TRENT Magazine 54.1 Fall 2023

FALL 2023 54.1

Olympian Returns Home to Head of the Trent Rob Marland ’83

27 Observing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 33 The Threats and Gifts of AI 44 New Trent Durham GTA Advanced Learning Centre Opens

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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 PRODUCTION MANAGERS Danielle Britton, Ruth-Ann Dafoe COPY EDITOR Megan Ward DESIGN Beeline Design & Communications CONTRIBUTORS Alma Barrranco-Mendoza ’90, Marie Binette Elizabeth Bower-Gordon, Stephen Brown ’86 Donald Fraser ’91, Matthew Seaby ’10 Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers Emily Whetung ’03

4 | Guest Editorial: Emily Whetung ’03 5 | President’s Message 6 | What’s New at Trent 8 | Spotlight on Research 10 | TUAA Update 11 | Everything New is Old Again 13 | 2023 Alumni Award Winners 16 | Stephen Stohn ’66 Named to the Order of Canada 17 | From Trent to Parliament Hill: Christopher Evelyn ’04 18 | Driving Change Through Campus Conservation Efforts 19 | Olympic Gold Medallist Heads Back to Trent: Rob Marland ’83

EDITORIAL BOARD Sherry Booth ’98, Marilyn Burns ’00 Ruth-Ann Dafoe, Donald Fraser ’91 Ian Proudfoot ’73 Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers

23 | A View from the Boat: Matthew Seaby ’10 24 | Head of the Trent, a History

PRINTING and BINDING Maracle Press, Oshawa

27 | The Third Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

TUAA CO-PRESIDENTS Alma Barranco-Mendoza ‘90 Stephen Brown ‘86

33 | The Threats and Gifts of AI

CHAIR, HEAD OF THE TRENT Maile Loweth Reeves ’79

37 | Alumni & Friends Gatherings

CHAIR, CONVOCATION Karen McQuade Smith ’06

38 | The Trent Fund

CHAIR, TRENT DURHAM GTA ALUMNI Nick Ryan ’15

40 | College Endowments 41 | Legacy Giving

CHAIR, AWARDS & RECOGNITION Athena Flak ‘93

42 | Highlight from the 2022-23 Impact Report

CHAIR, TRENT DAY Bern Kelly ’82

44 | New Trent Durham GTA Advanced Learning Centre

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS New York – Michi Jakob ’87 West Coast – David Rittenhouse ’90

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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 – Ron Butcher ’66 ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT Sherry Booth ’98 ALUMNI SERVICES COORDINATORS Danielle Britton and Babin Joy

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46 | In Memoriam 48 | Looking Back

@trentalumni On the cover: Rob Marland ’83 Photo: Ali Hassani, Sunflake Film

MANAGER OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS & CONVOCATION Joanne Sokolowski

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AANIIN TO ALL MY TRENT RELATIONS Emily Whetung ’03 (Champlain College)

A Message from the Guest Editor

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here’s a certain nostalgic feeling I get every September that’s hard to define. As summer comes to an end and the cool crisp autumn air takes hold, I picture the optimism and excitement that comes with the start of the academic year. I remember sitting in the Quad by the river, moving into Champlain College my first year and welcoming new students as a part of orientation week the following years. September is a time for new beginnings, which is strange to think about as we begin to get ready for winter.

This feeling of optimism is one I treasure. The significance of being an Indigenous woman empowered by fresh fall beginnings is a stark contrast to the experience of so many Indigenous people. Education does not always have positive connotations. And so fall brings with it a great deal of gratitude My time at Trent University allowed me the opportunity to sit by the Otonabee River and make new friends, like so many students past and present do; to sit in lectures and choose my destiny. I felt the safe, quiet space of Bata Library (and maybe napped once or twice when the good seats were available). Trent University also provided the proximity necessary­—integral—to maintaining close ties to my home community. I could return home to my family for Pow Wow weekend in September, while fully participating in campus activities. I could be home during sugarbush to help tap trees. I could pursue a major in philosophy and be home when I needed to feel that connection.

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Having gone on from Trent University to Osgoode Hall Law School, I have never forgotten the unique, supporting environment I experienced at Trent. When I became chief of Curve Lake First Nation, I had the opportunity to renew my connection with the University. It felt like coming home. I have enjoyed in recent years the opportunity to watch and support as Trent continues to evolve as a leader in bringing Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives into academic study. In fact, Trent is a significant driving force in recognizing that Indigenous ways of knowing can coexist with Western science. I invite you to learn about some of these initiatives and the opportunities that Trent provides Indigenous students to own their educational destiny as we honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In this regard, with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation falling on a weekend, I know that Trent has struggled with the question of when to observe this important event. In the end, without surprise, Trent has chosen to ensure that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed with students when the most awareness can be raised, and when those who need support can find it. This year, Trent will observe on Friday, September 29 in Durham, and on Monday, October 2 in Peterborough. Trent has also made arrangements to ensure that there is education and awareness during the Head of the Trent Weekend, and the Trent Excalibur varsity teams have arranged for orange warm-up jersey to show their respect.

Trent continues to make me proud, so many years later, as an alum raising future Trent students!

Ngina Kibathi ’11, Dr. Leo Groarke, and Nicholas Koehler-Grassau ’17

A Message from the President

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requent readers of TRENT Magazine know how much I enjoy the beautiful view of the Otonabee River from my office desk. Whether I am engrossed in the (sometimes tedious, sometimes exciting) tasks of the day or engaged in spirited discussions with international guests, our students, faculty, or alumni, the waters beyond my window are a constant source of inspiration. I will miss the view when I step away from the presidency ten months from now.

The river conjures countless memories for me and, I have no doubt, our many Symons Campus alumni.

As the backdrop for so many of Trent’s events, its lively presence weaves together decades of alumni excellence and tradition. For 52 years, the Head of the Trent has been a major regatta—a celebration of rowing that has brought our community together to compete and inspire. This year, we will introduce some new events to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who joins us.

Rob Marland ’83, whose journey from the Otonabee’s waters to Olympic triumph and into industry, is a wonderful embodiment of the impact Trent alumni make beyond our campuses. Like so many of our graduates, current Trent faculty and students continue to inspire change through critical research and work aimed at tackling some of today’s biggest issues.

As we consider Canada’s third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on how Trent incorporates traditional Indigenous teachings and perspectives into its curricular and extracurricular programming at our two campuses. Trent has been a leader in this regard for half a century, and there is more work for all of us to do.

Today, we can see some of our greatest challenges with great clarity—while some other issues have just entered our collective gaze. Namely, the yet-to-be seen impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence, which raises questions across industries, not the least of which is education. At Trent’s two campuses, and online, Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, acting associate dean of Teaching & Learning, and Dr. Karleen Pendleten Jiménez, who has served as associate dean of Trent Durham, are spearheading efforts to equip our faculty with the knowledge to leverage AI as a tool for learning.

As we navigate these new challenges and opportunities, we remain committed to the goal of preparing students for an ever-evolving future through the transformative experience that is Trent. This fall, the Trent experience is expanding into downtown Oshawa, with the opening of Trent Durham’s Advanced Learning Centre. Be sure to read more about this modern new building in a piece by our dean and head Dr. Scott Henderson ‘84 (Champlain College).

As we usher in the next cohort of future Trent alumni in Peterborough and in Durham this fall, I eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you back to the banks of the Otonabee during Head of the Trent. While I still have the keys to the office, I encourage all of you to take me up on my offer to visit the President’s Office, say hello to me and Ngina and Nick, and to catch a glimpse of the inspiring panorama that I have been lucky to enjoy for a decade.

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

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WHAT’S NEW at Trent University Trent Appoints Inaugural Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion “EDI can be very complex work, and at the same time, we can keep the underlying philosophy of equity for all quite simple, as a basic rights entitlement for everyone.

In fact, the measure of any institution, person, or entity is visible in how we treat our most marginalized groups. This is EDI advocacy.”

These words are from Dr. Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven, Trent’s inaugural director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). This appointment is part of the University’s ongoing work and commitment to EDI. Beginning this fall, Dr. Jualla van Oudenhoven will play a central role in all areas of human rights, equity, and accessibility across both the Peterborough and Durham campuses.

She will also provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing a university-wide EDI action plan and moving forward the recommendations of the University’s Anti-Racism Task Force.

Shaping the Skills of Policing Professionals Addressing the need for increased community wellbeing knowledge in law enforcement, the Policing & Community Well-being (PLCW) program at Trent Durham GTA is celebrating their first cohort of graduates.

Alongside the first class of the PLCW program, the University is also honouring the inaugural graduates of the Senior Police Leadership Micro-Credential, a certificate aimed at practicing police professionals aspiring to senior leadership positions in law enforcement.

“We are proud to witness these graduates embarking on their leadership journeys, equipped with the skills and insights needed to make meaningful contributions to the dynamic landscape of law enforcement,” said LieutenantColonel Angelo N. Caravaggio, who leads the certificate program.

At the Intersection of Pedagogy and Podcasts Students will be able to learn by listening through an innovative new course format at Trent. Focused on challenging conventional teaching models, Trent Online’s senior eLearning designer, Terry Greene, and assistant professor of criminology, Dr. Erick Laming, collaborated to create the Politics of Incarceration in Canada course, which puts podcasting at the centre of the learning experience.

“We wanted to break away from the traditional lecture format,” says Greene. “Instead of recorded mini

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lectures, why not make it a podcast?

We provide the audio separately and do the lecture as a conversation, with slide content complementary to the audio.” Taking the podcast medium to heart, Greene is also the host of his own podcast, titled Gettin’ Air – The Open Pedagogy Podcast, which features conversations with academics and experts about technologyenabled and open-learning practices in post-secondary education. Be sure to tune in to Gettin’ Air wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

$3.5-Million Gift Expands Community-Based Research for Students A generous $3.5-million gift from an anonymous Trent supporter will double the number of community-based research projects at the University, allowing even more students to gain valuable hands-on experience and foster meaningful change in the Peterborough region.

The gift, provided to the Trent Community Research Centre in Careerspace, will support ongoing funding for training students and employers, enhanced hands-on learning opportunities, primary research, and expenses for students to complete research projects.

“We thank the supporter for this transformational gift that strengthens our ability for many years for academia and communities to come together to address complex and urgent societal challenges,” said Julie Davis, vicepresident, External Relations & Development at Trent.

Pride in Sports: Inspiring Inclusivity and a Love for Rugby Cultivating inclusive student environments is a pillar of Trent’s founding principles focused on a student experience that is personal, purposeful, and transformative. For Chloe Yorg, a thirdyear history and English Literature student (Lady Eaton College), this means rewriting her narrative by stepping onto the rugby field as a transgender athlete and advocate for other trans athletes.

“Trent was very supportive of me coming out to try out and practice,” she shared. “So, I was able to fall in love with rugby again as Chloe.”

Through Trent and her director-at-large role with the Toronto Rainbow Griffins Rugby Club, Chloe has found a platform to shine as an athlete and an advocate. Her transformative experience at Trent fuels her ongoing advocacy for queer athletes to embrace their sports with authenticity.

Uncovering the Mysteries of Ancient Maya Anthropology students are bringing history to life through the Ka’kabish Archaeological Research Project (KARP), led by Dr. Helen Haines. Year after year, Professor Haines and a team of students from Trent Durham embark on a mission in north central Belize to uncover a diverse array of structures and artifacts from the ancient Maya civilization in Ka’kabish.

