Public Invited to 'Curl With Cathy Funspeil' to Support Trent Student-Athletes On Feb. 15

To support student-athletes, Trent University’s Athletics & Recreation invites the public to join their president, Cathy Bruce, for the inaugural ‘Curl with Cathy Funspeil’ held at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Feb. 15.

Photo courtesy of Trent University and the Peterborough Golf and Country Club.

The proceeds go towards Trent’s Green & White Athletics Financial Awards. It is given to entering student-athletes who achieved an entering academic average above 80 per cent and have been recruited for Trent athletics.

No curling experience is necessary to participate as it is a non-competitive tournament. All required equipment, such as sliders, grippers and brooms, are provided.

Each team will play two six-end games from an early draw (9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) or a late draw (11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.).

The cost is $100 per person and includes a $70 charitable donation receipt and a lunch buffet.

Registration is open to groups of four or for individuals. Those looking to register can sign up online.

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Trent University School of Business Names New 2024-25 CEO In Residence

Trent University has made real estate and financial executive Jaime McKenna their 2024-25 School of Business CEO in Residence.

McKenna holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honours and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Business Valuator, and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

McKenna is a president of Fengate Real Estate and a member of the Trent University Board of Governors.

“We are delighted to welcome Jaime as our next CEO in Residence. Her extensive business expertise, proven leadership and innovative approach to real estate and finance will provide invaluable insights and inspiration to our students, faculty, and broader University community,” said Dr. Byron Lew, Trent director of the School of Business. “Her appointment underscores our commitment to connecting students with industry leaders who exemplify excellence and drive transformative change.”

McKenna’s residency will take place on Jan. 16 and Feb. 27 at the Peterborough Symons Campus with mentorship sessions, classroom visits and a panel discussion. On March 11 and 13, McKenna will join the Trent University Durham GTA campus with additional classroom visits, mentorship sessions, and a panel discussion.

“I’m honoured to be the next Trent School of Business CEO in Residence and mentor the next generation of business leaders,” said McKenna. “Trent was incredibly impactful for me during a challenging time in my life. Without Trent, I might not have had the confidence to achieve my career aspirations and pursue my post-graduate designations. I hope by telling students about my educational and career journey they can see that truly anything is possible with hard work, grit, determination, and a university that supports your dreams.”

In addition to serving as a member of Trent’s Board of Governors (2024-27) and on the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee, McKenna is an active member of several other boards, including the Real Property Association of Canada and Seasons Retirement Communities.

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Trent University and Buddhist College of Canada Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Foster Cultural Exchange

Trent University and The Buddhist College of Canada (BCC) have agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to foster cultural exchange and outline diverse opportunities for collaborative education in the Peterborough area and beyond.

The Venerable Dayi Shi, president of the Buddhist College of Canada (left) and Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University (right) shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Trent University and the Buddhist College of Canada share a deep commitment to community, personal well-being and the arts, as well as environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “We look forward to a range of academic, research, and experiential learning opportunities with the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden going forward.”

BCC is housed at the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Bethany. According to Trent, it provides an ideal setting for many of its students to apply the theory and concepts they study in class in a practical, cultural and spiritual context. 

Students studying Business Administration, Communications, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Environmental Resource Science/Studies and other subjects will be able to work with colleagues at the BCC to conduct research and contribute to solutions to real-world challenges.

“This association represents a harmonious blending of knowledge and tradition,” said the Venerable Dayi Shi, president of the Buddhist College of Canada. “By working together, we can inspire meaningful learning experiences for students while contributing to the growth and understanding of Buddhist philosophy, environmental stewardship, and cultural exchange within our community.”

Including experiential learning opportunities, the agreement opens up academic courses including Chinese history, spirituality, Eastern philosophy and language learning.

“Our colleagues at the Buddhist College of Canada bring a depth of knowledge in Buddhist traditions, philosophy, and Chinese history,” said Dr. Mark Skinner, Trent dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. “This partnership opens exciting opportunities for Trent students to learn from these inspiring experts, with our faculty integrating new experiential learning into our existing Arts degree programs and potentially new curriculum through the creation of micro-credentials that will leverage and showcase the knowledge and expertise at the BCC.”

Students can participate in community-based research projects centred on developing the expansive Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden. Additionally, cultural exchange opportunities will allow students to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese practices, such as tea ceremonies, Chinese calligraphy, and meditation, offered as micro-credential and for-credit courses.

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Trent University Alumnus Appointed Officer to the Order of Canada

Trent alumnus Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell (Traill College ‘83) has received the nation’s highest honour by being appointed an officer to the Order of Canada.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

McDonnell is a professor of hydrology and associate director of the Global Institute for Water Security. His award-winning research has had a seminal scientific impact on the field, including advancing water security and deepening the world’s understanding of the water cycle according to Trent.

