Carolyn Luscombe was one of five Durham College Alumnus of Distinction Award winners honoured during convocation ceremonies at the General Motors Centre.
Durham College rewarded five of its graduates with the Alumnus of Distinction Award for excellence in their careers and outstanding contributions to their communities, during convocation ceremonies on Friday, June 22 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.
Gary Christian, John Edward Draper, Gail Elliott, Carolyn Luscombe and Connie Wood are living proof that success matters at Durham College.
Christian, a 1986 Maintenance Techniques - Industrial graduate and 1990 Industrial Mechanic Millwright graduate, currently works for the Regional Municipality of Durham as a water treatment operator. Christian is a member of the Durham College Advisory Committee for the Water Quality Technician program where he contributes practical training ideas and provides faculty with interactive learning strategies. In addition, he assists seniors in the community with grass-cutting and home maintenance.
Draper, a 2005 Journalism graduate, found success through the creation of his business, Together We Rock! His company encourages leadership and learning through a series of presentations and a school program that promote communities that are accessible to and inclusive of people with disabilities. Draper volunteers extensively within the community, visits campus often and continues to break down barriers in education and the working environment for people with disabilities.
A 1970 Public Administration graduate, Elliott made the transition from student to teacher after completing college. She spent her entire educational career with the Durham District School Board and its predecessors, including spending time as principal of Lord Durham Public School in 1986. Elliott also participates in the annual Terry Fox Run and at Parents as Partners conferences; plays a role on the Council for Exceptional Children; and supports her church's food bank.
Luscombe is founder and president of Eclectic Events International. Since graduating from the Entertainment Administration program in 1995, she has received more than 25 international nominations for her work with the organization. She also taught Event and Meeting Management at George Brown College for 10 years. Luscombe is a member of the International Special Events Society in Toronto and the winner of prestigious Canadian Event Industry Awards for Spirit of the Industry and Producer of the Year.
Wood has 31 years of nursing experience thanks to the Registered Nursing diploma she received in 1976. Through her work in a variety of health-care settings she provides quality long-term care, acute care and community nursing services. She is also a healthy living co-ordinator with the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team. Wood's community involvement includes serving on the Haliburton Friends Network board for Sir Sanford Fleming College, volunteering for Haliburton Highlands Health Services and participating in the Access Indicators panel for the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) report card.
Since the awards launched in 1990 more than 50 of the college's 40,000 alumni have received the award. Their accomplishments are prime examples of how graduates of Durham College go on to spectacular careers and take on leadership roles that help our country grow and prosper.