Premier's Awards - 2002-03 Nominees

The Premier’s Awards is an annual award program that recognizes graduates of Ontario colleges for their exceptional career achievements and contributions to society. The Cambrian College Alumni Association is proud to announce this year’s nominees for the 2002-03 Premier’s Awards.

Applied Arts: Community Services John Caruso Social Services 1973	Business Martin Bayer Business 1984	Recent Graduate (within last 5 yrs.) Chris Gravel Physical Fitness & Leisure Management 2000
Applied Art: Graphic and Visual Designs Patricia Mills Journalism 1983	Technology Terry Del Bosco Civil Engineering 1984	Health Sciences Heather Blondin Dental Assistant 1997 Dental Hygiene 1978 Inter-Oral Dental Assistant 1997

John Caruso
Owner/Operator/President
1 Hour Signs

Upon graduation in 1973, John became employed as a case worker with the Algoma & District Children’s Aid Society. Between 1973 and 1976, John held various positions working as a community consultant for the Addictions Research Foundation and the Ontario Youth Secretariat, as well as an instructor with Cambrian College. In 1977, John began his 20-year career with the Federal Government as a Project Officer with the Job Creation Branch, and progressing his way through civil service competitions of increasing responsibilities. In 1997, John opened a sign design and manufacturing company that employs four full time and one part time employee. He has been a supporter of the art’s community since 1984, and active participant of the Sudbury Playground Hockey League since 1988. John is the current chair of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation.

Martin Bayer
Lawyer
Weaver Simmons L.L.P.

Martin first began his career as an Employment Counselor with Canada Employment, was eventually promoted to Branch Officer and then went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a lawyer. He has always been grateful to his community for its support in helping him to reach his goals and is actively involved in the betterment of his community. As the former Tribal Chairperson for the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM), Martin was responsible for the creation of a joint venture, with eight other first nations, in forestry with the ‘Robinson-Huron Forestry Company’, he helped to eliminate a $45,000 deficit and build a $1.3 million health care facility. Under Martin’s leadership, the UCCM established a $25,000 Anishnaabe Studies Bursary for Cambrian students. He is the current President and Director of the Wabuno Fish Farms & Processors, a wholly owned company of the Ojibways of Sucker Creek. Martin recently established an award for grade eight graduates of Lakeview School in M’Chigeeng, in memory of three of his public school friends that died tragically.

Christian Gravel
Founder / Director / Co-owner
Oasis Fitness & Wellness Centre Inc.

Chris opened the first Oasis Fitness & Wellness Centre in Richmond Hill in November of 2000. He opened his second multi-million dollar fitness and wellness centre, which addresses obesity and other chronic diseases related to inactivity, in Sudbury in August 2002. Between the Centre in Richmond Hill and the one in Sudbury, Chris and his team are providing health and well being to more than 6000 members. Chris supports his Alma Mater by providing placement and job opportunities to the Physical Fitness & Leisure Management students of Cambrian College and has held seminars for students studying the wellness industry. Chris’ community support includes an annual "Aerobathon" for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, local support to community organizations by ways of donating memberships and has established a ‘Friends of Oasis’ program that provides members discounted rates and specials with local businesses. Chris is also the 1999 Champion of the Sudbury Heavyweight Bodybuilding competition.

Patricia Mills
Publisher
Northern Ontario Business

Patricia first began her career as a reporter for "Northern Life" covering various news beats, and reported regionally and nationally for CBC, with stories published in the Toronto Star as well. In 1995 Patricia transferred to "Northern Ontario Business"(NOB) and was promoted to News Editor in 1996, and then Managing Editor that same year. As the Publisher of NOB, she is responsible for the newspaper, three web sites and NOB’s events division. Patricia was the catalyst behind the creation of the ‘Influential Woman of Northern Ontario’ awards and is the coordinator of the Northern Ontario Business Awards. Patricia is a member of the Cambrian College ‘Journalism Advisory Committee’ and a former instructor of "Issues in Contemporary Society." Patricia was the first Cambrian College student to win the ‘Journalism Writing Award’ and placed first nationally and provincially for newspaper writing awards for her series of stories on her experience at the Kurdish refugee camps, located in Turkey and Iraq.

Terry Del Bosco
President
Del Bosco Surveying Ltd.

Terry first began his career with the Regional Municipality of Sudbury with the Control Surveys department. He then continued his education at Cambrian College obtaining a diploma in Civil Engineering and went on to obtain a position as a surveyor with D.S. Dorland Surveyors Inc. In 1987 Terry went into partnership and Del Bosco & Gossling Surveyors Inc. was established. Terry is a former Civil Engineering Instructor of Cambrian College as well. In 1999 ‘Del Bocsco Surveying Ltd.’, a progressive and professional land surveying company, was established. Terry received the "Member of the Year" award from the Sudbury & District Home Builders Association, and the Presidential "Award of Honour" at the provincial level. Terry is actively involved with the Onaping Lake Area Campers Association and is a valued contributor in developing strategies and policies for Hunting & Fishing regulations for the Ministry of Natural Resources. He is also a Certified Ski Instructor accredited by the Canadian Ski Instructor’s Alliance.

Heather Blondin
Coordinator - Dental Hygiene Program
Cambrian College

Since graduating in 1978, Heather has played a very active role with Dental Hygienists throughout Ontario. She was the driving force in establishing the "District Dental Hygienists Component Societies" in both Sudbury and Timmins, is a certified member of the Ontario Dental Nurses and Assistants Association and an active member of both the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and Dental Hygiene Educators of Canada. Heather ensures that she is actively involved in legislative concerns of today’s Hygienists and expands her contributions to society by helping the abused and under privileged in her community.