Through KARP, Prof. Haines aims to inspire the next generation of academics to love archaeology and history. She believes in the transformative potential of experiential learning and provides anthropology students from Trent with the opportunity of a lifetime—to actively participate in the excavation process at the Ka’kabish site. Through hands-on experiences, students are empowered to excavate, unveil ancient artifacts, and engage with these remnants of the past.

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SPOTLIGHT ON RESEARCH

As home to many of the world’s leading researchers, Trent University has countless stories to tell when it comes to research success. Through our outstanding researchers, world-class facilities, and prestigious schools of study, Trent is a place where ideas and creativity connect and intersect with industry, non-profits, communities, and real-world solutions. Read more about some of the top faculty, student and alumni researchers who are making headlines.

FACULTY RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Transforming Fertilizers A research team at Trent University is partnering with V6 Agronomy to develop sustainable fertilizers. The three-year project combines Dr. Huy Dang’s expertise in environmental chemistry and Dr. Karen Thompson’s specialization in soil microbiology.

The new research project will consist of lab experiments to evaluate various fertilizer formulations, followed by intermediate-scale testing at the Trent Research Farm, and ultimately, field trials on V6 Agronomy’s farmland.

By merging academic and industry expertise, the collaboration aims to produce transformative, locally sourced, and environmentally responsible fertilizer solutions for Canadian agriculture.

“This project sits in a very strong niche at Trent: environmental systems, water quality, soil health,” says Professor Thompson. “Our two research areas are very complementary to each other. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with an industry partner like V6 Agronomy, allows us to create more impactful applied research outcomes.”

STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Rethinking Freshwater Microplastics Freshwater systems are not immune to microplastic accumulation—this conclusion is part of a groundbreaking study led by 79 global researchers, including Trent Ph.D. student Brittany Welsh, working alongside Dr. Julian Aherne, a former Canada Research Chair in Environmental Modelling.

The study examined plastic debris in surface water samples collected across 38 lakes and reservoirs located in 23 countries, across six continents, with varying population densities and environmental conditions. One of the main findings from the study—which was 8

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featured in Nature and is the first globally comparable study on microplastics in freshwater—is that microplastic concentrations are equally, if not more, prevalent in freshwater systems compared to the marine (ocean) environment.

“The results show that freshwater systems are not just a transport pathway for plastics to the ocean. They are also a reservoir, meaning they can store and accumulate plastic,” says Welsh (Gzowski College), whose doctoral research focuses on the fate of microplastics in background headwater lakes in MuskokaHaliburton.

MORE #TRENTURESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Bold research making a difference in the world. That’s the Trent University way. Read on for a sampling of the latest Trent research news featured at trentu.ca/news.

NEW RESEARCH PARADIGMS

ALUMNI RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Virtual Realities, Real Histories

ALUMNI

An innovative digital humanities research project, led by Trent alum turned Trent Cultural Studies professor Dr. Katrina Keefer ’09, represents a new frontier in the study of historical trauma, offering a visceral, interactive way to engage with the past.

Through the development of the “Bunce Island: Through the Mirror” videogame, Professor Keefer is focusing on the visualization of the traumatic history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Unlike traditional monographs or databases, this interactive platform is designed to be accessible to a broad audience, including those looking to connect with their African heritage. The project involves meticulous archival research and collaboration with Sierra Leonean communities, scholars and artists, ensuring historical accuracy while considering the ethical implications of recreating enslaved individuals.

“History is not just a series of events captured in textbooks; it’s a lived experience that shapes who we are and where we come from,” says Professor Keefer. “‘Bunce Island: Through the Mirror’ aims to transcend the academic barriers often associated with the study of historical trauma. By using a medium which has become so popular and which has such immersive potential, we invite participants to experience history, to feel its weight, and to engage with it in a way that is both educational and deeply personal.”

Pioneering Visual Analysis in Environmental History Trent’s Dr. Finis Dunaway, an award-winning historian and author, has garnered recent acclaim for pioneering the use of visual analysis in environmental history, exploring the role of images in shaping perceptions of nature and the environment. He authored three award-winning books, including Defending the Arctic Refuge, which tells the story of Lenny Kohm, a grassroots activist who used slide projectors to inspire a political movement. Professor Dunaway received Trent’s Research Impact Award for his unique approach to studying the use of visuals in history, environment, and culture.

Unearthing the Hidden Potential of Journal Archives in Social Work Trent University Durham’s Dr. Marina Morghenstern is exploring the untapped potential of journal archives as a source of valuable data in the field of social work. Her work posits that journal archives serve as a treasure trove of legitimized knowledge, offering insights into the evolving priorities and identity of the discipline over time. Unlike traditional research methods, which may rely on interviews or focus groups, Professor Morghenstern argues for “journal mining” as an innovative approach.

Using Zines to Drive Change on Peterborough Homelessness The Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University, led by Canada Research Chair Dr. Naomi Nichols, released Stay in Line, a zine that investigates the realities of Coordinated Access, a federal system aimed at addressing homelessness.

As a sequel to the April 2022 guidebook Get in Line, this new zine provides insights into how the system is affecting community members, contrasting its intended function. The lab’s innovative approach shines a spotlight on social justice issues through easily distributable zines rather than traditional academic papers. With a focus on real-world impact, the lab also employs a variety of mediums like op-eds, podcasts, and conference presentations to communicate their research, aiming to inform better strategies for housing and social justice.

Want to know more about the sector-leading research and innovation taking place at Trent?

Visit: trentu.ca/researchinnovation TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

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TUAA UPDATE

GIVING BACK & GOING FORWARD Hello from your Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA co-presidents.

What an honour and privilege it has been for us to serve as your TUAA co-presidents over these past two years. In this volunteer position, we’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful Trent alumni, both here in Canada and internationally.

Changes It has also been a tremendously collaborative, synergistic, and rewarding experience for us to work together. But given all things come to an end (including TUAA presidential terms), it’s with a touch of melancholy that we announce that Stephen will be stepping down from his role as your co-president this November. Happily, Alma has graciously agreed to stay on for another year as sole president, so you’ll be in great hands.

Different and complementary strengths Through our very different yet complementary strengths, we’ve been able to bring varied perspectives to

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our respective roles: Alma through her international student and Western Canada experience and Stephen through his affiliation with central Ontario and the LGBTQ community.

This has enabled us to ensure representation of our very diverse TUAA alumni groups. Additionally, coming from vastly different academic backgrounds—one a scientist, the other artsy—has been an advantage in connecting with alumni across disciplines. (By the way, if you’re wondering which one of us is artsy, here’s a hint: Stephen says he’s so bad at math he has a calculator on his iPod!)

Volunteering One major thing we have in common is our deep affection and admiration for Trent, both as an academic institution and for what it gave us as people. That’s why we are both committed to volunteering. Not only does it help us stay engaged with the academic environment and give back to our University, but it has enriched our lives immeasurably and given us opportunities to meet so many incredible members of the Trent community.

Get involved As we kick off the new academic year, we encourage our fellow alumni to do the same. TUAA’s many different councils, committees, and chapters are always looking for an infusion of new talent and ideas. We also love to celebrate our alumni’s accomplishments and invite you to nominate your fellow alumni for one of the many awards we offer.

Finally, we welcome new students to Trent and encourage them to volunteer and get involved in the many campus communities and activities. A great starting point is volunteering for this year’s annual Head of the Trent Weekend.

Alma Barranco-Mendoza ’90 (Lady Eaton College) Stephen Brown ’86 (Champlain College)

Everything

New is Old Again Trent alumni proprietors bring the Pig’s Ear Tavern back like ever before When long-time patrons of the fabled Pig’s Ear Tavern return to their newly re-opened haunt, they’ll feel like it never closed. From the green-checkered floor to the ’70s-style wood panelling, the pub’s basement chic remains intact, painstakingly recreated to feel as though time had stood still.

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“One of the most common things that we hear from alumni… ‘Please tell me that you’re not changing the walls or the floor or the tables.’” — Steve Robertson ’93

Steve Robertson ‘93 and Ashley Holmes ‘06

“It’s a restoration,” says Ashley Holmes ’06 (Traill College), who is partnering on the endeavour with fellow alum Steve Robertson ’93 (Champlain College). “We just want to restore it. We don’t need to change it. Really, if we changed it, would people come? Probably not.”

One of the hallmarks of “The Piggy,” after all, was its slightly disheveled “everyperson” décor.

“One of the most common things that we hear from alumni and people who have reached out to us is, ‘Please tell me that you’re not changing the walls or the floor or the tables,’” notes Robertson. “‘Can people still carve on the tables?’ Things like that. Rest assured, it is going to be the same experience they had before.”

“But with better washrooms,” adds Holmes.

The process of buying the Pig’s Ear property, and, in fact, the business partnership between Robertson and Holmes, happened quickly.

“Last summer, I saw the building was listed, but didn’t really think anything of it,” recalls Holmes. “I was just watching it out of curiosity, thinking it was pretty inexpensive. Fast forward to Head of the Trent. It was even less than it was listed for in the summer. I jokingly talked to people in the beer garden about buying it together, but nothing really serious. On the Sunday, which is the second day of the regatta, a mutual friend connected me with Steve. I talked to Steve for the first time ever on the Monday after Head of the Trent, by the Tuesday we had put in an offer on the building. And then, by that Friday, we had an accepted offer.”

Since they couldn’t be there in person, the duo had Steve’s realtor do a walkthrough, tagging them along via FaceTime as they discussed the details.

“We put in an offer sight unseen,” admits Robertson.

While their business relationship came together swiftly, it was built on a foundation of experiences that complemented one another. They both understood the rich legacies of Trent and “The Pig” in fostering friendships and memories, along with the importance the Tavern held in the hearts of countless alumni. They also benefitted from the tight sense of community and close-knit networking opportunity that the University offers.

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What’s more, their different eras at Trent helped offer a sense of continuity.

“It’s interesting because Ashley and I were from different Trent generations,” explains Robertson. “I was there from 1993 to 1997, and Ashley from 2006 to 2011, so, similar experiences, but not entirely the same. We’ve been able to inform each other’s understanding of what it was like during each period. When I used to come here in the early ’90s, for instance, there wasn’t a stage. There was a pinball machine where the stage is.”

It is not merely the alumni population that is celebrating the return of the Pig’s Ear. As a true neighbourhood pub, “The Pig” drew people from all walks of life, creating a completely different vibe depending on the time of year, even the time of day.

“I think what it offered originally was special to each individual person,” explains Robertson. “So if you were getting off your shift at Quaker and coming down for a beer with your buddies, then that’s what it offered to you: camaraderie and connection. University students would flock down here and it would be the first place to go before hitting some of the other downtown bars; and maybe the last place to hit before going home. For the music scene, it was a unique and comfortable hometown space. We expect to be able to touch on each of those special connections for all of those groups when we reopen.”

Which will happen, in true alumni fashion, during the 2023 Head of the Trent Weekend.

Before

After

NINE ACCOMPLISHED INDIVIDUALS HONOURED with 2023 Alumni Awards Trent University Alumni Association continues long-standing history of honouring outstanding alumni who are building a better world

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ine individuals have joined the ranks of Trent University Alumni Award recipients, continuing the Trent University Alumni Association’s long-standing history of honouring alumni who are building a better world by affecting change, making a difference, demonstrating leadership, and giving back through significant contributions in their communities, in their professions, or with the University.

“We are proud of these distinguished alumni who chose to study at Trent University because of their desire to create momentous change in the world and have gone on to lead that change in their professional careers and community with vision, commitment, and creativity,” says Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice-president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “The work they do is important, and we are honoured to recognize their remarkable achievements.”

