Lorne Hilts is well-recognized and well respected member of the Recreation and Leisure Services industry having worked for several years’ in the field before deciding to teach full time at Centennial College. In a relatively short time, Lorne has developed a solid reputation among his peers as an honest, diligent and ethical colleague with a genuine and focused interest in serving our students in the best possible manner.

Lorne began his foray into post-secondary education instruction in 2011 when he took a leave of absence to accept a partial-load teaching position in Centennial’s Recreation and Leisure Services program. Just three-and one-half years later, Lorne works as a full-time Professor as well as the Coordinator for the program. He has been instrumental in overseeing a full Curriculum review to ensure that the program was provided students with the education and opportunities they need to become successful employees out in the field. 

Lorne has created a Program Logo, Social Media Platform and a Student Mentorship Program that have all served to help give the program a visual identity. Lorne is selfless and believes in the value of giving back to those in needs.  When Lorne started at Centennial College in 2011 he created Rec the Halls, an innovative program called whereby students in the Recreation and Leisure Services Program would work with 2 families from the daycare located within college to provide a Christmas (i.e. presents, winter clothes and groceries) that they may not otherwise have been able to afford. This initiative has become an integral part of the program. 

Lorne has demonstrated an on-going commitment to providing students with opportunities for self-led learning and to experience the field of Recreation through experiential learning and offering various opportunities for students to gain certifications such as:  High Five – Principles of Healthy Child Development, Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED, Crisis Prevention and Intervention and Children’s Mental Health to name a few. 

Since the summer of 2014 Lorne has worked in the HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Education) program within the college and acted as the faculty lead for the HYPE Works program and most recently Academic Success.  H

Professor Hilts has earned numerous prestigious awards acknowledging his excellence in teaching, including: 2014 Dean’s Apple Award for Teaching Excellence (School of Community and Health Student), 2014 George Wicken Memorial Award (College-wide award acknowledging teaching excellence),  2014 Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence (Board of Governors for Centennial College) and the 2015 Bronze Teaching Excellence Award (Colleges and Institutes Canada).

Lorne Hilts is a proud graduate of the Ontario college system, having graduated from Seneca College with two Diplomas in Recreation and Leisure Services and Recreation Facility Management.  Lorne went on to become a highly accomplish trainer with High Five – Parks and Recreation Ontario.  Lorne delivers training on Healthy Child Development, Children’s Mental Health, how to effectively evaluate program and how to work with young athletes. Lorne is a charismatic and highly sought after trainer throughout the GTA.