Come join BCIT and HUB as we kick off Vancouver Bike to Work Week and Burnaby Environmental Week with a fun, awareness-building community challenge: the Endless Mile Spin-a-thon.

What: We will have 12 spinning stationary bikes going for the Endless Mile. There will be music, food, beverages and lots of crazy costumes.

Why: To raise awareness for Bike to Work Week and the green community while fostering corporate wellness and building community relationships plus this year we’ll be raising money for BCIT Student Emergengy Food Fund.

When: May 23, 2012 – 7:00AM – 4:00PM

Where: Southwest Corner of BCIT Burnaby Campus at Canada Way & Willingdon Avenue.

How: Contact Peter_Odynsky@bcit.ca or visit us in person at SE16-134 Equipment Office.

There will be 10 -12 teams of 8 participants minimum. These teams will be awarded prizes based on participation and costumes. For each half-hour you ride, you will be entered into a prize draw.

Check out some of the action from last year’s event: 2011 Endless Mile Spin-A-Thon .

Pazmac Enterprises Ltd’s pristine machine shop was the setting for the recent campaign promoting BCIT’s trades programs. The grads (above, left to right) pictured above are Dave Anderson, CNC Machinist Technician and Nino Bucceri, Machinist. Rob Baxter, on the right, has studied welding at BCIT.

With Pazmac’s permission, this photo was seen across the Lower Mainland in multiple settings, including being distributed as a postcard at the Canucks Superskills Competition in January.

The photo was also used in newspaper ads, on bus kings, and restobar ads throughout the campaign, and on the BCIT homepage for trades and apprenticeship.

L-R: John Chiasson, process manager, and Tim Walls, president, Pazmac Enterprises Ltd. in the BCIT CNC Machining shop.

BCIT grads get hired, “because we look for quality, and that is what BCIT has… quality programs,” said Tim Walls, president of Pazmac, while speaking to BCIT machinist trades students recently.  “We also look for the right personality to fit with our team,” he said.

CNC Machinist Technician Dave Anderson

Pazmac has long-term employees and rewards the successes that hard work brings. For example, BCIT graduate Dave Anderson was first hired for the Pazmac warehouse where his work ethic, attitude, and aptitude were recognized. Four years ago when the opportunity for an apprenticeship arose, Dave was brought forward. Shortly after these photos were taken, Dave passed his final exam for his Journeyman CNC Machinist credential.

The BCIT Student Association and BCIT will raise the Pride flag Thursday, May 17 at the BCIT Burnaby Campus in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia.

BCIT encourages an open environment of mutual respect, integrity, and diversity within an inclusive and accepting community. It is vital that everyone, from staff and faculty to students and visitors, feel welcome and comfortable across all of our campuses.

Disrespectful, homophobic attitudes and remarks can create an unwelcoming and uncomfortable environment.

Marking this important day with a visible show of support is one way we can celebrate the diversity we represent and affirm our stance around issues of inclusivity and respect.

Students, staff, and community members are welcome to join us between 8:00–8:30 a.m. May 17 at the BCIT flag pole at Willingdon Avenue and Goard Way. The flag will be raised at 8:30 a.m. after a short welcome by the Student Association.

Photo credit: blueyeda73 on Flickr.

The video was part of an anti-bullying campaign called Stand Up Speak Out and was created with the help of Burnaby North Secondary students.

Pacific Spirit Project participants from 2009

BCIT staff are now invited to apply for the 2012 Pacific Spirit Project (PSP). This is the fifth year for the PSP, which was originally designed to help faculty incorporate sustainability themes and practices in their curriculum. Non-teaching staff who have an interest in a campus sustainability project can join now too.

The PSP is conducted over two days and one dinner, this year from June 4-6. The application deadline is May 25.

Anne Marie Webb-Hughes, School of Business program head for first year Marketing Management, and past participant in the PSP says:

“The Pacific Spirit Project was one of the most rewarding experiences I have encountered at BCIT. This two-day workshop exposed me to the realities of how our earth is endangered in more serious ways than I had previously understood. Our actions are threatening our very existence. In this workshop, I was inspired to read more, to see how I can make a difference, and most importantly, to realize how I can change my curriculum to bring sustainable practices to the business world for my students and for the companies that will employ them. Don’t miss this opportunity. It will change your mind…and then change your life.”

Want to learn more before committing? Attend the upcoming Lunch and Learn for details:

Pacific Spirit Project Lunch and Learn
May 23
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Town Square D
Featuring past PSP participants: Matt Rockall (FSA in the School of Computing and Academic Studies) and Lin Brander (Library)

Geoff Cheong at Marlins Park, the stadium he helped design.

BCIT grad Geoff Cheong has hit the big time. Like, stadium big.

A graduate of both the Architectural and Building Engineering Technology diploma (2004) and Architectural Science degree (2007) programs, Geoff recently saw Miami’s new Marlins Park stadium completed – a project he was heavily involved in as part of his work at global sports architecture practice Populous.

Geoff was part of the core design team responsible for the conception, development, and documentation of the architecture for the stadium, which is home to the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team. His role extended through both the design and construction phases, over a three year period.

“If you think about it, we spend the majority of our lives inside buildings,” says Geoff. “But usually only a small percentage of that time is spent inside an arena or stadium. To me, that’s what makes these buildings so special. They bring people together for a short moment in time to celebrate sport, culture, and entertainment. They are the foundation for lasting memories and unforgettable experiences. Sure, we design big buildings, but more importantly, we design big experiences.”

Geoff Cheong

“I was, and continue to be heavily involved with athletics in my daily life,” Geoff continues. “When I got into architecture, I didn’t specifically envision myself becoming involved with the stadium sector of the industry, however, the thought of melding my two passions into a career became more and more appealing as time went on.”

BCIT helped Geoff make his career goals a reality. “BCIT teaches skills for the current industry; it’s that simple. I found the transition from my education to the professional industry to be straightforward, and almost seamless. To me, that says a lot about what BCIT has to offer. I’ve already been presented with incredible opportunities in my career, and I owe that in large part to my education. I was able to fall into an immediate and demanding role, and use the tools from my education to produce quality results.”

Geoff’s career is, in many ways, just beginning. He was recently profiled in UK-based Stadia magazine as one of sports architecture’s biggest rising stars, and is currently at work on the Quebec City Amphitheatre. You can read more about Geoff in the March 2012 issue of Stadia (article begins on page 10).

BCIT Magazine is a weekly news and current events program produced entirely by BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism and Television students. This week it was announced that the November 24, 2011 episode,  “BCIT Magazine: Live from the Great Hall,” was judged to be the first place winner in the Video category for Studio Newscast in the Broadcast Educators Association of Canada (BEAC) National Student Awards program.

“BCIT Magazine: Live from the Great Hall” was recorded live from the Great Hall on the Burnaby Campus. Watch it now.

Additionally, “New Business of Lady Business” by student Virginia McConchie was judged to be the first place winner in the Audio – Feature/Documentary category, and students Francesca Fionda and Nicole Reinert won Best Spot News Award for their audio  feature on the C. Difficile outbreak at Burnaby General Hospital.

On April 11, the SIFE Legion Military Skills Conversion program hosted a military challenge obstacle course to raise scholarship money for veterans entering the program.

The event took place on the BCIT Campus’ sports field. Fourteen participants went through several grueling challenges, ultimately raising $200 for a Legion Military Skills Conversion program student.

Learn more about the program.