TRENT Magazine 53.2 Spring 2023

TRENT Magazine is published two times a year by the Trent University Alumni Association. Unsigned comments reflect the opinion of the editor only

Trent University Alumni Association

Alumni House, Champlain College

Trent University

Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2 705.748.1573 or 1.800.267.5774, Fax: 705.748.1785

Email: alumni@trentu.ca

trentu.ca/alumni

MANAGING EDITOR

Donald Fraser ’91

COPY EDITOR

Megan Ward

DESIGN

Beeline Design & Communications

CONTRIBUTORS

Alma Barrranco-Mendoza ’90

Elizabeth Bower-Gordon, Stephen Brown ’86

Donald Fraser ’91, Celia Grimbly, Clay Pearn

Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers

EDITORIAL BOARD

Sherry Booth ’98, Marilyn Burns ’00

Donald Fraser ’91, Ian Proudfoot ’73

Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers

PRINTING and BINDING

Maracle Press, Oshawa

TUAA CO-PRESIDENTS

Alma Barranco-Mendoza ‘90

Stephen Brown ‘86

CHAIR, HOMECOMING

Maile Loweth Reeves ’79

CHAIR, CONVOCATION

Karen McQuade Smith ’06

CHAIR, DURHAM CAMPUS ALUMNI

Nick Ryan ’15

CHAIR, AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Athena Flak ‘93

CHAIR, TRENT DAY

Bern Kelly ’82

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

New York – Michi Jakob ’87

West Coast – David Rittenhouse ’90

Hong Kong – Patrick Lam ’86

Halifax – David Wallbridge ’96

Richmond Hill/Markham – Maile Loweth Reeves ’79

Niagara Region – Shawn Ainslie ’13

Yellowknife – Mindy Willett ’88

United Kingdom – Gordon Copp ’76 & Ron Butcher ’66

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Sherry Booth ’98

ALUMNI SERVICES COORDINATORS

Danielle Britton and Babin Joy

MANAGER OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS & CONVOCATION

Joanne Sokolowski

In the print edition of the Momentous Research story “Helping Farmers Keep Carbon in the Soil,” Dr. Karen Thompson has now been listed as co-lead on the NSERC Alliance Grant and associated programming. We regret the omission.

@trentalumni

On the cover: Linda Schuyler ’18 (Hon) and Gavin Marshall ’76

Photos: Michael Hurcomb

OUR MOMENTOUS JOURNEY BEGINS A Note From Our Campaign Leaders

Linda Schuyler: Even though I have never attended Trent, nor held roles of faculty or administration, I’d like to tell you why I love this University.

I became aware of Trent through my husband, your chancellor, Stephen Stohn ’66. Over the years, as Stephen and I professionally worked together to produce the television franchise, Degrassi, I would hear him talk warmly of his early Trent days—his excitement about starting the student newspaper and the Trent Radio station, his fondness for the close bonds between faculty and students, and for the robust college system.

However, it wasn’t until I visited the campus and met with faculty and students that I personally began to appreciate the Trent experience. With my background in education and specialization in youth entertainment, I was drawn to the Trent way of life.

Trent’s multidisciplinary approach to learning immediately impressed me. It was thrilling to see the honour, respect and embracing of Indigenous ways of knowing. I witnessed the vibrant college system offering support and a strong sense of belonging to its students. In interaction with students, I saw how they were encouraged to be innovative and independent thinkers, to practice their leadership skills, and to offer peer support to one another.

At Trent, I felt “at home” as I witnessed a reflection of my life experience where I’ve worked to blend the worlds of academia, storytelling and entrepreneurialism. The Trent multidisciplinary approach and student-centric experience positions students to be the thought leaders, innovators and change makers of tomorrow. It equips them to be responsible global citizens.

As we embark on this Momentous Campaign, it is at a time when the world is changing at a more rapid pace than ever before. Our young people need to be equipped to face both the opportunities and challenges of this change with hope and optimism. I can’t think of a better institution to shepherd students through this change than the momentous University I have come to love and respect: Trent.

Linda Schuyler

Gavin Marshall: I was a child of the space age, during a time when the word progress was on everyone’s lips; and like most children, I dreamed that my journey would be an ascendant, epic quest, literally and figuratively transporting me to the stars. However, I saw my destination–life’s rich pageant, peopled by kings and movie stars, and dads that wore suits and worked at “the office”— through the callow eyes of a boy. I was unable to discern those things we cannot see, but can only feel—that are the true holy grail at the end of that journey that is a life—that enrich one infinitely more than pieces of silver and big shiny convertibles.

I was blessed to come to this special place to hone my intellect, but infinitely more importantly, to nourish my nascent soul; a place built on sacred ground, where one can hear the whispers of our first peoples and heed their teachings. And, fatefully, in the autumn of my years, I was led back to this place by my youngest child (herself an unexpected but divine gift) and, perhaps for the first time, was able to truly hear and heed its timeless teachings, and to see the journey that I share with all those who came before me—and all those who will follow —with clarity, in all its timeless richness.

It is all too easy for all of us, at this moment in human history when the word progress is a distant echo, when the shadow of autocracy and human suffering creeps ever closer to our shores, when we seem to edge closer to a dark abyss filled with hitherto unknown existential perils, notwithstanding our innate altruism, to feel alone and powerless, holding a flickering match in the darkness.

Alone I will not reach the stars—my solitary light will not dispel the darkness. But by investing in this special place, in the young leaders, pioneers and architects of tomorrow, and all the tomorrows that must follow, I get to see the stars through their eyes and go serenely into that good night knowing that I have planted the essential seeds that will ultimately nourish millions for millennia, in worlds old and unknown. And in so doing honour life’s greatest calling—the holy grail at the end of the journey—to maximize one’s contribution to that new and better world beyond the sunset.

That holy grail is why this great institution exists. The next leg in that momentous journey begins today.

Gavin Marshall

Linda Schuyler ’18 (Hon)

Gavin Marshall ’76

In my role as Trent’s president, I have enjoyed many stories I’ve been told about a memorable moment someone has experienced on our campuses. These moments have connected members of our community with the river, professors, ideas, staff, and students as they themselves pursued a very personal journey of self-discovery. These moments have made Trent memorable and changed lives in momentous ways.

Trent’s $100M Campaign for Momentous Change— the boldest in our history—is inspired by these memorable moments, and by the Trent desire to change the world—at Trent, in Peterborough and Durham, in Ontario, in Canada, and beyond—in positive ways that can have momentous consequences.

In my own life, one of those moments occurred when I first came to Trent—not as president, but when I took one of my first teaching jobs—a summer gig at Trent in 1982. That spring, I felt the magic of Trent’s Peterborough campus for the first time. I remember the exact moment it struck me: working at carousel on the third floor of the Bata Library, I looked out of the window to see thousands of swallows swooping and gliding along the Otonabee River, as they returned in the spring.

Like many of us when we first meet Trent, I never guessed that my own path and future would be so poignantly intertwined with it, making it a remarkable source of momentous moments. I know that this will continue after my final term as president comes to an end in June 2024, and I join the Philosophy Department.

The impact of Trent’s new fundraising campaign will be another rich source of memorable moments for our community.

Some of those memorable moments will have much broader consequences. As the world around us changes rapidly, Trent aims to help it face complex challenges that require decisive action and new ways of thinking. We live at a time, when the Trent impact is needed more than ever.

MOMENTOUS CHANGE AT TRENT A Message from the President

Through our Campaign for Momentous Change, supporters, like you—our alumni—have an opportunity to bolster the work of Trent’s brilliant researchers, to remove barriers that might prevent students from achieving their full potential, and to take ideas from our classrooms and laboratories to communities around our campuses, across the country, and around the world.

We know that members of our Trent community (many whom are featured in this edition of TRENT Magazine) are ardent drivers of social change—authors like Professor Sean Kane, politicians including former BC Premier John Horgan ’79, award-winning researchers like Dr. Hugh Elton, healthcare professionals and aging experts like Trent Centre for Aging & Society director Dr. Elizabeth Russell, as well as our own Momentous Change campaign leaders, Linda Schuyler ’18 (Hon), the Mother of all Degrassi, and business leader Gavin Marshall ’76. They are all bringing forth innovative solutions to support our communities locally and globally. Trent’s students, research and campuses are a cause worthy of your support.

It’s fitting that we launch our most ambitious philanthropic campaign to date now, at this moment in history. Never before has the world needed more Trent.

I hope that you will get involved in this campaign. Share your own Trent moments and memories, and consider making a gift. Contributions that are big, small, private, and public will enable us to create a future for Trent that is truly momentous.

Dr. Leo Groarke, Ph.D. President & Vice-Chancellor

MOMENTOUS RESEARCH HAPPENS HERE

Research at Trent is an extraordinary force for change. Every day, students, faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of what we thought possible. From big questions about our past to modern molecular queries—Trent researchers are propelling ideas forward. Read on to discover just a few examples of momentous research happening here and visit trentu.ca/research to learn more.

Informing Global Progress for LGBTQ Rights

Sociology professor Dr. Momin Rahman is committed to improving the lives of queer Muslims both in Canada and globally. Through his research, teaching, and activism, Professor Rahman emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to cultural differences and tailoring diplomatic strategy to the needs of racialized communities when advocating for LGBTQ rights.

Prof. Rahman’s latest research project is a first-of-its-kind study on the lives and experiences of LGBTQ Muslims in Canada. His team has demonstrated how LGBTQ rights strategies would benefit from recognizing the complexity

of experience in racialized communities and those with cultural differences. They found that pressure to come out as publicly queer can be particularly difficult for those from a multiracial heritage, as they may not experience the same level of public normalization of queerness that non-Muslim Canadians may assume. Prof. Rahman’s work contributed to the establishment of new position within the UN, an expert who will work to protect against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For his contribution to global progress on LGBTQ rights, Prof. Rahman was recently

Helping Farmers Keep Carbon in the Soil

In the world of agriculture, soil plays a crucial role in the exchange of carbon dioxide with the atmosphere. Agricultural soils can either contribute to or reduce overall emissions. This balance is determined by the absorption of carbon

dioxide from the atmosphere by growing crops, its subsequent storage in the soil as crop residues and organic matter, and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through decomposition and microbial respiration.

With a $750,000 NSERC Alliance Grant, Trent professors Dr. Kira Borden and Dr. Karen Thompson are co-leading a large, interdisciplinary project that will work to develop ways to monitor how effectively farming systems are sequestering carbon. Currently, methods to quantify carbon change in soil at the farm-scale take more time than is practical, so Professors Borden and Thompson’s team is looking at more

responsive ways to detect changes in the carbon being sequestered by plants into the soil.

As an interdisciplinary project, the team includes plant ecologists, microbiologists, chemists, and social scientists to develop farmer-friendly techniques to monitor and measure soil carbon sequestration. The team’s work aims to provide the on-farm monitoring techniques and technologies needed to characterize how regenerative farming practices (practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the integration of livestock) sequester carbon in the soil.

named the 2023 Eminent Scholar by the International Studies Association LGBTQA Caucus.

The Intellectual Exercise of Studying Roman History

Trent’s Dr. Hugh Elton says studying history is an intellectual play pit—a space where you can push the envelope with more extreme perspectives. Professor Elton believes history is “not about providing answers, but getting better at asking questions”—a philosophy that earned this Ancient Greek & Roman Studies professor Trent’s prestigious Distinguished Research Award for 2023.

Prof. Elton has published internationally recognized insights about the Late Roman Empire and Roman military history. An expert in both Roman history and archaeology, he has contributed extensively to our understanding of the Eastern Frontier, which covers a large part of Central Asia, in the area now known as Türkiye and adjoining countries. His most recent book, about the operational aspects of battle in antiquity, including the impact of political decisions, has coloured the modern perspective of the effectiveness of the Roman military—more effective than previously thought.

With an impressive record of more than 60 publications, Prof. Elton has contributed greatly to the historical record of the Roman Empire. His collection of studies has proved useful in educating scholars and students alike about the fluid nature of facts, opinions, and perspectives.

Through critical examination of the historical record in class, Prof. Elton also imparts important civic skills to his students— teaching them how to recognize and account for human motivations, and interpret and infer perspectives from textual accounts. He challenges them to think differently about how to look (back) at history and show that what you see, depends on when you’re looking back from.

