UOIT Legacy Gala takes a tour of Argentina

OSHAWA, Ont. - Community and business leaders, dignitaries and other distinguished guests can anticipate a history lesson that transports them back to the romantic sights and sounds of an old-world cafe as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College today announced the theme of their 2008 Legacy Gala, Bienvenidos a Argentina!

Accented by its rich culture and European influences, Argentina's capital city of Buenos Aires is home to the sophisticated and elegant Cafe Tortoni, which has remained a popular destination for intellectuals, artists and tourists alike since opening its doors more than 100 years ago. The world-renowned cafe will be the inspiration for an exciting evening designed to raise scholarship and bursary funds for students attending the college and university. The Legacy Gala, hosted once again by the Albis family and Tosca Banquet Hall, is Friday, September 12.

There are still sponsorship opportunities for businesses, organizations and individuals interested in participating and helping to build a legacy of opportunities for post-secondary students. The Legacy Gala is held each September to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries at both Durham College and UOIT. It brings together community members and businesses to acknowledge their contribution to each institution's success while raising awareness about students' need for financial assistance for post-secondary education. More than $1.4 million has been raised through the history of the gala, with last year's event raising $412,000.

Gala festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will showcase exotic tango dances, tempting Argentine cuisine, excellent Malbec wines and will include a silent auction.

For more information about being part of this year's gala, please contact Pamela Dunn at 905.721.8668 ext. 2278.

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About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Durham College

Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
M.J. Jaffray
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2333
mj.jaffray@uoit.ca