Strong Town-and-Gown Connections Lead Students to Become Residents in Pembroke

Posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

For many people, their college years briefly take them far from home. After graduation, the college town and all those fond memories of late study nights, local coffeeshops and time spent on campus are often left behind.

But for many graduates of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus, the charm of living in Pembroke can lead them to put down permanent roots after the student experience has ended.

“It’s great living in a small community,” said Jim Butterworth, who graduated from the Pembroke Campus in 2007 with an outdoor adventure degree and business diploma. “In a smaller rural community, everyone knows who I am. The joke is if we need a cup of sugar or maple syrup, we ask our neighbours.”

For Dr. Keltie Jones, seeing Algonquin alumni in town is a positive experience. “Wherever I go in Renfrew County, I encounter Pembroke Campus alumni. Many of them came here for their programs, fell in love with the Ottawa Valley, and decided to settle here,” said Jones, Dean of the Pembroke Campus. “They are proud of their connection to the College, and they are making significant contributions to our community.”

That small-town feeling is a reason Marissa Dean chose to stay and live and work in the area. “I love it, it’s very personal,” said the 2015 graduate, who studied office administration. “I run into a lot of the girls I went to school with at the post office or the bank and I have clients that I can meet here and there, which is really fun. I love the personal connection and that people know your name.”

Tom Sidney has immersed himself in his community. “Smaller communities have more opportunities to grow, and you can be a part of that growth,” he said. Sidney graduated from the School of Social Work in 2002. “Bigger cities are more reactionary. In smaller communities, you can see what it needs and provide leadership and have a role in growth and positive development.”

Sidney serves member of the Renfrew Town Council, President of the Renfrew Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee and Chair of the Library Board – and that’s in his free time. His nine-to-five job is as the clinical manager of the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre, which also serves as an occasional placement location for Algonquin College students.

Sidney said there are many opportunities to get involved in a small community. “You have better opportunities to network with former graduates and the College has a way to connect people. In a big city you are a number. The smaller communities are a family setting, instead of a business structure.”

Butterworth said there are lots of ways to get involved. “I ran for town council. I’m a trainee volunteer firefighter, a trained paramedic and Library Board member.” He works as an outdoor guide and teaches outdoor adventure training, while also working for the Bear Creek Outdoor Centre. Recently he opened the Beachburg Food Yard market garden. When asked why he stays so busy, Butterworth replied, “I have a lot of positive (things) happening in my life and it’s my chance to give back.”

For Dean, living in Renfrew County means maintaining ties to Algonquin. “Connie Poupore was one of my biggest mentors at the College,” said Dean. “She was the one who provided me with information about where I’m working (and) she helped me get the job. Two other employees here – one who started a year before me and one who started two years after – all came from Connie. I still talk to her on Facebook and keep her up to date on what I’m doing with my career and to say thank you.”

She has fond memories of her time on the Pembroke Campus. “When we are near the marina, it’s like walking down memory lane. The library is where I spent a lot of time and I show people, saying that’s where I lived for a year.”


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