The Next Generation of Researchers

Momentous research is also being led by Trent students—at both the undergraduate and graduate level. These award-winning students are just two examples of student researchers making an impact.

Testing for Environmental Pollutants with Carbon

Finlay Dingman Peterson (Otonabee College) took home a top prize at the annual Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference for her work experimenting with the application of carbon dots to detect environmental pollutants.

Working alongside Forensic Science professor Dr. Sanela Martic, Finlay tested the ability of carbon dots—a type of carbon nanomaterial made up of repeated carboncarbon bonds—to detect the presence of the atmospheric pollutant, nitroguaicol, which can be released into ecosystems and water ways through wood burning, a growing concern with the rise in recent forest fire events such as those in Western Canada, the Amazon Rainforest and across Australia. Finlay’s study showed carbon dots reduce their fluorescence when reacting with nitroguaicol, promising results that could lead to the development of fast and inexpensive environmental assessment tools that can detect these pollutants in important water systems, such as rivers and lakes.

Uncovering Symptom Patterns to Improve OCD Diagnosis and Treatment

Psychology M.Sc. student Jordan Till is hoping his research will help create more specific diagnostic categories that can help clinicians match patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with the most effective therapies. His work caught the attention of a public audience at Trent’s 3-Minute Thesis Competition—taking the first place prize as well as the People’s Choice award.

Through his research, Jordan has found that categories of symptoms, which can seem chaotic and highly variable on an individual basis, are actually replicable and can predict meaningful outcomes, such as treatment efficacy and risk factors for specific types of symptoms. This research could be the key to improving the lives of people living with OCD by enabling clinicians to more accurately diagnose the disorder and tailor treatment plans to individual needs.

Want to know more about the sector-leading research and innovation taking place at Trent? Visit: trentu.ca/researchinnovation

MOMENTOUS COMMITMENT

Over the past year and a half, we’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many of our amazing Trent alumni. We’ve met a range of you, from those who traversed the Faryon Bridge across the Otonabee just last year, to those who started at Trent before the bridge was built—and maybe a few of you from the ’70s and ’80s who jumped off the bridge, but we won’t name names. Our meetups have occurred in three provinces and in at least seven cities (and counting), with virtual meetups extending to the many countries our alumni inhabit across the globe. It’s been a journey we’ve both loved.

To no one’s surprise, we kept hearing about the passion and love for the Univerity that had such a significant and positive impact on our youth. It’s this common passion that encourages our own commitment to ensuring that future generations will share in this unique, diverse, and wonderful Trent experience. Commitment doesn’t just happen naturally or by a surprise lump of extra government funding (um, that never happens). It requires planning, resources and money—and that’s where the Campaign for Momentous Change comes in.

This $100-million campaign—the largest in University history—will work to support and empower students, facilitate world-changing research, preserve and enhance the University’s iconic architecture, and vitalize

the campuses we all flourished on. Momentous Change is wide-ranging, raising funds for areas such as the Colleges, the Trent Lands and Nature Areas, the Schools of Education, Nursing, and Graduate Studies, and the Faculties of Science, and the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The campaign ideals have been built on three consequential pillars, all of which should ring familiar and true for alumni:

DISCOVERY

One of the hallmarks of a Trent education is the discourse and debate that happens in our classrooms. I’m sure all of you will remember times when big ideas were explored, often passionately.

Trent continues to believe that momentous change occurs when students, faculty, researchers, and community members are encouraged and empowered to think and learn without limits. By supporting research, experiential learning, and debate, students will continue to receive opportunities to explore new paths, experience new perspectives, push boundaries, and find solutions to the many issues facing the world today.

STUDENTS

Momentous Change will help remove social and financial barriers to education, celebrate academic success, and support the needs of students. This helps not just students who face these barriers, but the community as a whole, who benefit from a wide range of experiences.

PLACES

You cannot help but be impacted by the spaces and places of Trent’s campuses. From the original Ron Thom footprint to the recently completed and award-winning Student Centre in Peterborough, to the brand new, celebrated, and also awardwinning Durham GTA residence and academic building, to the sprawling Nature Areas, Trent settings are part of our Trent lives.

Momentous Change will enable Trent to support and grow these places by balancing modern best practices, University heritage, and traditional Indigenous Knowledge of the land. It will help preserve the Trent you know and love, while preparing for future needs. Ambitious? Indeed, it is. And this ambition is only equalled by its need. We hope you can rally behind this Momentous Campaign as we plan to, be it through volunteering, promoting or financially supporting. We all need to lean in and keep Trent on a prosperous path for future generations.

Alma and Stephen

Hello from Alma and Stephen, your TUAA co-presidents.

TUAA co-presidents Alma Barranco-Mendoza ’90, Lady Eaton College, and Stephen Brown ’86, Champlain College

THIS IS THE TRENT CAMPAIGN FOR MOMENTOUS CHANGE

LAUNCHING MOMENTOUS CHANGE: THE LARGEST CAMPAIGN IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY

The bold $100-million Campaign for Momentous Change—the largest in University history—will empower students, enable worldchanging research, steward the University’s iconic architecture, and vitalize campuses.

“As the world around us changes, we face complex challenges that require decisive action and new ways of thinking. This makes Trent University more important than ever,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Our Momentous Change Campaign provides supporters with an opportunity to expand the work of brilliant researchers, remove barriers that might prevent students from achieving their full potential, and take ideas from our classrooms and laboratories to communities and the world.”

The University’s most ambitious and comprehensive philanthropic campaign is built on three consequential pillars: discovery, students, and places. It enables the Trent community to discover and impact the world without limitation

through research, experiential learning, and meaningful debate. It also empowers students to reach their academic and personal potentials while supporting the purposeful stewardship of Trent’s established places, and facilitating the creation of state-of-the-art destinations.

Launched on Symons Campus in March, followed by momentous launch events in Toronto (April) and Calgary (May), the campaign is fundraising for areas such as the Trent Fund to support student wellness, the Trent Lands and Nature Areas, the School of Education, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, the Faculty of the Humanities and the Social Sciences, the Colleges of Trent, and the School of Graduate Studies. To assist in raising the ambitious $100M goal, the University also aims to recruit 500 new monthly donors to provide sustainable student support.

More than $42 million has been raised to date including $6.6 million toward a new residence and academic building, as well as student supports at Trent University Durham GTA; $2.5 million from the

Joyce Family Foundation to increase access to education for disadvantaged students; nearly $2.4 million to launch and support the inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership; $1 million from David and Joan Moore to support students through international scholarships; and $1.2 million to support students participating in community-based research.

“This campaign is a call to the bold thinkers, truth seekers, and community builders who move the world forward,” says Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice-president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “It’s inspired by Trent’s history of significance, our future of optimism and this moment of momentum.”

Momentum is continuing across the country with momentous events planned for Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax over the summer and fall.

LINDA SCHUYLER ’18 (HON)

Honorary Trent alum, Member of the Order of Canada, and iconic television producer

For almost 40 years, Linda Schuyler has been the co-creator and executive producer of the internationally acclaimed Degrassi franchise that has won numerous awards (the prestigious Peabody award, two international Emmys and 22 Canadian Screen awards).

In 1994, in recognition of her contribution to Canadian television programming, Schuyler was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2012, she was also appointed to the Order of Ontario.

Schuyler was named a Trent honorary alumna in 2018 and then went on to serve as the University’s media educator in residence in 2019. She remains active in the Trent community as a member of the University’s Philanthropic Advisory Committee and recently published her memoir The Mother of All Degrassi When thinking back to her first introduction to the University, through her husband and Trent Chancellor Stephen Stohn ’66, Schuyler says she was immediately impressed by the inter-disciplinary approach to learning, vibrant college system, and the honour and respect given to Indigenous ways of knowing. She says she has seen first-hand the respectful and collaborative dialogue between students and faculty, and has witnessed students being encouraged to be independent thinkers, develop leadership skills and offer peer support to one another.

“As we embark on this Campaign of Momentous Change, it is at a time when the world is changing at a more rapid pace than ever before,” she says. “Our young people need to be equipped to face both the opportunities and challenges of this change with hope and optimism. I can’t think of a better institution to shepherd students through this change than the momentous university called Trent.”

MEET OUR MOMENTOUS LEADERS

GAVIN MARSHALL ’76

Trent alum, businessman, and proud Trent parent

Gavin Marshall is CEO of Magenta, one of Canada’s oldest and largest mortgage investment companies. After graduating from Trent in 1979 with a B.Sc. in Economics, he went on to earn an MBA and achieve progressively senior positions within Canadian financial institutions before founding Magenta in 1994.

He has stayed connected with the University over the years by serving as the inaugural chair of Trent’s Philanthropic Advisory Committee and a member of the University Board of Governors External Advancement Committee. Gavin and his wife Susan Marshall ’76 are also proud Trent parents as their daughter Heather Marshall ’16 earned a B.A. in English Literature.

During the campaign launch at Symons Campus in March, Marshall told the crowd he feels blessed to have studied at Trent University to hone his intellect and nourish his soul.

“Perhaps because Trent is built on sacred ground, where one can hear the whispers of our First Peoples and heed their teachings,” he says. “Trent is synergistically a very ancient place and a very new place, and that is fateful as we collectively stand at this crossroads in human history.”

Marshall says he champions Trent, and was happy to join the campaign as leader, because he wants to invest in the young leaders, pioneers and architects of tomorrow.

MOMENTOUS CHANGE HONORARY CHAMPIONS

STUART BUTTS ’65

Founder and Chairman

The Xenos Group

Past Chair, Foundation for Advancement of Canadian Entrepreneurship

DR. JUSTIN CHIU ’76 LL.D (HON) Executive Director

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

Real Estate Expert

DEBRA COOPER BURGER

Chair, Trent Board of Governors

BRYAN DAVIES ’18 (HON)

Past Chair, Trent Board of Governors

Former Ontario Deputy Minister of Economics

ANITA ERSKINE ’99

CEO of Anita Erskine Media

International Media Icon

SUE GRAHAM PARKER ’73

Retired Executive Vice-President

Global HR, Scotiabank

Past Trent Board Governor

KEN HARTWICK ’81

President and CEO

Ontario Power Generation

DR. TOM JACKSON LL.D (HON)

Trent Chancellor Emeritus

Canadian Cree Actor and Singer

DOUG KIRK ’70

Vice-chair, Trent Board of Governors

President and Founder of Durham Radio Inc.

HARVEY MCCUE, C.M. ’66

(Waubageshig) Anishinaabe

Co-founder of Trent’s Indigenous Studies Department

DR. TOM MILLER ’82

Emergency Room Physician

Peterborough Regional Health Centre

GREGORY A. PIASETZKI ’72

Counsel

Piasetzki Nenninger Kvas LLP

Intellectual Property Lawyer

DR. STEPHEN STOHN ’66 D.LITT (HON)

Trent Chancellor

Entertainment Lawyer and TV Producer

EMILY WHETUNG-MACINNES ’03

Senior Indigenous Advisor, Lawyer and Curve Lake First Nation Chief Emerita

MARTHA WILDER ’74

Chair, Bickle-Wilder Foundation

Entrepreneur

ANNE WRIGHT

Past Chair, Trent Board of Governors

TORONTO LAUNCH

Chancellor Stephen Stohn ’66, Linda Schuyler ’18 (Hon), and President Leo Groarke

Julie Davis, vice-president of External Relations & Development, Bryan Davies, former Trent Board of Governors chair, and Andra Takacs celebrate Mr. Davies’ Momentous Change donation to preserve Trent’s Ron Thom built architecture.

Celebrating the launch of Momentous Change in Stohn Hall, Peterborough Campus.

PETERBOROUGH LAUNCH

UPCOMING MOMENTOUS CHANGE EVENTS FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

Calgary Canadian Olympic Park

Vancouver Stanley Park Brewery

New York Private Location

Ottawa Canadian Museum of History

Montreal To be confirmed

Halifax Pier 21

Watch for your email invitation coming soon. Limited space available.

May 26

June 28

September 2023

September 19

September 21

November 2023

President Leo Groarke

Campaign leader Gavin Marshall ’76

Momentous Change campaign ambassador of gratitude and spoken-word artist Sarah Lewis ’14 performed her poem “Gratitude for all of our Relations.”

