A little over a year ago, Assiniboine Community College's Alumni Association announced the six recipients of the 2020 alumni awards ¾notable and deserving alumni, who would have been celebrated at the college's annual Advancement Dinner in March, 2020. With large indoor events still out of reach, Assiniboine is looking to give these recipients their due recognition.
The Distinguished Alumni recipients, Assiniboine graduates who have distinguished themselves in both their chosen profession and their community, are Bart Curtis and Catharine Gijsbers.
Bart Curtis is an equal partner and plays a key role in operating two successful and growing companies, CW2 Construction and Design Ltd. and Guardian Fencing Ltd. He received his Level 4 Carpenter Apprentice from Assiniboine in 2006 and throughout his career has successfully bid on and managed several large-scale projects in Western Manitoba. Bart is known for his integrity and employee-focused approach to project management.
When Catharine Gijsbers' educational journey at Assiniboine started in 1998, she had four children and owned and managed a long-haul transport business. After completing Office Administration ('01) and Business Administration ('03) at Assiniboine, Catharine continued her education, becoming a Certified General Accountant. She has since opened her own public accounting practice, specializing in the agricultural sector.
The recipients of the One to Watch Award are Josh Crabb and Tyler Crayston, both alumni who have made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their profession and community since graduation.
Josh Crabb, is a reporter with CTV Winnipeg. After his graduation from Assiniboine's Media Production (now Interactive Media Arts) in 2005, he launched his career at CKX Television in Brandon, before moving to Shaw TV in Red Deer, Alberta. He moved back to Manitoba in 2010, where he joined CTV. Throughout his career he's covered many high-profile events, including the record-breaking flood of 2011, a Winnipeg Jets play-off run, and the northern Manitoba manhunt for two homicide suspects.
Tyler Crayston enrolled in Assiniboine's Media Production (now Interactive Media Arts) program with a passion for sports broadcasting. Throughout the program, he gained experience at Shaw TV in Saskatoon and was then hired at CKX Brandon. He worked in sports at CKX and eventually became Sports Director until CKX went off air in 2009.
His broadcasting career continued at Q Country/Star FM before his current position as Brandon University's Athlete Services and Events Coordinator. At BU, he has created important youth programs, worked alongside College Cap/Bobcat alumni and has had a key role in expanding community partnerships. The Excellence in Education Award honours an Assiniboine staff member for extraordinary contributions to teaching and the student experience. This year, the award goes to an outstanding pair of instructors and faculty researchers in the School of Agriculture & Environment, Dr. Sajjad Rao and Dr. Poonam Singh.
Drs. Rao and Singh developed and currently run the Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Systems programs at Assiniboine. Through these programs, they have created meaningful research output and community impact. In addition to working extremely hard for the success of these programs, Poonam and Sajjad are acclaimed by their students for their friendly, gentle, deeply insightful manner of teaching and sharing insight.
Assiniboine plans to celebrate these recipients digitally, sharing recognition videos throughout the week of April 12. Follow along on the college's social media or visit assiniboine.net/alumniawards to join in acknowledging the work of these remarkable alumni.