Meet the 2023 recipients, who will receive their awards during dedicated ceremonies throughout the academic year: Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet ’74 (Traill College) Distinguished Alumni Award Marjolaine BoutinSweet, the former Member of Parliament for Hochelaga in Montréal who served as party whip and Housing critic, is known for dedicating herself to issues of housing and homelessness, with

a particular interest in Indigenous communities.

A quiet leader, Boutin-Sweet brought the values and learning she absorbed at Trent to bear on her public service. She was never shy about extolling Trent’s virtues and was eager to connect with fellow alumni in the political world.

Dr. Keith Stewart ’86 (Peter Robinson College) Distinguished Alumni Award Dr. Keith Stewart— known across the country as Climate Keith—needs little introduction in Canada’s environmental community. Currently the senior energy strategist for Greenpeace Canada, he is also an award-winning and highly respected environmental crusader who has devoted his life to pursuing climate justice at local, national, and international levels.

Stewart has founded, worked at, and volunteered with many organizations, led nation-wide campaigns, and served as a key voice against development and funding of oil and gas pipelines.

Stewart co-authored the book Hydro: The Rise and Fall of Ontario’s Electric Empire and is a frequent national media commenter who has penned many opinion editorials on the topics of climate change and climate policy in major Canadian publications.

Dr. Gesa Weyhenmeyer ’90 (Peter Robinson College) Distinguished Alumni Award Dr. Gesa Weyhenmeyer is an award-winning professor of aquatic biogeochemistry at Uppsala University and a member of the Royal Sweden Academy of Sciences. She is known for making outstanding contributions to climatechange research benefitting lake and river health and is frequently consulted as an expert on these matters by European governments, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.

Dr. Weyhenmeyer also served as a contributing author and an official reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. She has also been awarded the distinction of inclusion in the European Expert Database of Outstanding Women in Academia.

Jacob Dockstator ’10 (Peter Gzowski College) Young Leader Award Jacob Dockstator is a young, successful entrepreneur who walked away from a high-profile corporate career on Bay Street to dedicate himself to advocating for a solid economic foundation for Indigenous communities.

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Congratulations to the alumni award winners

Dockstator is executive director of the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord (SLFA)—a unique collaboration between four First Nations in northwestern Ontario and the City of Sioux Lookout that promotes economic development built around tourism, resource gathering, government service, and infrastructure development. In this role, he works to foster the development of First Nations communities represented in the SLFA to provide a solid economic foundation for their self-determination and self-governance.

As a quiet and thoughtful leader, Dockstator achieves his visionary goals by focusing on research, preparation, and evidence-based persuasion. He was also recently named a David Rockefeller Fellow (North America).

Henry G.B. Clarke ’70 (Traill College) Spirit of Trent Award Henry Clarke served on the City of Peterborough council for 25 years as a councillor and deputy mayor and was a leader in addressing the rise of people experiencing homelessness in the area. Clarke acted quickly and strategically to develop effective plans of action that have supported and continue to support countless residents.

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Clarke was first elected to municipal politics in 1997 and was re-elected continuously until he completed his public service in 2022.

Throughout that time, he worked to improve conditions for people experiencing homelessness locally by creating Homegrown Homes (HGH) and the Warming Room.

Clarke also served his country by volunteering with the Canadian Army for 27 years—joining the local Army Reserve in 1971—rising to command the regiment for four years, and retiring in 1997 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

In his professional life, Clarke enjoyed a 43-year career at PepsiCoQuaker Oats before retiring in 2019.

Alice Olsen Williams ’69 (Otonabee College) Spirit of Trent Award Alice Olsen Williams is a renowned Indigenous rights activist and textile artist who has created more than 450 quilted blankets, wall hangings, and table runners that are exhibited in galleries across Canada and the US, including the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian).

In 2019, Olsen Williams received Peterborough’s highest recognition in the arts with the City of Peterborough Arts Awards in celebration of her excellence and contributions as a senior artist.

As an elder, Williams shares her quilting skills and Indigenous Knowledge to educate community members on the history of institutional racism and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Olsen Williams has a long history of giving back to her community and worked with a network of quilters to assemble the Where Are the Children?

Healing From the Legacy of Residential Schools and the Sisters in Spirit Quilt for the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Zhaawnong Webb (Peter Gzowski College) Paul Delaney Award for Outstanding Young Philanthropist Zhaawnong Webb has uses his considerable social media reach of more than 150,000 followers to educate his audience about Indigenous history and culture, while raising awareness and support for First Nation organizations such as the Indian Residential School Survivors’ Society.

Webb has worked as a junior firekeeper for the First Peoples House of Learning, spoken on a youth expert panel at the Elders & Traditional Peoples Gathering, and has worked with Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science Youth.

Elias Trivett ’18 (Peter Gzowski College) David Glassco Prize Elias Trivett has made exceptional contributions to the University’s student governance and is also an enthusiastic participant in Trent’s extracurriculars, including the Anne Shirley Theatre Company. Trivett has also shown leadership in community

volunteer roles, particularly in music and theatre, by sharing his talents on the stage and behind the scenes with groups such as St. James Players, Sears Festival, and Peterborough Singers.

Campbell Deck ’19 (Champlain College) Robert W.F. Stephenson Prize Campbell Deck has demonstrated outstanding leadership in student governance through his roles as president of the Champlain College cabinet and as a member of the Trent

Central Student Association. Deck has an incredible comprehension of Robert’s Rules of Order and has always advocated in the best interests of students. When faced with challenging decisions, polarizing topics, and sensitive subject matter, Deck maintains civility and acts as a voice of reason.

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TRENT’S ALUMNI CHANCELLOR NAMED TO ORDER OF CANADA FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANADIAN ENTERTAINMENT Entertainment lawyer, producer, songwriter, and author Stephen Stohn ’66 recognized with one of Canada’s highest honours

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rent’s alumni chancellor Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66 has been named a member of the prestigious Order of Canada in recognition of his long-time contributions to the Canadian entertainment industry, notably as a television producer, lawyer, mentor and advocate for artists.

“On behalf of the entire Trent community, I share heartfelt congratulations to Chancellor Stephen Stohn on his appointment to the Order of Canada,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Chancellor Stohn exemplifies Trent’s spirit of creativity, innovation, and philanthropy. His unwavering commitment to Trent has enriched our campuses and contributed greatly to the transformative Trent experience. This latest accolade in an illustrious career demonstrates the remarkable impact he has had on Canada’s entertainment industry and all of us here at Trent.”

An esteemed entertainment lawyer, award-winning producer, songwriter and author, Dr. Stohn graduated from Trent University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics. A 14-time Canadian Screen Award (formerly the Gemini Award) winner, Dr. Stohn is well known as the

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executive producer of various iterations of the Degrassi television franchise and for his role as executive producer of The Juno Awards for close to 20 years. As an attorney, he has represented some of the most talented and successful artists Canada has produced in the last 30-plus years, helping to guide their careers to international success.

Expressing gratitude for the Order of Canada recognition, Dr. Stohn shared: “I know it’s traditional to feel humbled by a special honour like this, but actually this is all about the hundreds of colleagues, friends, and partners I’ve worked with over all these years on so many wonderful projects. I really just actually think it’s amazingly cool.”

Dr. Stohn was appointed Trent’s 12th chancellor—and second alumni chancellor—in 2019 and reappointed for a second, three-year term in 2021. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary degree from Trent—the University’s highest honour. In recognition of his transformational philanthropic support, Trent named the lecture theatre in the Student Centre, Stohn Hall. .

FROM TRENT TO PARLIAMENT HILL Christopher Evelyn ’04 Helps Pave a Path for Diversity in Canadian Politics Trent alumnus and political chief of staff brings his sense of community to Ottawa

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s the only Black chief of staff for the federal government, Trent University alumnus Christopher Evelyn ’04 (Lady Eaton College) is part of a slowly changing, more inclusive community of public servants on Parliament Hill.

As a former international student from Barbados, Evelyn says his position in government is beyond his “wildest dreams.” Evelyn believes that the responsibility of representing his community is a fundamental part of his career growth and aspirations, and one that continues to inform the work.

“The importance of being Black in these mostly white spaces and being an advocate for Black communities, is not lost on me,” he explains. “And it helps ensure that I’m lifting as I’m climbing, so that hopefully there’ll be many more Black chiefs of staff in the years to come.”

Working for only the fourth Black cabinet member, and the second Black female minister, Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (formerly Status of Women), Evelyn sees how representation is helping to shape the politics and policies in Ottawa.

“Most ministers’ offices now have multiple staff who come from diverse perspectives. In my office, for example, half of our staff are racialized and working in everything from policy to parliamentary affairs. They have the ability to speak up from a position of a new Canadian or a first generation Canadian on policy issues, on how to phrase things.”

Evelyn’s career and passion for politics began when he first arrived at Trent. As a student, he took on campaign roles for Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) candidates and programs, volunteered with Trent instructor Betsy McGregor’s campaign for MP of Peterborough, and worked to help Trent alum Maryam Monsef ’03 (Lady Eaton College) get elected as MP. Evelyn’s close-knit and politically active Trent community fostered his skills, experience, and belief that he could

find a place in federal politics. He then went on to work with Monsef in Ottawa.

“Trent was a foundational part of my life. I got a full scholarship to attend Trent as an international student. And the work of the Trent International Program in grounding me as a student and giving me a sense of community was huge. Trent was the first place that got me involved on the political side of my career.”

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Driving Change Through Campus Conservation Efforts

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he University Green Network (UGN) is a connected 868-acre system that includes diverse habitats, wildlife corridors, productive landscapes and green spaces on the Symons Campus. Trent cares for this system according to the principles outlined in the Trent Lands Plan.

Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and priorities through partnerships with local First Nations and actively involving students are fundamental elements of our approach.

Here’s what’s happening in the UGN:

Field cameras Ali Giroux, Trent’s land stewardship coordinator (a position made possible through grants from TD Bank Group and the Echo Foundation), set up field cameras to monitor wildlife movement across the Trent Lands. This initiative gathered data on wildlife movement and helped to map the campus green areas. Based on this data, Giroux is developing strategies to maintain Trent’s 11 Nature Areas and the larger UGN, which encompasses all green areas on Symons Campus. These plans will establish wildlife corridors and connections, enhancing the habitat for animals.

Wetland conservation The Total Loss Farm Nature Area’s wetland complex— recently designated as provincially significant—has been officially named the Kiiktaanaa Mash’ing (Spring Peeper Marsh) Wetland Complex, a title given by the Elders & Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council. Trent expanded the Nature Area boundary to protect the wetland and preserve more green space. Four-season studies of the wetland complex have been completed, and baseline hydrological monitoring has been in place since early 2022 to better

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understand the area and to allow for the advancement of the University-Integrated Seniors Village and non-profit long-term care facility while mitigating impact to the natural environment.

Frog surveys Trent University staff and students conducted springtime frog surveys to understand amphibian habitats and movements within the UGN on the Symons Campus. The surveys followed Birds Canada’s protocols and were led

by Giroux with assistance from M.BEMA student Gillian Johnson ’18 (Peter Gzowski College). The surveys provide baseline data on amphibian diversity, crucial for monitoring habitat changes and informing conservation efforts. The team observed various frog species, highlighting the area’s ecological richness.