The Toronto Momentous Change event at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

MOMENTOUS CONVERSATIONS

The Trent Voices podcast caught up with several alumni who are having momentous impact on Canadian (and global) culture. We are excited to share condensed portions of some of these conversations in this edition of TRENT Magazine. For the full interviews, please visit: trenttalks.podbean.com

JOHN HORGAN ’79 : A LEGACY OF ACTIVISM

TRENT Magazine (TM): On November 17, you went to bed as John Horgan, premier of British Columbia, and by the end of the 18th, you were John from Langford. Tell us a bit about how retirement felt at that moment and how you’ve evolved into it?

John Horgan (JH): That last day I had, of course, the honour to go to the swearing in of the new premier of BC, David Eby—my friend, and now the leader of the province. And I have had, as have previous premiers going back generations, a security detail that I travel with. They pick me up in the morning, they take me home at night. And over the past five years, they’ve become very dear friends of mine.

On the last day, I had flown from Victoria to Vancouver for the swearing in, and then I was on my own. My

detail, which was no longer my detail, but the detail of the new premier, took me to the floatplane and wished me luck. And then said, “Oh, before we go, here you are!” and gave me a half-month’s bus pass so that I could get from the floatplane in Victoria to my house. It was just a nice way to go from being the guy that required a security detail to the guy who could hop on the bus. And that, quite frankly, has been a seamless transition. It’s been really good to be normal again.

TM: Our thoughts are always with you and your battle with cancer. Has that continued to go well?

JH: Absolutely. A year ago today was the darkest day of the treatment, but a year later I’m cancer free. I’ve lost more weight, enough weight to be

happy about it. I don’t recommend the diet to anyone, but I’m feeling really good.

I’m 63. I’ve got lots of road ahead of me, but it’s nice to know that I’m not going to be carrying the burdens of five million British Colombians with me. I’ll be helping them in any way I can, but not thinking about it when I go to bed. I’ve really been enjoying that.

TM: Some of your successes as premier include eliminating medical services premiums, your work with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia leading to no-fault insurance, and leading BC to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people. But what do you see as your legacy as premier?

Then-Premier John Horgan ’79 addressing the British Columbia Legislature.

JH: It was a very activist government, without any doubt, including other Trent grads. Nathan Cullen ’94, Sheila Malcolmson ’85, both Trent alumni who were in my cabinet, continue to serve as cabinet ministers here in BC. And so, the items that you mentioned are all important. And there were many, many more: re-balancing labour laws, environmental policies that were making sense, looking at the forest industry, the foundational industry in British Columbia. How we can continue to create jobs and wealth, while protecting and preserving these last vital stands, in some cases, of diverse forests across the province.

All of those things were really important and exciting to be part of. The Declaration would be the pinnacle; ensuring Indigenous rights and title, which has been an issue in British Columbia since European expansion, and had not been resolved (as it had been in other provinces) over time. To make progress on social and economic justice for First Peoples in BC was very important to me.

But I’d have to say—and people have been asking me this question—I think the thing I’m most proud of is that we were able to (and of course we’ll be judged by history, but if polls and people at the grocery store are any indication) change the debate in British Columbia about left and right, and linear politics, broadly speaking.

I’m a social democrat. That goes back to attending a lecture by Tommy Douglas in the Wenjack Theatre a million years ago, and only because my roommate from Peter Robinson College promised me a beer if I went with him. I didn’t know who Tommy Douglas was. I was studying psychology. I wanted to be a social worker, and, after just a couple of hours with this little man, with his booming voice, with a powerful message, I became fixed on his message: the way to solve problems for individuals is to

have solutions for collective problems. And so, I shifted from psych to history and Canadian Studies and never looked back.

I was able, and my colleagues were able over the past five years, to change the story in British Columbia—which was [told by] the right-of-centre parties. The current opposition is called the BC Liberal Party. I think they’re in the process of changing their name to BC United, which no, is not a soccer team; it’s apparently going to be a political party. But, in reality, [BC United] is the right-of-centre voters west of the Rocky Mountains (they use Liberal now, they were Conservative in the past), with the NDP as the left-of-centre voters within British Columbia. This schism, this polarization, has been characterized across the country as “wacky” politics in BC.

I believe our legacy is that British Colombians now know that they can change government without catastrophic consequences. The decade of the 1990s—the NDP years—are characterized as this awful time because the right-of-centre parties have been so effective at that branding exercise. I

think what we’ve been able to do is break that brand. And this is so important at this time in our history.

I would urge anyone who’s listening in other parts of the country, we’ve got to start looking at our politics differently, not as left and right, but as progress and no progress. And that doesn’t mean instinctively progressive either. I think there’s space in government to make good choices, left and right (if we have to be linear). But at the end of the day, we have to look at our circumstances and provide the services that people need in order to meet the challenges of modernity.

TM: Trent University has long been known as an activist university. How did that Trent activism, and Trent life in general, inform you and continue to inform you?

JH: I had a picture in my office: it’s a picture of [my wife] Ellie and I in front of Peter Robinson College with our homemade protest signs, saying “Stop the Cuts!” If I hadn’t missed the bus, I would’ve been in an occupation of the President’s Office in my time at Trent.

John Horgan with (from left) fellow Trent alumni Heather Semple ’79 and Jim Sutherland ’79, and wife Ellie Horgan (nee Mast) ’79.

“I would urge anyone who’s listening in other parts of the country, we’ve got to start looking at our politics differently, not as left and right, but as progress and no progress. JOHN HORGAN

It was part and parcel of the awakening of my political awareness. And I carried that, joining a political party that was founded on dissent, the CCF/ NDP, coming from a thing called the League for Social Reconstruction, which predated both of those political institutions.

And so, I’ve been enamoured by protests my entire life. And the importance of minority voices speaking out to inform the majority that they may not have all the information they need to make sound decisions. I am very much part and parcel of protest, but I also came to a conclusion early on that the better way to realize the change was to not just stand on the grass outside of the building and yell at it, but to actually get inside the building and affect the changes that I wanted to see.

I was a government worker for 20 years in Ottawa and in Victoria, so I never saw myself as a front window guy, the front man for the operation at any time. But I was yelling at my TV one day, there was a news story on … I’m sure that everyone gets that. I was lamenting the stupidity of the thencurrent BC government while my kid’s band was practicing. And the drummer was upstairs, and he asked me what I was yelling at. I said, “All these stupid people are doing stupid things.” And he asked me what I was going do about it; and it was, quite frankly, at that moment, some 20 years ago now, that I said, “Well, I’m going to run for office and you’re going to help me.” And he did, he helped me pass out leaflets and all of that stuff. And I got elected to be MLA. And then, because I understood government, I moved rapidly through the legislature because when

legislation came forward, I understood it—because I used to help write it.

So, then I was the house leader, and then I became the leader of the NDP, when pretty much nobody else wanted it—including me, quite frankly.

Politics is ugly. It has serious downsides. I think of the former good mayor of Peterborough, also a Trent grad, who I reached out to when she was getting harassed about something by a narrow sliver of the population. Good people are not going to [run for office] if we allow idiots in the town square. Stay on Twitter if you need to be abrasive, but don’t be showing up at people’s houses and don’t be throwing rocks at them. Cowards do that.

So, for me, getting involved was something I had kind of avoided until I got into it. And then I thought it was fantastic. And I want more good people to make the choice to get involved. But if the idiots are continued to allow to, in the form of what they characterize as dissent, literally be anarchists, then we’re not going to make the progress we need to make.

TM: Now, we talked about your time at Trent, and we can’t gloss over the fact that you met your wife, Ellie, at Trent University the first week you were here, and that is a story in itself.

JH: Well, it is. And I think that the better way to characterize it is that I did meet Ellie at Trent, but Ellie met me at the Pig’s Ear Tavern. [laughter] It was the first week, first day, quite frankly, at Trent. And it was a pub crawl through the Red Dog and the Trent Inn, and it ended at the Pig’s Ear, ’cause we lived at Peter Robinson College, which was the townhouses at that time. So, I’d had

a few beers and was quite animated, and Ellie recalls very much meeting me the night before, a kiss was involved [laughter]. And the next day at campus, I was well hung over and this beautiful blonde came up and said, “Hi, John, how are you?”

I was 3,000 miles from Vancouver Island, and I had absolutely, without any doubt, never set eyes upon this vision of beauty that captured my heart instantly, but apparently I had the night before. So, I got home and I said to my roommates, “Is anyone else going out with a beautiful blonde?” And one of the guys said, “The one that dumped you at the door last night?” [laughter] So it turned out that it was, and we were.... We’ve been together every minute since then, literally. It has been a 40-some year run. And both of us are so grateful that Peterborough and Trent created the opportunity for us to bump into each other. We are very much soulmates, and it’s been a great ride, and we’re both looking forward to what we’re going to do next.

TM: And now that politics have moved from, you know, a legislature to the grocery store, what’s next for John from Langford?

JH: I don’t know. And I’m anxious to find out, but I’m not closing any doors ... I’m happy to be John from Langford, the local MLA. I want to get reconnected with the great community that I live in. Ellie and I have been in the same house for 30 years, a tiny house in Langford, which is one of the fastest growing cities in British Columbia. It is certainly the fastest growing on Vancouver Island. There’s lots going on, and I just want to be part of that until I don’t, and then I’ll go do something else. I don’t know what that’s going to be. I’m looking forward to it though.

John Horgan and Ellie Horgan (nee Mast) ’79 outside of Peter Robinson College.

JEANNETTE MENZIES ’95: DISCOVERING CANADA THROUGH DISCOURSE

Jeannette Menzies (M.A., Canadian Heritage and Development Studies) is the ambassador of Canada to Iceland. Over her career, she has held several positions with Department of Foreign Affairs, including head of the Canadian International Centre for the Arctic Region in Oslo, deputy director of Circumpolar Affairs, and deputy director of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Response. Prior to taking up her position in Iceland, she was senior adviser in the Nordic and Polar Relations Division.

TRENT Magazine: You look fondly back on studying with (founding Trent president) THB Symons, and this year is the 50th anniversary of Canadian Studies at Trent. Tell me why studying Canada is so important.

Jeannette Menzies: That’s a great question. Well, I think to know where you’re from and to know the nation that you identify with as your country, helps you to understand the world and gives you a lens on the world. Of course, it comes with its biases, but … wherever I’ve traveled, people ask about Canada and I like to be able to answer. Not just with that answer, but also with something else about Canada that they might not know.

My Trent thesis was about a part of Canada that I didn’t know—about a national park and the internment of Ukrainians during World War One.

A lot of what I’ve done in my personal life and in my professional life is to try to share those things about Canada that [as Canadians] we know, and also that which we don’t know. There are a lot of things that [Canadians] don’t know, and things about our history that we’re maybe not as proud of. I think it’s important to discuss and share these—for Canada to learn from them, but also so that other countries can learn from how we are addressing those wrongs.

TM: A lot of nations look up to Canada because of our historical role on the world stage, our standard of living, our standards of freedom. What kind of feedback do you get about Canada?

JM: It depends where you are in the world. But most places I’ve been, people are always excited to hear about Canada. They often say, “I knew about maple syrup,” or “I knew about hockey, but I didn’t know about that Or that.”

I’m in Iceland, and so I’m learning things as well, such as the fact that a third of the population of Iceland immigrated to Canada in the 1870s and ’80s to start new lives because of the challenging circumstances in Iceland at the time. A third of the population! That’s a lot of people. They had impact in terms of Southern Manitoba and societal changes.

I’m learning a lot about these connections with Canada. One continues to learn more and more about their country from the experience of immigrants in their country.

TM: How does your Trent experience continue to inform you as a person and in this ambassadorial role?

JM: I love Trent because it is a slightly smaller university and it felt like a community. And in that community, I felt that I really could have a voice, and I could have ideas. One of the things I did when I was here, working with other students and with profs, was to launch a conference called Avancer: The Student Journal of Canadian Studies. It was a Canadian Studies conference—beyond the postcard and things that we don’t know about Canada.

I don’t know that I would have done that at a big, big university. [At Trent] I had, perhaps, more courage and independence to think and to do things.

