Durham College (DC) would like to congratulate Brian Legree, professor, School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), and award recipient of the Chair Academy’s 2021 Exemplary Leadership Award.

The award recognizes achievements that advance academic and administrative leadership in higher education organizations. For 30 years, the Chair Academy has hosted the International Leadership Conference as an opportunity for leaders from all levels to share ideas, issues and challenges faced in the higher education sector.

Each year, award recipients are honoured at the Chair Academy Conference Awards Gala. This year’s event, set to take place on November 18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, will recognize both 2020 and 2021 award recipients and the incredible impacts they’ve made to education.

Nominated for his work as program co-ordinator of DC’s Journalism – Mass Media program, Brian successfully introduced the “working newsroom” concept in 2018 as a teaching and learning model that combines work-integrated learning, collaboration with community partners and international opportunities to provide students with a rich educational experience.

“Brian’s ability to uncover and incorporate innovative methods that support the study of journalism has truly been inspiring,” says Greg Murphy, dean, School of Media, Art & Design. “As the industry continues to evolve in response to digital technology, Brian has demonstrated that journalism programs are worthy of continued investment at a higher education level, and we are very fortunate to have his sense of perseverance and passion at Durham College.”

Anyone who has crossed paths with Brian, whether as a student or a colleague, has likely heard his mantra: “It’s a good day for journalism.” The DC community shares Brian’s sentiment today, and offers their congratulations on receiving this momentous award.

For more information about the Exemplary Leadership Award, please visit the Chair Academy’s website.

Breaking into the music industry has always been the dream for Durham College (DC) alumni Dan Hand and Kyle Wilton. Both graduates of DC’s Music Business Management (MBM) program, their paths crossed recently when Dan – an artist manager at Inside Pocket Music – officially signed Kyle’s band, Excuses Excuses and helped secure a deal with Known Accomplice Record Co., a Canadian label with an impressive roster of artists, including The Trews, Headstone and Sam Roberts Band.

“We’re thrilled to have two well-deserving alumni from the college’s Music Business Management program embracing what they’ve learned and seizing new opportunities,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, School of Media, Art & Design. “We look forward to following along as they make their way in the competitive music industry.”

Hired directly from his third-year internship to an independent record label, Dan held multiple positions at the indie label before accepting a job at Universal Music Canada and opening his first artist management and services business, Cloud Empire Creative, in 2013. In 2016, Dan started his second artist management company while evolving Cloud Empire Creative into a corporate talent buying and booking business, which closed its doors last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, Dan joined the Inside Pocket Music staff bringing his artist management roster with him.

Kyle has been navigating Canada’s grassroots music scene and developing his band since 2016. Following the self-release of three EPs and an extensive tour of Canada’s club circuit, Excuses Excuses was awarded a sound recording grant from The Foundation Assisting Canada Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) in January 2020, which opened many doors, including the opportunity to record their debut album.

For years, Kyle and Dan have been nurturing a successful working relationship, fostered by perseverance, creativity and a shared love for music. Prior to enrolling at DC, Kyle met Dan – who was already an alumnus of the MBM program – at a music showcase and kept in touch, often meeting at local performances and sharing his new music for feedback.

“In late 2019, Kyle approached me with new material, and it all just aligned and made sense,” said Dan. “The talent Kyle and his band had was undeniable, and after seeing how he worked to evolve and improve his craft over the years, I knew we could both bring something to the table.”

When it comes to their time in DC’s MBM program, both Dan and Kyle share an appreciation for the sense of community and support among the students.

“The nature of the MBM program helped immensely to always have the support of our peers and professors at local shows,” explained Kyle. “Completing the MBM program while establishing ourselves as a band helped me understand and navigate my rights as a creator, allowing me to apply the knowledge and ideas I learned in the program to my own reality.”

From an artist management perspective, Dan experienced real-world scenarios in the MBM program, taking full advantage of every opportunity in his third-year placement. From networking with guest speakers, to participating in on- and off-campus events, Dan was eager to dive into as many opportunities as possible, and develop meaningful relationships with his classmates and peers, who he knew would someday be his colleagues.

After overcoming many hurdles, Kyle is excited to see what the future holds for Excuses Excuses, and their new manager, Dan. “I am blown away by what our team has been able to accomplish and I’m looking forward to releasing our new record to the world and getting back on the road, stronger than ever,” said Kyle.

