Cambrian College is shining the spotlight on its best, nominating four graduates for a Premier’s Award, which honours college alumni in Ontario.
Elaine Johnston, Karen Hastie, Mark McAllister and Thomas Fortin will join more than 80 college alumni from across the province at the annual Premier’s Award celebration in Toronto Feb. 19.
Johnston, the health services director with the Wikwemikong Health Centre, and Hastie, the owner of AkFit Fitness Superstore, were lauded at a dinner at Cambrian Tuesday. McAllister, a 21-year-old graphic designer with 50 Carlton and Fortin, an engineering manager with Ontrak Control Systems, were not in attendance.
“College graduates are very important to Canadian society. The Premier’s Awards recognizes the valuable contribution that college graduates make,” says Linda Wilson, Cambrian’s director of marketing and institutional relations.
Nominations for the awards are submitted in six categories from all 24 Ontario colleges.
Celina Cacciotti, manager of alumni development, said a committee is formed to profile graduates and then evaluate which ones would best represent Cambrian College.
“It gives us a chance to really get to know these people and hopefully bring them back to the college. A lot of times it’s just the link we need to get them involved,” she said.
Johnston and Hastie say they’re both thrilled about the nominations.
“I’m deeply honoured,” Johnston said.
Looking to become a nurse, once Johnston started studying at Cambrian, she says she became aware of all the different opportunities available to her in the health care sector.
One of those opportunities led her to start working in Aboriginal communities.
“I ended up going to Northern Ontario and what really struck me, and why I got involved in the policy aspects of health care, is dealing with a lot of youth suicides and having to pronounce so many young people that had died.”
“Being a First Nations member, I wanted to see what more we can provide for our own people.”
Johnston isn’t active as a Cambrian alumni but she does take in placement students at the Wikwemikong Health Centre.
“My observation is college is really valuable in providing that practical experience to students.”
Like Johnston, AkFit Fitness Superstore owner, Hastie also believes in the positive effect a mentor relationship can have on a student.
“I love it when I have the opportunity to share my experiences with people who are coming up,” Hastie said. “When I was graduating it would have been nice to have someone tell me what to expect, what to focus on and some things that would help me become a good employee and eventually go on to become a good employer.”
A role model for other alumni, Hastie sits on a college advisory committee, communicates with program coordinators, and has eight Cambrian graduates in her employment. She’s even stepped in front of a class from time to time.
“Anytime you can get recognized from an institution like a college, and when you’re sitting in a group and you’re hearing all the success of all the other nominees, it makes you feel good to be in the same category as them,” she said about her nomination.
