Georgian College Alumni Association

Grizzlies get ready! 📣 The men's rugby team is set to launch its season under the lights tonight at J.C. Massie Field on the Barrie campus. Come out and support the Grizzlies as they take on Seneca! Game starts at 7 p.m. 🐻 Tune into the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YI90OlYE5Q

A new art exhibition at Georgian College’s Campus Gallery examines the intersection of colonial and First Nations histories of place, cultures and Indigenous erasure.

Alumna and Premier's Award winner (2016), Aylan Couchie (class of 2012 and 2015), a Nishnaabekwe interdisciplinary artist, curator and writer from Nipissing First Nation near North Bay, showcases some of the art she created while she was a student at Georgian, alongside new pieces and a series of woodworking created by her late grandfather, Thomas Couchie-ban.

The exhibition, Survival of the Fittest, is meant to provoke meaningful conversations around culture, legacy, and healing. It runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 20. Visit
https://ow.ly/qJvs50TrQlX
for more information.

September 30th is National Day of Truth and Reconciliation also known as Orange Shirt Day. Georgian Stores is pleased to offer this year’s official Orange Shirt Society design. A portion of all shirt sales goes directly to The Orange Shirt Society. 🧡

Orange shirts can be purchased at Bear Essentials Barrie, online and at the Orillia Campus (visit the GCSA office, room A-111).

Buys yours now https://tinyurl.com/mrx3vh4v

It's 🌟 🌟 and we want to send out a heartfelt thank you to Paul and Lawrene Larche for their family's incredible generosity that supported Georgian's Frontline Support: Health-care Heroes Closer to Home nursing campaign as well as the creation of the Larche Family Foundation Studio that was unveiled at a special event yesterday. 😍

The studio will significantly enhance the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre at Georgian College and provide academic support for our innovative Game Design programs.

Guests experienced immersive activations that showcased the studio's cutting-edge technology, highlighting its potential for documentary-style shooting and product cinematography. This studio will empower our student learners and aspiring entrepreneurs, opening doors to new creative possibilities.

Here’s to the Larche Family and the bright future we’re building together!

Communications Inc.

🚀💡

🌟 On , we're thrilled to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to the Boyer Auto Group! 🙌 Their incredible $56,000 donation through the Boyer Family Charitable Fund has established a new perpetual endowment fund at Georgian College. Each year, this scholarship will provide essential support to an Automotive Business School of Canada student in their second year who is in financial need, making a lasting impact on their educational journey. 🚗🎓

Read more about this generous gift on page 21 https://ow.ly/4N9g50TjsEl?

The Kempenfelt Rotary Club is partnering with Georgian College for 100 Holes of Golf. The one-day event on Sept. 20 will see 36 participants aim to complete 100 holes in eight-to-10 hours to raise money to support Georgian’s health-care students by creating new financial awards, ensuring the nursing program is accessible to talented students in our region.

Join the fun by supporting a participant or becoming an event sponsor. All funds raised will be matched up to $50,000. Raising $100,000 will support over 100 students! Visit https://kempenfeltrotary100holesofgolf.com/ for more info!

Meet our Georgian Athletes of the Year for 2023/2024! 🌟 Meet Bryden Dilley, our incredible standout from the Georgian Grizzlies golf team, and James Robb-Kennedy, who’s made a huge impact on the rugby field. 🏌️‍♀️🏉

Discover their amazing achievements and how their experiences at Georgian have shaped their journeys. From triumphs on the green and the field to personal growth and unforgettable moments, Bryden and James are true inspirations. 🙌✨

Read more about their stories on page 44 and celebrate their success with us! 📚👏https://ow.ly/LuoB50TeEFy?

Looking for practical strategies to supercharge your job hunt? 🚀 Tune into our latest Alumni Association Speaker Series and get the tips and tricks for smart job hunting. In this session, we explored the latest trends, learned how Artificial Intelligence is transforming job searches, and much more! Revisit key insights any time: https://ow.ly/QKxY50ThulT

On this , we express our sincere appreciation to bmo_community Bank of Montreal for its generous donation of $10,000 to support Georgian College students at the start of the fall semester.

This contribution will significantly aid the Georgian FoodLocker, which provides students with essential emergency food services. Additionally, part of this investment will benefit student clubs, fostering inclusivity and a strong sense of belonging within the college community.

