Incoming Chancellor Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66

October 15, 2015. Sitting down for a chat in Trent University’s Great Hall, a relaxed Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66 is in a reflective mood, his head pivoting as he scans that expanse before he locks eyes with his interviewer.

“My life, and my career, started here. There was a pioneering spirit. We were willing to try anything. The feeling that we were in this together made it all the more special.”

For all his many successes as a multi-award-winning television producer, songwriter, author and leading entertainment/copyright lawyer, Dr. Stohn has clearly never forgotten the impact that his Trent experience had on shaping who he became and the many good things that flowed from that.

Now, with his appointment as the University’s 12th chancellor, it is equally clear Trent hasn’t forgotten him and, in particular, his extraordinary philanthropy. Top of mind is his $1 million gift to the final phase of Trent’s $50 million Unleash The Potential campaign, a jewel of which was the building of the new Student Centre officially opened in September 2017.

“It is an honour to be able to contribute to an institution that reflects the elements of the Trent experience that have meant so much to my life and could mean so much to the lives of Trent students in the future,” said Dr. Stohn, who, in 2015, was awarded an honorary Trent degree—the same year he served as alumnus-in-residence.

Before graduating from Trent in 1969 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Economics, Dr. Stohn fully immersed himself in student life, co-founding both Arthur and Trent Radio. Those experiences, says the Toronto-raised Denver native, not only fueled an enthusiasm for being involved with something new from a front row seat, but also provided the foundation for his brash willingness to throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks—an approach that would come to serve him very well.

Inducted into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame in 2011, Dr. Stohn was executive producer of the highly-rated Degrassi television series and its 2001 revival as Degrassi: The Next Generation. In addition, for 20 years until 2009, he served as executive producer of the annual Juno Awards telecast and, from 2004 to 2008, executive produced the teen drama series Instant Star. Away from the set, he is a founding partner with leading Canadian entertainment law firm Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP.

Nominated four times for a Primetime Emmy Award, and for a Peabody Award in 2011, Dr. Stohn has taken home 14 trophies from the Canadian Screen Awards (formerly the Gemini Awards) on the strength of an incredible 28 nominations. Still, as impressive as his professional resumé is, one can’t help but sense the reverence shown him by Trent is a benchmark in what has been a tremendously fulfilling life.

“The unique guiding principles of Trent have been foundational to my life,” said Dr. Stohn following the March 2019 announcement of his chancellor appointment.

“The formal and the informal learning opportunities that I look back on propelled my own career, but are even more important for students today as formative and needed tools to help confront and adapt to our rapidlychanging economic, political and social times. I’m delighted that I will be promulgating these special qualities of Trent and, like we did through Degrassi, mentoring young people to become better citizens of Canada and the world, and energizing projects that will leave a legacy.”

Mr. Stohn was installed as chancellor on June 7, 2019 as part of Trent’s convocation ceremonies. Among his duties moving forward will be conferring degrees and diplomas as well as sitting as an ex officio member of the Board of Governors and the Senate.

DR. STEPHEN STOHN ’66

Incoming Trent chancellor is right where he belongs

For Mr. Stohn’s convocation address, please visit trentu.ca/convocation/ ceremonies/event-coverage-2019

Mary May Simon (1995-1999, 2002), ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs Peter John Gzowski (1999-2002), broadcaster and writer Roberta L. Bondar (2003-2009), scientist, neurologist, astronaut, photographer Tom Jackson (2009-2013), award-winning actor, producer, musician and social advocate Don Tapscott (2013-2019), author, social innovator, authority on the economic and social impact of technology