I would say in my current job in Iceland, there are a lot of parallels, because Iceland is a very dynamic, engaging society. It’s not a massively huge society; there are 380,000 people. Of course, it jumps to 2.5 million people in summer with tourism. But I feel like

Jeannette Menzies ’95 exploring Iceland by bicycle.

in a country like Iceland, the size of Iceland, I’ve made fast friends—within the community, within government, with other embassies—and it allows for things to happen.

This year we celebrated 75 Canada-Iceland diplomatic relations and the embassy gifted 75 Canadian books to public libraries in Iceland. And we chose those books based on themes where we have a lot of commonalities, including the Arctic, climate, environment, gender equality, and diversity and inclusion.

I think it was well-received in Iceland, and a lot of people know about it; people know they can go to the library and take out all of these Canadian books. Children’s books, adult books, poetry books ... there are cookbooks. It’s a whole mix.

I think those ideas may come from Trent—to think a little bit out of the box. Instead of giving wine at an event (and I still do give wine at events—Canadian wine to promote that industry)—I love the idea of books. Icelanders are big readers and they’re big writers, and so books are an excellent way to strengthen those diplomatic relations and to share Canada with Iceland.

TM: We’re both northern nations, we’re both Arctic nations, geographically there are some similarities. But geographically they’re also vastly different. Culturally, vastly different. Tell me one thing that continues to blow your mind about Iceland.

JM: I had been to Iceland before. I had gone as a tourist and cycled around the country, about 20 ago, so I had an idea what I was getting into. The wind, the weather, the rain, the cold did not surprise me, so that’s not one of the things.

What did surprise me were the interesting innovations around food security that are going on in Iceland.

It’s a dark, dark climate. They talk about there not being seasons there. There’s daylight and there’s night.

And yet they’re doing some amazing innovations with greenhouses. Not only are they growing tomatoes, which are great tomatoes, they are also growing things like bananas and figs and coffee beans. When I walked through this greenhouse, about 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik, it was just mind-boggling to me. I felt like I was in the tropics or something. I was amazed just seeing bananas. And I ate one of them. So that has been mind-boggling. And something that is more lighthearted: for a country that’s cold a lot of the year, and, in the winter with quite challenging weather, they have ice cream stores that are open all year round. In Canada, we close our ice cream stores in the winter, or we shut them early or something. People do

not hang out at the ice cream store in the winter up here.

But in Iceland, they do. It’s an activity. You go into a big, big store and get your ice cream; and then you go sit in the car and you eat your ice cream cone. So that’s just something I never would have expected. But I’ve embraced it.

TM: What’s in the water here? [Alumnus and former Canadian ambassador to Iceland] Stewart Wheeler… you… this position?

JM: It is very interesting. Unique. Is it ironic? Canada has had an embassy in Iceland for 20 years now, and I think there’s been maybe five or six Canadian ambassadors, two of which are Trent alumni. It’s quite fascinating. I don’t know … I think there might be something in the water here. But I hope that trend continues.

Visit to Iceland in 2022. Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.

JONATHAN PINTO ’06: SERVING UP A TASTE OF CANADA IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

Jonathan Pinto ’06 (Canadian Studies, Lady Eaton College) is the host of Up North, CBC Radio One’s regional afternoon show for Northern Ontario, and is based in Sudbury. He was formerly a reporter/editor and an associate producer at CBC Windsor. Jonathan is a renowned foodie and the author of The Best of Windsor Cookbook. Earlier this year, he returned to Trent for the first time in several years to pass on some of his experiences on to a new generation of students.

TRENT Magazine: What memories came flooding back as you returned to campus after time away?

Jonathan Pinto: Rushing to seminar. And then, the bridge … the Faryon Bridge being slippery. It wasn’t slippery this time. And always wondering how windy it was. If you’re trying to catch an East Bank bus or whatever.

I had an event at Lady Eaton College. It was both a curry cook-off competition and a panel that I was moderating: “Decolonizing Curry.” And just sitting in that dining hall that I spent a lot of time in because I was at Lady Eaton College … I guess I’m still a Lady Eaton College member.

TM: You definitely still are a Lady Eaton College member.

JP: Sitting in that dining hall, with its very strange sight lines, and having this discussion about the food that we were eating, brought me back to so many discussions I had in that dining hall as a student. And it was just good to see that discourse and discussion and food is still alive at Trent.

TM: Tell us about “Decolonizing Curry.”

JP: I was just moderating the session, but I’m a child of South Indian immigrants and, to me growing up, curry was just a word used to describe dishes. But in the last few years there’s been a lot of debate and discussion about the use of the word curry, because curry is not a word that’s really used in India to describe any of these dishes. It’s a very generic term, so there is some discussion as to [whether there should be] a word that we should be using to describe such a diverse culinary culture. I mean, what is curry? It’s a British word essentially. What does it mean to use the word curry? Should we be using the word curry? And what should we know about the history of the food that we are eating?

TM: So, a loaded question: what is curry to you?

Jonathan Pinto ’06 in the Lady Eaton College cafeteria.

JP: It certainly is. Right? It’s still a word that I use to describe the dishes. But, also, to some people, curry is a spice; which is inaccurate because curry isn’t a spice. You can buy curry powder, but nobody in India uses curry powder. So, curry to me is just meant to be like some of the more saucy dishes that my parents make that we serve on rice. But that’s just my definition. And it is a loaded question. My parents will make a pork bafat. Then there’s a type of dish that is very different, like a chicken indad. Can we really call them both curries? Because they’re so different from each other.

That’s the heart of this discussion: is curry really an accurate term? And many argue it’s not. There’s also the colonial legacy of curry, where it was brought by the British to other parts of the world. Like in Japan, there is Japanese curry. And you can’t really call it anything but curry because that’s the word that’s used. And then in the Caribbean there’s curry there, which is a very different thing. So, it’s an interesting term. And it means different things in different places.

TM: So far, you have been mostly unable to explore your vast listening area. But in your job, talking to people, how much of a tour of up north are you getting?

JP: Oh, an incredible amount. I’m getting a great sense of the region just talking to people every day. One of the reasons that we did [our food column] was to give me a way to travel the region by talking to the people making food for northerners. It was a way for me to virtually travel and see the region.

I get to talk about very specific issues that might be happening in Kenora, but also find stories that are common across the region as well. I’ve only been there for [pauses], well, it’s going to be three years this summer, which is wild. But I’m still continuously learning. But that’s what we do as journalists. Right? And I’m still learning.

TM: Along those same lines, what parts of the Trent experience do you carry with you in your career? In your life today?

JP: That curiosity, that interdisciplinarity, I think is huge. That ability to ask questions. For me, it’s literally what I do every day; I ask questions for a living. My major at Trent was Canadian Studies. And, at the time, the motto of the program was, “Not the Canada we thought.” And it really enabled you to challenge what Canada meant. I came into the program with an idea of what I thought Canada was and then that changed over my four years. That ability to challenge these notions of what we think an institution or a country or a whatever is … I think that that ability to question is something that I carry with me today. To see things from so many different angles—I got that from my time at Trent—and I continue to do that today.

TM: Academically, you were looking at the culture of Canada. Do you think that right now you are helping to broaden and teach people about the culture of Canada?

JP: I’m not sure that I’m teaching. What I like to do is just be able to provide a place. What our team does is provide a place to have conversations with each other, particularly on the show that I host, because we cover such a big area that has such very different stories. Something that happens in Kenora can be very different from what happens in in North Bay. Trying to find commonalities, but also trying to find those differences as well. What I hope that we do, is to help provide those connections. Which is also what happens at Trent: providing those connections for people who have different perspectives. I think that’s what I hope that we do. For me, it’s not teaching, it’s just providing a space to have a conversation.

Jonathan Pinto ’06 and chef, food security activist and author Joshna Maharaj.

MOMENTOUS CREATIVITY

CREATIVE WRITERS: THE CANLIT CHILDREN OF TRENT

Ican’t claim that Trent made me become a writer, but it is a surprise to see how many novelists it did create. The reason is historical. Trent in the early ’70s was at the forefront of a national campaign for a Canadian identity and literature. For Canada to express its dreams, it needed to support its own struggling writers and publishers. In 1972, a Royal Commission on Book Publishing revealed the extent of the foreign domination of the book trade in Canada and recommended government funding of an emerging national literature. In 1975, To Know Ourselves:The Report of the Commission on Canadian Studies by Trent’s founding president Tom Symons demonstrated the foreign influence on faculty hirings and research interests in the nation’s universities and called for more attention to the study of Canada. Trent’s Canadian Studies program began in 1972, the year Pierre Trudeau’s Liberals won re-election with the campaign theme “The Land is Strong.” The Canadianization of Trent in the 1970s seemed as urgent as its Indigenization is today.

In 1973, the novelist Margaret Laurence, then at the height of her reputation, made her home in Lakefield and was welcomed by a Trent gala involving writers from across Canada. One of the guests, A.J.M. Smith, a poet of the 1930s, donated his library

of early Canadian books to Trent, to be housed in the room that bears his name. On becoming Trent’s chancellor in 1981, Laurence squelched an impulse to de-fund Trent’s college system by threatening to resign. A decade later, on becoming chancellor, Peter Gzowski, a popular CBC Radio host and regular promoter of Canadian writers, declined to emulate Laurence’s gesture when I invited him to.

opened book stores; others went into publishing, such as Jennifer Murray ’76, director of marketing at Penguin Books Canada.

No accident that Cathy Bacque ’78 and Anne McClelland ’76, the daughters of Toronto publishers, came to Trent. And the children of writers: James ’70, the son of poet and playwright James Reaney; Hilary, daughter of Dennis Lee (Alligator Pie!), who would visit the University at least 10 times; Jenny, who later accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature on behalf of her mother, Alice Munro; (briefly) Penny, whose father Pierre Berton was a best-selling author of books about Canada’s defining events and personalities. Several Trent graduates

In the 1970s and ’80s, an amiable English major named Linwood Barclay ’73 would go on to become a well-known novelist. And a reserved philosophy major named Yann Martel ’81 would win the Booker Prize. His first novel, Self, contains scenes set at Trent, and was probably written when he lived at “the Manor,” later the home of Trent rowers. Richard B. Wright ’70, who took a degree in English, won the Governor General’s Award. Honorary degree recipient Dr. Julie Johnston won it twice for young adult fiction. There is also the young adult novelist Holly Bennett ’75, novelist and short story writer Craig Davidson ’94, children’s book author Troon Harrison ’90, crime-mystery writer Michael Johansen ‘84, novelist and children’s book writer Paul Nicholas Mason ‘76, fantasy novelist Kate Story ‘86, and songwriter-novelist Christopher Ward ‘67. The 1970s tradition of the Writers Reading Series continued, most recently hosted by Lewis MacLeod, son of the short-story masterpiece author Alistair MacLeod.

Then there are the poets and playwrights—too many to list. Many belonged to the spirit of the time, and are summed up for me by Ian Arlett reading his mind-altering zen poems

by Sean Kane, author of Raccoon: A Wondertale. Afterword by Margaret Atwood

Richard B. Wright ’70 and Kate Story ’86

in the smoky air of the Jolly Hangman pub.

The styles of A.J.M. Smith and Peter Gzowski served their age as well. This brings me to wonder if Trent could name rooms and buildings after writers who are enduring national treasures. Isabella Valancy Crawford is one. She was the only woman to make a living by her writing in 19thcentury Canada when the book culture was controlled by men. She took on racism, patriarchy, social class, inhibited sexuality, and war, while promoting a commonwealth in nature where animals, people, and the forest spirits are equals. Her tombstone in Little Lake Cemetery has the inscription: Poet, by the Grace of God

My own story is timely, not enduring. I came to Trent with its pot lights and desk lamps because I didn’t want to grow old teaching under fluorescent lights at U of T. On the committee interviewing me was Orm Mitchell, son of the legendary writer W.O. Mitchell. Then there was Ian McLachlan, who seduced me with the words: “You can teach and write at the same time here.” To prove it, he produced the manuscript of his novel, which I passed to my father—then president of Macmillan of Canada, publisher of mainstream Canlit. Ian’s Seventh Hexagram was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award, having won the Books in Canada First Novel prize. It was followed by Helen in Exile,

published in London and New York. When we sketched the plan for the future Cultural Studies Department on a serviette at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, we made sure to claim creative writing in its academic mandate.

