A REUNION 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Janet Bax ’69

Bill Waiser ’72

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

John Butcher ’67

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

Traill Principal Professor Michael Eamon

Adam Fisher ’68 and Jim Montgomery ’69

Professor Emeritus John Wadland

Susan Brown ’68

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

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

Cheryll ten Westeneind

Professor Emeritus Gordon Johnston

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

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

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.