Canadore grad wins 2007 Premier’s Award (photo)

Canadore College
News Release

********************

Peter Rowntree, a Canadore College alumnus who is a senior investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, has won a 2007 Premier’s Award for outstanding college graduates in the Technology category.

“We’re thrilled for Peter and are proud to have played a role in his success and achievements,” said Barbara Taylor, president of Canadore College. “He is a shining example of the contribution college graduates are making across the country.”

Rowntree, a 1987 graduate of Canadore’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician program, has examined some of Canada’s major air disasters, including the highly publicized Swissair 111 tragedy off the coast of Peggy’s Cove that claimed 229 lives.

Rowntree volunteered to coordinate and assist in the investigation, hailed as the most complex in Canadian aviation history. He selflessly spent the following two years recovering evidence, away from family and friends.

Rowntree is also an active community volunteer, and has donated his time and services to the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve, the Iqaluit Volunteer Fire Department, Community Living Newmarket/Aurora District, and the National Ovarian Cancer Association.

Rowntree is one of six Premier’s Awards recipients officially announced today. The awards recognize outstanding college graduates who have excelled in six categories: creative arts, technology, health sciences, business, community services and recent graduate. The recipients will receive their awards at a gala celebration dinner in London on Feb. 11.

Chosen by a panel of distinguished business and community leaders from among 90 nominees, the other recipients this year are:

• Abdul Abdulrahman, Algonquin College (Health Sciences)
• Kay Blair, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Community Services)
• Elio Pacheco, George Brown College (Business)
• Christopher Rowland, Centennial College (Recent Graduate)
• Bonnie Stern, George Brown College (Creative Arts)

Each year, about 40,000 graduates from Ontario’s 24 colleges enter the workforce. About one-third of Ontario’s workforce – 2.1 million workers – has a college credential, the largest group in the province’s labour force.

“College graduates play an essential role in the success of our economy and in the strength of our social fabric,” Taylor said. “As these awards demonstrate, colleges help people to fulfill their potential.”

********************