Okanagan College Foundation

"Being on the baseball team while going to school has taught me about dedication while helping improve my time management and leadership skills. These skills are not only important for success in school and baseball but for my life after I am done at Okanagan College.”

A shoutout to Ryan Powers, OC Coyotes baseball player and Bachelor of Business Administration student, for sharing what sport teaches him!

The Recreation and Wellness Centre will truly be one of our most important classrooms.

Congratulations to Heather Brown!

Heather has won the June 14, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1100!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. With your help, we are building a place that will empower them to develop their full potential.

Our Kelowna campus has more than 7,000 students attending annually but there is no gym or large recreational facility on site.

We know involvement in sports and recreational activities helps students develop valuable skills to be successful in their personal and professional lives, including resilience, communication and teamwork.

Sports and recreational activities help students build self awareness and learn how to collaborate within a team, all skills that enable personal growth and career development.

You can empower future leaders and help success thrive here. Give to the Thrive Here campaign and help build the first gym at OC's Kelowna campus.
To learn more, and to donate, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/recreation-and-wellness-centre.

"Fostering the next generation of leaders has been a highlight of my academic career,” says Dr. Kyleen Myrah, who was named the 2024 Business Woman of the Year by the Kelowna Women In Business (KWIB)! 🥳🤩👏

“Leadership is a lifelong process – we are never at the finish line; we need to keep being curious and ask questions, not be afraid to be vulnerable and admit when we do not know it all, or when we need help,” continues Myrah. “And most importantly, lift others up, and help them succeed. Because when we do that, our organizations and institutions are better, our relationships are more fulfilling, and we are more hopeful.”

Join us in celebrating Kyleen! We are beyond grateful for Kyleen's work in supporting business students and our community.

Congratulations to Chris Berntzen!

Chris has won the May 31, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1115!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

It was a day of sun, some rain and many good swings in support of Okanagan College students! Thank you to everyone who came out and sponsored our 30th Charity Golf Tournament, hosted by the Recsky family.

This year's tournament raised funds for our Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre. Not only that, all funds from the tournament are matched by Cliff and Lois Serwa.

Congratulations to Kate Sidlar!

Kate has won the May 17, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1072.50!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Join us in celebrating the OC Coyotes Baseball team! They won the 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season championship with a 21-10 record and secured # 1 seeding heading into the Canadian College World Series.

“It has been a very rewarding season for our program, we have dealt with a lot of adversity with injuries, and to finish on top was a great accomplishment by the players. It is a testament to the depth of our group,” says head coach Geoff White.

Not only has the team achieved a major milestone, seven players are graduating from the program with their respective academic goals achieved.

The Okanagan College Coyotes have claimed three National Championships in 2018, 2021 and in 2022 when they set the league record with a 25-5 record.

You can cheer on the Coyotes by streaming the games, link below, or follow for up-to-date scores and stats at www.cc-bc.ca.

www.hometeamlive.com

Okanagan College Basketball

Thank you The Rotary Club of Kelowna for having us out for your Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Great to see so many individuals and businesses supporting your amazing work in the community!

Behind every scholarship and bursary there is a powerful why. For donors, giving to student awards is a meaningful way to demonstrate their values of education and community or honor a loved one.❤️

Here are several awards that were handed out to students recently👇
• Okanagan Sun players are eligible for the David M. Nagy Memorial award
• Prospera Credit Union supports Women in Trades bursaries
•Allan Hill was a former professor who set up an award to support engineering students. This award continues in his memory.

Did you know the College’s Collision Repair and RV Service Technician program fix up vehicles and RVs for sale to the community?

Vehicles are repaired by students under the watchful eyes of their instructors as part of their program training. Once fully restored, vehicles are inspected by an authorized inspector and upon approval, are posted for sale. The Foundation hosts the online auction, and the funds go back to supporting these programs.

We currently have 2013 Keystone Cougar 25RLS for auction with a minimum bid of $18,500.

Bidding closes: 2:00 pm, Thursday May 16, 2024

Click the link in our bio to learn more or place a bid on this RV:

Did you know the College’s Collision Repair and RV Service Technician program fix up vehicles and RVs for sale to the community?

Vehicles are repaired by students under the watchful eyes of their instructors as part of their program training. Once fully restored, vehicles are inspected by an authorized inspector and upon approval, are posted for sale. The Foundation hosts the online auction, and the funds go back to supporting these programs.

We currently have 2013 Keystone Cougar 25RLS for auction with a minimum bid of $18,500.

Bidding closes: 2:00 pm, Thursday May 16, 2024

Click the link below to learn more or place a bid on this RV:

Vehicle Auctions | Okanagan College Okanagan College Foundation supports automotive trades programs—Collision Repair and RV Service Technician—through the purchase and sale of used vehicles. Proceeds are held by Okanagan College Foundation for program support.

A gift by the Recsky family is a full-circle moment.🏀

Alex Recsky, pictured above, was hired as OC’s first recreation and intramurals programmer in 1986. During his tenure at the College in the late 80s and early 90s, Alex was active in the fundraising for a gymnasium for Okanagan University College, and one was successfully built on the north campus in 1994.

With the transition to two post-secondary institutions in 2005, the gym became part of UBC Okanagan and the need to build a gym at Okanagan College remains to this day.

Alex’s family are honoring him and his wife Ruth, who are both in their 90s, with a $30,000 donation to the Thrive Here campaign for the Recreation and Wellness Centre at OC’s Kelowna campus.

Photo credit: Kelowna Capital News 1987

Alex and Ruth Recsky, who are both in their 90s, are being honored by their family with a $30,000 donation to the Thrive Here campaign for the Recreation and Wellness Centre at OC’s Kelowna campus.

