Seneca Board of Governors and Program Advisory Committee members honoured with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

Toronto, June 17, 2008 --- Twelve members from a variety of the Board of Governors and Program Advisory Committes have been acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to Seneca College with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are presented to individuals who contribute consecutive years of service to an organization within Ontario, and whose work is characterized by volunteer time given to the same group on an ongoing and active basis and volunteer services performed outside the normal course of professional or business duties. The twelve Seneca volunteers who have received the award for their longstanding service, include:

• Jean-Pierre Bernier, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the Financial Services Compliance Administration Program for seven years. He also currently serves as Chair.

• Velta Berzins, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the Floral Design Program for 10 years as an industry advisor and Committee Chair.

• Bruce Campbell, who joined the Board of Governors in 2002. He served as Vice Chair from 2003 to 2005.

• Dave Cooke, who joined the Board of Governors in 2002. He served as Chair from 2004 to 2006.

• Leo Couprie, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the International Business Program since its inception. He also chaired the committee.

• Jim Gamas, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the School of Accounting and Finance for more than 10 years. He assisted with the development of three programs this year.

• Jeff Gazen, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the International Transportation and Customs Program since its inception. He was also in the inaugural graduating class.

• Michael Green, who has served on the Program Advisory Committee of the Fashion Business Program for 13 years. He has been Chair for seven of those years.

• Zul Kassamali, who joined the Board of Governors in 2002.

• Jean Anne McLeod, who joined the Board of Governors in 2002. She is currently the Board Chair and will serve a two year term.

• Almaz Reda, who has served on the Yorkgate Advisory Committee since 1994. She is a community development worker and parent activist.

• Helen Szumigaj, who served on the General Business/Business Administration Program Advisory Committee from 2004 to 2007 and was Chair since from 2005 to 2007. She is also currently a member of the Board of Governors.

For more information on the Volunteer Service Awards, please visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours/vsa

More students choose Seneca than any other college in Canada. With eight campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca provides internationally and nationally recognized polytechnic education, training, and pathways key to graduate career success in the global economy. Every Seneca diploma, certificate and degree program is developed to a high academic standard, in consultation with industry, integrated with information technology, combined with technical and transferable skills, and reinforced by opportunities for ongoing education and re-training.

For more information, please contact:
Seneca College Media Relations
416-491-5050 ext. 7018