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The student space in Charles Hall features a giant caption reading Teamwork Makes the Dream Work—and teamwork was on full display at the university’s downtown Oshawa location on the evening of April 2. The , in concert with a variety of Â鶹´«Ã½ collaborators, hosted an Eat and Greet event featuring students of Practicum: past, present and future. Nine FSSH all-star alumni returned to their old stomping ground to share inspirational stories of self-care, determination, and community involvement. 

There were approximately 100 people in the audience, ranging from students, faculty, staff, community members, and high school and college students considering a FSSH degree. And because having fun is a thing, each guest received a full-sized chocolate bar and inspirational note upon entry. Five chocolate bars contained a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket, sending several lucky guests home with a very special prize.

The Alumni panelists represented the breadth of FSSH programs and featured grads from the very first cohort to the most recent:

• AJ Narenthira (Co-Host): Downtown Oshawa Project Co-ordinator, Brilliant Catalyst, Â鶹´«Ã½ University
• Sam Brown (Co-Host): President, Â鶹´«Ã½ Student Union
• Nic Stevenson: Provincial Constable, Ontario Provincial Police
• Brandon Gibbs: Co-ordinator, Community Engagement and Social Impact, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
• Roger Ragoonath: Senior Recruitment Officer, Â鶹´«Ã½ University
• Kelsey Cluett: Communications and Digital Marketing Co-ordinator, Grandview Kids Foundation
• Allan Tieu: Investigator, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Lindsay Bandini: Professional Standards Counsel, Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
• Phil: Region of Durham

The comedic stylings of co-hosts Sam Brown and AJ Narenthira (class of 2023) kept the event moving in exciting directions and, according to one attendee, demonstrated excellence-in-action™. Guests stayed beyond 9 p.m., even though the event officially wrapped up at 7 p.m. 

Quotes

“It was an awesome opportunity to get to chat with people who were once in the same shoes you’re in now. It was a lot of fun hanging out and meeting new people whom you had the opportunity to learn from! Great experience overall, and I think a very beneficial experience for students who are wondering what to do with their degree.”
-Tina Cotoc, fourth-year Criminology and Justice student

“Not even a year after graduation and I was asked to represent a beacon of inspiration at the FSSH Eat and Greet event. This time a year ago I would have been one of the many individuals in the audience looking for words of wisdom and hearing the stories of Â鶹´«Ã½ Alumni who have now achieved their dream careers. Before graduating, and before a successful application with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), I didn't know where I was going to be at this time, or what I was going to be doing. Being asked to attend this event was such a full-circle moment for me. I would have never thought there would be people wanting to hear from me and use the words I say as inspiration. This is such an amazing feeling. I was fortunate to do a Practicum with the Durham Regional Police Service and gain some incredible experience—and I also gained a ton of knowledge at Â鶹´«Ã½ and was provided many learning opportunities that let me grow and develop personally and professionally. I am forever grateful for my experience and time here."
-Nic Stephenson, 2023 Forensic Psychology grad and Eat and Greet panelist (now a Provincial Constable with the OPP)  

A heartfelt thank you to the partners who made the dream work:

• Â鶹´«Ã½ Registrar’s office
• Â鶹´«Ã½ Alumni office
• Student Life (Digital Community Co-ordination, Ambassadors, Career Counsellor)
• Â鶹´«Ã½ Book Store
• FSSH Dean and Associate Deans, Planning Budget Officer, and the Experiential Learning office