Yukon College is cooking up its first awards ceremony for graduates of the Culinary Arts program. Partnerships with Sysco Edmonton and the Rendezvous Rotary Club of Whitehorse have resulted in awarding bursaries to two Culinary Arts graduates.

Gabriel Hajian and Shea Hierlihy will be given their bursaries on Tuesday, June 14 at an awards ceremony at Yukon College. Hajian was chosen to receive the $500 bursary from Sysco Edmonton for his dedication and high grade point average. Hajian is considering the new Food and Beverage program that will be offered at the College this fall. Hierlihy was chosen for the $750 bursary for her organizational skills and drive. She plans to continue in her field to become a Red Seal Chef.

“These students have been so dedicated to their studies that they blew us away – their work ethic was outstanding”, said Ryan Cumming, Instructor, Culinary Arts.

The Women’s and Gender Studies program has just celebrated its first male graduate. Patrick Thompson has received a one year certificate in a program that now includes courses in the study of men.

Thompson is the first male graduate in a program that recently changed its name from Women’s Studies to Women’s and Gender Studies. This name change is a result of a North American movement that is working to broaden the awareness of Women’s Studies. This movement is not new to Dr. Lynn Echevarria, coordinator and instructor, Women’s and Gender Studies, “Each year I begin my class by stating that Women’s Studies is about collaborating and building a partnership with men”.

Representatives from the Westmark Whitehorse, Gold Rush and High Country Hotels, as well as the city of Whitehorse Tourism and Yukon Tourism Education Council have worked with Yukon College to develop a new program – Food and Beverage Operations Certificate. This eight month program will commence in September 2011 and provide skilled professionals in bartending and dining room service for the territory.

Yukon College has a new training facility that’s been waiting to be used for just this purpose. The Hilltop Bistro is the College’s 45 seat dining room and the facility that will be used for training students in this new program. It will be open to the public starting October 2011, serving lunch four days a week.

Yukon College instructor, Brad Martin, has contributed a northern perspective on the history of Parks Canada in a newly published book titled, “A Century of Parks Canada: 1911–2011”. Martin’s article examines how northern parks have been shaped by local First Nations and can be used as models for parks and protected areas throughout the world.

Yukon College’s (YC) Innovators in the Schools is making science and technology more accessible to grade seven students. The annual Stay-A-Day program has added Biology and Research to the list of options for students to experience during their visit to Yukon College.

A total of 150 students will spend a day working with Yukon College staff in an experiential educational setting. “Our classes are designed to engage and expose grade seven students to the world of science and technology through hands on learning”, said Heather Dundas, coordinator, Innovators in the Schools. Grade seven classes have been registered in two of the six areas of study: Health, Carpentry, Biology, Research, GPS and Water Resources.

Yukon College (YC) has been recognized for teaching a record breaking number of students in 2010. The Lifesaving Society of BC has announced that Yukon College provided Boat Operator Accredited Training (BOAT) to the most people out of any facility in BC and Yukon combined.

Yukon College is proud to be acknowledged during the 100th year anniversary of the Lifesaving Society, for its dedication to training Yukoners. “In 2010, a total of 443 people attended the BOAT program and that is significant considering our small northern population” said Dan Anton, chair, Continuing Education and Training. The community in second place was Cranbrook, BC and they certified 85 people. “Yukon College is committed to meeting the training needs of northerners and this award illustrates we are succeeding”, said Anton.

Number 33 (Spring 2011) of The Northern Review, “Canada’s Role in the Circumpolar World”, is hot off the presses. The issue focuses on Canada’s North, the role it plays in our national identity and the position it occupies in expanding debates about Arctic management, development, sovereignty, security and protection.

The contributing authors are a diverse group of emerging Canadian Arctic scholars. They are among the winners of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Circumpolar Affairs Graduate Fellowships established to encourage youth, our future leaders, to think deeply on Canada’s role in the circumpolar world.

These award-winning authors explore the Government of Canada’s historic and contemporary positions and policies on the Arctic and then build on the lessons learned from them. The articles, as a collection, highlight ways that Canada can draw on and leverage the nation’s northern ties into strong Arctic policies.

Yukoners can now complete program certificates with the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) without having to leave the territory. Yukon College has just signed an agreement with JIBC to deliver conflict resolution training in Yukon. In partnership with JIBC, Yukon College will now expand its delivery of conflict resolution courses ensuring that Yukoners have access to local educational opportunities.

Yukon College (YC) has entered into a partnership with the Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games (AWG). This relationship will benefit both the athletes and YC students through the many services that will be provided by Yukon College.

Yukon College will be managing a number of areas including: food services, the AWG headquarters and administration, entertainment areas for the athletes, the Poli-Clinic (doctors, physiotherapists, etc.), and a venue for the wrestling competition. “Yukon College is a valuable partner that understands the importance of an incredible youth athlete experience and the commitment required to partner with the Host Society as a key community contributor”, said Charly Kelly, VP Athlete Services, AWG.

The Yukon College Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Karen Barnes to the position of President effective July 1, 2011. Over 50 applications were received for the position. Barnes was chosen due to her extensive knowledge of the Yukon, her understanding of Yukon First Nations, and her focus on addressing the training need for business and industry. Barnes states, “It’s now time to direct our attention to better consulting with, and integration of business and industry into our programming.”  She notes one of her priorities as both external and internal consultation, and working with Yukoners to help direct the college priorities.