Durham College honours outstanding students; recognizes award donors

For many students, time spent obtaining their post-secondary education is often a balancing act, with school commitments in one hand and employment, family responsibilities and other demands in the other. This is why the annual Durham College (DC) Student and Donor Recognition evening is such a special event.

On Monday, January 25, the college not only honoured 198 students for their outstanding academic achievements, but also recognized the numerous individual, organizational and corporate donors who provide financial assistance to help relieve some of the post-secondary pressure.

“To our award recipients, I offer sincere congratulations,” said DC President Don Lovisa. “Your willingness to work hard and your dedication to learning will serve you well when you graduate and as you launch into your careers.

“And to our donors, your investment in our students shows the value you place on a Durham College education, and for that we are truly thankful. Through your ongoing support we can continue providing the best possible education in the best possible learning environment while contributing to the future success and prosperity of both the college and the community.”

Lovisa also paid special tribute to the Oshawa Folk Arts Council, which celebrated its 20th anniversary as a donor to DC. Each year, for the past 20 years, the council has generously contributed two memorial awards to help support student success: the Anna Racz Memorial Award and the Jan Drygala Memorial Award.

Several new donors were also recognized during the ceremony for choosing to invest in DC through a scholarship or bursary. These included:

Scholarships:

  • The Jack and Marg Sills Memorial Scholarship.
  • The Ontario Water Works Association Scholarship.
  • The Ontario Water Works Equipment Association Scholarship.

Bursaries:

  • Aramark Canada Ltd. Award.
  • Brooklin Horticultural Society Bursary.
  • CIBC Endowed Bursary.
  • Dick Huang Memorial Bursary.
  • Estates of Kathleen Nawrot and Jean Kroll.
  • Owasco Volkswagen Bursary.
  • Trillium Automobile Bursary.
  • Roughley Insurance Brokers Ltd. Bursary.
  • Travis Pepper Award.