Ursell Arends
Class of 2005 - International Business
Deputy Prime Minister
Country of Aruba
In September 2021, Ursell was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Integrity, Nature and Senior Affairs in the present minority government on the Caribbean Island of Aruba. He is the leader of the political party RAiZ Aruba (meaning “Roots”) which promotes a holistic vision for Aruba's future, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. The party was founded in June 2017 by Tai-Foo Lee and Ursell Arends.
Growing up in Aruba, he learned about the program offerings at St. Clair College from Windsor-Essex families vacationing in Aruba over the years. After attending high school in Florida, he enrolled at St. Clair College.
Upon his return to Aruba, he worked in the tourism industry for more than 15 years at La Quinta Beach Resort, first as the Human Resources Manager and then as the Operations Director.
David Cassidy
Class of 1991 - Electrician Construction Maintenance
President
Unifor 444
Windsor, Ontario
Dave Cassidy now serves as the President of Unifor Local 444, representing a diverse membership of 20,000 individuals, both active and retired, across 32 workplaces spanning Automotive, Gaming, Energy, Transportation, Administrative, Waste and Recycle Management, Policing, Libraries/Galleries and Retirement Living.
A certified electrician, Dave holds the Unifor National Chair of Trades position, advocating for trade workers across Canada from the Pacific to the Atlantic, representing over 50,000 trade workers. As a distinguished member of Unifor’s National Executive Board, Dave has played a pivotal role in crucial negotiations with significant employers in Windsor, such as Stellantis, Caesars, Integram, and GFL.
Elected for his "Membership First" approach, Dave has implemented an open-door policy, emphasizing that the local union belongs to its members. Known for his tenacity at the bargaining table, Dave is renowned for his efforts in securing new investments and job opportunities for the community.
This year, Dave celebrates 30 years as an employee of Chrysler Stellantis.
Larry Delaey
Class of 1989 - Mold Making Technician
President and CEO
Aarkel Group
Wallaceburg, Ontario
Born and raised on a farm in Dover Township, Larry was encouraged by his father to take up a trade. During high school, he enjoyed classes in the trades, especially the machine shop class. After receiving his training at St. Clair, he started his career at Aarkel Tool in 1989. After working his way to the plant manager position, the owner believed in him, and decided to appoint him as President of the company. The owner thought that Larry was a “diamond in the rough”. Larry believes that management opportunities arise after a thorough grounding in the trades.
Aarkel Group has over 300 employees at locations in Wallaceburg, Windsor, Alabama, Mexico, and Bangalore, India. These seven locations generate over $100 million in annual sales.
Aarkel engineers and produces plastic injection molds, die-cast tooling for automobile headlights and tail-lamps, transmissions and engine blocks, and home products such as shower stalls and bathtubs.
Chaouki Hamka
Class of 2009 - Law and Security Administration
Community Leader
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Correctional Officer
South West Detention Centre
Windsor, Ontario
Chaouki has been the regional spokesperson for MADD Windsor-Essex for almost 20 years, and sits on the organization’s National Board. He also works full-time as a corrections officer at the Southwest Detention Centre.
At the college, he had to choose a local community agency to profile as a course assignment. He chose MADD. After completing his assignment with a 98 percent mark, he volunteered locally with MADD.
Chaouki fosters awareness of drinking and driving, visits schools to talk to students, and works on MADD's Red Ribbon Campaign and other RIDE campaigns with law enforcement partners. The messaging of MADD encourages the public to make safe and responsible choices by never driving impaired or riding with an impaired driver, and by always planning ahead if you plan drink or consume cannabis or other drugs.
He visits schools for presentations, and is also a resource to students doing assignments on MADD as part of their academic studies.
Dan MacDonald
Class of 2002 - Journalism
Radio Host
CKLW Radio - Bell Media
Windsor, Ontario
As a graduate of the Journalism, Print, and New Media program, his focus during his college years was writing, not radio. In school, he concentrated on print-related instead of broadcast internships. After completing an internship at CJAM Radio, his focus changed. He enjoyed being behind the microphone.
Dan started his full-time radio journey on the Bell Media group of local radio stations in 2005 as a copywriter and voice talent. In October 2007, he started as an on-air personality. In November 2019, Dan was announced as the host of the Dan MacDonald Show, airing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon on AM 800 CKLW Radio. The show is an informative, topical and news-laden daily talk show, featuring studio guests and listener participation.
Dan is involved with many charity efforts and community causes throughout Windsor-Essex, including book clubs, Windsor Pride, Canadian Mental Health, and poetry nights.
Bhupinder Singh
Class of 2018 - Human Resources
Class of 2019 - Event Management
Professional Wrestler
TNA Wrestling
Windsor, Ontario
When Bhupinder was growing up in India, he watched wrestling on television and participated in bodybuilding and kickboxing programs. In 2016, he won two national-level gold medals in kickboxing. When researching which Canadian college to attend, he learned about the Can-Am Wrestling School in Windsor, which would allow him to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. His choice was confirmed when one of the wrestling shows he watched at home on Snapchat was broadcast from St. Clair College. The choice was easy. While studying both Human Resources and Event Management at St. Clair, he also attended Can-Am on weekends. His academic studies came alive as he was up-close in wrestling productions, in front of the camera, and learning the business of running the events.
Bhupinder is moving up in the rankings, and popularity, as a professional wrestler. TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Impact Wrestling broadcasts throughout North America and has pay-per-views worldwide.