While attending Mohawk, Linda Rourke was deeply involved in the television program from the technical side to getting in front of the camera as much as possible. For three years she hosted the media department's annual awards show - the Andy Awards. It's a testament to her talent that she is the only student to ever host three years in a row. Her varied media career since graduation has taken her across the country and includes media sales in radio at Q107, PRN and Canadian Broadcast Sales, a weather specialist and morning show host at The Weather Network in Montreal and Ontario, morning show host and location producer for Vancouver Breakfast (CTV), back up sports and weather host on Canada AM, radio hosting at Country 95.3 Toronto, and host and producer, host, videographer of Hamilton Life and City Matters at Cable 14, Hamilton. Linda has also contributed her talents to Mohawk College as a part-time instructor and has volunteered as host for productions for International Women's Day and Media panels.  For the past 5 years Linda has volunteered on the Alumni Council as a member, vice-chair and chair.  Additionally, when Linda’s children were young she volunteered on the school parent council, was a member for 4 years of the Waterdown BIA and continues to volunteer for various organizations in the Hamilton area when time permits. Linda will be leaving her long career in media to join the Mohawk College Foundation Team July 9th as Senior Development Officer Academic partnerships.  Bringing her full circle.  

What was the #1 reason you chose to attend Mohawk?

Location and really liked the instructors I met when I was going through the interview process.

What 1 piece of advice you’ve received in the past has stuck with you to this day?

You can’t change others you can only change how you react to them.

If you could go back in time, what 1 piece of advice would you give to yourself on the first day of College?

Pay attention and learn as much as you can while having fun.

What fictional character/characters do you most personally identify with or admire? Why?

I admire the character of Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Her growth through the series of books takes her from a know-it-all young teenage girl (like many of us are at times) into a smart beautiful woman that becomes the glue holding everything together. I think many women can identify with finding balance in life, juggling work and family and providing the “glue” to keep things together, that important foundation offering strength, intelligence and compassion. Hemione is that women in all of us.

What 3 songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

Girls just want to have fun.
Time of my Life
Life is a Highway

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

I’m a television grad – I watch TV. Ok and I do yoga and love to read!

If you could invite any 5 people to a dinner party who would they be?

The Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela, William Shatner, Betty White, Craig Kielburger

Talk about a time that you took a risk and failed, and one where you took a risk and succeeded. What was the difference?

I took a risk when I signed on with TSN, women in sports had always been a tough go and I knew it would be a challenge, unfortunately, it did not work out but it taught me to find my kahunas in this business!

If you could give advice to a new student thinking of entering your program what would it be?

Work hard, learn everything you can and don’t waste a moment. It will become part of the best years of your life.

How has your education at Mohawk prepared and supported you throughout your career?

My educational experience at Mohawk gave me the foundation I required to make it in the business. The hands-on learning, being put into groups to work on various projects despite your differences and perspectives gave me the ability to work with various types of people in a productive and creative way throughout my entire career.