If there was anyone who would understand the need for a Recreation and Wellness Centre at OC, it would be Alex Recsky.

Alex was hired as OC’s first recreation and intramurals programmer in 1986. It was a job he loved and pursued with passion until his retirement 10 years later, introducing thousands of students to sports and recreational opportunities.

“My dad’s life philosophies were to build lasting relationships and to serve the community,” says Keith Recsky, Alex’s son. “One way to do both was to get involved in recreational and sporting activities.”

Keith adds that his dad also worked and volunteered with many sports organizations and events since arriving in Kelowna in 1985 and continued that practice well into retirement.

“All four generations of our family have been involved with sports of all kinds in Kelowna, some more serious than others. Many of our most memorable moments come when we are at arenas, gyms, and outdoor spaces,” says Kyle Recsky, Alex’s grandson.

“It is very meaningful to know that our gift will create more opportunities for people of all ages to learn valuable life lessons through sports and recreation,” adds Alex’s grandson, Bryce Recsky.

We are beyond grateful for this inspiring gift!

Read the full story here: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/news/recsky-gift-to-recreation-and-wellness-centre-honors-family-passion

Congratulations to Graham Kershaw!

Graham has won the May 3, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1107.50!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

We still have some openings but nearly sold out! ✨

Alex and Ruth Recsky and their extended family live their lives believing in the power of sports and recreation; not just for their personal physical and mental health, but as a way to bring community and people together. ⛹️‍♀️ 🏀

All four generations are honored to be the hosts of the 30th Annual OC Golf Tournament and support the building of a Recreation and Wellness Centre.

This 144-person tournament is nearly full. To avoid disappointment, please register as soon as possible 🏌️: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/charity-golf-tournament

We had some students pop by today to pick up their award and bursary cheques. 😀We are grateful to our community for supporting the transformative impact of education. 🙏

📸Kelsey is in Pre-Electrical Apprenticeship program
📸 Ryan is a 2nd year Business student and Coyotes Baseball pitcher
📸Sydney and Jasmine are both in the Certified Dental Assistant program and getting ready for their next practicum in the community.

Congratulations to Donna Arnold!

Donna has won the April 19, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1100.00!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Congratulations to Gordon Shuster!

Gordon has won the April 5, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1110.00!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Support from donors = learning, new opportunities and success 🥳

Thanks to Grant Thornton Empowerment Fund and others for supporting student travel costs to competitions like this Enactus regional event in Calgary. Enactus Okanagan College will now advance to the national competition!

Congratulations to Cathy Farrow!

Cathy has won the March 22, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1157.50!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

🚌 Exciting News! BC Transit visited our Kelowna campus to introduce the new Umo app to our students and staff. Big shoutout to BC Transit for their continued support, including the BC Transit Indigenous Bursary available to Okanagan College students. Grateful for our amazing community partners! 🙌

Happy International Women’s Day! The campaign theme for 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.

Okanagan College will be hosting the annual Jill of All Trades Event aimed at inspiring young women in Grades 9-12 to pursue education and careers in skilled trades and apprenticeship. The event includes many hands-on workshops in automotive, manufacturing, and construction trades sectors. Female mentors lead these workshops to help young women develop a better understanding of the potential of skilled trades careers.”

More than 20% of OC Trades Foundation students are female and we are pleased to offer limited priority seats to female applicants to help support diversity in trades, with the goal of a greater number of tradespeople overall in our region and the province.

To learn more about trades programming at OC visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/trades-and-apprenticeship.

It's where you've played, cheered, persevered and scored!

Okanagan College students, world champion athletes and community leaders share how sports and activity have impacted their lives.

Thanks to generosity of Honorary Chairs Cliff and Lois Serwa, all donations to the Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre will be matched up to $500,000! To learn more and to give visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/thrivehere

Congratulations to Gitan Rakhra!

Gitan has won the March 8, 2024 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1145.00!

All OC faculty and staff can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Help OC Students' Union stock The Pantry and enter a chance to win a Gourmia Air Fryer!

🥫Donate Non-Perishables: Drop off food items at the OCSU office (Room A148) on the Kelowna campus, between 8am-1pm and 1:30pm-3pm.

🛒Cash Donations: If you can't make it, you can contribute online at the link below and select the Fund "OC Student Pantry Support", or visit the OC Foundation office at the Kelowna campus between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Every 5 items donated or $25 contributed earns an entry to win! Contest ends March 15.

Let's fight hunger together! Your support matters.

Participate in the party by bringing a bag of non-perishables to our office in A148! We are celebrating 6 years of service…. How time flies! If you’d like to be entered to win an air fryer, please bring your bag of goods during our office hours. Outside our hours we will have a box for drop offs right outside our office.

We are hiring!

Are you ready to embark on a career adventure that combines organization, innovation, and perhaps a touch of magic? We're on the lookout for a Division Assistant to join our dynamic team!

Learn more about the job (and how to apply) here:
https://www.employmentopportunities.okanagan.bc.ca/postings/12644

We are inspired by the generosity of Go Highstreet! The Highstreet team is donating $1 million to Okanagan College's trades and apprenticeship programs.

Their gift will focus on providing financial support to students starting an entry-level trades program. Thirteen annual bursaries of $6,500 will cover the full tuition costs with room for additional student expenses, such as textbooks or tools. “Full ride” bursaries are rare for an OC Trades program — and Highstreet hopes it will incentivize more students to explore the potential of an in-demand trades career.

“This is about giving back to an industry we love and encouraging high school students and young people to see a trades education as just as valuable as a university program,” says Scott Butler, Highstreet CEO.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4bSglzY