Feature Stories 2009

Hotel and Restaurant Management (HORM)
Between classes: Mandy Wong

Starting at Douglas has taken Mandy Wong to Switzerland, and then to Whistler, where she now works at the Delta Whistler Village Suites.

Early Childhood Education
Between classes: Brenda Flett

Brenda Flett says the first step in coming to Douglas was facing her fear of failure.

Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting
Between classes: Erin Reimer

BBA student Erin Reimer has already scored an articling position with a high-profile accounting firm and she says it all comes down to Douglas.

Therapeutic Recreation Diploma
Between classes: Mary Benson

Graduate Mary Benson's career was cut short by a brain injury. Now the Paralympic athlete is going for gold in the 2010 Winter Games.

Career options now unlimited: Julia Collins

Post-degree Diploma in Marketing
Career options now unlimited

Studying marketing at Douglas has given Julia Collin the opportunity to exercise her creativity.

Sport Science Diploma
Between Classes: Laurie Wong

Laurie Wong says hands-on learning made the difference in the Sport Science Diploma program

Criminology
Instant attraction leads to career

Lacey Jackson discovered her dream job during a class trip. Today she helps people with mental health issues and substance abuse problems navigate the justice system.

Bachelor of Arts, Child and Youth Care
Part-time program gives student balance

Studying part-time has allowed Rima Abduljawad to spend more time with the people who inspired her to pursue a career working with youth

A Midsummer Night's Dream Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre Production

Director Paul Moniz de Sá promises slapstick, physical comedy, youthful exuberance and wonderful imagery in his production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Spotlight on the President
McAlpine talks strategy

Douglas College President Scott McAlpine recently spoke with the New Westminster NewsLeader about his plans for Douglas.

Blood Relations Studio Theatre Production
Between Classes: David Quast, Blood Relations Director

Theatre grad turned director David Quast talks about why you should see Blood Relations, a play about Lizzie Borden.

Associate of Science Degree
Biologist got the right start at college

Tanya Jones, now a researcher at SFU, says the hands-on experience she got in Biology labs at Douglas was unbeatable.

I-CARE
Daniel Vaillancourt

Daniel Vaillancourt started learning to read five years ago. He recently finished writing his first novella, Marvin's Millions, edited by tutor Cathy Sonnenberg.

Royals Women's Basketball
Between classes: Bianca Jarvis

Bianca Jarvis will be working as an apprentice coach to Katie McLeod, who changed her approach to athletics and academics back in high school.

Community Social Service Worker
Lessons from Africa

Kara Dooley learned about death and the realities of those living with AIDS in Uganda while working there during her practicum.

Stagecraft
Between classes: Jenny Margueratt

Jenny Margueratt recalls an inventive visual device used in class that she won't forget any time soon.

Aboriginal Child and Youth Care
Between classes: Linda Mitchell

Getting a degree is no longer just a dream, but a possibility, says Linda Mitchell.

Wheelchair Basketball
Royal in Americas Cup

Royals Wheelchair Basketball player Bo Hedges helped net a silver for Team Canada at the Americas Cup.

Associate of Arts, English
Between classes: Liz Hammond

Liz Hammond got a Welsh perspective on her studies by taking part in the Wales Field School this Summer.

Athletics: Baseball
Former Royal drafted by big leagues

Brandon Kaye wasn't a full-time pitcher until he came to Douglas. He's been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bachelor of Business Administration
Students mind their business with finesse

Bang Tran, Allyn Edwards and Francis Impelido placed first in an international online competition, where they managed a simulated athletic footwear company.

Criminology
Between classes: Cristina Barbat

RCMP Constable Cristina Barbat says her studies at Douglas prepared her well for her classroom training with the police force.

Developmental Studies - Pre-Business Foundation
Secret to loving math is in the teaching

Bachelor of Business Administration student James Burgon no longer fears math thanks to the Pre-Business Foundation Program.

Community Mental Health Worker
Between classes: Ivana Culina

Graduate Ivana Culina is now continuing her education in Psychiatric Nursing. She says college was the key to finding independence.

Co-Occurring Disorders
Program gives grad clear vision

On the job, Brendan Munden uses what he learned in the Co-Occurring Disorders Program every day.

