On January 4, Durham College (DC) kicked off the new academic semester and the college’s 50th anniversary celebrations with a warm welcome back to campus. Upon their arrival at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, students were greeted by DC employee volunteers offering free cups of hot chocolate and coffee to help ease everyone back into the swing of new schedules and classes.

“Our warm welcome back to campus has been a DC tradition for a while now and is always a big hit with our students,” said Kirsti McNabney, coordinator, Student Orientation and Transitions, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions, DC. “The start of a new semester can be equally exciting and nerve-wracking, so being greeted by friendly faces and a comforting drink has a really positive impact on our students’ experiences.”

DC also used the early morning meet and greet as the official on-campus launch of its 50th anniversary festivities that are taking place throughout 2017. As one of the first colleges established under the Ontario college system, DC is marking its founding in 1967 with ‘The Start of Something Amazing,’ a year-long celebration of the college’s past and future.

Volunteers sported DC 50th anniversary-themed t-shirts, cups donned commemorative sleeves and drink stations were flanked by banners sharing the college’s dedicated anniversary website and Homecoming Weekend that will be held on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.

“Events like this are what being part of the DC family is all about,” said Pamela Dunn, 50th anniversary special events manager, DC. “Students are so appreciative of the gesture held within a single cup, and many of them stopped to talk to our volunteers about the 50th anniversary and what’s ahead in our milestone year. There were also more than a few volunteers helping students with directions and even walking them to class to help alleviate any first-day-back jitters.”

Up next on the 50th anniversary events calendar is the public celebration launch at the annual DC Alumni and Employee Night at the Oshawa Generals hockey game on Friday, January 13.

Visit DC’s 50th anniversary website for details on all of the upcoming festivities and much more!