Helping local salamanders This summer, Trent University launched a project on Gzowski Way to aid the migration of local salamanders, particularly the blue-spotted salamander and unisexual ambystoma, to their breeding habitat. New curbs were installed at a 45-degree slope, making it easier for the amphibians to climb safely into the wetland, while still managing stormwater runoff. Compared to other solutions like underpasses, sloped curbs are more cost-effective and successful in aiding migration. This effort, funded by an anonymous donor, was inspired by research findings by Dr. Thomas Hossie ’03, assistant professor in Biology.

Stay up to date on the UGN and everything happening on Symons Campus: trentlands.ca

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST HEADS BACK TO TRENT Rob Marland ’83 reflects on his university rowing career and the “legendary” regatta that helped turn him into a world champion

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This is where community makes a difference.

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ob Marland ’83 (Peter Robinson College) is an Olympic gold medallist—a member of the Canadian eights crew that that topped the podium at the 1992 Barcelona summer games. A two-time World Championships silver medallist in 1990 and 1991, Marland also competed at Worlds in 1986 (eighth in coxed pairs) and 1987 (fourth in coxed fours). He won a coxed fours bronze medal at the 1987 Summer Universiade.

For all his success on the world stage, the Head of the Trent Regatta represented an essential part of his rowing career.

“The Head of Trent is a legendary regatta,” he says. “When I arrived in Peterborough, it already had the pedigree and history as one of the fall feature regattas on the central North American regatta scene. To be able to participate in it, and also to wear Trent colours, was a proud moment for me because it was the first time in any sporting experience that I felt like I actually belonged and could make a difference.”

The Head of the Trent Regatta remains a special part of Marland’s life. As a regular attendee—as a rower, volunteer, and member of the Trent

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rowing community— he’s drawn to the sense of continuity and opportunity to give back.

“When I go to the Head of the Trent this fall, I’ll be there early on the Friday because I want to help set things up,” he explains. “Yes, I will be a competitor, but you’ll also see me in a coach boat or doing whatever the Trent guys need me to do. The guys that come to row with me know that they need to volunteer as well, because this sense of community and connection is always needed, and it’s what high-performance sport is all about.”

“This is where community makes a difference. And this is where being involved with the fall rowing program and the Head of the Trent opened a window to the future for me. I went from average to having a desire for high performance.”

For the regatta, Marland gets friends together to race—though the stakes are much lower than they were when he was a student athlete. They usually row in smaller boats before coming together as a crew.

At this stage in his rowing life, the social aspect is more important to him than his performance on the water.

“My Head of the Trent is about catching up with old friends and hearing how everybody’s doing, because that community is the community that supported me when I was a young guy trying to figure out where I was going on this journey of life.”

With an unexceptional high school athletic and academic history, which included his first forays into rowing, it wasn’t until arriving at Trent that his love for high-performance sport took off—and even then, it wasn’t immediate.

After being urged to row by fellow alumni and former national rowing team member Michael Cullen ’82 (Peter Robinson College), he found himself on the varsity team but still didn’t consider himself a serious athlete.

In his first year, when the club would go out for runs, he’d usually come back dead last. He’d yet to find the drive that would turn him into a peak athlete.

“This is where community makes a difference,” Marland recalls. “And this is where being involved with the fall rowing program and the Head of the Trent opened a window to the future for me. Between the fall of 1983 and the summer of 1984, my life changed.

I went from average to having a desire for high performance. And I credit everybody at Trent for that. Some of the significant names there were legends already. Carol and Brian Love both rowed the 1976 Olympic Games.

Carol stroked the first women’s eights at the Olympic Games for Canada.”

Then there were people like P.S.B. Wilson and Charlene Bridger in the Athletics Centre who became some of his best friends due to the amount of time that Marland spent there.

He also credits the Trent community for helping him achieve academically. When his academic advisor warned him that his school efforts fell below what was expected, Marland knew he had to find another gear with his learning as well.

“To be able to row, I had to be at university,” he remembers, “which meant I had to learn how to study and focus on school. I needed extra school time for training, and I didn’t do this on my own. Trent University was the very best place that I could be. Small class sizes, professors and educators who cared, who knew who you were, and actually held you accountable —and that was a big one, being held accountable—and then study groups of people who were on board.

Everything is about team for me. I’m a team guy. And my team was Team Trent. I got into this whole Trent crew environment, and it became my life.”

Carol Love is a beloved coach, but also a tough one. Pushing her athletes hard, within a year she was successful in providing a pathway for them to get to the next level. Believing that hard work could lift them beyond university rowing, and perhaps to the national team, she had rowers buying in and training their all.

“And the great thing is,” Marland notes, “when you apply yourself, you get results.”

In 1985, the Trent men’s eight won the Ontario University Athletics Championships and the Henley Royal Regatta, with Marland sharing in the excitement of that success. At the same time, Coach Love sent several of the Trent crew to try out for the national team. Marland secured himself a spot on Canada’s “B” team, which meant he would compete with the national team during the summer and be back with his Trent crew in the fall.

Some of his earliest international rowing memories are coloured in Trent green.

“That first summer, I was able to go to Amsterdam and Germany to race. And me in my Trent crew jacket is one of the strong branded images in my mind. The next image I have, and I’m a very proud Canadian, is me in the Bosbaan, a regatta course in Amsterdam, holding my first Canadian oar with a maple leaf on it. I was so proud of that. I still have that photo.”

At the 1986 World Championships, Trent had three athletes competing, Marland, Cullen, and John Nowlan ’83 (Traill College). Founding Trent president T.H.B. Symons sent each of them Trent shirts to wear to represent the University at the global event.

“It was really cool because, of course we’d wear those. We couldn’t wear them when we raced, but we could everywhere else.”

After graduating, and now rowing full-time with the national team, Marland participated in his first Olympics, the 1988 games in Seoul.

It wasn’t until 1990­—and the national team hiring of Coach Mike Spracklen—that Canadian rowing truly took off. Similar to Coach Love’s impact on Trent rowing, Coach Spracklen offered a script for success: those who followed it found the success they were seeking, including the 1990 World Championships in Tasmania, where Marland and the men’s eight took the silver medal.

Canada’s men’s 8+ rowing team celebrate their gold medal win in the 8+ rowing event at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. (CP PHOTO/ COC/Ted Grant)

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MOMENTOUS COMPETITION HAPPENS HERE Building a Rowing Legacy for Future Generations Trent University rowing has created Olympic champions and provided a tight-knit team community for thousands of student athletes who have developed outstanding work ethics, skills and social cohesion before going on to create momentous change in the world.

The Trent Rowing Endowment Fund ensures these invaluable opportunities will continue for future generations.

It supports the continued growth and development of student athletes and helps Trent to remain the premiere national destination for high-level rowing. Funds from the endowment are used to upgrade Trent Rowing’s fleet of racing shells, as all rowers know that top-level equipment gives teams those few crucial extra seconds to reign victorious.

The endowment is also used to improve rowing facilities, allowing student athletes to thrive and enticing the best rowing prospects from around the world to train at the University. It funds inter-college rowing programs, increasing Trent’s grassroots involvement in the sport beyond the University’s renowned novice program.

Rowing requires far more than physical strength. It requires grit, determination, technical finesse, and teamwork. Your support of the rowing endowment ensures that students can hone these skills and go on to form medal-winning crews.

Learn more about the Campaign for Momentous Change and how you can support student athletes to achieve excellent in rowing.

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“We stood on the podium with silver medals around our neck,” he recalls. “Nobody was smiling because we all felt that we could have done better.”

The culmination of Marland’s hard work and success­—and his international career is marked with both—took place at 11:00 a.m., August 2, 1992 on Lake Banyoles in Barcelona, Spain, when the men’s eight won an Olympic gold medal by 14 1/100th of a second.

“Standing at the top of the podium is everybody’s dream,” says Marland. “But it speaks to putting in the hard work. You had to show up.

You had to do those years, and those hundreds of thousands, if not millions of strokes to get into that position to perform.

But then, when you are committed and you have the opportunity to come together and achieving something better, as a squad, as a team, as a university, those moments are what create greatness. Thank goodness, we executed what we were capable of doing on race day.

But boy, it was painful. It was painful.

But oh, such an amazing race for us to have rowed. We will have that for life.”

Once his rowing career wrapped up, Marland turned his attention towards a profession as a realtor, bringing the same dedication to high performance and teamwork to a new chapter of his life. Having enjoyed studying economics while at Trent, he saw real estate as a natural choice. As an elite athlete, he understood that he would only get out of real estate what he put in­—and he was always willing to pour in the effort. As with sport, he relished in the relationship-building aspects of the job—and once again, he

found himself working as a part of a team.

“Being part of a team is not lost on me,” he explains. “I’ve had a real estate team for 21 years, and I have such a great environment. I get to perform, as you do in high-performance sport, and then I’ve got sales partners that are amazing and offer support.”

Joining that team are Marland’s wife, Jane Forsyth ’86 (Lady Eaton College), and their youngest daughter, Molly. Running a family business, they have a truly special team bond, and Marland sees his commitment to hard work and community coming full circle with Molly (as well as his other children, Kate and Annie).

“There’s a thing about being proud of who you are and what you represent,” he explains. “The best example I can give is Trent athletes, the women and the men, walking around with Trent crew jackets—a bit of a badge of honour, if you will. My first Trent crew jacket had a white collar and a white zipper on the front. It was green on the back, it said “Trent Crew.” It was thin nylon, but I wore it every day, all winter long. It didn’t matter how many sweaters I had to wear under it. It was my winter coat. It was my team. It was my identity.”

He’ll be bringing that attitude, once again this year, to the Head of the Trent, where dedication, community, mentorship, and hard work will all be on display.

“Who we are today are the people in our past, and there are literally hundreds of people from 1983 to 1988 in the Trent world that changed my life.

I’m grateful to them forever.”

A VIEW FROM THE BOAT Trent University Rowing Club Alumni, Matthew Seaby ’10, reflects on HOTT race day

Matthew Seaby ’10 (Lady Eaton College)

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he Head of the Trent (HOTT) Weekend is a special time for the University. Marked on our collective calendars, current and former students of Trent return to Symons Campus for a weekend of competition, celebration, and nostalgia. Having experienced the weekend and its focal point—the regatta—from many perspectives (student, alumni, organizer, and athlete), I am pleased to share what HOTT means to me.

At the very heart of campus, the Otonabee River is filled with boats from across the local rowing circuit; crews from all of Ontario, some from Québec, and even parts of the northeastern United States come to Nogojiwangong/Peterborough to compete in the HOTT Regatta. The race is time-trial format, beginning at the Parkhill Road bridge and finishing at the steps of Champlain College.

Boats are sent off in sequence on 15-second intervals to contest the 4.8-kilometre distance.

If you choose to spectate, most will only see the final kilometre of the race. At that point, the slower boats

are fatiguing, and the fastest boats are making their final push to the finish line. This often results in lots of splashing, shouting, and maybe even a crash of oars or boats if steering isn’t well managed. From the perspective of any rower, the last kilometre of HOTT is one of the race’s best and worst moments as well. Because of the lock and dam system on the river, when rowers break out of the canal the current of the river pushes back against each boat, making the last stretch of the race feel heavier to row and slower to finish. It’s also where spectators cheer the athletes on, and the sounds of the campus-wide celebration can be heard on the river. Those two latter points are very motivating to experience.

