RED-enewsletter-March2012.htm

Mark Howe has been in marketing literally since he was a kid -- one of his first jobs in high school was selling recycling boxes door-to-door.

But Howe -- who's now the Director of Marketing and Professional Development at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLD (TDS Law) -- recently added to his credentials by completing RRC's Marketing Management program through the School of Continuing and Distance Education.

Having graduated with honours last year, Howe is poised to return to RRC next month, when he'll begin teaching the College's Services Marketing course. It's his first time teaching in a classroom setting (he's been heading up seminars and instructional sessions for years), but Howe says he's looking forward to the challenge.

His RRC training certainly came in handy while he was making the transition from product-based marketing (at Agricore United and Direct Focus Marketing Communications) to TDS Law, where he was hired to create and oversee the firm's new marketing department.

"Sometimes marketing and business development can have a negative stigma to it, but I think of it as a helping profession," says Howe, who's also Director of Marketing and Professional Development for Acumen Corporate Development (a TDS affiliate). "If you can help a business to grow or prosper, or become more successful through marketing, that's a good thing for the client or employer and the local community ... I love seeing 'the needle' move -- when you can see you're having an impact, when you can see you're achieving results, and you're helping your clients achieve their goals. That's what's most rewarding to me."

Click here to learn more about Howe's success, and here to learn more about the Marketing Management program at RRC.

If you are interested in being profiled in the RED alumni e-newsletter, e-mail Dale Oughton, Alumni Coordinator, at alumni@rrc.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 April 12, 2012. Click here to download a nomination package, or to learn more about past recipients.

Every year, hundreds of past RRC graduates gather to celebrate their impressive range of accomplishments, rekindle and renew old friendships, and learn more about the College's exciting plans for the future.

This year, the College will host its annual Alumni Dinner on Friday, November 16, at the Fairmont Winnipeg. Tickets for the event will be available soon, so be sure to save the date!

At last year's gala, RRC honoured Distinguished Alumnus Wayne Morsky (shown), President and CEO of Morsky Group of Companies. The event was hosted by Global National anchor Dawna Friesen, who received the Distinguished Alumni award in 2009.

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.ca.

Stevenson Campus 10th Anniversary

Join us as we celebrate AIR FAIR, the 10th anniversary of RRC's Stevenson Campus. The free event is open to the public -- in particular, graduates of RRC's aviation and aerospace programs -- and takes place Saturday, June 2, 2012.

RRC grad Scott Brown (Creative Communications, 1998) has been named Manitoba Communicator of the Year by the provincial chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Communications for True North Sports & Entertainment, received the award at a luncheon held March 27, 2012, at the Hotel Fort Garry.

Brown was at the centre of the biggest local news story of 2011 -- the triumphant return of the Winnipeg Jets. He and his communications team (including fellow CreComm grads Kalen Qually and Christina Caligiuri) played a crucial role in both the high-profile announcement and the ensuring strategic rollout.

"It was indeed a tremendous challenge to bring the NHL back to Manitoba's passionate hockey fans, not only on the communications front, but in all areas," Brown said. "We have been overwhelmed by the public's support of the team and the organization ...The return of the NHL has truly been a community success."

Graduate Satisfaction & Employment Survey

In January 2012, RRC's Research and Planning department sent a Graduate Satisfaction & Employment Survey to those who'd graduated during the previous academic year. A second mail-out was sent in February; along with the questionnaire, grads received an entry form for a chance to win one of seven Best Buy gift cards (in denominations of $50 to $200).

In March and April, an external agency will follow up by phone with those grads who have yet to respond. Information gathered will be compiled in RRC's annual Graduate Satisfaction & Employment Report, with results broken down by program and by school. Click here to view past reports, or to learn more about how survey results are reported.

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!

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 Forsyth, 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

Alumni Profile: Mark Howe

Stevenson Campus 10th Anniversary

Graduate Satisfaction & Employment Survey

2012 Going Places Billboards Unveiled

Alumni Membership Advantages

Stay Connected