Battersby, Marisa Santesso, Sarah Fasano, Sarah Rawlins, Sarah Bobko, Joseph Schneider, Dean Serravale, Shelley Panetta, Michelle Smith, Jessica Smithson, Sylvia Sohmer, Stacey Wilson, Stephanie Jones, Kimberley Stutz, Susan Pedler, Randy Toth, Gonul Turkdogan, Taylor Venneri, Kristy Weaver, Richard Wood, Lodzia Zaremba, Sarah Peoples, Kelsey Queen, Andrew Gordon
Celebrating 15 years of service
Some of the NC ExperieNCe Award 15-year recipients at Niagara Day 2024
All 15-year recipients include (not in alpha order): Nadine Litwin, Chris Parent, Joseph Abbruscato, Mary Beccario, Rachel Brown, Geoffrey Brown, Joanne Cousineau, Patricia Crick, Lorraine D’Amico, Annette Dearling-Manchester, Monique Finley, Christina Fontana, Dena Gavin, Shauna Gupta, Kyle Landry, David Lukas, Conor MacNeill, Cynthia Luz, Manzo Guerrero, Jamie Oresar, Susan Paone, Dorita Pentesco, Erik Pilatzke, Melissa Plamondon, Jeffrey Post, Vanessa Rupay, Marc Skarzinskas, Stephanie Snihur, Brett Stevens, Peter VandenBerg, Melissa VanderLely, Karissa Watts, Craig Youdale, Christopher Bowman, Stephen Goode, Julia Hill, Adrianna Morganelli-Sacco, Mark Ramella, Kevin Ukrainetz, Derrick VanderLely, Luke Beaulieu, Harsit Patel, Cassaundra Fairless-Lee, Pamela Rocca, Jeffery Skelton, Tom Boese, Glenna Landry, Tracey Davey
Celebrating 20 years of service
Some of the NC ExperieNCe Award 20-year recipients at Niagara Day 2024
All 20-year recipients include (not in alpha order): Colin Bissell, Heather Clark, Monica Draayer, Dominic Foli, Jennifer Good, Christine Green, Xinxia Jiang, Anne-Marie Lallouet, Joanne LaScala, John Levay, John McTavish, Lora Miani, Michael Nicholas, Lindsay Patriquin, Kelly Powick-Kumar, Ivan Regehr, Michael Sciliberto, Crispin Shaftoe, Jennifer Siemens, Wayne Toth, Wendy Ward, Dave Kendell, Jeff Turner, Gina Aiello, Richard Sopotyk, Darlene Levinski, Janet Bradley, Kristine Clark, Helen Armstrong, Anne Pederson
Celebrating 25 years of service
Some of the NC ExperieNCe Award 25-year recipients at Niagara Day 2024
All 25-year recipients include (not in alpha order): Linda Cornelius, Cheryl Evans, James Gielfeldt, James Gossifidou, Byron Gracey, Lana Hardwick, Michael Hoekstra, Karen Martin, Michael Olson, Carol Phillips, David Smalko, Peter Storm, David Stovell, Cindy Szymusiak, Shari Virtue, Trina Washington, Kim Rock, Michiko Schott, Sandra Greco, Taras Holub, Argilio Tiberi, Michael Santoro
Celebrating 30 years of service
Some of the NC ExperieNCe Award 30-year recipients at Niagara Day 2024
All 30-year recipients include (not in alpha order): Jennifer Bell, Maria Cassford, Theresa Champion, Stephen Fox, Branne Plitnikas, Cynthia Rigg, Peter Vanscoy, Wayne Wakal, Helen Wills, Paul Biggar, Larry Bitner, Dave Spear Jr., Randall Campbell, Fiona Allan, Sean Coote, Caroline Parks, Linda Maj, Nancy Avolio, Hal Baird, Angela Hiller, Dianne Oster, Barbara Smith, Catherine Tirone
Celebrating 35 years of service
Christine Drobnich, Johna Goyetche
Celebrating 40 years of service
Brigitte Chiki