Those who have raced it know that the final stretch of HOTT is where medals are won and lost. Having raced many times, I can say that I very much appreciated the cheers of the crowd and sounds of the party. When my legs and lungs were burning from exertion and tunnel vision had taken hold, the thought of post-race “refreshments”

with friends was always a welcome distraction from the immediate and deep hole that I had put myself in.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fundraising efforts of the Trent University Rowing Club; HOTT events have sustained the club for over 50 years, bringing everyone together in support of a collective history that has touched the lives of generations of Trent students. The celebration being connected to campus—a place we call home when we are students—makes the experience even more unique.

HOTT Weekend is a special time each year when the campus comes alive and we all get to experience the Trent community again, if only for a short time. As an alumnus, it reminds me of the lasting memories and friendships I made when I was at Trent.

I’d like to wish the Trent community a very happy Head of the Trent weekend and regatta this year.

Be sure to collect your HOTT mug—an annual souvenir. I’ve still got one from each of the years I was a student at Trent; they’re some of the coolest Trent memorabilia I own, next to my college scarf and old Trent Rowing gear.

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A HISTORY OF HOTT: FROM FLEDGLING TO FANTASTIC I

n 1972, the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA) held its first reunion event during the second ever Head of the Trent (HOTT) Regatta, marking the beginning of a beautiful partnership and Trent tradition. As one of the largest and most prestigious regattas on the central North American rowing scene, this year’s HOTT is once again ready to welcome alumni with a host of family-friendly events, including College socials, live music, varsity games, and more.

But Trent wasn’t always a rowing hotbed.

In fact, during the early years of the University, there were voices that were vehemently against the notion of crew-style rowing on the Otonabee River. Bruce Litteljohn, chair of the Canoes for Trent Committee and corresponding secretary of the KeepTrent-Canadian Association, argued (in a memo to Prof. J. Pettigrew, the founding registrar at Trent): In my eyes rowing on the Otonabee would appear as an effete frippery imported from another culture ... a puerile, formalized, meaningless bit of nonsense perpetrated by someone who didn’t know a damned thing about his own land or his own history.

Cooler heads, it seemed, prevailed.

Trent University Archive records indicate that the tentative first steps towards rowing at Trent occurred as early as 1965, with founding chair of the Mathematics Department, Professor A.P. Guinand, seeking out information from the Tool Tech Corporation in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, about their revolutionary “CONVERT-A-CANOE” rowing rig.

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Peterborough Rowing Club boathouse now sits.

By 1966, Leishman was confirming possession of the Lodge and property with S.H. Murphy of the local law firm Kerr Mcsiderry Howell Fleming Bark Crook and Murphy, and indicating that rowing was definitely part of future plans for athletics at Trent:

CONVERT-A-CANOE rowing rig.

Commiserating in response to a letter from Prof. Guinand about the difficulties starting a rowing club with so few funds, David R. Spraker, the sales manager of Tool Tech, wrote: “‘CONVERT-A-CANOE’ is ideally suited for a beginning program in rowing. The stability afforded to sculling by using a canoe as a ‘shell’ means that the beginner can experience that real ‘feel’ of rowing in a comparatively short time. “‘CONVERT-A-CANOE’ is a new idea in rowing which makes sculling available on a practical basis never before possible. I am enclosing a photo of the rowing rig in action.”

It should be noted that Spraker had formerly coached the “Trinity Colleg [sic] Crew from club status in an abandon [sic] barn 30 miles from the campus to an offical [sic] varsity sport in a brand new boathouse in downtown Hartford.” So, the offer may not have been as far-flung as it seems.

Also in 1965 came correspondence between founding Trent University comptroller John Leishman and Peter Robinson College master R.H. (Dick) Sadleir about the acquisition of the Loyal Orange Lodge, the property on which the

It is my understanding that the original arrangement was that this property was taken over by the University on 1st January, 1966 and I have received a request from the Council of Peter Robinson College to make this building available to the University for athletic purposes as of that date. I believe that this is the only building in the area suitable for housing the racing shells which we obtained for use on the river.

In 1968, founding Trent athletics director P.S.B. Wilson had begun taking students out on the water.

A notice on October 16 reads that “It is hoped that rowing will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 19th, at the Grove School in Lakefield. A car will leave Champlain College at 10:30 a.m. for those students requiring transportation.”

The Trent Rowing Club was officially founded in 1970 by thenstudent Chris Leach ’70, as announced

by Neil Stevens of The Peterborough Examiner: Chris Leach enrolled in Trent University’s psychology course this fall and no sooner had he toured the university when he was struck by the thought that the waters of the Otonabee River and the Trent Canal system were excellent for the sport of rowing. Leach is a former Olympic oarsman with the powerful

St. Catharines Rowing Club. He rekindled the rowing enthusiasm of biology instructor [Professor] David Carlisle, who had sculled in his native England, and the two energetic men formed the Trent Rowing Club.

Leach and the rest of the crew put in hours of heavy training to prepare for the 1970 season with often grueling training regimens. Legend has it that training sessions included nightly runs up the Lady Eaton drumlin while piggybacking teammates.

The club was in dire need of equipment, however, with Stevens warning in The Examiner that it was doomed to fail within a year without a racing shell.

Despite this fact, the Trent men’s eight placed a respectable fifth at the 1970 Eastern Canadian Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.

The triumphant story of the day, and perhaps even the motivator to purchase a shell, came from the women’s eight and their historic (and most surprising) first place finish in a shell borrowed from the Don Rowing Club.

1971 saw P.S.B. Wilson working hard behind the scenes to secure Trent membership in the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen and to gain funds for the club. Even more exciting was this announcement in the September edition of the Trent Fortnightly: An invitational regatta is being held by the Trent Rowing Club on Saturday, October 23. Three main events are scheduled: open eights, university eights, and schoolboy eights. The regatta will begin at 1 p.m. Assistance is needed in marshalling and providing timekeepers for the various events.

Members of the university who have rowed as students are urged to call Professor David Carlisle at 748-1356 or 748-1424.

An October 16, 1971 Peterborough Examiner headline, meanwhile, stated, “Head of the Trent Race Could Become Spectacular,” and the journalist reported that, “If [Dr. Carlisle’s] plans and calculations stay on course, the rowing event will attract about

60 crews and possibly 500 total participants. The race, slated for Oct. 23, will feature English shell boats, each worth around $3,800.”

While Prof. Carlisle and The Examiner may have missed the mark by a little (there were 13 boats that raced that first HOTT), they were correct that the regatta would grow into one of the most spectacular of the fall rowing season.

In a letter to athletics staff at Mohawk College, Professor Carlisle described the fledgling race: The regatta here is rowed on a time trial basis as a head of the river race.

The boats are sent off at intervals after one another and are timed over the whole course, while each boat tries to pass the boat ahead of it. Final positions depend upon times. The winning time is likely to be in the order of 12 to 15 minutes depending rather upon the weather.

This is rather longer than the 2,000 metres of the more conventional regatta. Since nobody has enough boats to be able to row all their

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crews simultaneously, we expect to row the race in three divisions so that two or more crews may make use of the same boat. However this is organized, it is the elapsed time between the starting gate for the individual boats and the time crossing the finishing line, which determines the position in the overall regatta.

1973 saw Leach attempting to launch the Peterborough Rowing Club (PRC) and secure funds for “renovating an old lockmaster’s boathouse at Nassau Mills and building an extension to house the club’s racing shells. Mr. Leach, Rob Scrutton, formerly of the Argonaut club in Toronto, and [P.S.B.] Wilson, athletic director at Trent University, have drawn up the design in conjunction with the Trent University engineering department. Rowing in Peterborough has mainly centred on the university. In the past three seasons the Trent crews have won three Ontario Union of Athletic Association Champions.”

The University and the PRC began partnering on HOTT in 1978, and since that time the club has hosted and grown the regatta with local rowers and assistance from rowing alumni of both the Trent and Peterborough clubs.

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There has been no shortage of prestigious rowers who have rowed for Trent at HOTT over the years—old and new—including Rob Marland ’83 (see profile on page 19), Michael Cullen ’82 (Peter Robinson College) (a well-known photographer and national team rower who returns each year to run the dock on the PRC side of the river), Trevor Jones (current national team member and two-time Under-23 World Championship winner), and Grace VandenBroek (current national team member and Under-23 and Under-19 World Championship medallist).

Back in 1971, Iain Dobson of Arthur wrote, “the grey skies, pastel fall colours and masterful architecture of the Nassau campus provided the backdrop for the spectators who lined the shore and filled the bridge.” That description was as apt as ever last year, with Head of the Trent Championships running over two days and hosting 600 boats over the 4.5 km course.

And as long as there is a river to row on, and the University on its shores, we can expect the same each and every autumn.

Go, Trent crew!

TRENT RESPONSE:

Third Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Leading up to the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, TRENT Magazine asked students, staff and faculty to share their thoughts on the progress that’s been made and the work that still needs to be done.

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or more than 50 years, Trent has been a leader in Indigenous education with a commitment to incorporating Indigenous teachings and perspectives into academic and extracurricular programming.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Saturday, September 30. It’s a day for all Canadians to pause and reflect on the history of colonialism and learn about the ongoing impact of residential schools.

This year, the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed on Friday, September 29 at the Trent Durham GTA Campus, and on Monday, October 2 in Peterborough.

Students, staff and faculty will be able to participate in educational and reflective events at both campuses, and importantly, staff will be available to offer support as needed. In recognition, the flags at both campuses will be lowered to half-mast on September 30 and during their respective days of observance.

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Visit trentu.ca/ truthandreconciliation for the full program and other resources to support learning and reconciliation.

Beyond the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Trent is committed to facilitating opportunities to learn, reflect and take action to advance reconciliation throughout the year.

Providing a foundation of shared history

Trent will once again offer a variety of opportunities for reflection, learning and ceremony that acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and honour the process of reconciliation.

Monday, October 2 will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony at Symons Campus, followed by a number of learning opportunities throughout the day. A Campus Reflection and a Moment of Silence will be held at both the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses.

In 2017, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, Trent’s Senate approved 11 recommendations from the Special Committee on Indigenous Education. The following year, the Board of Governors committed to a complementary series of actions to build stronger, mutually beneficial relations with the local Michi Saagiig First Nations.

Through the implementation of these recommendations, Trent has reinforced its position as a leader in Indigenous education and renewed its

“I encourage faculty to build relationships, whether it be with local First Nations, Métis or perhaps Inuit communities.” – Mitchell Huguenin

commitment to Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing.

“Our view of Indigenous education extends beyond our students. We are committed to helping our campus and broader community access courses, events and talks that help them learn about our shared history, and to provide opportunities for them to participate in actions that advance reconciliation,” says Julie Davis, vice president, External Relations & Development.

A focus of the University is to support students, faculty, staff and the community in learning about the treaty and traditional territory on which Trent is located. Trent University, with campuses in Peterborough and Durham, is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga (Michi Saagiig) Anishnaabeg, which is made up of Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Trent has found creative ways to advance that learning, including an impactful treaty rock installation at the Bata bus loop with the clan totem signatories to Treaty 20 carved in limestone boulders alongside a pre-Confederation treaty map that was unveiled on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In the past few years, an Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council has been formed with representatives from the local Michi Saagiig communities. This council guided the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom in the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan— the overarching plan for Symons Campus—helping to ensure that

campus projects and land stewardship initiatives include the voices, perspectives and worldview of local First Nations. The council continues to meet monthly with members of the University to advise on cultural matters, including recognition, place and spacemaking.

