News Article

2014 was a busy year at College of the North Atlantic. Below are some of the stories from the past 12 months that made headlines in Newfoundland and Labrador, and around the country. 


Eat The Hill 2014 an experience for students, guest alike
February 6 - The Eat The Hill culinary festival in Clarenville incorporates winter activities, entertainment and food. Organized by Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism chef instructor Chris Sheppard, with the assistance of instructional assistant Roger Dewling of the Bonavista campus, Eat The Hill welcomed some of the province’s top chefs for three days of amazing food paired with Clarenville's best winter activities. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=960&newstype=CUR

College provides curler with rock solid education
February 7 - As Team Strong was getting ready to fly from St. John’s to Montreal, Quebec for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada’s premier curling event for women, second Jessica Cunningham could have been forgiven for thinking less about curling and more about the mechanical operation of the aircraft she was boarding. A graduate of CNA’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology program, Jessica and her Newfoundland and Labrador teammates were vying for a playoff spot at the national curling event. Unfortunately, after an impressive start to the tournament, the team ultimately finished with a 4 win, 7 loss records, losing 9-4 to Rachel Homan and Team Canada in the final draw. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=962&newstype=REG
 
Future bright for sheet metal workers
February 11 - With high paying wages and a number of unfilled positions, there’s no better time to be a sheet metal worker in Newfoundland and Labrador. To combat the need for trained workers, CNA added another offering of the Sheet Metal Worker program at its Seal Cove campus. Gerard Murphy, the business manager of Sheet Metal Workers International, Local 512, says the union is in need of more workers to fill positions for mega projects in the province. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=964&newstype=REG
 
Behind the scenes of Cold Water Cowboys
March 4 - Cold Water Cowboys became an instant hit with its debut episode attracting over 500,000 viewers to the Discovery Channel original show. CNA Film & Video Production graduates Kyle Taylor and Jody Greene were along for the ride, navigating the ins and outs of filming a national series, it was an eye-opening experience. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=969&newstype=REG
 
CNA contributions help Winter Games succeed
March 6 - As a platinum level sponsor, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) was a valued contributor to the 2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games in Clarenville (March 1-9), providing access to a wide range of skills and services. Preparation for the event drew on the talent and skill set of faculty, staff and students from across the province. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=970&newstype=REG
 
Funding provides CNA students access to assistive technologies
March 27 - Suncor Energy donated more than $250,000 to support CNA with the infrastructure necessary to install nine assistive technology labs at seven campuses throughout the province. The technology will help remove barriers for learning opportunities and enhance learners’ overall college experience. Assistive technology labs (also known as Whisper Rooms) provide a quiet space and the controlled environment necessary for learners who have difficulty filtering distractions and disruptions. The centralized area contains all software and hardware necessary to accommodate learners with diverse needs and provides an area to deliver group-based programs and services and broader access to CNA staff support. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=973&newstype=REG
 
CNA expands medical laboratory sciences training program
March 28 - The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, visits Grand Falls-Windsor campus to provide details about the construction of specialized laboratory facilities that will allow the college to establish a Medical Laboratory Sciences program at the campus. The 5,600 square foot training facility will include three new laboratory facilities in addition to a fourth existing lab, preparatory spaces, storage for materials and supplies – including secure chemical storage – and offices. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=974&newstype=REG
 
Budget 2014 provides $1.5 million to support high demand programs
April 3 - The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, visits Labrador West campus to provide details of the $1.5 million allocated for the college through Budget 2014. The funds are to be used to support high demand, high priority programs such as Heavy Equipment Operator, Maintenance Management Professional and Leadership Development for the Mining Industry. The funding is part of an overall investment of $39.8 million to continue the development of a skilled workforce for Newfoundland and Labrador. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=976&newstype=REG
 
RDC investing in mining and petroleum-related R&D led by MUN and CNA
April 3 - The Research & Development Corporation (RDC) invests more than $500,000 in six research and development projects related to mineral exploration and development. The projects are being carried out by researchers at Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic to enhance exploration efforts, improve environmental mitigation strategies, and strengthen opportunities through the purchase of specialized equipment. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=975&newstype=REG
 
CNA students claim 47 medals at Skills Canada NL competition
April 11 - CNA students lay claim to 47 medals at the 17^th Annual Provincial Skills Canada Skilled Trade & Technology Competitions on April 4. Of the 47 medals captured, 20 were gold, 16 silver and 11 bronze. Twenty-three CNA students made up Team Newfoundland and Labrador for the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto, June 4-7, where they took home four medals. Dylan Haynes (Corner Brook campus), took gold in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright competition; Justin Bennett (Port aux Basques campus/CNA alumnus), received silver in Cabinet Making; Finley Beaton (Ridge Road campus), claimed gold in Electronics; and Chantille Prince-Stagg (Bonavista campus), brought home gold in IT Software Solutions for Business. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=977&newstype=REG
 
Graphic arts students create rockin’ designs for UROCK awards
May 5 - Students of the Graphic Design program at CNA have a stellar year, having a chance to showcase their talents with guitar designs for the URock Volunteer Awards. The URock Volunteer Awards recognize youth and youth-led organizations for their outstanding contributions in communities throughout the province.  Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=984&newstype=REG
 
Graphic Design students nab 17 Pinnacle awards
May 23 - Students of the Graphic Design program at CNA continue to rack up the accolades, taking home 17 awards at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Pinnacle Awards gala in St. John’s. The Pinnacle Awards, presented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the IABC, are rigorously evaluated to measure excellence in communications. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=985&newstype=REG