I didn’t write the novel Ian promised I would until 25 years later. And it was about Trent. Virtual Freedom was displayed in airport bookstores and front of store stacks in Chapters. My brief fling with being an author was affirmed by Tom Symons appearing at the Leacock Humour Awards to support me (Harry Symons, his father, won the first Leacock Medal in 1948; I didn’t). Also at my table was Andrew Pyper, now an international best-selling novelist. He lived in Peterborough at that time as Trent’s Writer in Residence with Leah McLaren ’95, a Cultural Studies major, soon to be a Globe and Mail columnist and fiction writer.

How does my Raccoon Wondertale fit into the Trent picture? In the summer of 2019, my agent was courted by “scouts” —scouts are people employed by international publishers to seek out hot manuscripts. New York editors were gossiping mischievously, daring each other to publish my portrait of President Donald J. Trump as the raccoon “Meatbreath.” Commercial publishing is not for the faint-hearted. At a troubled time when I was writing the final chapter, Siobhan O’Connor,

of The Spell of the Sensuous

“Raccoon has Sean Kane’s – but how does he do it? – grasp of where the imaginative and real meet. Everything in his story sparkles with that and because of that.”

—GORDON TESKEY

Francis Lee Higginson Professor of English Literature, Harvard University

“… [I]n the tradition of some of the finest animal stories ever written. Sean Kane’s clear-eyed tale offers a critique of society as it is and a model of what it could be.”

—STAN DRAGLAND novelist, critic, publisher. Professor of Canadian and Children’s Literature “… [A] classic of its genre. It joins all those currents of thought that see the creative imagination as the ultimate force that can somehow, some way, redeem the planet.”

Trent graduate and long-serving associate director of the Writers Union of Canada, stepped in to help. Thanks to two Trent novelists, Don LePan (honorary D.Litt.) and Julian Samuel ’74, my book was picked up by Guernica Editions. And there, by the luck of Trent community, it landed on the screen of Dylan Curran ’15, the sales and marketing specialist, who turned out to be a Trent grad.

—EUGENE BENSON novelist, playwright and librettist. Author of The Tuneful Voice: Selected Libretti

Dylan advised me to mention Raccoon with the reminiscence “Trent in High Autumn” written for the Trent Alumni Alma Matters e-broadcast and social media. From this publication and posts, the book slipped out into cyberspace, prompting her to release the marketing data to online bookstores and retailers in 14 countries. I woke up one morning to find my book listed for sale at the Harvard Book Store and Walmart.

Did Trent make me? No. I came here already formed by the Toronto nationalist publishing scene. But Trent made my novels what they are. If anyone wonders why I’m unable to focus on a single main character, it is because of Trent. In Raccoon, my hero is a community. And the community is full of well-known Canadian authors disguised as raccoons, especially Margaret Atwood aka “Touchwit” (she got back at me in her afterword). Ours was the first university in the world to award her an honorary degree. That was 50 years ago, 1973, the year I came to Trent.

Margaret Laurence with Professors Lionel Rubinoff and Michael Peterman

Linwood Barclay ’73 and Professor Gordon Johnston Yann Martel ’81

“Prepare to be transported. Raccoon is a fiction for all ages, and decidedly for our time.”

—ANDREW PYPER bestselling author of The Demonologist “How can we live without Sean Kane’s inspired madness, loopy intelligence, and the amplitude of his heart?”

—DAVID ABRAM author

Sean Kane Sean Kane

Raccoon

A Wondertale

Raccoon

“Time is truly askew if the Ancestor beckons his clan out of their burrows, yet the clouds contradict him.”

That was Touchwit. I’m coming to tell them apart now. The elder brother seems to be the one called Clutch. The younger brother is Bandit. Then the sister is Touchwit. Their mother is called Slypaws. They don’t talk about their father.

Margaret Atwood

Chapter 2

As far as I can tell, the raccoons haven’t left the chimney. The snow has stayed, and now it is raining – bad weather for animals with heavy fur coats. But I can hear a rapid thumping: someone is scratching fleas. They’re awake and must be hungry after a long hibernation. I press my stethoscope against the wall and overhear them chittering …

“Mother, why can’t we go out and pop organic waste bin lids?”

“We require a clear sky and a warm Spring night” is the answer.

“When are we going to get a clear sky and a warm Spring night? The rain has been pattering on the roof forever.”

“You will get a clear Spring night when the Great Raccoon Ancestor has left his den and is high above the southern horizon.”

“He is aloft now, yet we see him not on account of the excess of clouds.”

That was the older brother speaking. At the mention of the Great Spirit he had spoken in the High Tongue.

“The Great Raccoon Spirit withholds himself from our gaze,” Clutch said solemnly, “so as to keep us sheltered and warm, thereby sparing us the grumes, running gleet, the mumbles, and suchlike afflictions.”

“I’m not really up to theology first thing in the evening,” Mother Slypaws said.

“Theology isn’t the issue,” Touchwit said, returning to the vernacular.

“The issue is that we are in a new time on Earth, and theology is as useless as plastic wrap.”

“Watch your speech, Touchwit. It is foolhardy to be heedless of the One in the Sky who eternally holds us in his paws.” That was Clutch. As elder brother he was surrogate family head.

“He’s not in the sky, is he? He’s not anywhere. Like Dad,” Touchwit said.

“Perhaps he reveals himself not because of the Abuses we have heaped upon his shoulders.”

“The Great Raccoon isn’t going to get us out of this mess. Have you smelled the scent of crab apple blossoms lately? No. That’s because they withhold themselves from gaze and reveal themselves not.” I can imagine Touchwit glaring savagely at her big brother.

“Touch is right, Mom. We’re living proof that time is broken. We were born out of season,” Bandit pointed out.

“That is true, children. You were born at the wrong time of year, when the leaves fall. I had little opportunity to street-proof you. So I stuffed you with Delissio pizza crusts for the hibernation and hid you in this chimney.”

“Street-proof us now, Mom. If the Ancestor can’t be bothered to guide us, then we’ll have to survive by our fingertips.”

The mother raccoon sighed. It was so like Touchwit to think she could face the world armed only with cunning and hand-eye coordination.

“Why were we born out of the love-season?” Bandit asked suddenly. Tense silence.

Elder brother deflects the question: “We should ask, rather, where do Raccoons come from in the first place?”

Noise of shuffling. Mistress Slypaws is straightening her back and folding her paws in her lap. The cubs tuck their tails around their feet, arranging themselves for a story.

“It was the time of beginnings, and the Great Raccoon lay dreaming,” she said. “And he lay dreaming in his hollow. So vast is his hollow that it fills the southern sky, and its entrance is marked by the path of the Moon. And all that time it was winter, and rain fell upon the Earth.”

The cubs huddled closer together. Their chimney didn’t feel so small now, nor their time in it so long.

“And feeling lonely, the Great Raccoon Spirit said: ‘I think I’ll find a companion to warm my side.’ And he dreamed he was foraging in a stream,

Excerpt from Raccoon: A Wondertale by Sean Kane, afterword by

Afterword by MARGARET ATWOOD

they say, and a clam was glowing furiously in the moonlight. The clam caught his eye. So he took it in his hands and he scraped the mud of the stream bottom and the tiny snails off the shell. Ever since that first night, Raccoons are careful to rub off the matter adhering to their food, though they appear to be washing their hands.”

At the mention of the Hand Acknowledgment, the three cubs automatically made washing motions with their hands.

“Then he blew upon the Radiant Clam, and cast it upon the stream. And it bounced once, and it bounced twice, and it opened and out of its shell stepped the first Woman. A Woman Raccoon! The Great Raccoon Spirit wondered at her. Now, all Raccoons are fluent and tactile, but of all the Raccoons in the land, none was more elegant of speech nor dexterous of paw than she.”

“Did he jump her, Ma?” Bandit said, breaking in.

“Oh, really, I don’t know where you get these vulgar thoughts,” Slypaws said.

“We get them from the Idiot behind the wall,” Touchwit said,giggling.

“I shall resume the story: Then they did … mingle, and lo! The first litter was born. Three smart cubs.” At this, Slypaws glanced lovingly at Clutch, her first born. There wasn’t a green bin lid in the neighbourhood he couldn’t pop. So wondrous a son who can so astonish a mother!

“This story is dumb,” Bandit said. “We happen to know Raccoons are born because the mom lets herself get jumped.”

Mother Slypaws sounded flustered. Not even the width of my study wall could muffle her embarrassment. “One has to recount the High Stories in their accustomed order before studying their practical applications.”

“I think Mom got jumped around Midsummer,” Bandit said.

Mistress Slypaws examined her tail. It was a bushy tail once. Now, after a winter in this soot-lined hole, it hung limp and bedraggled. “If you must know, he took advantage of the fact that the love season is askew in the general rhythms of things. He caught me at the end of a limb and made me great with cub. It was either that or a thirty foot drop into the rhododendrons.” Slypaws looked up grimly. “And you can bet the rings on your tails I’ll never get caught on a limb again … Ever.”

“Way to go, Mom!”

“Instead, I shall go to the fabled city under the southern sky that is called Raccoonopolis, where the Idiots have invented a green bin that can be popped in nine seconds.”

“Let’s all go.”

Touchwit had been quiet. She was going to say something crucial.

“That’s why you don’t want us to go out tonight,” she said. “You’re afraid of getting jumped.”

“I’m not thinking only of myself, dear.”

“I can look after myself.”

“Good luck!”

Again, the elder brother filled the silence with earnestness. “Who is our father then, if he isn’t the Great Raccoon Ancestor?”

“You will meet him in good time. When you’re big enough to hold your place at the end of a tree limb against a distempered, hormonal mass of raging stupidity. Until that night, you shall remain scarce in our chimney.”

“But, what’s his name?” Clutch insisted. “At least, tell us his name.”

“It doesn’t matter what his name is. He’s a jerk.”

“Mom, we need to know his name. He’s our father.”

“Your father’s name is Meatbreath.”

“Our Dad’s name is Meatbreath. No way!”

At this, I tactfully withdrew my stethoscope from the wall. One hot Spring night, there was going to be a terrific confrontation, and it was hard to guess which of the cubs was going to be the one who would reckon with their father.

Now available at Amazon, Indigo, and local book stores.

Sean Kane

THE PERKS OF YOUR ALUMNI YEARS

It’s hard to see unexpected events coming.

TUAA offers new benefits and savings

The fastest and most

That’s why there’s insurance.

Unexpected events are a part of life. And they seldom come

With

Trent University Alumni Engagement and Services and the Trent University Alumni Association are excited to offer a new suite of benefits to our existing list of alumni services. Being Trent alumni comes with its perks! To learn more and take advantage of the special rates, discounts and offers for your insurance, travel, entertainment, leisure needs and more, visit trentu.ca/alumnibenefits

MANULIFE

The Trent University Alumni Association is happy to announce a new partnership with Manulife.

As a graduate, faculty and/or staff member of Trent University, you can now enjoy special group rates on a wide range of insurance plans from Manulife. These plans include:

• Life insurance

• Income protection

• Major accident protection

• Critical illness protection

• Health and dental insurance.

Alumni who are currently insured with IA Life Insurance will receive communications from Manulife with the option to switch providers to continue receiving their preferred rates.

Visit www.manulife.ca/trent or call 1 888 913-6333 to learn more.

THE BRICK COMMERCIAL SALES DIVISION

The Brick Commercial Sales Division’s Select Rewards program is available to Trent University alumni, their families, staff, and students, providing them with exclusive rates of up to 50% off full price on a wide selection of furniture, mattresses, and select appliances and electronics (some exclusions may apply).

PERKOPOLIS

Trent Alumni Engagement & Services has partnered with Perkopolis to provide you with over 5,000 exclusive perks on shopping, travel, and attractions, including Apple,

Save on your next airport parking stay when you reserve on the Park’N Fly app.

Download the Park’N Fly app today, www.parkny.ca/app

Lenovo, Adidas, Westjet, IHG Hotels and Resorts, and more. Perkopolis is Canada’s leading provider of fully managed perk programs. Register to get access to services beyond traditional discount programs, including access to exclusive entertainment and lifestyle discounts, gift card rewards, and other value-added perks.

PARK’N FLY

park

Do you know as Trent alumni, you can save up to 44% when you reserve your Park’N Fly spot early? Reserve your airport parking using the Park‘N Fly app and get our best rate, guaranteed. To obtain your discount code, email alumni@trentu.ca.

