OC Life
OC students push their limits at the IEEEXtreme challenge
December 1, 2024
When it comes to testing their knowledge limits, Okanagan College (OC) students are a willing bunch! Mental dedication and endurance were on full display as students participated in the IEEEXtreme Programming Competition this past fall—a grueling 24-hour, worldwide computer coding event. Sixteen OC students in the Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Engineering programs from the Vernon and Kelowna campuses took on the challenge this year. The event, organized by the Okanagan College IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engi...
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Local playwright hits the right notes featuring 1950s Kelowna in original musical
October 21, 2024
Travel back in time to 1958, where rock and roll is causing trouble in Southeast Kelowna! Michael Minions, recently retired as Okanagan College’s Education Technology Coordinator. Minions found an unconventional way to stay active in retirement – writing a musical inspired by popular music from the 1950s with plenty of references to Kelowna’s early days. The play is titled Society for the Prevention of Rock and Roll and is proudly presented by Okanagan College’s Red Dot players. “The idea for Society for the Prevention o...
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Honouring Tradition: Rhea Dupuis Reflects on Okanagan College's 15th Annual Youth Exhibition Powwow
September 20, 2024
A celebration of culture, resilience, and community that continues to inspire future generations.Since joining Okanagan College as Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation two years ago, Rhea Dupuis has been a dedicated advocate for strengthening ties between the College and Indigenous communities. A member of the Penticton Indian Band, Dupuis plays a key role in promoting access to education for Indigenous learners while supporting the College’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.One of the events that holds particular meani...
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Welcome students: Excitement is high at Okanagan College
September 5, 2024
A message from Okanagan College President, Dr. Neil Fassina:I can’t help but to feel excited this week.At each of our campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, students are back – several thousand returning to complete their programs – and more than 3,500 beginning something new.To each one, I extend a sincere welcome and say, with enthusiasm: Congratulations!Today, the demand by employers for college-educated graduates is at an all-time high. More than 50 per cent of jobs now and for the next decade will require learning that ...
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Madison Padgett: Thriving in Okanagan College's School of Business
September 3, 2024
Okanagan College student Madison Padgett knows full well the reason her and her business school colleagues work so hard to attend and compete at business competitions as part of their OC education.As Madison works towards her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a specialization in Marketing and a concentration in Communications, her journey at OC is nothing short of inspiring.Madison chose Okanagan College for her post-secondary education because it stood out as one of the highest-rated business schools in Western Canada. Her dec...
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Premier Eby officially opens OC student housing in Vernon, Kelowna
August 23, 2024
Okanagan College (OC) students now have access to more on-campus housing with the opening of new student housing at the Vernon and Kelowna campuses, reducing housing pressures in both communities and making it easier for students to focus on their studies.“The first day of school is a time when students should be focused on their studies and their future, instead of worrying about where to live,” said Premier David Eby. “These new residences for Okanagan College students in Vernon and Kelowna allow students to concentrate on their classes w...
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OC Community Fridge
August 14, 2024
In an effort to help ease food insecurity, a campus fridge is now available to anyone who needs access to food at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus. Located in the hallway outside the OC Student Union office (Room A148), the Kelowna campus fridge is based on the community fridge concept and is available to students during regular building hours. The fridge is volunteer operated and stocked with donated food and is a great example of a collaborative effort to support students with a group of OC instructors known as the Breakfast ...
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Okanagan College Welcomes New Board of Governors
August 14, 2024
Okanagan College is pleased to announce new members who will be joining the Okanagan College Board of Governors as of July 31, 2024.Sheri Hamilton and Gurjit Chand have been appointed to the board for a one-year term.A mother of two, Hamilton has already contributed significantly to Okanagan College, serving as a Foundation Director and Chair of the Finance Committee from 2018 to 2024, and as the past Chair of the Okanagan College Regional Advisory Committee (Shuswap Region). In 2024, she began her term as a Board member of CPHR BC & Yu...
