28
May
2014
|
11:57 AM
America/New_York

Eight Mohawk College graduates to be inducted into Alumni of Distinction

Congratulations to the following Mohawk College graduates on their induction into the Alumni of Distinction. The recipients, chosen for their career success and community contributions, will be honoured at a dinner on Thursday, October 30.

2013 Alumni of Distinction Recipients

Business: Brent Kinnaird – Business Administration, 1994

Brent has spent his life in Hamilton, building a network of friends, business associates and colleagues throughout a 15 year career at the Hamilton Port Authority where he led the corporate marketing and communications program for more than nine years. In 2007, he launched Inspire Marketing in partnership with his wife Amanda and has grown the business to include local and regional clients. Then in 2013, Brent became the Marketing Manager for local Hamilton business, McKeil Marine. Brent lends his time volunteering for many charitable organizations while actively pursuing a passion for running and cycling competing in the Around the Bay Race eight times and riding with the National Cycling Centre Hamilton.

Community Services: Sharon Charters – Social Service Worker, 1974

Describing herself as a “connector” Sharon Charters has made a career of connecting people to services and programs; charities to resources and the community to work together on common causes. A Mohawk College and McMaster University graduate, she has shared her insights with social service worker students for more than a decade. Sharon has served on the boards of many organizations including Wesley Community Homes, the Hamilton Non-Profit Housing Corporation and the Hamilton Mountain Legal Clinic. As grants manager with Hamilton Community Foundation for the last 13 years, Sharon is particularly proud of her work to help citizens to play an active role in their neighborhoods.

Creative Arts & Design: Ava Green – Broadcasting-Television & Communications Media, 1981

Ava Green began working in television right after graduating from Mohawk College. She worked her way up from being the only female member of the CHCH mobile television crews, to sound mixing for live newscasts to video editing. Over the years she’s worked on everything from live sports events, to operas, to wrestling to some of the longest running and cherished Canadian television shows. Since 2008, Ava has dedicated most of her time to speaking, working on shows and her website for adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. Millions of viewers in North America have watched the specials she’s produced and use her website as a valued resource in an area of mental health where finding help is difficult.

Health Sciences: Paul Armstrong - Radiological Technology, 1988/Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound, 1989

Paul is a two-time graduate of Mohawk College with credentials in Radiological Technology ’88, as well as a post graduate diploma in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound ’89. With this training, Paul began his career as an Ultrasound Technologist and joined Mohawk College in 1991 as a clinical instructor. This would chart the path to a rewarding career at Mohawk College that would ultimately see Paul become Mohawk's Dean of Health Sciences, Community and Urban Studies.

Technology: Bronko Jazvac – Industrial Engineering & Management Technology, 1978

Bronko graduated from Industrial Management Technology Program as a Silver Medalist in 1978. He then started at Dofasco immediately after graduation in 1978 and has 35 years of full time service. As part of his work with Dofasco he has had the opportunity to travel across North America and around the work including India & Luxembourgh. Bronko moved through the organization during the early part of his career and held many different leadership positions. His assignments included General Foreman Materials Handling, Manager Materials Handling Division, General Manager Manufacturing Services to his current role as Director of Health & Safety and World Class Manufacturing. His community involvement includes being a Community Representative on the St. Joseph’s Health Care Committee Board, as well as spending six years on the Mohawk College Board of Governors including one term as chair.

Recent Graduate: Emily Baynes – Public Relations, 2011

Emily is a motivated young professional and graduate of Mohawk’s Public Relations program. She has applied her communications skills to the arenas of economic development, education, child poverty, and healthcare. First working as an intern in the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development department, Emily then enjoyed a two-year stint at Mohawk College, where she worked as part of the Fennell Renewal team. Emily has since joined the Redevelopment Office of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Emily actively volunteers with several community organizations, and is currently Board Chair of Food4Kids, a local non-profit that provides a weekend food supply for impoverished children.

Entrepreneur: Ray Adamyk – Recreation Leadership, 1988

Ray Adamyk is the Founder and President of Spectra Company. Spectra Company is headquartered in Pomona, California and has been in business for over 25 years. Ray is well known in the Restoration community as an “expert” in historic preservation. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the California Preservation Foundation, while holding memberships in the Association of Preservation Technology International, the National Trust, Los Angeles Conservancy and the Western Association for Art Conservation. His historic preservation projects have received recognition from the National Trust, California Preservation Foundation, Los Angeles Conservancy, Long Beach Heritage and Pasadena Heritage.

Mohawk College Employee: Anthony Frisina – Office Administration – Executive, 2001/Enterprise Business, 2005

Anthony's passion and true loves are the Hamilton community and volunteering. Growing up in Hamilton, Anthony holds dear in his heart all things the city has to offer. Anthony serves on the local planning committee with Rick Hansen's Wheels in Motion, as well as with the Canadian Paraplegic Association to raise funds for people living with spinal cord injuries. He is an active member of Mohawk College's Accessibility Planning Committee, representing the committee as an alumnus and facilitating accessibility-focused Campus Renewal Projects. Anthony also serves on the advisory committee for the Catholic Youth Organization's Marydale Park, Ontario's first barrier free, fully accessible park & recreation facility. Anthony currently works at Mohawk College as well as McMaster University holding a number of different positions. Recently, after a lot of months preparing and applying, Anthony was able to tackle a sought after goal when he accessed his own personal living quarters.