Graham Rudge, a student at the Yukon School of Visual Arts (YukonSOVA), has won a $2500.00 recognition award in the BMO 1st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition.  Rudge’s piece, titled, “Circuit Skull”, was among 250 entries from post-secondary visual arts schools across the country. The piece was chosen along with 12 other finalists, representative for each province and territory.

Rudge fabricated the skull with a mosaic of recycled computer circuit components and speakers to make it a functional 3-D piece. Part of the YukonSOVA curriculum includes working with recycled items from the Dawson City landfill.  “Circuit Skull” is a commentary on the issue of the emerging human bond with technology.

WHITEHORSE—Yukon student Emerald Kains is packing her bags for a 16-day Arctic expedition with Students on Ice, partly thanks to funding from the department of Education and Yukon College.

“We are pleased to co-sponsor a student to represent our territory in this one-of-a-kind educational opportunity to explore the circumpolar North and gain new perspectives on different environments and cultures,” Education Minister Patrick Rouble said. “I wish Emerald all the best on this expedition and hope the experience helps her determine the direction in which she’d like to take her education.”

Whitehorse – Yukon College has become the first northern institution to receive eligibility status with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) of Yukon College is now able to access funding that is exclusive to select research centers within Canada.

The NSERC status will add to the already significant research portfolio of YRC. Over the past 6 years, YRC has secured over 8 million dollars in research funding for the Yukon. In 2008, the Centre received eligibility status with the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Securing NSERC eligibility allows YRC to broaden its research base and develop more partnerships. “Yukon College has been doing university level research for many years, and with NSERC eligibility we will go even further with our research capabilities and continue to contribute to the knowledge economy of the Yukon”, said Dr. Chris Hawkins, vice-president, Research.

Whitehorse – Of the 21 students and apprentices sent to the Canadian Skills Competition from the Yukon, six were Yukon College (YC) students – current and former. Geordo Matechuk (plumbing) and Mike Trainer (electrical wiring) both won silver medals. Matechuk is a graduate of Yukon College’s Pre-Employment Pipe Trades program. Trainer studied in the electrical pre-employment program.

“Trades and technology instructors at Yukon College are among the best in the country,” stated Dr. Karen Barnes, vice president, Education and Training. In fact, Dan Curtis, executive director, Skills Canada Yukon adds, “Per capita, the Yukon, and Yukon College as its primary trades trainer, receives more medals than any other provinces and territories.”

Being a social work student at Yukon College just got a little bit easier. The Rotary Club of Whitehorse has created two bursaries for first year students in the program. This funding marks the first time that bursaries have been allocated to students in the Social Work program.

“The financial aid office at Yukon College is committed to securing additional funding sources for our students and we are grateful to have developed this relationship with the Rotary Club of Whitehorse, and with our partner, the Yukon Foundation”, said Bente Sorensen, Financial Aid advisor.

The Rotary Club of Whitehorse made a donation to the Yukon College endowment under the Yukon Foundation. Thanks to the Yukon College matching program, the Rotary Club of Whitehorse doubled its initial donation of $10 500 to $21 000. The two $500 bursaries will be awarded annually in the Fall term, commencing in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Yukon College is cooking up its first awards ceremony for graduates of the Culinary Arts program. Partnerships with Sysco Edmonton and the Rendezvous Rotary Club of Whitehorse have resulted in awarding bursaries to two Culinary Arts graduates.

Gabriel Hajian and Shea Hierlihy will be given their bursaries on Tuesday, June 14 at an awards ceremony at Yukon College. Hajian was chosen to receive the $500 bursary from Sysco Edmonton for his dedication and high grade point average. Hajian is considering the new Food and Beverage program that will be offered at the College this fall. Hierlihy was chosen for the $750 bursary for her organizational skills and drive. She plans to continue in her field to become a Red Seal Chef.

“These students have been so dedicated to their studies that they blew us away – their work ethic was outstanding”, said Ryan Cumming, Instructor, Culinary Arts.

The Women’s and Gender Studies program has just celebrated its first male graduate. Patrick Thompson has received a one year certificate in a program that now includes courses in the study of men.

Thompson is the first male graduate in a program that recently changed its name from Women’s Studies to Women’s and Gender Studies. This name change is a result of a North American movement that is working to broaden the awareness of Women’s Studies. This movement is not new to Dr. Lynn Echevarria, coordinator and instructor, Women’s and Gender Studies, “Each year I begin my class by stating that Women’s Studies is about collaborating and building a partnership with men”.

Representatives from the Westmark Whitehorse, Gold Rush and High Country Hotels, as well as the city of Whitehorse Tourism and Yukon Tourism Education Council have worked with Yukon College to develop a new program – Food and Beverage Operations Certificate. This eight month program will commence in September 2011 and provide skilled professionals in bartending and dining room service for the territory.

Yukon College has a new training facility that’s been waiting to be used for just this purpose. The Hilltop Bistro is the College’s 45 seat dining room and the facility that will be used for training students in this new program. It will be open to the public starting October 2011, serving lunch four days a week.

Yukon College instructor, Brad Martin, has contributed a northern perspective on the history of Parks Canada in a newly published book titled, “A Century of Parks Canada: 1911–2011”. Martin’s article examines how northern parks have been shaped by local First Nations and can be used as models for parks and protected areas throughout the world.

Yukon College’s (YC) Innovators in the Schools is making science and technology more accessible to grade seven students. The annual Stay-A-Day program has added Biology and Research to the list of options for students to experience during their visit to Yukon College.

A total of 150 students will spend a day working with Yukon College staff in an experiential educational setting. “Our classes are designed to engage and expose grade seven students to the world of science and technology through hands on learning”, said Heather Dundas, coordinator, Innovators in the Schools. Grade seven classes have been registered in two of the six areas of study: Health, Carpentry, Biology, Research, GPS and Water Resources.