Computing Science and Information Systems
Grads belie bad economy

Instructor Ray Yu says his graduates are in good shape when it comes to finding work, even in today's economy.

Business Management
Grad remembers his roots

Jason Prasad, whose high-profile clients include Ultimate Fighting Championship, says he'd be like a deer caught in the headlights without his Douglas diploma.

Marketing Management
Marketing chair tells it like it is

If Marketing Chair Gail Tibbo could bottle her approval as a drug, it could result in some serious addiction issues on campus, say her graduates.

Dispensing Optician Diploma
Grad receives prestigious award

Governor General's Bronze Medal recipient Lindsay Martin (right), says one of the best things about college was the friendships she formed with her classmates and instructors.

English for Foreign Trained Professionals
Consultant finds his voice

Seeing results in just weeks gave Christophe Descamps the confidence to keep working on his English.

BA Child and Youth Care
Students get hands on

Megan Cullins and Mike Regan say they're graduating well-equipped to work in the field and continue their education.

Sign Language Interpretation
Between Classes: Marna Arnell

Distinguished Alumna Marna Arnell recalls lasting friendships and a class that ended shortly after the paramedics were called.

Summer Grad 2009
Photo Gallery

It was sunny days and sunny spirits as graduates from 63 programs received their degrees, diplomas, associate degrees, citations and certificates on June 3 and 4.

Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching
Between Classes: Laurie Wong

Valedictorian Laurie Wong recalls highlights of her time at Douglas, including learning about diatoms and walking like an insect.

Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
Between Classes: Leah Mehlenbacher

For valedictorian Leah Mehlenbacher, the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care Program was simply the natural choice.

Bachelor of Business Administration
Between Classes: David Jagielski

Valedictorian David Jagielski says that in Accounting at Douglas, the numbers just added up.

Associate of Arts, Psychology
Between classes: Dave Guedes

Valedictorian David Guedes is a strong believer that you get what you give.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Between Classes: Amanda Gaudry

Valedictorian Amanda Gaudry says her program allowed her to combine her love of helping others with her love of a challenge.

Bachelor of Business Administration
Between Classes: Jennifer Curpen

After a car accident, Jennifer Curpen was told by doctors not to return to school. She switched majors and graduated with her BBA and as valedictorian to boot.

Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation
Career options unlimited

Stacey Carlson says the favourite of her job is putting smiles on people's faces.

University Transfer, Anthropology
Passion discovered one goal at a time

Working as a tutor at the Learning Centre was just one highlight of Lisa Bellano's (right) experience at Douglas. This Fall, she is headed to SFU.

Associate of Arts, Psychology
Between classes: Dave Guedes

Being active in the College community has allowed Dave Guedes, who moonlights as Douglas mascot Roary, to be a part of something bigger.

Music Program
Paving the way to a degree

Self-taught musician Tyler Belding credits the Douglas Music Program with giving him a solid foundation for university.

Music Program
From shredder to composer

Instructor Doug Smith's latest composition will be performed by the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.

Home Support/Resident Care Attendant
Communicating with compassion

Instructor Patricia Juvik (right), with graduate Hiruth Mwandermere, emphasizes the importance of people skills in her classes.

University Transfer
Basketball takes Nazzari places

Hamed Nazzari got the hang of balancing academics with life at Douglas. He is now completing his PhD at UBC.

Biology
Between Classes: Lynette Sigola

Biology professor Lynette Sigola is a firm believer that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Marketing Management
Between classes: Brooke McMurchy

Brooke McMurchy is applying her marketing know-how to make the world – and the provincial government – a little greener.

Health Care Support Worker
Between classes: Bonnie Gladman

Health Care Support Worker graduate Bonnie Gladman says the residents she works with have taught her to enjoy life.

English as a Second Language
From ESL to engineering

University professor Phillip Choi's experience at Douglas inspired him to help others realize their potential.

Youth Justice
Between Classes: Kyle Stoner

Kyle Stoner says the hardest thing about graduating from the Youth Justice Program was deciding what to do next.

Dental Assisting
Between Classes: Monica Tabyanian

Dental Assisting student Monica Tabyanian (left) says she can't wait for a career making people smile.

