Their work might entertain you, teach you something, or even save your life – and on November 24, they will be recognized for their achievements at the Colleges Ontario Premier’s Awards. Banner, L-R: Jerry Popowich, Cat Baron, Eli Fathi, Frank Demizio, Shawn Hickey, Trent Correy.
Where can a college education take you? Just about anywhere, it would seem.
Trent Correy can attest to that. In 2009 he graduated from Algonquin College’s Animation program. It took him four years to get into a talent development program at Disney, but when he finally did – beating out 1,300 of his peers – he received a job offer and began work on a little movie you might have heard of called Frozen.
While Trent’s Algonquin College education took him to California, Shawn Hickey’s took him right around the world. Shawn, President of Site Cast Construction Corporation, graduated from the Architectural Technology program in 1988. Since then, he has travelled the world showing local labour forces how to use the technique to build stronger, less expensive homes and buildings.
Building on that theme of Algonquin College graduates helping those right around the world is Frank Demizio. Frank – owner of HRI Healthcare Consulting and 1978 graduate of Respiratory Therapy – has worked from Canada to Dubai to improve not only the treatment of the patients under his care, but also the healthcare systems he’s helped manage and shape.
Of course, many Algonquin College graduates choose to work and live in the Ottawa Valley and become local success stories.
Entrepreneurs like Eli Fathi, Co-founder and Co-CEO Fluidware Corporation and 1976 graduate of Electronics Engineering Technology, has had an impact right in our own backyard, supporting organizations like the Community Foundation of Ottawa and Citizens Academy. For five years, Eli also organized the Corporate and Community Social Responsibility (CCSR) conference held at Algonquin College, bringing together speakers from around the world to celebrate and encourage social innovation.
There are also graduates like Cat Baron, who graduated from the College’s Community and Justice Services program in 1998 and now coordinates that same program! After graduating from Algonquin, Cat worked with homeless and at-risk youth, women fleeing abuse, and teens entering the justice system, providing support, counselling, and sex education services. She’s worked with United Way, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa (where she served as president for four years), and she founded the Community Adult Justice Network of Ottawa.
And of course there are graduates who pursue great opportunities elsewhere, and then return to our great city. Jerry Popowich, the Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs for Ottawa’s Mercury Filmworks, has worked on a number of projects including The Simpsons, Woody Woodpecker, and Mickey Mouse to name a few. Jerry is another proud Animation graduate, from the class of 1992.
Each of these six excellent individuals have been nominated for Premier’s Awards – an annual awards program organized by Colleges Ontario. The awards will be given out Monday, November 24 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Toronto. There are six categories, and each of Ontario’s 24 colleges are eligible to nominate a graduate in each category.
Best of luck to Trent, Shawn, Frank, Eli, Cat, and Jerry! Learn more about each nominee.