Thank you, BMO, for your ongoing commitment to student success and community support!

🏉❤️ Saying goodbye to a legend: Beloved Grizzlies men's rugby coach John Daggett has retired from coaching, closing the chapter on an extraordinary coaching career at Georgian. His dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on his teams and the college.

📖✨ Read about Coach Daggett’s incredible journey and the lasting impact he’s made on page 45. https://ow.ly/MZ3X50TeiaB?

Thank you, Coach Daggett, for everything! 🙌👏

It's been a great day meeting our new students and future Georgian alumni!

Grizzlies Market is a happening place to be today! Future are getting lots of free swag and meeting new people. is happening now!

Orientation is going great! Welcome new and returning students!

Celebrate the spirit of achievement and community with our August Loop e-newsletter!
This month, we're shining a spotlight on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games by featuring inspiring stories from our alumni, Darda Sales (class of 2006) and Andy (Andrea) Nelson (class of 2022). Andy is currently at the Games as a reporter and host for the Canadian Paralympic Committee—don't miss her incredible insights!
Plus, join us for University and College Night with the Toronto Blue Jays on September 13! Enjoy discounted tickets, a Georgian College/Blue Jays tumbler, and Alumni Association sunglasses. Grab your tickets quickly, as they sell out fast!
We also highlight Darryl Gratrix (class of 1998), who is making waves in promoting skilled trades in Ontario, along with a fantastic 15% discount on eligible Continuing Education courses for our Georgian Alumni Network members.
Dive into this month's edition packed with stories, opportunities, and much more! Read it now to stay connected and inspired! https://ow.ly/JaHw50T8QTx

Tyson Laevens (class of 2022 and 2024) is the 2024 winner of the iPad mini. Tyson updated his alumni profile information in April and was automatically entered to win. Thank you to our Alumni Association affinity partner belairdirect for providing the iPad mini!i!

🌟 Thankful Thursday Spotlight! 🌟

Today, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Toronto Hydro for their incredible support of students. 💙✨

Meet Georgian student, Madi Meehan, a shining example of the impact of their generosity. Thanks to a Toronto Hydro scholarship, she not only received the financial boost she needed but also found powerful encouragement as a woman in STEM. 🚀🔬 Her story is a testament to how support can ignite passion and empower students to reach for the stars. 🌟💪

Read more about Madi's inspiring journey on page 41 and how this scholarship has fueled her drive for excellence. 🌟🔗https://ow.ly/PioS50T6B6A?

🌟🏅 Excitement is building for the Paris Paralympic Games! What better way to celebrate than by shining a spotlight on our incredible alumni who have made their mark in the Paralympic arena? 🏆✨

This week, we're thrilled to feature two outstanding athletes: Darda Sales (class of 2006) and Andrea (Andy) Nelson (class of 2022). On Tuesday we featured Darda and today, we're featuring Andy (Andrea) Nelson.

🚣‍♀️ Andy showcased her talent in kayaking at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, making us proud with her remarkable performance. She is at the Paris games working as a reporter and host with the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), taking viewers behind the scenes and interviewing athletes post competition for the CPC’s social media channels.
Here's a message from Andy https://youtube.com/shorts/arfPgXOvfJ8?feature=share

Read a past story Georgian has featured on Andy. https://ow.ly/1gcx50T3cHU

Join us in celebrating these incredible athletes and their achievements as we cheer on the new generation of Paralympians! 🌍💪

Happy It’s going to be a great year!

🌟🏅 Excitement is building for the Paris Paralympic Games! What better way to celebrate than by shining a spotlight on our incredible alumni who have made their mark in the summer Paralympic arena? 🏆✨

This week, we're thrilled to feature two outstanding athletes: Darda Sales (class of 2006) and Andy (Andrea) Nelson (class of 2022).

🥇Darda Sales – A true powerhouse in swimming and wheelchair basketball! Darda's relay swim team clinched gold at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics and silver in Athens 2004. She continued to shine as a member of the Canadian wheelchair basketball team at the 2016 Games in Rio, Brazil. Read Darda's story now. https://ow.ly/SnWg50T39uu

Learn about Andy tomorrow!

