Councillor Duane Jones honoured as role model

Ward 5 Councillor Duane Jones was one of three Sault College alumni recognized Saturday as outstanding role models.

Jones and Lisa Stasiuk (both shown) and Art Jacko (unable to attend) received plaques recognizing their contributions to Ontario's economic and social vitality.

The plaques were presented Saturday at Sault College's convocation.

Duane Jones

Duane Jones graduated from Sault College's business program in 1997. Here's the supporting material released Saturday in connection with his award:

"Participation in student government translated into leadership in other domains for Duane. As a student, this alumnus served as president of the Student Administrative Council and as the student representative on the board of governors. Skills he developed on campus have served Duane well since graduation. This graduate is the terminal manager for National Transportation Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1998, he was elected to a position on Sault Ste. Marie's City Council and is in his second term. As a municipal politician, Duane has achieved much. He played a lead role in bringing a charity casino and its 400 jobs to Sault Ste. Marie. Duane also helped to secure $14 million in government funding to expand the City's major, multi-sport recreation complex. The work involved adding a second ice surface to the John Rhodes Community Centre and constructing a new municipal swimming pool."

Lisa Stasiuk

Lisa is a 1987 graduate of Sault College's Water Resources Engineering Technology program. Here's what was said about her on Saturday:

"Lisa's career accomplishments include being selected for a prestigious provincial award. In 2001, she received the Water Environment Foundation's Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award. It is based solely on merit and recognizes outstanding professionalism. This graduate's abilities have also allowed her to travel across North America as a participant in Operations Challenge competitions. She has been on teams that claimed titles at the provincial and national levels. Lisa is a process control technician for sewage and water treatment plants in Sault Ste. Marie and other Northeastern Ontario communities. Her responsibilities include serving as an ISO 14001 Facility Environment Management Representative. Lisa also co-ordinates staff training for Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) employees. A natural leader, Lisa served on the business planning team for OCWA during its formative years."

Art Jacko

Art Jacko graduated from the Aboriginal Resource Technician program in 1992.

"Art enjoys the distinction of being in the first Aboriginal Resource Technician graduating class. The program was designed for delivery across the province via distance education. This distinguished graduate owns and operates M'TIWA-KI Services, based at Birch Island. Art formed the very successful venture in 1998. M'TIWA-KI Services has won many private and public sector contracts, as well as others with First Nations communities. The company provides forest firefighting crews for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and co-ordinates the Hats for Hides program. Highly respected for his leadership skills, Art is a member of the Sault College Board of Governors. He also serves as Ontario's representative for the National Aboriginal Forest Association. This alum's expertise has also been tapped to serve on the Union of Ontario Indians Forestry Committee and MNR's Northeast Regional Advisory Committee."

Full convocation coverage

For additional coverage of Sault College's 37th spring convocation, please click on the links below:

Full list of 799 Sault College graduates College's student centre re-named after retiring president Gerry McGuire presides over his last convocation Incoming president Tim Meyer observes from the audience White Pines Collegiate hosts Sault College convocation Gymnasium becomes gowning area Graduates line up for a Brian Tremblay portrait Charlene Brown's Kodak moment caught by son Richard College photographer Neil MacEwan shoots a grad

First graduates from new social services worker program

Twelve students became the first graduates of the two-year social services worker program. Until last fall, Sault College offered only the first year and students were required to transfer to Northern College to complete their training.

It was the final convocation for Gerry McGuire, who's retiring as the college's president.

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