Three outstanding graduates of Conestoga College will receive Alumni of Distinction Awards at the College’s 33rd Convocation ceremonies on June 20 - 21.
Alumni of Distinction are recognized for combining career success with work that shows commitment to community development. Winners stand as role models to current students and new graduates, and as proof of the value in general of a college education and in particular of Conestoga College.
One Alumni of Distinction Award -- a special, commemorative plaque -- will be presented at each of the three ceremonies: June 20 at 4 and 7:30 p.m., and June 21 at 7 p.m.
Michael Cybulski June 20, 4 p.m. ceremony Michael Cybulski is a two-time graduate of Conestoga -- in 1983, from the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and in 1985, from Mechanical Engineering Technology - Design and Analysis. For the past ten years, he has been with Cambridge-based ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. in a number of capacities: a mechanical designer, an applications engineer, a project manager and operations manager. Currently, he holds the position of general manager, with responsibility for all aspects of managing a plant with more than 650 employees. In the community, he is known for his involvement with the annual Chamber Corporate Challenge, the Manulife Great Ride for Heart and the Track 3 handicapped skier program, in which he is an instructor. At Conestoga, he is a member of the Robotics and Automation Program Advisory Committee (PAC). PACs exist for every Conestoga program or group of related programs. These committees of practising professionals advise the College on curriculum development, career prospects and employer needs related to the program in question.
Donna Diebel June 20, 7:30 p.m. ceremony Donna Diebel is a 1996 graduate of the Human Resources program. She went on to obtain professional accreditation through the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario and is currently with Kitchener-based Kuntz Electroplating Inc. as manager of public and employee relations. Her career excellence has led to her winning the first Employee Performance Excellence Award presented at Kuntz. In the community, she was named year 2000 Community Leader of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener and Waterloo for her history of involvement with United Way. She was an employee campaign chair with the K-W and area effort in 1993, earning the Joe Williams Award for her outstanding volunteer work. She active in the Grand Valley Human Resources Association, the Conestoga College Golf Classic committee, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Kitchener Downtown Business Association and Citizens Concerned with Crimes Against Children.
Jane Hildreth June 21, 7 p.m. ceremony Jane Hildreth graduated from the Social Services program in 1985. She works at Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health, which provides housing and support services for local residents who face mental health problems. She is responsible for day-to-day operation of two properties and 29 residents. A volunteer with the Out of the Cold program, which offers shelter, food and activities to the homeless during cold- weather months, she is an active leader with groups such as the Wellness Network, the Waterloo Regional Housing Coalition and the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area (ACCKWA). She is no stranger to current Social Services students either, because she frequently provides guest lectures and presentations to first-year classes in the program.
CONTACT: Monica Himmelman, (519) 748-5220, ext. 3459