News Article

CAFCE awards CNA student Co-op Student of the Year


3/31/2009 3:01:19 PM


Daryl Walker, a third-year Geomatics Engineering Technology student at College of the North Atlantic currently doing a work-term with HCF Focus Ltd., was named the winner of the CAFCE Student of the Year for 2008.

Daryl Walker, a third-year student in College of the North Atlantic's (CNA) Geomatics Engineering Technology program, earlier this month was named the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education's (CAFCE) Co-op Student of the Year for 2008.

Walker, who hails from the tiny community of Grandois on the province's Great Northern Peninsula, was one of only two post-secondary students in Canada to receive the award. Walker won in the college category, while Katelyn Mueller from Simon Fraser University won in the university category.

In the application submitted to the CAFCE by CNA, Walker is described as a dedicated, hardworking, sincere, and well-spoken mature student who takes his academic and work-term responsibilities seriously.

The 31-year-old father of three says he is honored to have been named the winner of the award and is understandably proud of the achievement.

“This award will most definitely be hung on my wall; it is something that I can brag about to my kids if they bring home grades that do not meet my standards,” he says.

He also says his family deserves a lot of the credit for his being able to devote the time and effort required to be successful in his program at the college.

“I would really like to thank my family for their support over the past three years,” he says. “I would especially like to acknowledge my children for being good sports when sent to bed early because dad had a test the next day or homework to complete. I would also like to thank my instructor Alvin Hayes for nominating me for this award.”

In addition to the recognition, Walker will receive a total of $1,000 (two $500 awards) for winning the CAFCE Student of the Year.

“My family and friends are all very proud of me, and my six-year-old son Nicholas thinks that we are rich now because of the $1,000 cheque that accompanied the award,” he laughs.

Russell Whalen, Walker's co-op supervisor and the branch manager of HCS Focus Ltd. in Fort McMurray, Alberta, the company where Walker is completing his second work-term, says he is one of the best co-op students the company has ever hired. They have offered him permanent employment once he finishes his program.

“Daryl is a person that you want to have on your team,” says Whelan, “He is a team player, has character, is smart, punctual, motivated, shows respect, listens, understands, and has leadership qualities.”

After high school, Walker enrolled in university and studied mathematics for five years. After leaving university, he worked as a pipe fitter and labourer on construction jobs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. He decided to return to college to gain a better life for his family.

“I became interested in geomatics engineering while working in construction. I had the privilege to work closely with a geomatics engineer by the name of Craig Pike, and he took the time to explain to me the work that was being done on site. While working with Mr. Pike I took an interest in the surveying profession, which led to me return to school to further my education,” he says.

“Geomatics Engineering Technology is a combination of both field surveying and mapping. Field surveying involves the collecting as well as the positioning of spatial data – basically anything that has a location – using the latest electronic and satellite-based technologies. Mapping involves the collection and interpretation of data obtained from aerial photography, satellite imagery and other remote sensing equipment, and the presentation and integration of the data into maps and geographical information systems.”

In addition to his admirable work ethic and supportive family, Walker credits his experience at College of the North Atlantic for his current success.

“My experience at the college has been a great one,” he says. “I feel Geomatics Engineering Technology is a very interesting and challenging program. The geomatics instructors at the college are exceptional. They are very good at explaining the theory behind geomatics, but most importantly they are experienced in the field. The instructors have taught my classmates and I the techniques that they have used in the field, which have proven to be very beneficial to me while on work-terms and have enabled me to handle any challenge that came my way. Focus Surveys have hired many students from the Geomatics Engineering Technology program and they are very pleased with the knowledge and skills of all the students they have had here.”

And if HCS Focus Ltd. has its way, Walker will be one work-term student who stays on the payroll.

“Although I'm still not certain where I will be working after graduation, Focus has treated me very well on both of my work-terms with them and a future in surveying seems very bright there,” he says.

Thirty-six students were nominated for the CAFCE Student of the Year for 2008 from a pool of candidates of more than 80,000 students studying at 80 CAFCE member institutions across Canada.

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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Manager of Marketing and Communications
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
stephen.lee@cna.nl.ca