Veterinary Office and Animal Care
Grad finds her path

A willingness to do it all - from scrubbing floors to communicating with patients' owners - is essential in her job, says Jade Yuan.

Nursing
Between Classes: Niven Pong

Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Niven Pong says Douglas' great teachers made the hard work worth it.

Sport Science
Between Classes: Laura Pitt

Now the technical director of the BC Ringette Association, Laura Pitt says she got the perfect warm-up to her career at Douglas.

Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching
Do fitness gadgets really work?

Katrina Lindroos, Kristy Alblas and Laurie Wong, combine fun with sport science testing out the Wii Fit.

Commerce and Business Administration
Bigger means better

Ronald Chen, Aleem Jinnah and John Hua are working together on the launch of a new Douglas College Business Association, an offshoot of the Marketing Students Society.

Print Futures: Professional Writing
Graduate finds her passion

Alive editor Ellen Niemer says college helped her find her true calling.

Commerce and Business Administration Diploma
Grad credits one-on-one help

If he could go back in time, Sasha Ramnarine would thank himself for coming to Douglas.

Athletics
Palanis pin competition

Siblings Seveh (centre) and Aso (second from right) Palani were in fighting form at the National Collegiate Wrestling Championships.

Behaviour Interventionist
A voice for special needs

At Douglas, Hetty Hazenberg got the foundation she needed to advocate for children with autism

Light Warehouse Training
Program leads to solid jobs

At Douglas, Yuli Zhang got the skills he needed to find work in a warehouse. In fact, he was offered a job before he even completed the program.

Physics and Astronomy
Between classes: Jennifer Kirkey

Instructor Jennifer Kirkey says science is all about keeping that sense of wonder that starts in childhood.

Animal Health Technology
Between classes: Pauline Chow

From a young age, instructor and veterinarian Pauline Chow recalls being captivated by the daily activities of her family pets.

Winter grad 2009
Photo gallery

It was a special day at Douglas College as graduates from 49 programs received their degrees, diplomas, associate degrees, citations and certificates on February 10. Catch a glimpse of some of them as the celebration started.

See the gallery...

Business Management
A business match made at Douglas

The Business Management and Career Start programs were the perfect match for Kathy Nowak. Today, she's on track to a promising career in banking.

Working Solutions
Skilled immigrants connect with job market

The Working Solutions program gave Chinese immigrant David Shu an edge when it came to finding a job in his field.

College Athletics
Badminton players do it best

Badminton coach Al Mawani, far right, is one proud papa. Three of his players, from left, Stephanie Ko, Alvin Lau and Melody Liang, are all Premier's Athletic Awards recipients.

Behaviour Interventionist
Between classes: Buffy Arndt

Buffy Arndt came to Douglas wanting to make a difference in the lives of children with autism. Today, the valedictorian is living her dream.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Between classes: Sybil Hoiss

Sybil Hoiss persevered after a car accident to complete her nursing degree and become valedictorian for her class.

Office Administration -
Medical Office Assistant
Between Classes: Carly Felgnar

Valedictorian Carly Felgnar says the support of her friends and instructors helped her complete her program with finesse.

Music Program
Between classes: Jayden Beaudoin

Coming to Douglas allowed Jayden Beaudoin to explore his creativity with a variety of percussion instruments, including the vibraphone.

Consumer and Job Preparation
Ready for work and life

Pam Ross says Douglas was the right choice to achieve her goals, namely furthering her education and getting a job she enjoys.

Dispensing Optician
Sara Moshurchak

Grad Sara Moshurchak says the small, hands-on classes at Douglas prepared her well for running her own retail outlet.

Customer Service and Cashier Training
Leanne Peressini

Leanne Peressini coming to Douglas prepared her for work and boosted her self esteem.

Computing Science and Information Systems
Toshi Shikata

Computing Science and Information Systems student Toshi Shikata advises students to use the resources available to them at Douglas.

Theatre Program
Allan Lysell

Theatre instructor, actor and producer Allan Lysell (seated) says it’s his students and the laughs that keep him motivated.

Animal Health Technology
Playful teasing leads to a deliberate decision

Animal Health Technology student Chris Smith, with Angus, says the combination of hands-on work with academics make the program a perfect fit.

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