Read more...Okanagan College Delegation Engages Global Education Issues at BC International Education Week 2024
August 13, 2024
In the spirit of collaboration and learning Okanagan College’s International department was well-represented at a recent conference examining global education issues. Okanagan College team members spoke at the BC International Education Week 2024 Conference in Vancouver, a gathering of educators and administrators from various institutions.The conference discussed insights on international education, and OC's delegation made a notable impact.Three employees from OC led insightful sessions alongside ...
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College professor Celebrates Chinese Canadian history at Commando Bay 80th anniversary
August 9, 2024
Okanagan College history professor Howard Hisdal celebrated a major milestone in the history of Chinese Canadian right to vote. Hisdal was invited by Shaun Boo to make the trip to Commando Bay on Okanagan Lake to commemorate the 1944 British Special Operations (SOE) training of 13 Chinese Canadian commandos. The event included members of the Kelowna Chinese History Group, the Chinese Freemasons of Kelowna, and Military Historian Keith Boehmer of the Okanagan Military Museum. “The training of the 13 Chinese Canadians at Comma...
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Camp OC: Where Summer Fun Meets Support
July 29, 2024
Summer is in full swing at Okanagan College campuses across Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and Salmon Arm, where Camp OC has opened its doors once again. Running throughout the summer, Camp OC aims to engage children in a variety of interests from engineering and arts to music, science, culinary arts, trades, and computers. With hundreds of children expected weekly, the campuses are buzzing with laughter and excitement as kids dive into their passions.For families like the Smiths, Camp OC isn't just a summer camp—it's a vital support sys...
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OC Student Joshua’s experience at the 2024 Human Security in Southeast Asia Conference
July 11, 2024
Joshua Lee, an Okanagan College Associate of Arts student, had a special opportunity this April. He attended the Human Security in Southeast Asia Conference, which was a big step for him as it was his first serious trip outside of vacationing.The conference wasn't just about attending talks. It was a chance for Joshua to learn firsthand about global issues like human security. He was so interested that he wrote a detailed rapporteur's report about what he learned, which he's excited to share with everyone at Okanagan College. His achievemen...
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Rachel’s Adventure: A Métis Student's Journey Through Study Abroad
June 21, 2024
The following story was submitted by OC’s International Education team:An Okanagan College student has returned from the trip of a lifetime.Rachel, a Métis student at Okanagan College (OC), recently participated in a Discovery Camp in Surabaya, Indonesia. This program, which included 11 OC students (three of whom were Indigenous), focused on sustainable development goals and local government initiatives.Rachel's journey was made possible because OC is part of the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP), which helps students’ stud...
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Student finds a home in Computer Sciences at OC
June 10, 2024
When Okanagan College student Kristina Cormier was searching for post-secondary schools to attend, she had some criteria she was looking for.She researched the benefits of different industries she was interested in and the programs that were available. She heard good things about OC alumni and the work they were doing. She loved the location in the Okanagan Valley and the small class sizes OC is known for.But it was OC’s Computer Science Department that really caught her eye. She was soon enrolled in the Bachelor of Computer Info...
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OC Coyotes win 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season championship
May 15, 2024
ContributedThe Okanagan College Coyotes have won the 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season championship with a 21-10 record, securing the number one seed heading into the Canadian College World Series.“It has been a very rewarding season for our program, we have dealt with a lot of adversity with injuries, and to finish on top was a great accomplishment by the players. It is a testament to the depth of our group,” says Head Coach Geoff White.The Coyotes finished the regular season with a run of nine wins in the last ...
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OC Coyotes win 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season championship
May 15, 2024
Contributed by OC CoyotesThe Okanagan College Coyotes have won the 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season championship with a 21-10 record, securing the number one seed heading into the Canadian College World Series.“It has been a very rewarding season for our program, we have dealt with a lot of adversity with injuries, and to finish on top was a great accomplishment by the players. It is a testament to the depth of our group,” says Head Coach Geoff White.Th...
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