Another key initiative of the Senate Special Committee on Indigenous Education was the establishment of the Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR)—making Trent one of the first universities to establish this requirement—which ensures all undergraduate students at Trent University have a foundational understanding of the history, traditions, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Since the fall of 2018, all undergraduate students beginning their studies at Trent have been required to complete at least one course with approved Indigenous content.

“It’s been a very transformational experience for many students,” says VP Davis.

Dr. Barbara Wall ’11, co-director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies (Peter Gzowski College), says, “The education that they receive is really important in allowing those students to move forward with their responsibilities of reconciliation.”

trentu.ca/indigenous/ icr

Honouring and incorporating Indigenous Knowledges Trent’s vision states that we foster an environment where Indigenous Knowledges are respected and recognized as a valid means by which to understand the world.

The University offers a supportive academic environment where faculty are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous content, knowledge, and both historical and contemporary issues into their curriculum. This includes opportunities that encourage an understanding of the world in multiple ways—a concept that’s deeply embedded in various Indigenous communities.

“Trent remains a leader in Indigenous education,” notes Mitchell Huguenin, education developer, Indigenous Pedagogy. “Our university has always been really strongly supportive of Indigenous education, priorities, supporting Indigenous students, advocating for Indigenous Knowledge dissemination, teaching and learning.”

Through his role at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, Huguenin helps to introduce Trent faculty to Indigenous pedagogical approaches and provides support with integrating Indigenous content and perspectives into the courses they teach. “I help build bridges for faculty and connect them with Indigenous perspectives and thought, knowledge, and scholarship,” he explains. “Our faculty, on one hand, have a responsibility to take this on and do the work themselves, to become learned and to be able to teach about Indigenous people and experiences, but there are Indigenous Knowledge and sacred systems that require

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“What we’re trying to accomplish in a lot of our work is ensuring that there are Indigenous voices and values at the table.”

– Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations & Development

support from an Elder or community member,” says Huguenin. “I encourage faculty to build those relationships, whether it be local First Nations, Métis or perhaps Inuit communities.”

At the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies, the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences (IESS) program is a unique and multidisciplinary program that brings together principles of both Indigenous Knowledge and Western science.

Students in the program take a variety of courses in the Indigenous Studies Program and the Trent School of the Environment, as well as unique courses specific to the IESS program.

As a practitioner of Indigenous Knowledges, Dr. Wall feels strongly that Indigenous Knowledge needs to be taught by an Indigenous person and specifically, a knowledge holder.

“Indigenous Knowledge is a thing that you do, it’s not in a book, it’s not static, it really is a way of life,” she says.

“Within the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, we work really hard to invite and hire Indigenous scholars.”

At the same time, the school includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty “walking together” to deliver curriculum to students.

The goal of integrating these different perspectives is to provide a stronger learning experience for students and support integrative thinking to address environmental, health and social issues. “When you bring Indigenous Knowledges and Western sciences together it provides a multi-dimensional viewpoint and understanding. It leads to critical innovation and critical thinking when it comes to addressing environmental issues,” says Dr. Wall.

The concept is forward-thinking, but it is still a work in progress and may not be for everyone. “It’s great if we

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can break down walls, but I also think realistically, as an Indigenous person myself, I’m not so willing to incorporate Western sciences into my daily life when it comes to viewing the environment. So, I don’t expect every Western scientist to start incorporating and embracing Indigenous ideas and worldviews into their work,” says Zhaawnong Webb (Peter Gzowski College). “I think that’s one of the myths of the two-eyed seeing approach, that everybody has to see the world through both lenses.

I think that spaces where all the world views are equally accepted and taken seriously on all levels is more important.”

Webb believes the youth—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—will be far more powerful when it comes to incorporating new ideas and

Indigenous perspectives into Western courses.

“I really value when nonIndigenous environmental students take Indigenous environmental studies courses. By learning our environmental worldview, they can then incorporate it into their own research and their own studies,” he says.

Through his education at Trent, Webb has been inspired to share his Indigenous perspectives and knowledge with others through social media, creating a variety of Indigenous informative media which supports truth and reconciliation in Canada. “Growing up, I was one of the first generations of youth to receive Indigenous studies in school through the new curriculum.

I knew that almost all generations older than me were basically denied the truth of the Indigenous and nonIndigenous relationship in Canada.

I wanted to take it upon myself to share that information in a free and accessible way.”

trentu.ca/indigenous/ icr

Building strong, trusting, mutuallybeneficial relationships Through regular meetings and the nurturing of strong, trusting relationships with local Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg communities, Trent has ensured an open dialogue for engagement and collaboration. During the planning period for the West Bank shoreline restoration work at Symons Campus, the University met with First Nations Consultation Liaisons Officers to gain an understanding of their knowledge of the water, the species, and best practices for mitigating impact during the construction period.

Those proactive conversations created the opportunity to talk about the need for a safe access point to the water for Indigenous ceremony, explains VP Davis. As a result, design elements such as an accessible trail and additional stairs have been added to the restoration plan, which will facilitate better water access.

“What we’re trying to accomplish in a lot of our work is ensuring that there are Indigenous voices and values at the table. Through these regular meetings, this has become a normal way in which we operate in our work,” Davis explains. “That said, we must recognize that our desire to engage must be tempered with both the interest and the capacity of Indigenous communities to participate.”

Through asking questions to determine where help is wanted and needed, Davis says that that’s where some of the great work has taken place, including a community garden at Curve Lake First Nation that was supported by students and staff in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program at Trent.

This commitment to developing and nurturing these strong relationships is crucial for understanding where priorities and interests align and where Trent can be most impactful in their support. trentlands.ca/projects/ west-bank-shorelinerestoration

Creating a safe space for Indigenous learning and a better future for all Trent’s First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) exists to encourage and support a diverse community of Indigenous students, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and international Indigenous students. That support covers everything from housing and financial

aid to tutoring and mentorship, but ultimately it’s about building a supportive community that ensures Indigenous students have success in whatever their desired field or discipline is, explains Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, director of FPHL. “A really important part of our work is creating safe spaces for Indigenous students, but also simultaneously working to increase cultural humility within the larger institution,” says Dr. Lavell-Harvard.

“A key part of what we’re doing at First Peoples House of Learning is building that understanding for non-Indigenous people as well.”

That effort involves online and in-person workshops that are available for everyone, regardless of their initial understanding of Indigenous peoples in Canada. “We provide workshops and training to help people understand that process of colonization and the lasting legacy and impact that’s had on our communities,” says Dr. Lavell-Harvard.

“It’s really about learning; we can’t build understanding and we can’t learn how to work together in a better way if we don’t truly understand the real history of our nation.”

It’s not a comfortable conversation for a lot of people, acknowledges Dr. Lavell-Harvard, explaining that the finding of unmarked graves at residential school sites marked a critical turning point for Indigenous and settler relations in this country.

Regardless, learning the truth is the first step on the path to truth and reconciliation. It’s also important for Indigenous students’ success.

Improving the overall environment in which Indigenous students are expected to function within an institution is crucial for improving educational outcomes, explains Dr. Lavell-Harvard. “The more we help people cope with a system that’s existing, the more we’re just allowing that system to continue existing,” she says.

While FPHL is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students and educating non-Indigenous students, faculty and staff at Trent, part of that work also involves educating the broader community. In addition to providing workshop and training opportunities at Trent University, FPHL also provides the same training to groups and organizations within the greater Peterborough area, including the local social workers association, paramedics, Peterborough Public Health, and more. “In the last year alone, thousands of people have gone through our program,” says Dr. LavellHarvard.

“We’re reaching the hearts of the much broader community that we’re functioning in. It’s not enough to create small safe spaces, we have to create genuine social change and that’s what we’re trying to do at the First Peoples House of Learning.”

trentu.ca/fphl

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A continued commitment Recently, Trent University partnered with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to launch a new Indigenous Environmental Studies & Sciences diploma for Dene students in the Northwest Territories.

This is the first diploma program Trent has developed in specific partnership with an individual First Nation. It will be offered jointly by the Trent School of the Environment and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies in partnership with Trent’s Indigenous Environmental Studies/Sciences program.

At Trent University Durham GTA, with thanks to philanthropic support from past Board chair Anne Wright, a new 30-foot tipi with permanent stone benches and a fire pit will be erected, along with new additions to the Indigenous Student Space at Trent Durham such as more

modern and functional furnishings in the colours of the medicine wheel.

These enhancements help to ensure all students, faculty and visitors feel that they belong.

Throughout the year, Trent will continue to educate, reflect, and showcase Indigenous history, perspectives, and knowledge. In June, the University celebrates National Indigenous History Month by highlighting Indigenous students, alumni, and staff.

“Trent has made really positive forward steps in building ways of reconciliation across campus,” says Dr. Wall. “But I would like the Trent community and the broader community to always understand and have in the back of their thoughts that no matter where they are in Canada, they’re on Indigenous land and they’re visitors. Be respectful of the land and the water and all other beings of creation.”

FOSTER INDIGENOUS PLACEMAKING ON CAMPUS You can contribute to the resurgence of Indigenous culture, language, and Indigenous Knowledge by advancing inspiring culturally appropriate spaces of learning and ceremony at Trent.

Trent continues to explore opportunities to create a place of belonging for Indigenous students and faculty and spaces that bring the broader community to our campuses to play their part in reconciliation. One such space is a Traditional Teaching Lodge.

This sheltered outdoor teaching and gathering space will be made of natural materials with minimal environmental impact. The concept was approved

by Trent’s Board of Governors as part of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan and is based on extensive engagement with local Elders and cultural advisors, as well as Indigenous students, faculty and staff.

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Like the sacred fire that burns at the centre of this space, the lodge will spark a deeper connection to the land, a sense of belonging, cultural and spiritual expression, and the exchange of knowledge and teachings.

Imagine the opportunities for enhanced cultural programming such as workshops and land-based activities, ceremonies, and learning from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Visit trentu.ca/momentous to find out how you can make a momentous impact and contribute to the resurgence of Indigenous culture, language and Traditional Knowledge.

AI THREATS and GIFTS As Artificial Intelligence becomes our new reality, Trent University faculty learn how to leverage the powerful tool to support learning

ince OpenAI released its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, ChatGPT, last November, the academic world seemingly transformed overnight.

While it’s certainly impressive, ChatGPT also has limitations, and has left

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many to wonder exactly what role AI should have, if any, in post-secondary learning.

“It’s a huge learning curve,” says Lisa Noble, demonstrator at the School of Education. “But this is our new

reality, and we need to figure out our approach.”

In August, KPMG Canada released the results of a survey of more than 5,000 Canadian post-secondary students finding that more than half

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(52%) are using AI to complete their assignments.

So, is AI a threat to academic integrity or an ingenious learning tool?

The answer is most likely both. When used dishonestly, AI generative tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing Chat, and countless others are a new way to cheat, producing subpar but passable work that professors may not be able to prove was created by a robot.

When used ethically, these same tools can further develop critical thinking skills and may even be somewhat of an equalizer for students whose first language is not English, or those with a learning disability.

“In teaching practice it’s going to be really important for instructors to model using it in their class; not to pretend it doesn’t exist, not to just say, ‘Please don’t use AI,’ but to actually use it in class, talk about it and analyze what it produces,” says Noble.

In the workforce, many employers are exploring how AI can save time and money. That’s an important consideration for faculty—students will require hands-on learning opportunities with AI to better prepare them for future careers. “It’s not our only mission to get people into the workforce but it is one of our missions,” says Dr. Karleen Pendleton Jiménez, former associate dean of Trent University Durham GTA and professor in Education, Gender and Social Justice.

