Cambrian nominates 'outstanding' grads for Premier's Awards

Cambrian College has submitted its nominations for the Premier's Awards, which honour the important social and economic contributions that Ontario college graduates make in Canada and around the world.

The Premier’s Awards program is administered by Colleges Ontario and was launched in 1992 to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Ontario's community college system.

Recipients in six categories are chosen annually from nominees submitted by Ontario's 24 community colleges.

Nominees must demonstrate outstanding career success related to their college experience and have made a significant contribution to their community.

Cambrian’s nominees for 2013 Premier's Award are:

Michael Connolly (Technology)
Program of Study: Electronics Engineering Technology
Graduating Year: 1975
Job Title: Principal
Place of Employment: MIDELCON Spectrum Consulting

Connolly is an international expert and Canadian pioneer in radio frequency spectrum management. Spectrum management facilitates wireless communication including satellite transmissions, radio broadcasts, mobile phone calls and air traffic control.
As senior director, spectrum management operations for Industry Canada, Connolly was the primary advocate responsible for conceiving, legislating, and auctioning licences for Canada’s radio frequency spectrum, earning $6 billion for the Canadian government from 1999-2009.
His vision, leadership and commitment earned him the Head of Public Service Award for Excellence in Policy from the Clerk of the Privy Council.

Patrick Gaughan (Community Services)
Program of Study: Child and Youth Worker
Graduating Year: 1986
Job Title: President and CEO
Place of Employment: Bartimaeus Inc.

Gaughan is the president and CEO of Bartimaeus Inc., a private organization founded in 1988 that provides specialized support, rehabilitation and services to children, adolescents, adults and seniors who are experiencing and exhibiting moderate to severe problematic behaviour resulting from mental, psychiatric, or emotional challenges, as well as trauma, including acquired brain injuries.
Gaughan is responsible for the management of all operations of the company, including care and treatment services and administration. He is highly respected in his field and has presented workshops at national and international conferences and has been published in the Canadian Journal of Child and Youth Care.

Candice Kirkbride (Recent Graduate)
Program of Study: General Arts
Graduating Year: 2009
Job Title: Motivational Speaker

Kirkbride is a person of courage and resolve. Despite the physical challenges and emotional pain that she endured after a devastating incident that took her boyfriend’s life and changed hers forever, she has forgiven the driver whose vehicle struck them both.
Kirkbride has become a role model for youth, travelling to schools and conferences, providing inspirational keynote addresses. Sharing her unforgettable personal story is helping to prevent further tragedies and to build personal accountability among audiences of all ages.

Amber Konikow (Health Sciences)
Program of Study: Nursing
Graduating Year: 1997
Job Title: Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Care Services Department
Place of Employment: Health Sciences North

Konikow is a motivated and passionate person who constantly challenges herself. She is a registered nurse, boxer, ultra-marathon runner, motivational speaker, stunt actor, coach and trainer, volunteer and photographer.
She was a nurse for 15 years before becoming the diabetes nurse educator for the diabetes care service at Health Sciences North in September 2012. She has maintained an excellent reputation in nursing while training and competing as a champion boxer and marathon runner over the years.
For her next big challenge, Konikow is competing in the 250-kilometre Fire and Ice ultra-marathon in Iceland in August 2013.

Stephen Massicotte (Creative Arts and Design)
Program of Study: Graphic Design
Graduating Year: 1991
Job Title: Playwright, Screenwriter, Actor, Graphic Designer

Massicotte is a prolific, critically acclaimed and world-renowned Canadian playwright, screenwriter, actor and designer. A versatile artist, his work for the stage is unforgettable, moving and thought-provoking.
Stephen also has a successful career writing for film, contriving complex scripts and characters. He is known for being able to dive into projects mid-stream, and to complete work that others found excessively challenging.
Massicotte’s theatre productions, awards and accolades are too numerous to list. He also contributes his talents as a visual artist, designing cover art and posters; and working as a freelance photographer and sculptor.

Walter Siggelkow (Business)
Program of Study: Electronics Engineering
Graduating Year: 1991
Job Title: President
Place of Employment: HLS HARD-LINE Solutions Inc.

Founder and president of HLS HARD-LINE Solutions Inc., Siggelkow is a business leader who applied his first-hand knowledge of the skilled trades, technology, and the mining industry to create innovative solutions for that sector.
Emphasizing research and development, Siggelkow’s business has evolved to provide custom products across multiple sectors to customers in more than 30 countries. A journeyman and successful entrepreneur, he remains focused on identifying problems with existing products and identifying solutions to reduce human hazards and make complex projects more efficient and cost-effective.

If you know of a Cambrian graduate with noteworthy accomplishments, contact the Alumni Relations office at (705) 566-8101, ext. 7208, or email [email protected].