NIAGARA COLLEGE
Niagara College nominates distinguished alumni for 2018 Premier's Awards

Seven distinguished members of Niagara College's alumni community have been nominated for Colleges Ontario's prestigious 2018  Premier's Awards.

Presented annually as part of Colleges Ontario's Higher Education Summit, the Premier's Awards celebrate the outstanding social and economic contributions that college graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. Nominations are submitted by each of Ontario's 24 colleges, and graduates are recognized in seven categories: Apprenticeship, Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate, and Technology.

"There is no sector of our economy or part of our community that isn't touched by the outstanding contributions of college graduates," said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. "We're extremely proud of the accomplishments of our graduates, and are pleased to nominate these distinguished Niagara College alumni for provincial recognition."

Niagara College's 2018 nominees include:

• Apprenticeship: Julia Falvo (Fonthill, Ontario), owner of Studio W Salon; hairstylist and Hairstyling professor at Niagara College, who graduated from NC's Hairstyling program in 2011;
• Business: Miriam Laundry (St. Catharines, Ontario), author and speaker, Laundry Books, who graduated from NC's Business Administration - Human Resources in 1997;
• Community Services: Scot Filer (Delta, British Columbia), founder/chief executive officer, Lions Gate Risk Management Group and ARC Protection Group, who graduated  from NC's Law and Security Administration program in 1977;
• Creative Arts and Design: Mark Montefiore (Toronto, Ontario -  hometown of St. Catharines), president and executive producer, New Metric Media (multiple-award-winning film and television producer of such shows as Letterkenny, Bad Blood), who graduated from NC's Broadcasting - Radio, Television and Film program in 2003;
• Health Sciences: Blaine Lucas (Dundas, Ontario), commander, professional standards, Toronto Paramedic Services, who  graduated from NC's Ambulance and Emergency Care program in 1995;
• Recent Graduate: Shane Malcolm (St. Catharines, Ontario), executive director, Leadership Niagara, who is Niagara College's former Student Administrative Council president (2014-2016) and graduated from two NC programs: Culinary Management in 2011, and Bachelor of Applied Business - Hospitality Operations Management in 2014; and
• Technology: Darl Crick (Keswick, Ontario), executive vice president of technology, CrossView Inc., who graduated from NC's  Computer Programmer program in 1995.

NC's nominees are among 118 from colleges across Ontario who will be celebrated at the 2018 Premier's Awards Gala on Monday, November 26 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. For more details about the awards visit co-awards.org

Several Niagara College alumni have been recognized with Premier's Awards over the years, including:

• 2014 winner Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Rebecca Patterson (Nursing grad, 1987);
• 2012 winner David Pratt (Greenhouse Technician grad, 2007);
• 2011 winner Jerry Howell (Computer Engineering Technology grad, 1988);
• 2008 winner Jordan Harris (Winery and Viticulture Technician grad, 2004);
• 2003 winner Heather Kilty (Social Welfare Worker grad, 1969); and
• 1995 winner Carol Alaimo (Journalism-Print grad, 1984).

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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