“We wouldn’t be preparing our students if we didn’t show them the ways they can use it and how not to use it. They need both.”

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Terry Green and Dana Capell

Rethinking assessment To prevent any dishonesty in assignments, some educators might bring back the type of in-person evaluations that were common before the COVID-19 pandemic, although Professor Pendleton Jiménez hopes that’s not the case, because using a variety of assignment and assessment methods is a more inclusive approach for students with differing skill sets.

Instead, she says, the emphasis should be on specific and personalized assignments, as well as teaching ethical ways of using AI. Terry Greene, senior eLearning designer at Trent University, says he hopes that more academic disciplines look to student co-creation as a valuable and engaging way to involve students in their educational experience.

Educators may also explore a broader range of assessment methods including podcasts, film, zines, and other art forms, beyond just the standard essay.

“It really does force us to rethink assessment,” says Dana Capell, senior education developer at Trent.

“ChatGPT makes it really easy to skip what I call the ‘messy middle,’ which is an important process of learning where we consider ideas and do a lot of our thinking.” She suggests that educators ask students to document their thinking and show how it evolved

through the assignment, focusing more on the process of learning, rather than the final product.

“If AI can basically write a finished product, then what is it that we really want our students to do? It’s a profound challenge but it is a good thing for us to think about,” says Capell. “For example, what does it mean to do something original and creative in my field and how can I create assessments that really focus on that?”

One thing is certain; AI is here to stay and both students and educators need to become AI literate. Policing student use of AI may well be futile.

“Why not think of interesting ways to use AI versus making it the forbidden fruit?” says Prof. Pendleton Jiménez.

“The forbidden fruit approach is just not going to work.”

Students using AI to complete assignments

Teaching students about critical thinking Perhaps more important than knowing how to use AI is how to be critical of it. “It reinforces the need to talk about algorithm biases,” says Noble. “What’s being scraped on the internet and produced by ChatGPT tends to be white, male, and tends to be of a certain level of education. It’s crucial that we talk to our students about that,” she says.

This isn’t necessarily a new problem.

Search engines and social media already rely on biased algorithms to curate information and links. Users still must look at the source of the articles and determine whether they are reliable and factual. And as tech companies like Google and Meta retaliate against the Online News Act (Bill C-18) and begin to ban links to Canadian journalism on their platforms, having a discerning eye when looking at online information is more important than ever.

Students will need to approach ChatGPT and other AI tools with the same critical eye, but it may take some time for students to learn this skill. “At the post-secondary level, we’re getting cohorts who don’t know what a good source is or how to find it, or how to not pick the first hit that comes up—or even how to use a database,” says Noble, explaining that ChatGPT may be the catalyst that leads instructors to revisit these foundational skills in their teaching.

Indeed, not every “fact” ChatGPT delivers is accurate, and much of the information it provides is biased, so students must verify the information and edit appropriately in order to earn high grades.

“AI can certainly be used to teach about bias,” says Capell, who suggests asking students to use ChatGPT for an assignment and then have them analyze how ChatGPT’s version is different from their own. “Use that as an opportunity to talk about some of those biases,” she says.

MOMENTOUS SPOTLIGHT PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPACE & WET LAB A space fit for the future Trent’s educational spaces need to reflect the technologies and facilities that graduates will encounter throughout their careers. Over the last ten years, the School of Education has grown significantly, and so has our need for teaching and learning spaces. Our vision is to create a multipurpose space that will encourage cross-disciplinary and community collaboration.

The new gym will be equipped with a climbing wall, drop-down video screen, audio/visual (lectern) equipment, stage blocks, and more to encourage a range of activities such as health and physical education teaching, performing arts teaching, and events.

The multi-purpose classroom and wet lab will be a game-changer as we prepare teacher candidates to inspire future generations to pursue opportunities in the important fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math.

Together we can ensure that our future teachers enter the education profession with confidence and a breadth of knowledge and experience to continue elevating the teaching profession.

Help create Momentous Change through making a gift to the School of Education. momentouschange.trentu.ca/educationgive

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Mitchell Huguenin, education developer, Indigenous Pedagogy, at the Centre for Teaching & Learning agrees that it’s crucial students and educators consider the different types of bias that are inherent in AI generative tools.

“Historically, Indigenous Knowledge was misinterpreted, misappropriated and misarticulated by non-Indigenous people in literature, popular culture and scholarship, so when I learn about a new tool that could be used in a similar colonizing kind of way, I worry that our current, modern thought, knowledge, and scholarship could be again misinterpreted,” he explains.

Beyond bias, the evolution and proliferation of AI will introduce new ethical issues—all of which should be topics of discussion in academia.

“There will be a definite lift in our collective intelligence around ethical considerations for these tools,” says Greene. “It’s going to raise the bar on understanding intellectual property, copyright, licensing and ethical uses of technology.”

Generating conversation through role-play While remote learning has many advantages, there is a risk of fewer collaborative opportunities. In some circumstances, AI-powered chatbots could be used to generate conversation and feedback in various role-playing scenarios.

For example, doctors at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess, a teaching hospital at Harvard Medical School, are exploring how chatbots like ChatGPT could be used in training future doctors to think like doctors. When used in role playing, ChatGPT serves as a sounding board and brainstorm tool—similar

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to how doctors might consult with colleagues for suggestions.

The same practice could be tested in the academic fields of nursing, cultural studies, and others.

Saving time on some tasks “Years ago, we would tell students not to use a citation generator. That was considered a form of cheating.

Today, that part of our work has become something that we are very comfortable mechanizing,” says Capell.

We may eventually view other types of work in a similar way, such as early research, for example. AI algorithms can curate and recommend relevant learning materials, both for educators and students. While the results won’t provide a complete picture, it’s a starting point and saves time on initial research.

There are also instructional tasks that could be offloaded to AI, freeing up time for work that holds more value. This might involve using an AI chatbot to create multiple choice questions for a quiz or a course outline based on an existing course description. “I used it recently to create learning outcomes for a course description,” says Greene. “ChatGPT provided seven learning outcomes in a matter of seconds, some of which I liked and some that at least gave me a starting point where I could edit them to my liking.” The exercise saved some time and improved the alignment of the course outline, but Greene acknowledges that the time it saved did not make up for the time it cost him in other areas of teaching.

English language assistance With the ability to support more than 50 languages, ChatGPT holds promise as a powerful tool for translation and proofreading. “AI takes translation to an amazing level and can let some

of our multi-language learners have more access to text, and allow them to communicate faster and easier,” says Noble.

Capell agrees: “For students with disabilities, for students who speak non-standard English, for students who just have never been given the grammar skills that their professors assume they have, I think this can be a real game changer.”

Jose Botero Restrepo, who is pursuing his Masters of Education at Trent, has first-hand experience using AI in this way and suggests thinking of AI as another tool for reaching students. “As an ESL student, I will always be behind. ChatGPT is a tool that can help me improve as a writer,” he says, noting that he has used AI tools such as Grammarly and ChatGPT to refine the language in some of his drafts.

“AI amplifies my linguistic experience,” he explains. “I don’t think we should diminish the importance of a hybrid writing style, especially in countries where we are trying to promote diversity and inclusion.”

AI will undoubtedly become ubiquitous in learning, but it’s essential to approach its integration in a critical and thoughtful way, considering ethical concerns and ensuring that technology remains a tool to support and enhance human learning, rather than replace it.

“I hope that when talking about encouraging our own creativity, we can help students realize that their own individual voice is so important and is part of what comes through in something that they produce,” says Noble. “And that’s something that an AI tool can’t do well.”

ALUMNI & FRIENDS GATHERINGS CONTINUE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA Gatherings offer opportunity to connect, meet University senior leadership, and learn about boldest campaign in Trent history Alumni and supporters continue to meet across North America in a series of gatherings that offer an opportunity to connect, meet University senior leadership, and hear about Trent’s boldest philanthropic campaign in our history.

“As we travel from coast to coast, we continue to build excitement and grow momentum for Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change,” says Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice-president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

“It has been affirming to witness first-hand how our alumni are creating momentous change within their own communities across the country.”

Since Spring 2023, the Alumni & Friends gatherings have been held in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, New York City, Ottawa, and Montréal where supporters have connected, networked, and met with University leaders including president and vicechancellor Dr. Leo Groarke; chancellor Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66; Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations &

Development; AVP Sherry Booth; and Campaign for Momentous Change leaders Linda Schuyler ’18 (hon) and Gavin Marshall ’76.

The Alumni & Friends gatherings continue this fall with a planned event in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 9 at Pier 21. Several international events are also planned in 2024.

Learn more about the gatherings and watch for invitations in your inbox.

West Coast alumni and supporters gathered in Vancouver on June 28 to reminisce, connect and hear updates from senior leaders.

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THE TRENT FUND

Momentous change for students’ urgent needs

Nimble, Impactful Trent Fund Creates Meaningful Student Opportunities Trent students are driven to change the world around them for the better—from seeking opportunities to apply their knowledge and creativity, to finding impactful solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges.

The Trent Fund creates opportunities for these students through on-campus employment and experiential learning with industry leaders.

Through these experiences, students not only gain critical communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, also gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and their potential to lead momentous change.

In an unpredictable world, the Trent Fund is also supporting students in the areas of housing and food security. The Trent Fund is nimble and impactful, assisting

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with emergency housing and providing financial support for the basics.

To bring about momentous change, we need leaders who are hungry to understand the world. And to inspire the leaders of tomorrow, we need to invest in the students of today.

The Trent Fund supports:

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Emergency housing Basic needs Athletics

In an unpredictable and changing world, with rising inflation that’s affecting everything from grocery prices to housing costs, we all know that the cost of living is skyrocketing.

In my role as associate vice-president Students, I’m passionate about advocating for Trent University students and I assist those from all walks of life who are requiring support during these uncertain times.

I have seen first-hand that the Trent Fund is our most powerful tool for responding to students’ most pressing and urgent needs. The Trent Fund assists with emergency housing, provides financial support for the basics, and offers on-campus employment so that every student can learn and discover without boundaries.”

Lawrence Lam, Associate Vice-President, Students

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Student employment

A Donor’s Perspective

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Anishnaabe teachings tell us to give back more than what we have been given.

I was spurred to give back through the Trent Fund because the fund increases food security for our students, and they need a full belly to engage their minds.”

Dr. Barbara Wall ’11, Director of Studies, Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Program

“Just the Right Thing to Do” Community member Brad Holland generously aids urgent student needs by supporting the Trent Fund During these unprecedented times, Peterborough community member Brad Holland has watched the world become more unpredictable and understands that Trent University students need to be empowered to reach their full potential. To remove financial barriers for students experiencing urgent needs across both the Peterborough and Durham campuses, Holland is generously supporting the Trent Fund’s commitments to food security over the next four years.

“Supporting the Trent Fund is just the right thing to do when it comes to helping students with their most pressing needs,” says Holland.

“Investing in Trent students is an investment in a brighter future for us all.”

“As a concerned neighbour, Brad Holland has risen to the occasion by supporting Trent students through uncertain times and we thank him for his generosity,” says Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice-president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “Trent attracts students who want to see and do things differently. We all need to do our part to support these fine young minds who are dedicated to making significant contributions to society.”

Holland, who lives in the Chemong Lake area, is a semi-retired chartered professional accountant who now advises a local real estate developer and previously spent 25 years in executive and advisory roles at George Weston Ltd, Loblaws Companies Ltd. and their subsidiaries.

