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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-11-12, Page 13Current crop of students optimistic CCAT Open Norse focusos on More of agriafood industry If enthusiasm and optimism are part of the magic elixir required to revitalize the ailing agricultural in- dustry, the current student body at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology means good medicine for farming and related pursuits. Sunny skies complemented the prevailing mood when 400 people toured the campus during the College's annual open house on November 5. The guided tours and numerous ex- cellent displays planned and im- plemented by the students,and built around the theme "Agri -food, An In- dustry with a Future", provided a golden opportunity to show families, friends, prospective students and in- terested members of the general public many of the options and pro- spects available at their local college. A group of students representing the junior and senior classes in each of the three courses offered by CCAT were unanimous in praising the academic and social aspects of the residential college while talking to reporters just before the open house began officially. All were glad they had chosen CCAT, and were equally certain the time spent on their post- secondary education would pay dividends after graduation. Peggy O'Neil, a first-year Food Ser- vices Management student from near Denfield, compared The College at: mosphere to that of a small family. She described the curriculum as "demanding, but never boring". O'Neil will look for a job in a hospital after graduation. Milton native Vicki Gould, a senior in Animal Health Technology, con- fessed she couldn't believe how much she had learned in what she termed the pressure cooker but stimulating atmosphere of CCAT. Gould, whose father is a racing commissioner, wants to continue working with larger animals - equine or porcine - after graduation. She considers this more of a challenge. Classmate Jackie Snell from Owen Sound first heard of CCAT from her chemistry teacher. She calls CCAT "the greatest in Canada". Snell has compared her ex- periences at CCAT with friends atten- ding other colleges, and gives CCAT top marks for providing ample oppor- tunities to work with large animals. The senior students have been taken on field trips to vaccinate and dehorn cattle, castrate pigs and dock lambs' tails. fa Snell is•counting on a job with a dairy farmer or a pork producer when she leaves CCAT. First-year AHT student Traci Mallinson switched to CCAT after two years at Guelph, and is glad she did. She appreciates the first-hand train- ing, as previously she was "not near animals, only books". Mallinson's goal is a job in a small animal clinic or on a horse farm. The four Agricultural Business Management students also feel their time is being well spent. Junior Bill Haines from a beef farm near Wingham believes beef farming can still be profitable. The key is good management, and that is what he is at CCAT to learn. Fellow student Joe Triest, from an Alvinston farm that combines cash crops, beef production and a farrow - to -finish operation, agrees that farm- ing has a future. He is taking the ABM course before heading to a hoped-for career in sales in some branch of agri- business. Sue Fletcher, from a dairy farm near Pembroke, is one of six young women in the senior ABM class. She is honing her management skills to continue with the dairy industry through a career in Al, ROP or DHI. Senior John Droog intends to app- ly business skills he has acquired at CCAT when he returns to the family farm with 200 acres of cash crops and 500 laying hens at Thorndale. Droog especially enjoyed the farm project course, where selected farmers open their books and all parts of their farm operation to the students for an entire term. He has picked up many tips which will be used in his personal pro- ject back home, caring for 600 pigs on contract. Open house chairman John Stephens, who heads CCAT's business management section, also looked on the bright side. He pointed out that both the AHT and FSM courses were still attracting a full roster. "Agricultural Business Manage- ment is where we're hurting", Stephens acknowledged. Stephen views the drop in enroll- ment from 85 Last year to 45 this year as a reflection of what has been hap- pening on the farm scene in recent years. He noted that young people from rural backgrounds have heard nothing but bad news - bad weather, bad press and bad prices - for the past few years, and are. not receiving as much parental encouragement to choose a career in agriculture. Principal Doug Jamieson pointed out the CCAT's continuing require- ment for a grade 12 diploma with English and math has resulted in some applicants not qualifying for the ABM course. Ten were turned away this year for that reason. "We don't knowingly accept those who lack the appropriate academic background", Jamieson remarked. g "We will not lower our standards to maintain numbers", was Stephen's comment. Jamieson cited the results of a study he took part in a few years ago that showed all qualified students had a much higher success rate, and were much less likely to drop out before graduation. The analytical skills developed through the study of mathematics could be applied to other academic areas. Attrition has cut the senior ABM class down to 65. Jamieson listed lack of interest and motivation as the prime reason for drop -outs, with failure to adjust to the increased .freedom and accompanying respon- sibility for organizing one's time as a close second. However, CCAT's policy is "Everybody deserves a second chance". A number of drop -outs have returned to graduate successfully the second time around. One recent graduate returned to the 1986 open house and brought his former principal up to date on what he had been doing since graduation. The former student had paid his own way at LCAT with money he had earned raising pigs under his father's supervision from the time he was six years old. The young man had spent too much of his time taking part in the sports and othec,extra-curricular ac- tivities offered at the college, and had failed his first year. Swallowing his pride, hecame back and earned his ABM diploma. The graduate bad bought a farm two years ago, paying cash with his own money plus a small inheritance. He told Jamieson he had just finish- ed paying off an operating loan used for stock, barn and equipment, and was now negotiating to buy a second farm. This is the kind of success story Jamieson likes to hear. "There was never a bigger need for bright young people with the future of the agricultural industry at heart than now. Agriculture needs to com- pete effectively for the best and the brightest", Jamieson emphaized, ad- ding as an aside that often those in- volved in pranks at the college are the most successful later. Jamieson is certain both CCAT and agriculture will be here for a long time. "Agriculture is still the second- largest industry in Ontario from a dollar standpoint. We . need well- prepared young people in all phases df the industry", Jamieson concluded. CCAT SPEAKING WINNER A success u pu • is spea ing contest was held House at Centralia College. From the left are head of communications and contin Cathy Biondi, judge Elinor Humphries, winners Darius Summers, John De Jong judge Ann Hucal. ustana.. imes - voc at Wednesday's Open uing education section and Patty Sinnett and T -A photo. .&•:::SMINSPAP• e Serving south Huron, North Middksex JP: November 12, ' & North Lambton Since 1873 PagelA GREETERS -�First-year Food Services Management students Assunta Leo, (left) from Guelph and Karen Dietrich, Zurich, were among the CCAT students staffing the numerous displays set up for open house at College. 1 AT CCAT OPEN HOUSE — During Wednesday's Open House at Cen- tralia College, program chairman John Stephens who is head of the Business Management program chats with Darrell and Marlow Gingerich of Zurich. T -A photo. BACK FOR A VISIT -- Residence supervisor Vera Armstrong welcomes former students Nancy Laurwagie, Robin Smith and Kim Sanders back to Open House at Centralia College, Wednesday. TESTING THE BRIDGE - Sherri Vail (left) and Terri Burroughs watch intently as team member Elizabeth Goossens adds weights to the bridge built by the three Animal Health Technology students. Their design won the Centralia College competition, sustaining over 900 pounds before collapsing. "ci2nniversary 1.5 Titre Pepsi Diet Pepsi 7 Up Diet 7 Up 99t plus deposit 750 mi. Schweppes Ginger Ale Diet Gingerale Tonic Water Club Soda 49t plus deposit 750 mi. 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