2017 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge

Collège Édouard-Montpetit wins Gold at the 2017 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge | Newsroom

After a gruelling 2-day competition, Collège Édouard-Montpetit won the Gold Award at the 2017 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge that welcomed some of the best business students in Canada on February 11-12. Congratulations to Olivier Beaudry, Christine Gariépy, Jessy Ouellette-Hulmann and their coaches Pascale Deschênes and Louis Bahouth for their very strong performance. This marks the first time Collège Edouard-Montpetit wins the top award.
Six teams made it to the Sunday finals where they analyzed a new Marketing case and presented a second time. These were: Collège Édouard-Montpetit who won the Gold Award, Okanagan College that won Silver, and George Brown College that took Bronze. The other three finalists were Cégep André-Laurendeau, Nova Scotia Community College and Sheridan College.The 12 teams who took top honours in Round One on Saturday and who won the 2017 ScotiaBank Awards are: Cégep André-Laurendeau, Cégep régional de Lanaudière à Joliette, Collège Édouard-Montpetit, Dawson College, Fanshawe College, George Brown College, Mohawk College, Nova Scotia Community College, Okanagan College, Red River College and Sheridan College. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.“For BDC, the Case Challenge is a chance to plug into the energy and excitement of a new generation of Canadian business pioneers. Participants are the leaders of tomorrow and their hard work and innovative spirit are essential to the development of Canada,” says Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs, BDC.

“This year’s Case Challenge was the biggest ever with 34 teams,” says principal organizer, David Moscovitz, Coordinator of the Vanier Business Administration Program. “In this year of celebrating Montreal’s 375 anniversary, it’s great to encourage growth and development in students through this competition and to welcome several new participating colleges, many of whom travel a great distance to get here.”

vanier-bdc-2017-018-2048Vanier College is also very proud of its home team consisting of Business Administration students, Cristina Laura Zambon, Tina Volpe, Alexa Valiante, and Kayla Shamshoum, coached by David Moscovitz and Peter Vogopoulos, Assistant Coach. Their passion, dedication, and hard work were on full display during their excellent presentation.

The Business Development of Canada is the principal sponsor of the Case Challenge.

About BDC
BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. With its 110+ business centres from coast to coast, BDC provides businesses in all industries with financing and advisory services. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions. To find out more, visit bdc.ca

The Peter Gonda Memorial Scholarship

Peter Gonda passed away on August 20th 2016 at the age of 47. He was a Montreal-based artist, novelist and screenwriter. One of his main passions was photography. He travelled around the world and exhibited his photographs in London, Paris and Montreal.

The Peter Gonda Scholarship, valued at $500, will be awarded annually to any Vanier College student who demonstrates original photographic works.

For more information, please contact Darren Becker at 514-744-7500 ext. 7543

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2016 Graduation Ceremony: Scholarships and Awards

The Vanier College Foundation is proud to announce the following recipients for the 2016 Graduation Ceremony held on Tuesday, June 21, 2016:

John Economides Scholarship
Jordan Serfaty, Commerce

Careers and Technical Program Scholar
Adrian Todorov, Computer Science Technology

Pre-University Diploma Program Scholar
Melina Lau Kwok Fat,  Modern Languages

Continuing Education Attestation Scholar
Cheryl Bower,  Accounting Attestation

David Johnson Memorial Science Scholarship
Yi Zhi Zhang,  Health Science

Gustav Levinschi Scholarships
Brooke Brimo,  Communications: Art, Media, Theatre
Andrew Meng,  Health Science
Deidra Corina Robertson-Chois, Communications: Art, Media, Theatre

The Gloria Di Murro Creativity Award
Alexander Modonese, Communications: Art, Media, Theatre

Cedric Kunicek Memorial Scholarship
Anton Sokolov,  Social Science: Major in Law & Society

The John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarship
Chelsea Petosa,  Architectural Technology

CAMMAC Graduation Scholarship
Nathalie Vitalez,  Music

Noël Spinelli Classical Voice Scholarship
Adrien-Alberto Viera De la Torre,  Music
Audrée-Alexandrine Couillard-Tremblay,  Music

Nadia Turbide Scholarship
Audrée-Alexandrine Couillard-Tremblay,  Music

Robert F. Jones Composition Scholarship
Patrick Languedoc,  Music

Carmelita Sideco Memorial Scholarship
Cristine Ramolete,  Nursing

The Alumnae Association of the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing Award
Cristine Ramolete,  Nursing

Le Groupe Compass Perseverance Award
Joy Nneji,  Nursing

 

Thank you once again to all of our generous benefactors for supporting our students in achieving their goals and ensuring that the Vanier College Foundation’s mission is fulfilled.

Congratulations to the graduates of 2016!

 

The John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarships

The Architectural Technology students and faculty members gathered up once again for their annual BBQ on Friday, May 20th to celebrate another year of hard work.

The John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarships were also presented to two students who have satisfied the selection criteria and qualified them for these scholarships:

Second year student with the highest academic achievement:
Catherine Imbeault

Third year student who showed academic transformation:
Chelsea Petosa

 

About the John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarships
President of Trimstyle Consulting Inc. based in Vancouver, BC, John Pitre is a Vanier College graduate and has generously inaugurated the John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarships in 2011. For more information on the John Pitre Architectural Technology Scholarships, click here.

Athletes celebrates at 2016 Awards Ceremony

Vanier’s best and brightest athletes were honoured at this year’s Athletic Awards Ceremony, held on the evening of Friday, April 29th.

