RED-enewsletter-October2011.htm

When you spend a year working in a foreign country -- in a part of the world you've only heard stories about -- the actual "working" part can be kind of a necessary evil.

But when the country in question is Angola -- and the work involves flying a Cessna Caravan over much of south-central Africa -- it's probably fair to say there are worse ways to spend 12 months.

Just ask Red River College grad Jonathan Epp, who got a bird's-eye view of Africa as a pilot and aircraft mechanic with Mission Aviation Fellowship, a faith-based international group that provides charter flights to doctors, missionaries and aid workers in developing nations.

A native of smalltown Saskatchewan, Epp had never been outside North America before, and was quickly taken by the beauty of Africa's landscape -- the sweeping grasslands and mountains, plunging cliffs and waterfalls. He says he expected to encounter some culture shock on arrival -- a lack of amenities and certain creature comforts -- but admits to feeling even greater shock when he returned home to Winnipeg.

"After being there for a year and coming back, it really shocked me how materialistic we are," says Epp, who graduated from RRC's Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship program in 2002, and now works as an instructor for the program at the College's Stevenson Campus on Saskatchewan Avenue. "Here, everyone wants a bigger house, or they've got to have a big screen TV and two cars and a boat ... I came back and thought, 'What are we doing this for?'"

Click here to learn more about Epp's African adventure, and the career path that brought him back home to Red River College.

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

Congratulations to RRC alum Michael Dacquisto (Culinary Arts, 1996), who took the top prize at last week's Gold Medal Plates gala, held Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

The annual event, held in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, marks the ultimate celebration of Canadian excellence in food, wine, athletic achievement and entertainment.

Dacquisto (Executive Chef at the Kenaston Avenue restaurant of the same name) faced stiff competition from a number of the city's premier chefs, among them fellow RRC grads Cameron Huley (12 Resto Bar), Adam Donnelly (Segovia Tapas Bar), Terry Gereta (Mise, Haute Prairie Cuisine), and Osten Rice (Wasabi Sabi).

Huley (Commercial Cooking, 1997; Apprenticeship Cooking, 1999), won the silver medal, while Sydney's at the Forks head chef Michael Schafer won bronze. Having won the gold medal, Dacqusito now moves on to the Canadian Culinary Championships in Kelowna, B.C., in February.

Congratulations also go out to RRC plumbing instructor W. Hal Hokanson (at right), who received one of two Instructor of the Year honours handed out at last week's 2011 Apprenticeship Awards of Distinction.

Held annually by Apprenticeship Manitoba and the Apprenticeship and Certification Board, the awards commemorate those who have shared their time and talent in trainingapprentices, thus contributing to the development of certified journeypersons with a special passion and pride for their trade.

Hokanson, who's only been teaching at RRC for four years, has already been nominated twice for Instructor of the Year honours. Click here to read a full profile that ran in last week's Winnipeg Free Press.

CreComm Grad Featured in Winnipeg Jets Doc

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last year, you're probably aware the Winnipeg Jets made hockey history earlier this month, when they hit the ice at MTS Centre for their first game of regular season play since 1996.

The team's Oct. 9 return prompted all manner of celebrating throughout the city, and was accompanied by a CBC retrospective documenting the team's devastating departure and against-all-odds comeback, entitled Fuelled by Passion: The Return of the Jets.

Among the many stakeholders and fans interviewed for the special was Red River College alum Scott Brown, who spoke in his capacity as Director of Communications for the Winnipeg Jets and True North Sports & Entertainment.

Brown (shown above, at centre ice), a 1998 graduate of RRC's Creative Communications program, speaks of his role in the fateful day last spring when True North Chairman Mark Chipman announced the team would be returning to Winnipeg. He also describes the renovation efforts required to accommodate both the team and their legions of fans at MTS Centre.

Last Chance for Tickets to 2011 Alumni Dinner!

This year's gala takes place Friday, Nov. 18, at the Fairmont Winnipeg (Two Lombard Place).

The annual event celebrates the legacy of RRC and the accomplishments of its alumni, in particular 2011's Distinguished Alumnus Wayne Morsky.

The dinner will be hosted by Global National Anchor and Executive Editor Dawna Friesen, herself an RRC grad (and fellow Distinguished Alum). Tickets are $140 each, or $1,120 for a table of eight.

To order tickets, or to learn more about becoming an event sponsor, contact Dale Oughton, RRC's Alumni Coordinator, at 204-632-2359 or doughton@rrc.mb.ca.

Join us this Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, for the official opening of Red River College's brand new Portage Campus.

We've brought the historic Victoria School building back to life with modern classrooms, workshops and lab spaces. Come celebrate with us and take a tour of this exciting new campus, located at 32 5th St. SE in Portage la Prairie.

RRC President Stephanie Forsyth commended the Government of Manitoba on its commitment to expanding skilled trades training, following the Speech from the Throne delivered Oct. 20.

"We know industry needs significantly more skilled workers to fill labour gaps and keep up with the growth of the Manitoba economy," Forsyth said. "RRC is under increased pressure to produce more advanced skilled graduates, but aging facilities and infrastructure hamper our ability to respond. The plans announced today will enhance opportunities for student and increase out competitiveness."

Central to those plans is a pledge to build a new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre at RRC's Notre Dame Campus. When completed, the new Centre will comprise 320,000 square feet of space that will allow all construction trades and related programs to be housed in a single location. This flexible, sustainable learning space will encourage collaboration between students, and will incorporate state of the art digital and mechanical technologies. Click here for more information.

The Red River College Rebels Soccer teams ended their first Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) season on a high note last weekend. The College played host to the MCAC Soccer Championships, and both our men's and women's teams played their best soccer of the season!

The women's team lost a semi-final match on Saturday to the University of Winnipeg, which put them in the bronze medal game on Sunday against Canadian Mennonite University. The women's team was well prepared for the game and played solidly throughout, taking the game by a score of 3-1 for the bronze medal win.

The men's team (shown) entered the championships as the #3 seed, and upset the #2-seeded Providence University College in the Saturday semi-final by a score of 2-0. The win put the men in Sunday's final against the #1-ranked U of W, whose squad featured players from the Canadian National Team program and pro ranks. Playing inspired ball, the Rebels took the game into injury time tied at 1-1, before the Wesmen finally scored two more goals to make the score 3-1.

It was an excellent showing for the new RCC soccer program, with bronze and silver medals earned in the very first year. For more information or to see pictures and video of the MCAC Soccer Championships, visit the MCAC website.

Students in RRC's Entrepreneurship program will complete the feasibility plan of their studies on Nov. 10, 2011. Volunteer judges are required to mark the plans and attend the student group's oral presentations on Monday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Volunteers will be supported with a rubric to assist in the marking of the feasibility plans. (Volunteers will each receive eight plans to mark.) During the orals, judges will be given the opportunity to question student groups on their plans. Upon completion, all judges will gather to pick two plans that will be further developed into a Business Plan.

To confirm your participation, or for additional information, contact RRC instructor David Grusko at 632-2981 or dgrusko@rrc.mb.ca.

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 (204) 632-2359.

Alumni Profile - Jonathan Epp

CreComm Grad Featured in Winnipeg Jets Doc

Last Chance for Tickets to 2011 Alumni Dinner!

Alumni Membership Advantages

Stay Connected