Memory Lane

Warren Cowling

Instructor, Ag/Heavy Duty, School of Trades - Assiniboine College

"I always intended to pursue a career involving the family farm, and the agreement with my parents was that I obtain some form of post-secondary education first. I explored university agriculture programs, but they did not align with what I was seeking. A family friend, who worked as a mechanic (Mike Merko), encouraged me to consider a trade. This led me to enroll in the Farm Machinery Certificate program at Assiniboine.

I always had a strong interest in the mechanical side of agriculture. During the program, I built lifelong friendships and gained knowledge that extended well beyond mechanics. My co-op placement was with the same dealership where Mike, who recommended the trades, was employed.

Due to challenging conditions in the agricultural sector at the time, I remained with the dealership through the winter and began an apprenticeship contract. I farmed part-time with my parents while completing my apprenticeship and earned my Red Seal certification in 1996. Although I did not see a stable long-term future in farming, I wanted to remain connected to agriculture. As a result, I continued working in agricultural dealerships in various roles, including apprentice, road technician, shop foreman, and customer service representative. I had been looking for that “next step” to be able to spend more time with my young family and in 2013, I was presented with the opportunity to join the Agricultural Equipment Technician (AET) apprenticeship program as an instructor at the college."

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Julie Muller

Director, Human Resources - Assiniboine College

"I have many great Assiniboine memories from my time at Assiniboine, beginning when I was a student from 1999-2001 and continuing through the past 17 years as an employee in a variety of HR related roles.

One of my favourite memories is from our 2019 Staff Gathering, which centered around the activities of the International department. A group of staff, led by Dr. Baljeet Singh, spent a few months learning how to Bhangra dance during our lunch hours or after work, so that we could start the day with what we had learned. While it took me WAY outside of my comfort zone, it was a lot of fun, and gave us a wonderful opportunity to learn-by-doing and embrace another culture through music and dance."

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Lisa Huston

Industry Liaison and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator, Peters School of Business - Assiniboine College

"My very best memories from my time as a student, were from my 2nd year of studies in 1995-96. I was fortunate to have been elected as the Students' Association President, and through that role I had the pleasure of meeting and working with many, many fellow students and college staff.

Many of the connections and friendships I made then, still stand strong to this day...and my student experience had an immeasurable impact on my life.

Events like Sun of a Beach, Christmas Bingo, Curling Bonspiel and Graduation Celebration bonded so many of us - from all programs - in so many ways outside of the daily classroom banter.

And, for me the best part of that year was meeting Pat Josephson. Pat was the Students' Association General Manager...and she became a mentor to me. Her dedication to students' success was a driving force and every student on campus knew who she was. She and her family were instrumental in supporting students in so many different ways...and she will always be remembered by those who knew her."

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Lloyd Carey

Chairperson, Trades - Mechanical, School of Trades - Assiniboine College

"In the mid 2000s, Assiniboine College's automotive class built a few demolition cars that were piloted by their instructor at the Brandon Summer Fair Demolition Derby. The cars that survived were taken to Boissevain to run again. Assiniboine had some competitive entries over the years, and while we never quite got in the winner's circle in Brandon, our gently-used 1975 Cadillac did win in Boissevain in 2005!"