Join us in celebrating these incredible athletes and their achievements as we cheer on the new generation of Paralympians! 🌍💪

📸🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾📸

We’re celebrating our favourite furry friends today with some adorable cuties from the Advancement and Alumni department. Swipe to see our office pups bringing all the joy and tail-wagging fun! 🐶❤️

We want to see your doggos too! Share your pup photos with us in the comments or tag us in your stories. Let’s spread the doggy love! 🐕✨

🐾🎉 Happy National Dog Day! 🎉🐾

Today, we celebrate the wagging tails, sloppy kisses, and endless joy that our furry friends bring into our lives. Whether they’re chasing balls, snuggling on the couch, or simply being their lovable selves, dogs make every day brighter.

Share a photo of your pup and tell us what makes them special! 🐶💖

The Kempenfelt Rotary Club is partnering with Georgian College for 100 Holes of Golf. The one-day event on Sept. 20 will see 36 participants aim to complete 100 holes in eight-to-10 hours to raise money to support Georgian’s health-care students by creating new financial awards, ensuring the nursing program is accessible to talented students in our region.

Join the fun by supporting a participant or becoming an event sponsor. Georgian College will match all funds raised up to $50,000. Raising $100,000 will support over 100 students! Visit https://ow.ly/A54P50T4nI9 for more info!

Join us for an inspiring and transformative workshop designed to empower you on your journey from dreamer to maker. This is your opportunity to learn from one of the most dynamic and purpose-driven leaders in the industry—Zahra Al-Harazi, an award-winning entrepreneur and expert in leadership.

DATE: Thursday, August 22nd
LOCATION: Sandbox Centre (24 Maple Ave., 2nd Floor, Barrie, ON)
TIME: 2:15 PM to 4:00 PM
COST: Free

This free workshop is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and those eager to discover, grow, and create a lasting impact. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Zahra Al-Harazi and gain practical strategies for achieving your goals.

REGISTER NOW: https://bit.ly/XNOW-AUG22

XcelerateNOW is a program dedicated to connecting Newcomers, Refugees, Immigrants, and International Student entrepreneurs and, startups to existing resources, events, activities, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities.

This project is funded and done in partnership with the County of Simcoe and with the support of Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre, Invest Barrie, Town of Innisfil, South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre, Nottawasaga Futures and the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Brand Family Foundation, Georgian students and community health-care professionals can learn in an exceptional 360-degree simulation lab inside the Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes Nursing and Wellness Wing at the Barrie Campus. Read about it and see photos taken inside the lab
https://ow.ly/qi8j50SZo0h?

This is going to be a great event! See you there!

Join us THIS THURSDAY for an inspiring and transformative workshop designed to empower you on your journey from dreamer to maker. This is your opportunity to learn from one of the most dynamic and purpose-driven leaders in the industry—Zahra Al-Harazi, an award-winning entrepreneur and expert in leadership.

DATE: Thursday, August 22nd
LOCATION: Sandbox Centre (24 Maple Ave., 2nd Floor, Barrie, ON)
TIME: 2:15 PM to 4:00 PM
COST: Free

This free workshop is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and those eager to discover, grow, and create a lasting impact. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Zahra Al-Harazi and gain practical strategies for achieving your goals.

REGISTER NOW: https://bit.ly/XNOW-AUG22

XcelerateNOW is a program dedicated to connecting Newcomers, Refugees, Immigrants, and International Student entrepreneurs and, startups to existing resources, events, activities, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities.

This project is funded and done in partnership with the County of Simcoe and with the support of Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre, Invest Barrie, Town of Innisfil, Small Business Enterprise Centre - SBEC , Nottawasaga Futures and the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia

Read about how Rick Black has built his business Black Controls from the ground up with the help of his employees - many who are Georgian alumni! Page 7 https://ow.ly/nOok50SZpho?

Happy World Photo Day! 📸 Today we celebrate the art of capturing moments that last a lifetime. From old-school film to digital wonders, photos connect us to our past and inspire our future. Share your favorite snaps today and keep those memories alive! Share your favourite photos with us!

Georgian College partnerships take its Indigenous language Virtual Reality program across Canada and beyond! Read about the reasons why alumni and teachers of the program Mitchell Akerman (class of 2019) and Angeline King (class of 2016) are so excited about the new teaching tools and their far-reaching abilities on pages 24/25. https://ow.ly/3J4S50SUM8b?