Since graduating from the Music Business Administration (MBA) program at Durham College (DC) in 2018, Thao Nghiem has been in tune with emerging trends in the Canadian and international music industries. Currently based in Toronto, Thao’s latest initiative as co-founder of the Vietnam Music Industry Network (VMIN) has introduced exciting opportunities to support the music industry in her native country while honouring her Vietnamese culture.

In June 2021, after three years of planning, Thao and her VMIN partners successfully launched the first annual Vietnam Music Week (VMW). With more than 250 attendees, this five-day virtual conference featured 30 guest speakers, companies and organizations, and offered engaging panel discussions, keynote presentations and success stories.

“It’s rewarding to see our grads applying the skills they’ve learned at Durham College and establishing themselves as respected professionals in the music industry,” says Greg Murphy, dean, School of Media, Art & Design (MAD).

The inspiration for VMW was sparked by her involvement with the VMIN community, which offers access to free, industry-related news and resources, job boards, events and other exclusive opportunities.

“Popular music and its consumption are at a fever pitch in Vietnam and many other Asian countries, and my partners and I were inspired to provide a platform for education, collaboration and networking that could lead to growth for individual music creators and the Vietnamese music industry,” explains Thao. “The more I learned about Canadian and international music industries, the clearer the opportunities became to apply my knowledge and support my music community back home.”

Thao has been working as a Label Licensing and Royalty Liaison at the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) in Toronto. Representing music rights holders and offering various licensing services, her role has helped build a foundation for her own entrepreneurial ventures. Her mentor, Tony Sutherland, a professor in DC’s MBA program, participated as a guest speaker during VMW, leading a series of workshops, such as: Composition, Copyright, and Music Education; Music Applications Outside the Industry; and Musical Performance and Advertising Collaboration.

“Vietnam Music Week is a great initiative that fosters collaboration and education,” says Tony Sutherland. “Together, with industry professionals from across the globe, attendees gain insights about the current music industry landscape and potential opportunities for growth.”

During her time at DC, Thao developed meaningful connections on campus and in the community, acting as co-founder and co-director of the Oshawa Music Awards, an event dedicated to celebrating music and talent within Durham Region.

“My experience in the MBA program at Durham College was my gateway into the music industry,” explains Thao. “The experienced faculty members were encouraging and supportive, and I especially benefitted from the hands-on experiences offered through workshops and practicum.”

With planning already underway for next year, Thao and her team are excited to shape VMW into an annual event for those who are interested in learning, collaborating and fostering the growth of the music industry in Vietnam and beyond.

In February 2020, a group of Durham College (DC) students spent five days in Las Arrugas, Guatemala – a small, remote Mayan village – as part of a Faculty-led Classroom Abroad. During that time and following the trip, the students undertook media projects inspired by their visit – two of which were recently recognized with accolades from the 2021 Canadian Media Educators (CME) National Student Awards.

Ryan Beaton, a Video Production student, and Tara Sottile, a Journalism – Mass Media student, won in the Best Corporate/Client-Based Production category for their video We Are SOS, which was produced for the organization Students Offering Support. In addition, Meagan Secord, a Journalism – Mass Media student, won Best Podcast or Current Affairs Show for her powerful podcast Les Femmes: Strong Women Aren’t Born, They’re Raised, which looks at the impact of the Guatemalan civil war on the women who are now mothers in Las Arrugas. The podcast has also been shared online by Global Affairs Canada’s Fund for Innovation and Transformation

“These awards underscore the transformative impact that Faculty-led Classrooms Abroad and experiential learning opportunities have on our students,” said Danielle Harder, a former CBC journalist and a professor in the School of Media, Art & Design. “Their understanding of Guatemala, its people and its culture is reflected in the high-calibre pieces Ryan, Tara and Meagan produced, and I’m thrilled that their work has been recognized.”

Faculty-led Classroom Abroad opportunities at DC involve students travelling with a faculty member to another country. These for-credit programs are typically 10 to 12 days in length, and faculty members, in cooperation with DC’s International Education office, customize unique learning experiences that aim to bridge the curriculum with the local culture and teach students the skills needed to adapt, thrive and succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

The CME National Student Awards program recognizes and rewards the unique combination of creativity and technical excellence demonstrated by students in radio, television/video, new media/animation, game design and photography programs taught in CME member institutions.

