OC Life

#Welcome69ƵOC Campaign Kicks Off
September 3, 2021
We’re ready to celebrate the return to student life at OC! As we come back together, let’s share some kindness and support each other as our 69Ƶ grows. Visit the Welcome69ƵOC web page to view the growing gallery of social media content that is being shared to celebrate the return to campus and support our strong connections. While you’re on the page, you’ll get to know more about professors and instructors, staff, students, alumni and others in the broader 69Ƶ. Join in and share content tagged #Welcome69ƵOC. We...
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Jillian Harris sets up award fund to support underrepresented students
August 20, 2021
A much-coveted subscription box from Canadian influencer and Kelowna local Jillian Harris will open up more than just surprises for recipients, but opportunities to support a generation of historically excluded students at 69Ƶ with every subscription sold. Jillian Harris, through her fall Jilly Box, is raising $50,000 to create awards for Indigenous students, Black students and students of Colour at 69Ƶ. The Jilly Box is seeding the fund with $15,000 and subsequently, will match donations up t...
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New Central Okanagan health orders from Interior Health
August 6, 2021
Interior Health has announced new restrictions for the Central Okanagan aimed at reducing the transmission of COVID-19 within the region. Watch the press conference online and read the Interior Health news bulletin with details. For the 69Ƶ context, the restrictions are relevant to the Kelowna campus and training centres within the Central Okanagan. Masks remain mandatory for all people age 12 and older in indoor public areas throughout the Central Okanagan - this includes at OC facilities (view the current m...
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Meet Louise Trenholm, Automotive Collision and Refinishing student
August 5, 2021
Q: Why did you choose a career in Collision Repair? A: I’ve always had an interest in vehicles ever since I was a child. In high school, I hung out at the local Speedway in Penticton, making my love for vehicles grow even more. I wanted a career that worked on vehicles, so I decided to choose the Entry-Level Automotive Collision Repair Foundation program to help start my career as an Automotive Refinisher. Q: How did your training with OC help prepare you for your c...
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Employee mental health tips for the transition back to campus
July 20, 2021
Just as none of us had ever lived through a pandemic before COVID-19, none of us have ever emerged from one either. OC’s Counselling Services team has compiled these tips to help you prepare for the transitions that lie ahead. Don’t compare yourself. Not with other people and not with where you think you ‘should be’ at this point. We just lived through a global pandemic! If you had times of feeling not so productive or you’re feeling tired now, you’re not alone and that’s...
Read more...Meet Bryan White, Biology Professor
July 6, 2021
Q: What is your education and background? A: I have an undergraduate degree with honours in biochemistry, a masters degree in post-secondary Education, a PhD degree in Medicine (Focus on reproduction and the signals that initiate labour), and postdoctoral research in animal reproduction and vascular (blood vessel) development. Q: What is your area of interest? A: Although I started in Biochemistry, as time went on I seemed to transition over to Anatomy and Ph...
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Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
May 31, 2021
69Ƶ respectfully acknowledges that our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. On Thursday, May 27, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. On behalf ...
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Animation Industry Night paints picture of OC student success
May 14, 2021
Local animation studios had the opportunity to canvas the next generation of talent from 69Ƶ’s Animation Diploma program at the third-annual Industry Night, which showcased students’ artwork, demo reels and professional portfolios. On May 13, 69Ƶ opened its doors – albeit virtually – for the popular art-and-network event which brought together industry partners, community, students, faculty, mentors and supporters in celebration of the program’s 2021 graduating class and first-year students who have now cr...
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OC professor Corinna Chong national winner of CBC Short Story Prize
April 30, 2021
Corinna Chong has been named the winner of the 2021 CBC Short Story Prize, for her piece “Kids in Kindergarten.” “I’m thrilled to receive this incredible honour,” said Chong. “I was so impressed by the other four shortlisted stories that to hear mine was chosen as the winner was a total shock.” Writing by the 69Ƶ professor has received renewed attention this week, after she was shortlisted in the prestigious competition. Her piece explores themes of pregnancy loss and the trials of conception, and how women often suff...
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OC professor Corinna Chong’s writing shortlisted for prestigious CBC Short Story Prize
April 27, 2021
Writing by an 69Ƶ Writing professor is receiving national attention, after being shortlisted in the CBC Short Story Prize this week. Corinna Chong, who teaches in OC’s English Department, was among the five finalists named Wednesday in the prestigious writing competition. “Kids in Kindergarten” explores themes of pregnancy loss and the trials of conception. “I think that miscarriages, while incredibly common, remain a kind of taboo subject. It wasn't until I was trying to conceive that I began to hear so many storie...
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Meet Corinna Chong, English and Fine Arts Professor
April 27, 2021
Q: What is your education and background? A: I was born and raised in Calgary, AB. I have a BA in English (Creative Writing) and a BFA in Visual Art (Photography) from the University of Calgary, as well as an MA in English (Creative Writing) from the University of New Brunswick. I’ve been teaching in the OC English department since 2011. Q: What is your area of interest? A: I like to juggle a few disciplines in both the literary and visual arts. I teach courses in compos...
Read more...Meet Andrew Klingel, Business Administration Professor
April 27, 2021
Q: What is your education and background? A: I have a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master's of Business Administration from Queen’s University. Q: What is your area of interest? A: Prior to joining 69Ƶ, I consulted for major corporations such as Telus, TD and General Motors — but my true passion is entrepreneurship. I have been involved with many new ventures as an operator, investor and advisor. For example, I joined a software start up that grew f...
Read more...Nighttime noshing and homework help: OC students gear up for Long Night Against Procrastination
March 18, 2021
The power of pizza among peers is greater than procrastination. With end-of-term deadlines in sight, organizers of the popular 69Ƶ Long Night Against Procrastination are ready to offer up snacks, prizes and solidarity to students facing winter term finals. Long Night Against Procrastination started at the Penticton campus in 2015, with students converging on campus for late-night cram sessions with help from faculty, librarians and Success Centre coordinators. The annual event helped students meet end-of-term deadli...
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Meet Aleena Isobe, Criminal Social Justice student
February 9, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Vernon, B.C. I grew up here and I’ve always been so grateful for the natural beauty that surrounds us. Q: How did you end up at 69Ƶ? A: I had always planned to do a couple years of college before going to university so I had time to adjust to the differences between high school and post-secondary, so I chose a local college that had courses that interested me. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I’ve always been fasci...
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Meet Jordan Boultbee, Kinesiology student
February 9, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Penticton, British Columbia. Q: How did you end up at 69Ƶ? A: I first began at 69Ƶ, back in 2013 the year following my graduation. I was playing junior hockey for the Penticton Vees, but wanted to keep my mind sharp, so I enrolled in a few college-level courses. I returned to 69Ƶ around 2015 in the Trades program, before finally realizing my passion and enrolling in the Human Kinetics program in 2018...
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Meet Ty Sideroff, Kinesiology student
February 9, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: I was born and raised in Summerland. Q: How did you end up at 69Ƶ? A: Exiting high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I felt that the 69Ƶ in Penticton was a low-risk, high-reward option. Staying local was important to me, but it was also hard to argue with small class sizes, hands-on labs and affordable tuition. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and ...
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