For more information and to access exclusive offers including alumni events, on-campus services, and shortterm discounts, visit trentu.ca/alumnibenefits

MOMENTOUS CONNECTIONS

TRENT SPIRIT SHINING OVERSEAS THANKS TO ALUMNI LEADERS

Alumni in Hong Kong and England receive awards and accolades as University senior leaders travel abroad to congratulate them in person

Alumni in Hong Kong and England were awarded for their ongoing service to Trent University and their career achievements during recent chapter events attended by University senior leaders.

Trent honorary degree recipient Dr. Justin Chiu ’76 presented the Spirit of Trent Award to Patrick Lam ’86 (Traill College) during the Hong Kong chapter event on Thursday, March 16. The event was attended by Trent President Dr. Leo Groarke; Glennice Burns, associate vicepresident Trent International; and Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Traill College.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FELLOW ALUMNI

Patrick, who studied Computing & Information Systems at Trent, has been president of the Hong Kong Alumni Chapter for more than a decade and, through his leadership, has built a strong community of Trent alumni more than 13,000 km away from campus.

“I take the honour to nominate Patrick for the Spirit of Trent Award because, despite the geographical distance between the campus and where he lives in Hong Kong, Patrick has, for over a decade, been a committed champion for Trent and leader for the Hong Kong Chapter,” Dr.

Wherever your journey from Trent University has led, we want you to stay connected. Across Canada and around the world, alumni are gathering to reminisce, share experiences, create professional networks, and stay connected to Trent. Chapters may host events such as talks and lectures, professional development sessions, gatherings of Trent leaders or faculty, or informal socials in local pubs or restaurants. There are currently active chapters in: Ottawa, Montreal, Peterborough, Oshawa, Toronto, West Coast (formerly Vancouver), Halifax, Richmond Hill, Yellowknife, Niagara, New York, Hong Kong, and the UK & Europe (formerly UK Chapter).

Chiu said. “All Trent alumni in Hong Kong are grateful and proud of his long-term dedication to the Trent University Alumni Association and for proactively keeping alumni connected to each other and their alma mater.”

Patrick, who currently works as a desktop engineer at Emerge Apac, has volunteered to represent Trent at various educational events including the University Alumni Heads Reception at the Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong. He also encourages other alumni to take on a leadership role by reaching out to them to participate in such events.

Did you know that in addition to geographic chapters, you and your fellow alumni can also gather based on shared interests such as a varsity sport, club or group, academic program or other affiliation? Current special interest groups include the Rugby Booster Club, Team Trend Hockey Club, and Alumni Volleyball.

To find out how you can get involved with these opportunities or start a new chapter or special interest group of your own, reach out to us at alumni@trentu.ca

Justin Chiu ’76, Patrick Lam ’86, and Dr. Leo Groarke with Patrick’s Spirit of Trent Award citation..

PRAISING ALUMNI IN UNITED KINGDOM

Meanwhile, a chapter event was held in London, England, on February 22, during which Anastasia Kaschenko ’12 (Lady Eaton College) received the Young Leader Alumni Award for her contributions to sustainable practices, advocacy for social responsibility, and impactful innovations.

As co-founder and chief technical officer of Majik Water since 2017, Anastasia has led the development of novel sustainable technology that generates clean drinking water from atmospheric humidity. Majik Water has deployed projects in Kenya, South Africa, and India, not only providing clean drinking water for droughtstricken regions but also enabling sustainable water solutions for Fortune 500 corporations such as Microsoft.

Anastasia is also head of business operations for V7—a platform for AI teams to turn raw data into running neural networks to complete any visual task such as identifying cancer cells and picking hazardous material with robotic hands.

“Anastasia’s impressive track record of problem solving and connecting with others to build and nurture solutions around sustainability has brought her several honours and awards.… For all of this and more, we are proud to present her with the Trent University Young Leader Alumni Award,” said Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice president Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, during the event.

Also at the UK & European chapter event, long-time chapter president Gordon Copp ’76 (Otonabee College) received the Tony Storey Alumni Service Award, given to an

alumni volunteer who, through their dedication, efforts, and actions, have had a positive and lasting impact on Trent University alumni, the TUAA, and Trent University as a whole.

For nearly 20 years, Gordon has shown leadership as president for this loyal and enthusiastic chapter that’s based in England. Ensuring inclusiveness, Gordon has shepherded change and growth of the chapter over the years to include Ireland and Europe.

University leaders who attended the UK event were Chancellor Stephen Stohn ’66; Debra CooperBurger, chair of the Board of Governors; Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice president Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement; and Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Arts & Science.

Members of the Trent alumni United Kingdom Chapter and representatives of Trent’s senior leadership team in London, England.

MOMENTOUS ISSUES

Aglobal Pew Research survey conducted last spring revealed that Canadians consider the proliferation of online disinformation and climate change as the most serious threats of the modern age, edging out pandemic-era concerns about the global economy and infectious disease. Meanwhile, Nanos research conducted at roughly the same time placed COVID at the top, with freedom of speech second, and the environment third. For the first time ever, extremism also made the cut as a top concern, which, appearing with concerns around freedom of speech and online disinformation, speaks to the post-pandemic rifts Canadian society is currently facing.

As 2023 slowly emerges from the societal-encompassing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues— some of which were overshadowed by pandemic-related crises, others fueled by them—have now moved to the forefront.

With Trent University announcing the launch of the Campaign for Momentous Change, TRENT Magazine is shining the spotlight on how Trent

educators, researchers, and students are united in a goal of addressing these momentous issues head-on and producing ideas, leadership, and expertise that will confront and challenge the issues of today and tomorrow.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Climate change is the leading global environmental issue of our time, and its impact permeates every aspect of life— business operations, politics and policy development, social justice movements, healthcare, law, and more.

To understand the intricate systems that drive both climate change and the issues that spill out of the climate crisis, we need collaboration, climate science experts, and innovators. Identifying

new ways to mitigate and reverse the impacts of climate change is a focus of students in many disciplines across Trent. From developing novel chemical processes that turn carbon-rich waste into activated carbon, to addressing food insecurity through sustainable agriculture practices, and exploring the health of our lakes and forests, Trent students are leading change towards a sustainable future in our communities— locally and across the globe.

At its heart, Trent’s Faculty of Science pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Through scientific research, experiential learning and community engagement, Trent students are helping to develop solutions to challenges such as the impact of chemical pollutants, the health of rivers

“Trent students, researchers and faculty push the boundaries of what’s possible. Through scientific research, experiential learning, and community engagement, they are applying their knowledge to solve the world’s most significant challenges.” ”

DR. HOLGER HINTELMANN, Dean of Science

and lakes, and the production (and need for reduction) of greenhouse gasses.

Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change provides opportunities to support science students through scholarships, bursaries, travel funds, student wellness and more. It will support research in existing facilities such as Trent’s world-class Water Quality Centre and Biomaterials Research Lab, as well as new facilities to house the latest technologies, enabling Trent to become a powerful incubator of new discoveries.

Investments will empower our world-leading researchers and students to explore how we can build sustainable, symbiotic relationships with our planet and with each other.

DISINFORMATION AND THE STATE OF DISCOURSE

The COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by a global rise in populist politics and decline of faith in scientific certainty and/or expertise in fields of knowledge, has helped usher in an era of societal polarization, “fake news,” and an erosion of productive social discourse. The proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media and other platforms that began with COVID shows no sign of slowing down. This has led to a decline in trust in experts, scientists and institutions, including mainstream media and the healthcare system. At the same time, populist politics, with its emphasis on emotions and appeals to identity and nationalism, have contributed to the creation of echo chambers and the polarization of public opinion.

All of this has made it difficult (if not impossible, in many situations) to have meaningful conversations and debates, which has deepened these existing social and political divisions.

To counter this trend, it is essential to promote critical thinking, media literacy, and evidence-based decisionmaking, as well as to foster constructive dialogue and engagement across diverse perspectives—in short, all the hallmarks of a Trent education in the humanities. Trent equips students, not only with the tools to research, analyze and comprehend issues and ideas, but to question, challenge, compare and alter or build on them.

As Ontario’s top undergraduate university for the past 12 years (#2 in Canada for overall reputation), Trent has a well-earned reputation for equipping students with the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills needed to navigate complex issues, engage in meaningful dialogue, and contribute to positive social change.

By exposing humanities and social sciences students to a wide range of perspectives and disciplines—and to interdisciplinarity—Trent helps students develop empathy, curiosity, and an

appreciation for diverse cultures and ideas. This leaves them prepared to analyze and evaluate sources of information, and, equally as important, able to communicate effectively across different media platforms, and collaborate with others to address complex challenges.

The Campaign for Momentous Change will drive research and discovery in the liberal arts through collaboration with local and global communities. It will support Trent students as advocates for social and environmental justice, equity, and reconciliation. And it will create inspiring places that will steer solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.

Trent’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has been educating global change leaders for more than 50 years. Current students work with renowned faculty, including 10 endowed chairs and Canada Research Chairs in the liberal arts; gain realworld, collaborative professional and business experiences through more than 20 new co-op streams; and gain global perspectives through study abroad opportunities.

The Campaign for Momentous Change will allow Trent to continue

“We are living in a time of deep existential crisis. It is of utmost importance that we do the type of work that will sustain us into the future; oriented around justice, transformation, and positive growth.”

DR. JESSICA MARION BARR, Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural Studies, and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Arts & Science (BAS) program

“The developments we face in the next lifetime or two will define who we are as humans. We need to be prepared for that, and to be ready for the fact that our students will be graduating into a world that is not the same.”

DR. WESLEY BURR, Chair, Department of Mathematics

MOMENTOUS ISSUES

By prioritizing social justice and equity in nursing education, the School works to create a more compassionate and responsive healthcare system that meets the needs of all Canadians, while maintaining the highest standard for nursing education through compassion, humanistic and scientific caring, clinical excellence, professional and social responsibility, and critical inquiry.

Working alongside the remarkable nursing change-leaders in the School are our undergraduate and graduate students.

to expand endowed chair positions, research centres, and experiential learning opportunities; to expand endowed chair positions, research centres and experiential learning opportunities, both locally and abroad; attract world-class scholars who value Indigenous Knowledge, environmental sustainability, and social justice; and create new initiatives and programs that advance the cross-pollination of ideas. It will produce leaders that can help rebuild some of the shaky social bridges between our current post-pandemic communities.

HEALTHCARE

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant shortcomings in Canada’s healthcare system, including issues related to access to care, healthcare infrastructure, and pandemic preparedness. It highlighted the strain on healthcare resources and personnel, particularly in long-term care homes and hospitals, resulting in inadequate care for patients and increased risk for healthcare workers. It also exacerbated long-standing health inequities and disparities, particularly among marginalized communities.

As Canada continues to navigate the pandemic and its aftermath, there is a critical need to address these

shortcomings and strengthen our healthcare system to better serve the needs of all Canadians.

On the frontlines stand our nurses, providing care to individuals of all ages with varying levels of health and social needs. Canada’s population is aging and becoming increasingly diverse. Today’s nursing graduates need to possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and address health inequities among marginalized populations. Additionally, Nursing graduates play a critical role in promoting healthy aging and supporting older adults to maintain their independence and quality of life.

The Trent/Fleming School of Nursing is a leading change agent for healthcare and a driver of social justice. It prepares students to become advocates for equal care, recognizing the ways in which social determinants of health impact health outcomes and working to address health disparities. Prioritizing social justice and equity in nursing education, the School works to create a more compassionate and responsive healthcare system that meets the needs of all Canadians, while maintaining the highest standard for nursing education through compassion, humanistic and scientific caring, clinical excellence, professional and social responsibility, and critical inquiry.

Through simulation labs, clinical placements, international brigades and community-based projects, students are acquiring unmatched skills, knowledge, and real-world experience.

Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change supports students within the School of Nursing through scholarships, bursaries, and student wellness. Support will help provide relevant, leading-edge, and accessible learning environments (such as the existing internationally accredited Simulation Hub and oncampus Indigenous medicine garden) and the latest learning technologies, such as high-fidelity mannequins that respond to nursing procedures and virtual reality equipment that provides immersive simulation experiences.

It also opens the door to new possibilities.

