RED-enewsletter-February2012.htm

If you want to succeed as a Certified General Accountant, it helps to have a head for numbers.

But if you want to find work at CGA Manitoba -- the self-regulatory body responsible for 2,000 CGAs and almost as many students in this province -- there are other avenues open besides a straight business background.

For proof, look no further than the above trio of Red River College grads, who followed divergent paths on their way to the Donald Street employer: Zachary Minuk (Creative Communications, 2008), Coordinator, Marketing and Communications; Bruce Granke (Business Administration, 1982), Director, Professional Regulations; and Marni Russell (Business/Technology Teacher Education, 1999), Manager, Communications.

Of the three, Granke was the first to pass through RRC's doors, having seen the College's Business Admin stream as a good gateway to the CGA program.

"I thought it was going to be a terrific learning environment, and I thought from an educational point of view it would be a very hands-on, practical education," says Granke, whose roles in professional regulations -- and communications and recruitment -- help ensure the CGA Association's membership is properly qualified, and held to a code of professional, academic and moral standards.

Click here to learn more about the CGA team, and here for more information on CGA Manitoba.

If you are interested in being profiled in the RED alumni e-newsletter, e-mail Dale Oughton, Alumni Coordinator, at alumni@rrc.mb.ca.

Presented each November by the College's Alumni Board, the award honours RRC graduates who have distinguished themselves in both their profession and the community, while recognizing their outstanding personal and professional accomplishments.

Recipients must be RRC graduates who have exhibited outstanding achievement -- or made contributions to -- one or more of the following areas: Service to the Community, Business, the Arts, Human Development, the Environment, Lifelong Learning, Post-Secondary Education, Government, or Commitment to Red River College.

Nominations must be received by March 31, 2012. Click here to download a nomination package, or to learn more about past recipients.

2012 Going Places Billboards Unveiled

As it does every year, the 2012 installment of RRC's Going Places billboard campaign features some of the College's most accomplished graduates.

In addition to carving out successful careers for themselves, these grads are also committed to making positive contributions in their communities -- and serve as proof of how an education from RRC can improve not only your life, but the world around you.

This year's billboards proudly celebrate the accomplishments of: Caroline Chartrand, (above) Executive Director, Diabetes Integration Project Inc.; Adam Donnelly, Head Chef and Owner, Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant; Richard Graumann, Vice-President, Stuart Olson Dominion; David Hodge, Sr. Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Great-West Life; Sean Kavanagh, Reporter, CBC Television; and Wayne Morsky, CEO, Morsky Industrial Services Ltd.

Click here to learn more about the above-mentioned alumni, and to see a behind-the-scenes look at the 2012 Going Places photo shoot!

If you've watched breakfast television during the last few months, there's a good chance you've seen a graduate of RRC's Creative Communications program in action.

Just this month, Global Winnipeg launched The Morning News, with former anchor Eva Kovacs (CreComm, 1998) as host. Kovacs (shown at left) returns to the station following a two-year absence; prior to her departure in 2009, she'd been with the station for 12 years, and was last seen co-anchoring the evening news with Peter Chura.

In Fall 2011, CTV News launched CTV Morning Live, helmed by Kris Laudien and RRC alum Eleanor Coopsammy (CreComm, 1999). Coopsammy has been with the station since 2000; she's assisted every morning by CTV reporter Rachel Lagace, who graduated from the CreComm program in 2001.

And over at Citytv's aptly-named Breakfast Television, RRC grad Jenna Khan (CreComm, 2006) has for years been pulling double-duty as both Weather and Traffic Specialist, and Entertainment Reporter. Click here for more information about RRC's Creative Communications program.

RRC Alum's Debut Doc Wins Big at Sundance

Speaking of CreComm, congratulations are due RRC grad Lisanne Pajot (Creative Communications, 2003), whose film Indie Game: The Movie won the world cinema documentary editing prize at last month's Sundance Film Festival.

The documentary, directed by first-time filmmakers Pajot and James Swirsky (shown), chronicles the world of independent video game developers, and has drawn rave reviews from critics across North America.

Indie Game received support from the online community even in its infancy: After launching the project in May 2010, the duo appealed to fans online to help raise production capital. In June 2011, they again reached out to fans with a pre-order campaign to help with finishing costs.

"We cannot tell you how much this means to us and how completely and utterly our minds are blown," the duo wrote on their website following the Sundance win. "The festival's belief in this little film has very much changed our lives. It's been amazing, hugely educational and most importantly, endlessly inspiring."

Pajot and Swirsky recently announced plans to tour the film through 15 cities in the U.S. Indie Game has also been chosen as an official selection in the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Tex., this March, and will be released on DVD and digital download later this year. It has also been optioned by U.S. producer Scott Rudin (The Social Network, No Country for Old Men), who hopes to adapt it as a half-hour comedy for HBO. Click here for more information.

Please join us for a special wine and cheese reception celebrating the achievements of RRC Alumni in the Brandon and Western Manitoba region.

Help us as we continue to build a strong alumni community, by giving our grads a chance to re-connect with friends, classmates and instructors. We're hoping to see as many faces as possible, so please spread the word!

For more information, please contact Dale Oughton, Alumni Coordinator, at 204-632-2359 or doughton@rrc.mb.ca.

Red River College recently produced a special report entitled Building the Community, which outlines the tremendous economic and social impact the College has throughout Manitoba.

"Community is a concept that resonates throughout our academic programs, our institutional activities, and our partnerships with industry and non-profit organizations," says Stephanie Forysth, President of RRC.

The report shares the success stories of our alumni, and highlights important College initiatives such as the development of the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, the growth of our applied research program, and our work with community organizations to enhance child care services in Winnipeg's North End.

Building the Community was distributed province-wide in the Nov. 26, 2011, edition of the Winnipeg Free Press. An expanded version of the report is available here.

Click here to learn more about Planned Giving opportunities at Red River College.

Alumni Membership Advantages

Did you know that as a Red River College alum, you are eligible to receive exclusive discounts at several local businesses?

Stay Connected

Make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information so you can stay current with College news, learn about exclusive Alumni events and find out about the latest job opportunities.

To update your information, visit the Address Update webpage at www.rrc.ca/alumni or call

RRC Grads Find Success at CGA Manitoba

2012 Going Places Billboards Unveiled

RRC Alum's Debut Doc Wins Big at Sundance

Alumni Membership Advantages

Stay Connected