In support of the Vanier College Foundation and many generous donors, the following athletes were awarded for their exceptional athletic performances:

 

Eva R. Gsum Foundation Awards

Caroline Task (right) accepts the award from Coach Ruby Viray

Caroline Task (right) accepts the award from Coach Ruby Viray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lamond Dennis (right) accepts the award from Coach Andrew Hertzog

Lamond Dennis (right) accepts the award from Coach Andrew Hertzog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill MacArthur Scholarship

Geneviève Guay (right) accepts the award from Phys-Ed teacher Mark Longpré

Geneviève Guay (right) accepts the award from Phys-Ed teacher Mark Longpré

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheetah Leadership Award

Ibrahim Ngom (right) accepts the award from Phys-Ed teacher Greg Longtin

Ibrahim Ngom (right) accepts the award from Phys-Ed teacher Greg Longtin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athlete of the Year – Female

Lamees Aljoundi (right) accepts the award from Student Life Coordinator Mireille Béland

Lamees Aljoundi (right) accepts the award from Student Life Coordinator Mireille Béland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athlete of the Year – Male

Brian Harelimana (right) accepts the award from Student Life Coordinator Mireille Béland

Brian Harelimana (right) accepts the award from Student Life Coordinator Mireille Béland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all of our donors for supporting our athletes and for making this evening a success!

Go Cheetahs!

 

Photo credit: Jonathan Cyga

 

The Tropics: Opportunities and Challenges – An Exploration of Human-Environment Relationships in Belize

We are back from Belize! Summary of the Study Trip – March 11-19, 2016

The 9-day study trip to Belize in the context of the International Project universal complementary course The Tropics: Opportunities and Challenges – An Exploration of Human-Environment Relationships in Belize was a total success!

Throughout the trip, students had the chance to make connections with class material covered during the first 7 weeks of the semester. In Belize, the main place we stayed at was T.R.E.E.S. (the Toucan Ridge Ecological and Educational Society), a live ecology lab. We hiked on various trails led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide who helped us discover the virtues and uses of forest species. A dip at the local creek was a delightful activity appreciated by all!

During the two days we were away from T.R.E.E.S., we explored the marine ecosystem, the Mayan way of life and a famous wildlife reserve. On Day 3 we left the coast to reach a tiny coral island, Tobacco Caye, after a 45 minute boat ride. Following an introduction to snorkelling session, we attended a lecture by a marine biologist of the Tobacco Caye Marine Station which is part of the South Water MPA (Marine Protected Area). We went for a night dive by flashlight, guided by an expert. The next morning at 6 am, many of us hopped into the water for one last snorkelling dive, with numerous fish and other marine creatures surrounding us! Then, back to the mainland, we were off to the Maya Center.

Exploring the marine ecosystem - Photo by Rodica Florea

The Maya Center is a small Mayan village where we were welcomed by two wonderful people who have not only inherited TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) from their ancestors but are also dedicated protectors of their environment and promoters of their cultural Mayan heritage. While Ernesto taught us about medicinal and nutritional wild plants from the forest, Aurora had us prepare and cook our own tortillas and cacao drink. After closing with a spiritual ceremony we were off to the nearby Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary for the night. On our way there, from our bus, we saw a jaguar cross the road! A rare sight, we were told. We enjoyed a night walk in the forest after supper, an early morning bird watching walk the following day, and finally a hike to the water falls after breakfast. Tarantulas, scorpions, geckos, leaf-cutting ants, and a variety of birds were among the animal species we were lucky to see in this lush tropical forest.

Learning about Tropical Forest medicinal plants the Mayan way - Photo by Myriam Mansour

Mid-week we took a day-trip from T.R.E.E.S. to the Mayan ruins of Xunanthunich located by the Guatemalan border. Our two guides were fascinating with their explanations and stories of the ancient Mayan civilisations. This step back in time in the presence of the Mayan people impacted both students and teachers. An ensuing visit to the local fresh produce market of San Ignacio, adjacent to the ruins, allowed us to further reflect on the past and present human-environment relationships among the Mayan people.

Mayan ruins of Xunanthunich - Photo by Melissa Tachdjian

On Day 7 we visited three organic farmers, all located within walking distance from T.R.E.E.S. It was very hot and humid, as usual, but the conditions were perfect for us to experience the often harsh realities of daily life. The tour was nevertheless delightful as we were shown pineapple, citrus, ginger, chayote crops, and discovered numerous exotic fruit trees such as the sour sop and mangustine, quickly realizing how a local diet can be so different from our own. One farmer generously treated us to freshly picked bananas, and coconut milk from freshly opened coconut shells!

Mr. José grows chayotes at his organic farm - Photo by Kirstin Lachance

The last day was dedicated to work on course projects and for some to enjoy one last hike near T.R.E.E.S. Our stay was wrapped up with an evening of dancing to the rhythms of Creole drummers of the Talla Walla band.

In the course of this journey, the students interacted with many Belizeans, traveled thought different ecosystems, discovered a variety of economic activities and ways of life, and were made aware of some threats to several ecosystems but also ways of preserving them. The trip itself also allowed them to strengthen their ability to live in groups, to share, to care, to respect “the other”. They started as wonderful individuals and ended as a fabulous group!

Sharing with Vanier Projects: All 23 students are now preparing projects to share with you their own experience of the Tropics course and the Belize study trip. For more information on their work, students will be presenting during “Earth Week” (April 18-22) in Jake’s Mall (see schedule here) and during “Belize Exhibition Day” May 2 & 3 in the Carrefour at Vanier College.

It is with profound gratitude that we wish to thank, once more, the Vanier community for believing in this International Project right from the beginning and for supporting it all the way to the end!

For photos and videos, please visit our Belize website: http://www.belizevanier.com/

and follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/VaniertoBelize/

 

Regards,

Myriam Mansour, Geography; International Project teacher

Quentin van Ginhoven, Environmental Wildlife Management; co-teacher

Cheryl Donison, Communications, Media and Studio Art; chaperone