Imagine an in-setting education unit where students learn while delivering patient care in a fully operational hospital or long-term care home, or a mobile harm reduction unit that demonstrates the immediate, tangible impact of Trent nurses in the community. This is but one possibility that can stem from the Campaign for Momentous Change

By investing in students from diverse backgrounds, we foster fresh thinking, broad perspectives and empathy driven by unique experiences. But equitable learning opportunities only happen when we reach students

Joshua (Fagha) Omare-Ufor Nursing student

where they are—whether on campus, in remote Indigenous communities, or in isolated pockets around the world. Momentous Change will help remove barriers, make nursing education accessible and work to increase primary care capacity in some of Canada’s most underserved communities.

EDUCATION

As the educational dust from the pandemic settles, both students and educators across Canada continue to experience and face significant challenges, particularly in areas of learning loss, mental health and access to education. The learning loss disproportionately affected students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom were lacking the resources and support needed to learn effectively from home. Additionally, the pandemic significantly impacted the mental health and well-being of students across Canada and around the world, with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. The transition to online learning highlighted significant inequalities in access to education, and emphasized the need for innovation and flexibility in education, with a renewed focus on personalized learning and the integration of technology. Canada continues to address these challenges.

Trent’s School of Education remains at the forefront of teacher education— nurturing educators, but most importantly learners, who are ready to create new knowledge, flourish in a technology-driven environment, and lead with compassion.

Trent’s School of Education fosters a holistic pedagogical approach that increases our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the world around us. They believe that education benefits every facet of society and opens the doors to opportunities for momentous change.

The Campaign for Momentous Change will inspire research and discovery in the School of Education by removing barriers to education and creating an environment where new ideas flourish,

excellence is celebrated, and where students become a driving force for social and environmental transformation. It will create more opportunities for tomorrow’s teachers to learn and develop on the land and in our communities.

Through scholarships, bursaries, travel funds, student wellness, and more, the School of Education will attract and support students from all backgrounds. This diversity will help produce advocates for social and environmental justice, equity, and reconciliation.

Momentous Change will also help create inspiring places in which to learn, collaborate and explore. Imagine a forest kindergarten where young learners are encouraged to play, explore, and foster a deeper connection with the world around them; or an on-campus gym space where teacher candidates can investigate the interplay between physical activity and learning. All of this is possible, and more.

Education will always face new challenges. By producing educators capable of adapting to innovative teaching practices and technologies— and who are eager to work with the individual needs of all students—these challenges can continue to be overcome.

MOMENTOUS ISSUES

TRENT FARM LEADS WAY FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE

Unique Trent Farm provides momentous solutions for global issues of sustainable agriculture, food security and combatting climate change

As the Trent Farm grows, evolves, and improves, it solidifies its position to be on the leading edge of climate-smart agriculture—a topic making national headlines as governments seek to revive economic growth while combatting climate change.

Recently, Dave McKay, president and CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada, noted in a Globe and Mail opinion column that farmers, perhaps more than any other group, are critical to national progress on both of these fronts.

“From my earliest days as RBC’s CEO, I’ve been focused on the challenge and opportunity of our country’s climate transition and the fundamental reshaping of our economy that will be required to make it happen,” McKay wrote. “During this time, I’ve seen that for many of the business leaders and policy makers driving the net-zero transition, Canada’s agricultural sector is too often overlooked.”

Since its inception in 2014, the Trent Farm has provided leadership in this area by serving as the focal point of Trent’s efforts to train future small-scale, sustainable farmers, and serve as a model of how agriculture can positively interface with natural features, while also contributing to local food security.

“Research at the Trent Farm includes innovative, climate-smart approaches aimed to decrease greenhouse gases and maximize efficient use of nutrient and water resources,” said Dr. Karen Thompson, associate professor in the Trent School of the Environment, and program coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems program.

“A major determinant of success is the ability to adapt management as the climate changes over time. An adaptive approach will be used through monitoring of greenhouse gases, water, and nutrient usage.”

Momentous Change funds will be used to continue to develop the Trent Farm as a centre for collaborative landbased research and learning, equipped with the necessary facilities and instrumentation to implement groundbreaking production methods to ensure long-term sustainable land use.

LOCAL FOCUS SUPPORTS GLOBAL ISSUES

While the national and international communities urgently need evidencebased decisions to meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, it’s becoming increasingly clear that climate-smart agriculture requires local and regional research to address the challenges faced by farmers, adds Dr. Kira Borden, assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment.

“The Trent Farm allows us to develop and test scientifically rigorous methods and technologies in a highly

engaged way with the regional farming community, making our research ‘solutions-oriented,’ and useful to farmers in this part of the province,” Professor Borden says.

The Farm has become an important component of the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems program, and its long-term security and prosperity is vital to the program’s success. It provides interactive, hands-on learning opportunities to Trent students, while researchers are advancing the knowledge and understanding of regenerative agricultural practices. Through the Farm, Trent has developed partnerships with several sustainable food groups and become a demonstration site for growers.

In typical Trent fashion, the Farm focuses on making agriculture more sustainable, while maximizing benefits in a socially just and communityengaged manner. Momentous Change investment in the Trent Farm supports teaching, research, and access to education in this hub for community collaboration and outreach.

ON THE MOVE

In an exciting development, the Farm is being relocated to an area south of Pioneer Road, which offers underutilized farmland with the potential for improved carrying capacity and better integration with habitat and wildlife. The relocation began in 2022 and, with Momentous Change support, will continue in phases over the next few years with student operations, including the move of the Trent/Curve Lake Market Garden, once services such as public water become available at the new site.

While the current location of the farm has served the University well, roughly half of the land is unsuitable for growing food due to seasonal saturation and steep slopes in some areas. The current location is also partly located within a corridor reserved by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) for future extension of Hwy 115, along 9th Line. While there are no concrete plans by the MTO to move forward with this extension, Trent is not permitted to locate any permanent infrastructure on the land. This uncertainty around the potential use of this corridor creates a risk to long-term research projects.

UPGRADED EQUIPMENT TO COLLECT WEATHER DATA

Since the start of the relocation, significant developments include installation of tile drainage and relocation of the Trent Climate Station, which collects long-term weather data. This summer, the University plans to update instrumentation in the

Climate Station including soil moisture and temperature sensors, which will allow researchers to better track changes in soil microclimate and soil biogeochemical processing in response to changes in things like snow cover and more variable precipitation.

Tile drains were also installed with access ports every 10m, allowing researchers to sample drainage water at the plot scale, and answer questions around how different management practices—such as planting of cover crops in rotation with cash crops— affect losses of nutrients to drainage water.

“Our hope is to ultimately use the Farm not only for research related to sustainable agriculture, but also to support teaching across our programs and engage with the local agricultural community,” adds Dr. Catherine Eimers, associate director of the Trent School of the Environment.

Upcoming research will involve plot-scale field trials, which will ultimately be expanded and tested at the whole field/farm scale with local collaborators on other farms.

The intention is to integrate teaching activities as much as possible to give students even more essential hands-on experience. “We envision ultimately building a multi-use facility on site for research, teaching, and community,” adds Professor Eimers.

Learn more about how Momentous Change is supporting leadingedge climate solutions at Trent University: mycommunity.trentu.ca/ momentous/climatesolutions

MOMENTOUS ISSUES

CHALLENGING

THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT GROWING OLDER

Momentous Campaign to support the Trent Centre for Aging & Society as it moves forward with a new M.A. in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies, plans for a new on-campus intergenerational community, an emphasis on Indigenous perspectives, and more

The Trent Centre for Aging & Society (TCAS) continues to offer groundbreaking research, projects, initiatives and academic programming to create a change in society’s understanding of aging, including an exciting new M.A. in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies that will welcome its first cohort in fall 2023.

“This new graduate program is a natural outcome of the 12-plus years of research and community-building momentum generated by the Trent Centre for Aging & Society,” said Dr. Elizabeth Russell, director of TCAS. “We are excited to have a new program for graduate students interested in

studying aging from perspectives across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Communities all over Canada are aging—we’re all aging—and so we must deepen our understanding of the realities of growing older and challenge entrenched ideas about older adults.”

The M.A. in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies offers graduate students training in social science and humanities fields related to the study of aging, including social-cultural dimensions of aging; systems, services and policy; cultural/ literary studies, performance, and creative arts; social justice, especially equity, diversity and inclusion; and professional fields requiring expertise

in aging. The M.A. program features research and placement, emphasizing experiential learning, that develops students’ skills in critical analysis of contemporary aging issues and practical approaches to aging-related challenges across different contexts— ranging from individual experiences of aging to the societal complexities of aging populations.

As an international leader in interdisciplinary aging studies, TCAS seeks to celebrate aging, understand diverse experiences of aging, and challenge ageist practices in our communities and culture.

CREATING A TRULY INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY

While TCAS impacts a global audience, an exciting opportunity is also emerging here at home in Peterborough through the Centre’s academic leadership in Trent’s planned University-Integrated Seniors Village.

Supported by Momentous Change campaign funds and anchored by a 224-bed long-term care home to be built and operated by peopleCare Communities, the Village is envisioned to be an integrated, community-based senior living space on the Symons Campus where people of all ages live and learn together.

The Village aims to create a truly intergenerational community where older people can choose to engage in multi-generational interaction, lifelong learning, the arts, research opportunities, and the life of the University. There is also potential to offer amenities and services such as public transportation and allied health services, along with the potential for student housing.

“This project aims to change how Canadians look at long-term care through an intergenerational lens—one where people of all ages live and learn together,” says Dr. Russell. “This is truly a TCAS lens and is just one of many examples of our significant community impact in the Peterborough area. Beyond that project, our range of strategic priorities—what we are working on every day—are forwardthinking and fit with the zeitgeist of the times. TCAS priorities have local impact in Peterborough and affect change in national policies important in prioritizing the needs and experiences of older people that we will see play out in the decades to come.”

The University continues to engage with local Michi Saagiig communities to plan for the Village and is incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and ways of doing, including collaboration on environmental studies about the land on which the facilities may be built.

“This is a critically needed project that has and will continue to strongly consider the environment, Indigenous perspectives, and intergenerational connectivity in a one-of-a-kind development. We envision that it will include students and older adults living and connecting every day in a warm, caring, and very Trent atmosphere for decades to come,” said Dr. Russell.

INDIGENOUS AGING PERSPECTIVES

Momentous Change will also help TCAS continue its mission to foster scholarship in Indigenous aging perspectives, including collaboration with the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies on initiatives such as the Annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering and the Stephen Katz Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies. Researchers like Dr. Nadine Changfoot and Trent’s new Canada Research Chair in Care Work, Ethnicity, Race and Aging, Dr. Bharati Sethi, are also leading studies on topics relating to diverse experiences of aging.

TCAS continues to attract students from diverse backgrounds (including First Nations), in order to foster fresh

thinking, broad perspectives and empathy driven by unique experiences. Momentous Change helps remove barriers to accessing education, making aging study accessible and increasing knowledge and care capacity in some of Canada’s most underserved communities.

TCAS also has a major role to play in knowledge mobilization and is home to the TCAS Knowledge Mobilization Hub. Founded by Dr. Russell in 2021, this coordinated arm of TCAS supports the sharing of members’ important research findings to diverse nonacademic audiences using effective and creative formats.

“We are very proud of the broad, interdisciplinary impact of TCAS on how we are understanding older peoples’ diverse experiences of aging,” adds Dr. Russell. “We believe an aging population is nothing to be afraid of, and that intergenerational learning can help answer society’s most pressing questions and lead to momentous change.”

Learn more about how Momentous Change is supporting education, understanding and support of aging at Trent University: mycommunity. trentu.ca/momentous/aging-studies

A SYMMETRY OF WORDS AND NUMBERS

Not content with just solving crosswords, Professor David Poole now designs his own

Dr. David Poole has a puzzling pastime. With a lifelong passion for crosswords, the Trent University professor emeritus in Mathematics has now made a name for himself as a creator of these symmetrical word games.

He was kind enough to create one just for TRENT Magazine readers.

“I’ve been doing games and puzzles since I was a kid, especially word puzzles,” says David of his interest in crosswords. “I was fascinated by word puzzles from an early age. I’ve been doing crosswords— solving them—for a long, long time and about 15, 16 years ago my partner Marg said, ‘You do crossword puzzles all the time, you do multiple ones every day —why don’t you try designing them?’ I laughed, but then started to really think about it; and it actually seemed like a good idea.”