Holland says he’s thankful to be able to support students with urgent needs so that they can put their focus on studying and better enjoy their Trent Experience.

Join the Club. Get the Benefits.

Trent Fund Club members give monthly and get regular updates about how their gift is impacting the students they support.

Some of our member advantages: • Special Trent Fund Club events, where members learn and hear about the impact of their gifts from students and University staff.

• Direct thank-you communications from students whose educational journey they have helped.

• Annual reports highlighting the high impact of the Trent Fund.

Visit trentu.ca/tfc for more information or to join the club.

Learn more about the Trent Fund, which also creates opportunities for students through on-campus employment and experiential learning with industry leaders.

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ENRICHING STUDENT CONNECTION through College Endowments Matching opportunities available for endowments for each of the University’s five unique Colleges

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rent University’s unique collegiate system has been active since the University’s inception, but many Trent community members may not be aware that each college has an endowment to foster and protect their unique legacy.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, all gifts to these endowments are currently being matched dollar for dollar to enhance student enrichment opportunities and create a home away from home within the tight-knit communities of Catharine Parr Traill College, Champlain College, Lady Eaton College, Otonabee College and Peter Gzowski College.

“All gifts to the College endowments are important as the Colleges continue to be the places where students from across the world join together to push the boundaries of knowledge through study and debate, learn leadership skills, and form lifelong friendships,” says Donna Doherty, director of the Campaign for Momentous Change. “An investment in our Colleges is an investment in a brighter future for all.”

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The matching opportunities are thanks to the generosity of the following supporters: David de Launay ’98 (Peter Gzowski College) Sue Graham Parker ’73 (Lady Eaton College) Doug Kirk ’70 (Champlain College) Dr. Harry Kitchen (Champlain College) Armand La Barge ’95 (Peter Gzowski College) and Denise La Barge Greg Piasetzki ’72 (Traill College) Martha Wilder ‘74 (Otonabee College) Office of the President, Trent University

Learn more about the impact of endowments on the collegiate system and make a gift to support your home College.

Expressing Gratitude for Organizations Close to the Heart Through Legacy Giving Peterborough lawyer Karen Sisson ’78 (Lady Eaton College) outlines how remembering organizations in a will allows clients to live on in places that were meaningful to them

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great deal of my legal practice involves estate planning and discussions with clients about providing a gift to organizations with which they have been involved during their lifetimes. Some who may have accumulated wealth and have provided for their families, or who have no immediate family, are looking to do something rewarding with their assets after they have gone.

I have supported many clients in ensuring arrangements have been made to direct their gifts to a charity or nonprofit of choice, including in some cases to an alma mater. At Trent University, for example, there are myriad ways to direct legacy support, whether that is to the Humanities & Social Sciences, Nursing, or Athletics.

Members of Trent’s Legacy Society are also creatively forging their own legacies including Dr. Tom Miller ’82, whose legacy will ensure the vibrant, residential, academic, college-based education remains central to Trent; or Michael Nolan ’69, whose legacy will ensure Trent’s trademark natural landscapes will continue to be enjoyed for generations. Some clients want to support their alma mater’s greatest needs, allowing the University to dream big, while others prefer to set up a fund in their own name for an area that is personally meaningful. It is also common for people who have had humble beginnings, and then go on to achieve great success, to use their legacy support to assist young students who are in financial need, such as a gift to the Trent Fund.

While some people think only the wealthy can afford to make a

great impact on a charity close to their heart, clients are often pleasantly surprised to realize that legacy giving allows them to make a far greater impact than what they could afford during their lifetime.

In fact, Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of the ability to leave a significant charitable gift under the terms of their will, and depending on the circumstances, a legacy gift may provide tax benefits to the estate.

It is remarkably simple to do. Most minor changes to add a legacy gift can be made easily through discussion with your lawyer and then signing appropriate documents.

Anyone wishing to provide a legacy gift to any organization should do so only after speaking with their professional advisers and reviewing the options that would best meet their estate plan. Without appropriate

direction, an Executor/Trustee may not be able to carry out a testator’s wishes as desired.

Overall, legacy gifts are an expression of gratitude and a way for people to live on in a place that is meaningful to them. For the University, this may be expressed by staff, faculty, alumni, or those who have children, grandchildren, or other family members who are alumni. Still others may be community members who have had wonderful Trent experiences by attending on-campus events, belonging to the Athletics Centre, walking the campus trails as part of their wellness routine, or taking an inspiring continuing education course. There are many ways in which people are part of the Trent community without being students.

From my personal standpoint as a proud Trent alumna, legacy giving ensures future generations will always be able to enjoy the transformative Trent experience.

Learn more about Trent University legacy giving, which is about not only paying it back but paying it forward.

Karen Sisson ’78 (Lady Eaton College) earned her B.A. at Trent University before embarking on her legal career.

Sisson has 25 years of experience with the wills, estates, and wealth management team at LLF Lawyers.

Her practice focuses exclusively on personal planning and estate matters.

TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2022-23 IMPACT REPORT

You are empowering

Trent University students and faculty to impact the world without limitation

What your gifts supported 6%

12%

Trent Funds Areas of Greatest Need + Operating Support

Research

9% Gift-in-Kind

8% Experiential Learning

9% Academic Support

$10.3M

13% Student Wellness, Accessibility, Athletics, and Colleges

5% Campus Projects

38% Bursaries, Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes

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Thank you Alumni Family for your momentous support!

5% 1%

Alumni giving by decade

2000s+

1990s

15%

3%

1960s

1980s

73% 1970s

Trent supporters

Type of fund

$3,481,994 $2,486,295

Alumni

$887,425 Gift-in-Kind

Expendable

$4,710,633 Corporations, Foundations

$2,123,754 Staff, Faculty, Retirees, Board & Community

$6,942,761 Endowed

TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

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NEW ADVANCED LEARNING CENTRE A SIGN OF STEADY GROWTH AT TRENT DURHAM GTA Dr. Scott Henderson ’84

I

must admit, it is a slightly odd feeling to look up at a lamppost banner in downtown Oshawa and see my own face smiling back down at me. It is also exciting, as this marks an important new era for Trent University Durham GTA. The banners run for two blocks along Simcoe Street in the heart of downtown Oshawa, pointing the way to our new Advanced Learning Centre at 11 Simcoe St. N. The stunning new facility is home to our postgraduate certificates in Durham and is soon to be home to our Master of Management and ESL programming. The centre is a mark of the campus’s steady growth as well as a continuation of our strong 50-year relationship with the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham.

The Advanced Learning Centre offers students state-ofthe-art learning facilities and a large, bright atrium, as well as outdoor seating that provides ideal study and relaxation spaces. With a large moss feature wall, the atrium connects Trent Durham’s downtown Oshawa location with the greenery and natural setting for which the Symons Campus is so renowned. While enjoying a host of interesting restaurants, coffee shops and other amenities, our students will be able to make the most of their time at Trent’s latest teaching location. The Centre itself is designed with students in mind and will include critical support services.

As I enter my fifth year as dean and head of Trent Durham, I am so pleased that the tradition of excellence and commitment to making the world a better place that attracted me to Trent back in 1984 are still at the core of the Trent experience. This past term, more than 3,000 students took at least one course on our campus. Amazingly, when

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TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

I arrived at the University in ’84, the total population of Trent was 3000 students.. To have the good fortune to be overseeing a campus of similar size, and one that retains such a positive community feeling, is both an honour and a pleasure.

One of the many great things about our GTA location is its attractiveness to international students. Having once been an exchange student through Trent International, I recognize the challenges faced by those joining us from afar and I have tremendous respect for the effort they have made to join our campus.

With much attention in the media on the challenges facing international students, we know that many are drawn to our campus because of the Trent experience.

The ongoing commitment to small class sizes, access to professors, supports inside and outside the classroom, and a vibrant Trent community are all aspects sure to be familiar to any Trent alum. All of this is housed in a building that utilizes architectural and design flourishes to enhance the experience.

Our postgraduate certificate programs are open to anyone with an undergraduate degree looking to enhance their job-ready skills in new areas, including Human Resource Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Business Communication, Finance, and Business Administration.

3,000

+ Students took at least one course on the Durham GTA campus

It is not only the new Advanced Learning Centre, however, that represents change in Durham. We are now in our fourth year of offering a student residence, making us a full-service campus. The 24/7 presence of students has brought a new energy both to our campus and to the surrounding neighbourhood. With a return to in-person classes, campus clubs and activities have gained pace. If you ever drop by, be sure to check out our intramural cricket club, as well as a student team that is now playing matches with local community cricket clubs. It has proven to be one of the fastest growing and most popular sports on campus.

And I am immodest enough to boast of hitting a six in my first over!

It has also been a pleasure to see our campus Indigenous spaces grow. A commitment to truth and reconciliation and the support of generous donors has allowed us to enhance our Indigenous student lounge, as well as beginning to develop a traditional Indigenous healing garden alongside our new larger tipi. Support from past Trent Board Chair Anne Wright, as well as from the Durham-based Kassinger Foundation, has allowed us to make these spaces even more special than we had initially imagined. Alongside a pathway art installation from noted Québécois artist André Fournelle (whose La Porte D’or graces the lobby of the Bata Library on the Symons Campus), the healing garden and tipi will become

a focal point for many campus events, such as our annual recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

If you find yourself in Oshawa, feel free to drop by. The students, faculty, and staff choose to join this academic community because of their deep desire to participate in—and lead—momentous change. We would be pleased to show you the highlights of our growing campus!

TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

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IN MEMORIAM Sharon Babbs ‘78

Amy Gottlieb ‘72

Ada Meecham, Trent Retiree

David Barron ‘66

Alex Gracie ‘07

John Moors ‘89

William Bell ‘67

Philip Hannan ‘76

Dennis Newman ‘68

Ron Burridge ‘87

Patricia Henderson ‘90

Jeffrey Nicol ‘00

Gordon Copp ‘76

Brian Henley ‘66

Allan Partington ‘71

Kim Culpitt ‘09

Ian Hogg ‘68

Charles Pascal, Former Board Member

Barbara DeCarlo ‘69

Caroline Huebner ‘98

Stuart Robson, Trent Professor

Richard Dicerni, Former Board

Ralph Ingleton, Environmental

Member

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Philanthropist

Emeritus George Seto ‘93

Sinja Dunn ‘83

Paul Kirkup ‘68

Jeffrey Sewell ‘75

Emily Edwards ‘01

Theresa Leitch ‘79

Fred Sherratt, Former Board Member

Kate Fenwick ‘04

Gordon Lightfoot, Honorary Alumnus

Neil Thomsen ‘86

Steve Finucan ‘88

Michael Lucas ‘70

Ursula Tuerk ‘90

Caroline Fleguel ‘93

Allen MacPherson ‘92

Paxton Whitehead, Honorary Alumnus

James Fulton ‘70

Margaret Maltseva ‘08

M. Garrido, Trent Retiree

Joseph McMullen ‘69

TRENT MAGAZINE 54.1

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Looking back to a familiar scene, fondly remembered by Trent alumni and friends: For decades, the Head of the Trent has drawn alumni to the banks of the Otonabee River to cheer on members of the Trent University Rowing Club, many of whom have gone on to become decorated athletes on the international rowing stage. Shown is a Trent University Alumni Association gathering, hosted in the courtyard outside the Great Hall.

Visitors to the 2023 Head of the Trent Weekend will notice significant work taking place along the riverbank, part of a project to rejuvenate and restabilize the West Bank shoreline, ensuring prime regatta viewing for generations of students and alumni to come.