Business programs recognized with accreditation best practice award
May 23 – CNA’s School of Business and Information Technology receives recognition from the Accreditation Council for Business and Schools Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP is an international organization dedicated to improving the quality of business schools and programs around the world, and ultimately, to improving the practice of business in every industry around the world. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=986&newstype=REG
 
Drone code of conduct developed for Journalists
June 4 - CNA went where no Canadian journalism school had gone before last year, and now it is making sure its students get there safely and ethically. While regulation has, for the moment, curtailed drone journalism in Canada, CNA journalism instructor Jeff Ducharme believes that a code of ethics and operation should be in place for when the technology becomes commonplace for reporters. The code, penned by Ducharme, covers 21 points from ethics to laws to operation. He expects the code will evolve with the technology as new issues and challenges arise. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=989&newstype=REG
 
Powerline graduate experiencing many firsts during apprenticeship
August 14 – As alumni speaker for CNA’s graduation ceremonies for Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus earlier this year, Marilyn Michelin, a foster mom of two, spoke with pride of how she achieved the extraordinary feat of being among the first Powerline Technician graduates from that campus to be hired by Nalcor. Her journey started with the Introduction to Electrical Trades program; a joint venture between CNA and the Labrador Aboriginal Training Partnership, which gave students exposure to four components: millwright, electrician, power systems operator and powerline technician. Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=991&newstype=REG
 
Harper government invests over $1 million in CNA
September 9 – Representatives of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) were on hand to announce funding of more than $1 million for three projects with CNA to enhance its programming, training capability and outreach capacity. An investment of $112,910 went to the Bonavista campus for the Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism; $462,859 went towards a project at the Port aux Basques campus to enable the college to introduce new technologies and equipment to improve its Non-Destructive Testing program; and $469,500 went to the Prince Philip Drive campus to undertake an industry engagement project through CNA’s Manufacturing Technology Centre. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=995&newstype=REG
 
D’oh nuts!
September 17 - Every Monday night at 10:30 p.m. you will find Chris Sheppard, his wife and two daughters glued to their television set, eagerly watching the Food Network’s hit show, The Donut Showdown. Last night was no exception, but what was different this time, is they were cheering on Chris as he made his debut on national television. Chris is the Cook instructor at College of the North Atlantic’s Bonavista campus. He, along with instructional assistant Roger Dewling, made the trek to Toronto for the taping of The Donut Showdown where they duked it out with other competitors for a $10,000 cash prize. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=996&newstype=REG

CNA students honoured with Governor General’s academic medals
September 22 - Eight of 16 CNA graduates were on-hand to receive their Governor General’s Academic Medals at Government House during a ceremony hosted by His Honour the Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and attended by CNA’s President and CEO, Ann Marie Vaughan. The medals were awarded to CNA graduates for achieving the highest overall average upon completion of their diploma-level program in 2014 at their respective campus. The Governor General’s Academic Medal is one of the most prestigious awards a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=997&newstype=REG
 
College recipient of International Institutional Achievement Award
September 25 - CNA is awarded the National University Technology Network’s (NUTN) 2014 Institutional Achievement Award. The award was presented at the NUTN Network 2014 Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The international award recognizes an institutional member for effective use of technology in teaching and learning and/or administration that is exemplary, demonstrates leadership and commitment, and advances the field as an institutional model.  Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=998&newstype=REG
 
College alumni claim three MusicNL awards
October 29 - CNA alumni brought home three Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards during the Annual Conference and Gala Awards in Corner Brook. CNA Alumni Don-E Coady, from the Graphic Arts program, brought home the Volunteer of the Year award during the Industry Brunch on Saturday while The Secrets, composed of Karla Pilgrim, Terri Lynn Eddy and Renee Batten, claimed Country Recording of the Year during the Awards Gala on Sunday. The Alternative Recording of the Year was presented to Cabbages and Kings, which includes Music Industry & Performance graduate, Brandon Hopkins. Get the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=1001&newstype=REG
 
CNA and MUN students benefit from $7 million from the Joyce Foundation
November 26 - History was made today as College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and Memorial University of Newfoundland accepted combined gifts totaling $7 million from The Joyce Foundation. This marks the single largest donation ever received by each institution from a foundation. 
The Foundation, created by Canadian entrepreneur Dr. Ronald Joyce, is providing $2 million to CNA and $5 million to Memorial University to create bursary funds that will assist students who are committed to education but face critical financial need and personal challenges to attend post-secondary education. Students who wish to attend CNA or Memorial and meet these criteria will benefit directly from these gifts. Read the full article at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=1003&newstype=REG
 
Two aircraft touch down at CNA’s Gander campus
December 11 - The arrival of two new aircraft to College of the North Atlantic’s Gander fleet will keep its students on the frontlines of technology as they hone their skills as aircraft maintenance and repair technicians. The aircraft, a King Air 350 Air Ambulance and a Cessna 337 Spotter Aircraft, were donated by the provincial government’s Air Services division and are valued at approximately $750,000. The two aircraft were decommissioned by Air Services this fall as both have maintenance issues that would be expensive to bring the aircraft back into flying condition – but that doesn’t mean they can’t be of use! Read the full story at www.cna.nl.ca/news/News-Article.aspx?MessageID=1007&newstype=REG