While success didn’t come immediately, he was a quick student of the craft.

“I tried constructing some, and the first half dozen or so were rejected by papers in the States. But in 2009, my first one was accepted to the Los Angeles Times. Since then, I’ve been averaging between five and eight published puzzles a year, which I’m happy with. I’m now getting close to 100 published puzzles.”

The creation of crosswords is no easy feat, even when you’ve completed as many as David has.

”There are several stages in building a puzzle. All my puzzles have a theme, and that’s where I start. A good puzzle needs between three and five theme entries. And then you have to take symmetry into account because every puzzle is supposed to have 180-degree rotational symmetry. That means the theme entries have to be symmetrically placed and some of them have to have the same number

of letters. It can be tricky; you can have a really good idea but the theme words don’t have the right length. You can play around and add an ‘s’ or stretch things out, but I’ve had some ideas that just went nowhere because all the words were the wrong length. I start with the theme; I try to get a decent number of theme entries — but not too many because that clogs things up and you don’t have room for the other words. Then I start filling the grid—and there’s good software now that helps you do that. Once I’m happy with the filled grid I turn to the clues, and that’s the last part of the design process. Sometimes it happens really, really quickly; other times it will be a really, really slow slog. Ideally, you want to have some clues that are not commonly used but not obscure either, and that can be hard to do. Some words just don’t lend themselves to multiple clueing angles.”

David’s love of crosswords has not diminished his enthusiasm for the study of mathematics. Just last year he helped launch the David Poole Lecture in Mathematics—the latest addition to the Trent University Community Speaker Series. He hopes

the annual lecture will foster interest in mathematics in the next generation.

“The idea is to provide something that is beneficial to the community, Trent students, and particularly local teachers and their students,” explains Prof. Poole. “I hope that the lecture series can, on the one hand, bring these groups together, and on the other, maybe inspire students to pursue a Mathematics degree.”

David joined Trent’s Mathematics Department in 1984, where he remained a member until his retirement in 2016. He served as department chair on three occasions, and from 2002 to 2007 was associate dean of Arts and Science (Teaching & Learning). His dedication to high-quality teaching resulted in several teaching awards over the years, including Trent’s Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching, the University’s top teaching award, as well as a 3M Teaching Fellowship, the country’s top university teaching award.

He has published crosswords in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Chronicle of Higher Education, and other publications.

The Old Major/Shutterstock

A REUNION 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING

It felt a little bit like the ’60s at Trent University earlier this spring as alumni from the classes of 1967 through 1970 came together to celebrate 50 years since they started at Trent. For many, it was the first time they had seen each other since they were classmates.

“What an incredible weekend,” said a euphoric Danielle Britton, alumni engagement & services coordinator and chief organizer of the event. “There was an excited buzz in the air for the entire time, and an enormous sense of gratitude for the opportunity to come together and see one another.”

The Saturday of the reunion featured a series of Then and Now mini-lectures with faculty and alumni from the era who went on to become faculty (professors Gordon Johnston, Deborah Berrill ’69, and

Dan Longboat ’70), tours of campus and downtown campus buildings, a special reunion lunch where two alumni awards were presented, and no shortage of time to reminisce and catch up with old friends.

The weekend was held in conjunction with Otonabee College’s 50th anniversary celebration and reunion, and the College played host with a BBQ dinner, classic quad party, and a Retro Pub Night at the Cat’s Ass Pub for all alumni present.

“It was amazing to see the connectivity, not merely among the alumni themselves, but with current faculty, staff and students,” noted Britton. “As alumni swapped stories with Alumni House and Sadleir House students and staff, you could hear the Trent commonalities of small class sizes, meaningful connections, the tight-knit sense of community

fostered by the college system and the interdisciplinary and real-world learning that takes place both within and outside the classroom.”

Lunch in the Champlain Great Hall saw the presentation of Trent University Distinguished Alumni Awards to two honourees, former executive director of the Council of Canadian Academies, Janet Bax ’69 (B.A., French, Political Studies) and Distinguished Professor Emeritus with the Department of History at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. William (Bill) Waiser ’71 (B.A., Honours, History).

Janet Bax has been, and remains, a thought leader in several fields while inspiring colleagues to tackle pressing global and national issues. Retired in 2019 from her position with the Council of Canadian Academies, Janet has worked as a senior public servant

Robert Rowe, Rhea Crossfield ’67, and Theresa Morris ’69

at the provincial and federal levels as well as internationally.

Bill Waiser enjoyed a 30-year teaching career and is a renowned expert in Canadian, environmental, western, and Indigenous history. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2017.

“The entire weekend was a wonderful way to stay connected with some of the early and foundational members of the Trent community,”

said Sherry Booth ’98, associate vicepresident, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “And to ensure that they are still very much welcome at their alma matter. It also gives us an opportunity to hear about and celebrate the early traditions and vision of the University and to make sure that we continue to bring these forward, while forging new ones for tomorrow. It was an exciting chance to spend time with those who have made the Trent

experience part of their lives for over 50 years.”

The Trent 50 Year Reunion was free to attend and made possible through affinity programs such as TD Insurance. Trent University Alumni Engagement and Services and the Trent University Alumni Association welcome donations to Alumni Excellence Fund to help provide for other similar events.

John Butcher ’67

Bill Waiser ’72

Janet Bax ’69

Terry Jackman ’67, Mary O’Neil ’67, Karen Carter-Edwards ’67, Dennis Carter-Edwards ’67

Professor Emeritus John Wadland

Adam Fisher ’68 and Jim Montgomery ’69

John Butcher ’67, Ian Gilmour ’67, Doug Croker ’68

Frank Durante ’69 and Joanne Sokolowski, manager of Alumni Affairs & Convocation

Susan Brown ’68

Professor Emeritus Gordon Johnston

Cheryll ten Westeneind

Traill Principal Professor Michael Eamon

Peterborough band Pop Machine rocked the Cat’s Ass Pub late into the night.

OC alum (and Gzowski College principal Melanie Buddle) at the Otonabee Alumni scarving ceremony.

OC alumni being “scarved,” a Trent tradition that sees first-year students, College Fellows, and alumni receiving official scarves to proudly show dedication to their College.

Alumni enjoy lunch on the OC lawn.

EVERYONE NEEDS A WILL

May is Leave a Legacy Month; Lawyer Stephen Kylie ’72 suggests preparing in advance to ensure your wishes are known

Many Canadians die without having a Last Will and Testament. This often presents many challenges for family or friends, who may be attempting to make weighty decisions on loved ones’ behalf without having a clear roadmap. A simple Will accomplishes many things including making funeral arrangements, stating a preference for guardians of minor children, disability trusts, dealing with assets, paying off final bills, and outlining which relationships were so important in life that you’d like to maintain and sustain them after death.

As May is Leave a Legacy Month, I am offering some information about Wills to help you understand some of the legalities, complexities, and choices when outlining your final wishes.

CHOOSE EXECUTORS

The individual making a Will (testator) will have the opportunity, among other things, to choose their executors and plan for the disposition of assets. This gives the testator control, helping to avoid the chaos and hardship that can arise when there is no Will. Selecting executors is an important decision. Consideration should be given to the experience and skills of such nominees, including the ability to manage the disposition of estate assets in a timely manner as well as having to deal with what can be fraught, emotional situations. Since the executor’s role has become increasingly complex with personal liability, it is wise to ensure that the person (or institution) named

as executor understands their responsibilities and is willing to take on the job.

CONSULT A LAWYER

Although you can prepare your own Will, consulting a lawyer can help you deal with some aspects that you might not have previously considered. A lawyer, for example, will help deal with the complexities of blended families, dependent beneficiaries, beneficiaries with disabilities, and tax planning matters, to name a few.

While a Will allows for the orderly winding up of a person’s estate, dying intestate (without having made a Will) means the deceased did not have an opportunity to appoint executors of their choice and did not have input into the disposition of their assets.

Trent President Dr. Leo Groarke and former Board of Governors Chair Stephen Kylie ’72

In such a case, family members and friends will find it difficult to deal with the assets. Issues of privacy and confidentiality mean that funeral homes, financial institutions, government agencies and others may legally be prevented from providing information, access, or assistance to a family. They are obligated to deal with someone who has authority and can legally represent the estate. To obtain such authority, an individual would have to apply to a court for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee Without a Will. Surviving family members may not agree on who the applicant should be, which can cause additional turmoil.

NAME THE CORRECT BENEFICIARIES

In the absence of a Will, the Succession Law Reform Act of Ontario has established a model for distribution of assets to beneficiaries according to their relationship to the deceased. From my experience, this model might not reflect what the testator would have wanted. It creates real hardships when persons who

should have benefited are excluded, and beneficiaries who might have been excluded are automatically included—such as separated spouses and estranged family members.

LEAVE YOUR LEGACY

When deciding on bequests, family usually takes priority. Many clients, however, have no family, or realize that their children are well settled, and elderly parents have been provided for. In these cases, many decide to make bequests of part of their estates to a charity, non-profit organization, or educational institution. These sorts of bequests usually arise from an appreciation of the positive impact the charity or non-profit has in the community, or more personally, the direct influence the organization may have had in the life of the testator or perhaps their children. A bequest—so important to these institutions—is a way of saying thank you.

As a proud alumnus of Trent University, I would very much encourage individuals to consider a gift to their alma mater in their will. These funds could be designated to

a certain project or program close to your heart and can, in certain circumstances, result in tax savings for the estate. Trent University has a strong philanthropy and alumni engagement team that can provide details of bursaries, endowments, and other uses. They will also assist the testator with suggested wording for the gift in the will. If you are interested in learning more about ways to create your legacy at Trent University, you may contact Donna Doherty, campaign director, at donnadoherty@ trentu.ca or 705.748.1011 ext. 7208.

You can create a Will at any point during the year. Sometimes, though, certain events such as Leave a Legacy Month are a gentle nudge for you to get prepared, have the sometimesdifficult conversations, and ensure your wishes are known.

Stephen Kylie graduated from Trent University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree, jointly majoring in mathematics and economics. He has practised law for 40 years in Peterborough since his call to the Bar.

IN MEMORIAM

William Amell, Trent Retiree

Frank D. Barry ‘64

Michael E. Beswick ‘64

David W. Brooke ‘72

Edward (Ted) Code ‘75

Mary C. Copp ‘73

Mark F. Daley ‘92

Terence Dickinson, Honorary Degree Recipient

M. Velma DiFrancesco (Gouthro) ‘79

Martin R. Dowding ‘73

Walter Downes, Trent Retiree

Stephanie A. Duff ‘02

Nicole Fortin ‘04

Connie L. Friar (MacPherson) ‘89

Mary Janet E. Hill, ‘09

Vivian E. Holt ‘78

Tom W. Hughes ‘08

Andrew G. Ignatieff ‘69

Larry J. Justus, Trent Retiree

Anne Keenleyside, Trent Professor

Jillian A. Kingston (Campbell) ‘94

Margie A. Lightbody (Murduff) ‘64

Ronald R. Mace ‘64

Robin D. MacKay ‘68

Gary L. McConnell ‘78

C. Bob McGillen ‘66

George J. McKeiver, Trent Retiree

David T. Moore, Honorary Degree Recipient and Board Emeritus

Carol Murray, Trent Retiree

Tom F. Phillips ‘74, Trent Professor

Deanna L. Puhach ‘85

Elizabeth M. Stewart (Arthur) ‘68

James A. Swanston, Board Emeriti

Stephen J. Trumper ‘72

Stewart Williamson ‘19

Looking back to a Momentous Change precursor: Members of the Alumni Association helped to cut the cake at the public kickoff of Trent’s FOR TOMORROW campaign. Shown from left to right are Michael Nolan ’69, Michael Beswick ’64, Tony Storey ’71, Margie Lightbody ’64, Philip Playfair ’83, Martha Whatley ’73, John Currie ’76, Mary Elizabeth Luka ’80, Kathleen Easson ’78 and Neil Rodgers ’65. The kickoff took place in the Lady Eaton Dining Hall on February 28, 1990. Nearly $6.5 million of the $15 million goal had been raised to date.

Trent University Archives