OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College announced today that graduate Jeffrey S. Boyce has been named one of six recipients of a 2006 Ontario Premier's Award for College Graduates for his spectacular career success and commitment to making a difference in his community.
Boyce, a 1980 graduate of the General Business - Marketing program, earned the award in the Business category. He is president and chief executive officer of Sure Energy Inc., a Calgary-based multimillion-dollar publicly traded corporation in the oil and gas sector.
"It is an incredible honour to earn a place among the select group of recipients of the Ontario Premier's Award for College Graduates," said Boyce. "My three years at Durham College provided me with a great learning experience, a strong base of business knowledge, and a firm understanding of business principles, including financial, marketing and business strategies."
"In addition, I had the opportunity to expand my leadership and social skills through my athletic and other curricular activities, which strengthened my ability to work in a team environment for the betterment of a common goal."
Along with Sure Energy Inc., Boyce is a director at three other energy companies, two of which are traded on TSX exchanges; is the former president and CEO of Vermilion Resources Ltd., a $1-billion oil and gas exploration and production company that he co-founded; served as president, chief operating officer and a director of Pedco Energy; and spent 14 years with Dome Petroleum, Amoco Canada and Opinac Exploration.
He is also very involved with the community, acting as co-chair of the United Way of Calgary's campaign to see the multimillion-dollar Bow River Gathering Place facility built in one of the neediest communities of Calgary and is a member of United Way's Significant Gift Committee.
Among Boyce's other current or past community work is the Children's Cottage Society, an organization that offers a wide range of crisis, respite, and support services; the Children's Heart Beats Foundation; and being a Little League baseball coach.
"It is with immense pride that I offer my congratulations to Jeffrey on behalf of Durham College," said Durham College President Leah Myers. "Jeffrey is an outstanding and successful entrepreneur, a leader on the job and in his community, and a wonderful example for all Durham College students and graduates."
"His accomplishments are a testament to our commitment to preparing our students for success and leadership, and illustrate why more students than ever are choosing to call Durham College home."
Along with his business success, Boyce is a five-time Canadian men's fastball champion, three-time all-world fastball pitcher, and a member of the Oshawa and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame for fastball. The Oshawa native is a graduate of McLaughlin Collegiate, is married to Julia and has two children, Samantha and Evan.
The Ontario Premier's Awards for College Graduates honour the important social and economic contributions made by college graduates. Presented annually by the premier at the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario's annual conference, the awards acknowledge six outstanding graduates, one each from the areas of Creative Arts and Design, Community Services, Business, Health Sciences, Technology and Recent Graduate. The recipients are chosen from nominations submitted by Ontario's 24 colleges.
Award winners receive a medal designed by sculptor Dora de Pedery-Hunt and the graduating college receives a $5,000 bursary. This year's class of award winners will be honoured February 19 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, Ontario as part of the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario's 2007 Conference.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has provided high-demand programs, professors with real-world experience, the latest technology, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Number one in the Greater Toronto Area based on a combined ranking in the areas of student, graduate, and employer satisfaction; graduate employment; and graduation rate for seven years running according to the provincial government's indicator surveys, the college also has the highest graduate employment rate - 93.1 per cent - of all six GTA colleges. The college has close to 6,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in over 100 programs and courses and over 1,500 apprentices. For more information, visit the website at www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
Media contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca
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