Three Durham College (DC) students are celebrating after successfully finishing on the podium at the Skills Canada Virtual National Competition (SCVNC).

Held on June 15, Mark Steele won gold for IT Network Systems Administration, while Cameron Billingham and Glesy Panaga, claimed bronze for Photography and Baking.

Designed to engage Canadian youth by promoting careers in skilled trades and technologies, the SCVNC is the largest trade and technology competition event of its kind in the country for apprentices and young students.

Steele, Billingham and Panaga earned their place at the event after winning gold in their respective categories at the Skills Ontario competition in May.

“Once again these three students rose to the occasion,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic, Durham College. “They’ve continued to demonstrate their talent, this time on a national stage, taking the technical, hands-on skills they have been honing during their studies at Durham College and applying them with innovation, creativity and passion to their respective competition challenges. We are extremely proud of their success.”

Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization which partners with Skills Canada organizations in each of the provinces and territories, and works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth.

Durham College (DC) professor Richard Tidman has been recognized with the 2021 Challenge Award from the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) for his leadership in developing the first Health Care Technology Management – Honours Bachelor (HCTM) degree to be offered in North America.

A long-time faculty member, Tidman used his 35 plus years of expertise to create and launch the HCTM program at DC, which also has the distinction of being the first degree to be offered at the college.

Developed in response to the growing demand for professionals with a hybrid skill set that combines life sciences, medical technology and business acumen, the core of the program is comprised of six streams of study covering science and technology; medical equipment and clinical systems; mathematics and quantitative methods; management; research and design; and the health care industry, professionalism and ethics.

The first class of graduates will be available for hire in 2022, ready to use their unique qualifications to influence positive patient outcomes, address effective and safe use of innovative technologies, and ensure financial stewardship for their employers.

The Challenge Award is one of nine annual honours bestowed upon individuals and organizations as part of the ACCE Advocacy Awards, which were started in 1994 to recognize outstanding people in various aspects of the health care technology profession,

Congratulations to Professor Tidman for leading the way in this dynamic field.

Days before the 2021 Enactus National Exposition, members of Durham College’s (DC) Enactus team received candy delivered to each of their homes. This is just one small example of how Heather Brown, president of EnactusDC, kept the team spirit alive and thriving before this major event – and throughout the year.

It’s an approach that paid off with EnactusDC achieving its most successful year ever.

The annual Enactus National Exposition is a showcase of student-led, community-based entrepreneurial projects developed and implemented by Enactus student leaders and teams across Canada. Teams are celebrated and awarded for their dedication to nurturing positive impact on recognized social, economic and environmental issues affecting communities.

Heather made DC proud with her unwavering leadership and resiliency as she supported EnactusDC to exceptional accomplishments at the competition this year. While many Enactus teams forfeited their participation due to the pandemic, Heather rallied her team to its best-ever rankings despite the challenges faced in a virtual world.

Out of more than 75 participating colleges/universities, the Enactus DC team made the semi-final round, placing in the top 20 teams in Canada for its projects: 3eeHive, True Grit, rCycle and ConnectUs 4 Community (CU4C). The team also received the Impact Through Innovation award for its dedicated efforts during the week-long competition.

“We demonstrated commitment to sustainable change,” Heather said. “Because of that, we were recognized with this award.”

To acknowledge her hard work, dedication and leadership, Heather received the prestigious Enactus Canada Gold Community Service Leadership Digital Badge for devoting more than 1,000 hours to Enactus DC projects.

The Enactus DC team also celebrated the RBC Future Launch Project Accelerator Best Project Award for project CU4C, an initiative that empowers high school students from Grades 9 to 12 to create clubs that solve community issues as they relate to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The project extends the mission “Connecting Us and Uniting Communities” into high schools to inspire and engage next generation leaders to foster positive impact in their own communities. This year, more than 300 students took part in the pilot project, and CU4C aims to grow to more than 30 new clubs in the upcoming academic year.

For an overview of the Enactus DC’s projects, check out its Annual Report and Website.

Enactus is an international non-profit organization dedicated to creating social change through entrepreneurship. DC’s chapter was introduced to the college in 2016 through FastStartDC, the college’s entrepreneurial centre, to create a club of student leaders looking to make a positive economic and social impact on society.