“On behalf of the Trent University community, I congratulate Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell on his achievements that exemplify Trent’s values of excellence, innovation, and leadership in water research,” said Naomi Handley, Trent director of Alumni Engagement & Services. “Dr. McDonnel’s remarkable contributions to hydrology not only advance scientific understanding but also serve as a profound source of inspiration for our students who, like him, are poised to lead in environmental sciences and shape the future of water research.” 

McDonnel’s appointment was announced by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and Trent’s seventh chancellor.

“Trent is where it all started for me,” said McDonnell. “My professors and peers all shaped me, and Trent provided the launching pad for my research career.” 

He has served as President of the American Geophysical Union’s Hydrology Section and the International Association of Hydrological Sciences International Commission on Tracers while also being named a member of the Royal Society of Canada and a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Royal Geographical Society.  

According to Trent, McDonnell’s research has led to new techniques for measuring and understanding how rainfall moves through landscapes while improving our understanding of how watersheds store and release water.

“Understanding these issues is critical to solving some of the world’s biggest water challenges,” he says.

McDonnell’s accolades include the 2016 International Hydrology Prize from the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization and prizes from the European Geosciences Union, American Institute of Hydrology, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

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Trent University Establishes New Doctor of Pharmacy, Optometry Pathways With Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Optometry degrees have become more accessible to Medical Professional Stream (MPS) students at Trent University after a new agreement offering direct pathways into these programs at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), announced on Monday afternoon.

Dr. Stephen Kerr (left) of MCPHS and Dr. Michael Khan of Trent shake hands at the signing of the MOU. Photo courtesy of Tret University.

“We know how competitive the admissions process is for undergraduate students to gain entry into professional medicine programs both in Canada and abroad. Just a few years ago, the success rate for entry was about ten percent,” said Dr. Michael Khan, Trent provost and vice president Academic. “With this agreement, and a few others like it at Trent, we are making it easier for high-performing and high-potential students in Trent’s unique MPS program to pursue their dreams of becoming a health professional in their desired specialty and, ultimately, help increase access to medicine and care for people in Canada and the United States.”

The new agreement between Trent and MCPHS streamlines the admission process for Trent’s MPS graduates applying to MCPHS’s Doctor of Optometry (four-year), Doctor of Pharmacy (four-year) or Accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (three-years) programs at the College’s campuses in Boston, Worcester, and Manchester says the University.

MPS graduates will receive various benefits through this partnership, including a guaranteed interview, preferential admission review, and financial support. The agreement will also establish several student awards, including renewable merit scholarships, one-time tuition, and housing awards ranging from $15,000 USD to $32,000, depending on campus and program.

“We are especially excited with this affiliation and thrilled to have the Medical Professional Stream students from Trent University matriculate into our doctoral programs. We feel the knowledge, confidence and preparedness of these students are particularly well suited to enter our university which, for over 200 years, has been training students for careers in health and life sciences,” said Dr. Stephen Kerr, professor and associate provost of Academic and International Affairs at MCPHS University. “MCPHS has thousands of Canadian alumni and the vast majority return and practice in Canada. This agreement certainly helps sustain our vision of empowering our community to create a healthier and more equitable world, and I’m confident will immensely benefit both of our institutions and countries.”

“I am a proud alumna of Trent and look back fondly on my experiences there. I was fortunate enough to participate in Trent’s Thailand Year Abroad Program, and this experience has had lasting effects, both personally and professionally. It was this immersive, applied learning experience that made me want to dedicate my 25+ year career to higher education, specifically in the internationalization and global engagement areas,” said Krista LaVack, associate director of International at MCPHS, who helped initiate the articulation agreement between the two institutions.

Applications for the 2025 intake at MCPHS are now open to eligible students currently enrolled in Trent’s Medical Professional Stream. MCPHS will host an information session at Trent in January 2025 for MPS students interested in learning more about the pathway.

“I’m so pleased to see our articulation agreement come to fruition. We look forward to witnessing Trent student success in our professional degree programs in the very near future,” said Lavack. “We’re confident they will come with the right academic foundation to succeed in our curriculum and in their chosen professions down the road.”

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Trent University Launches Traditional Handcrafted Birchbark Canoe On the Otonabee River

Trent University has launched its traditional handcrafted birchbark canoe which was done on campus on the Otonobee River and showcased to the public on Monday.

Alex Labelle's canoe sit on the banks of the Otonabee River at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The month-long project marks the culmination of a project that has increased the visibility of and engagement in Indigenous culture among the campus community. Named Enheh, the canoe was officially launched by Métis canoe builder Alex Labelle. This name is an affirmative response that complements the expression of gratitude in Miigwech and honours the connections made during the building and the profound appreciation for the gifts and lessons provided by the people involved, nature, and the Creator according to Trent University.

“The birchbark canoe is more than a vessel – it is a vital piece of technology that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations,” said Dr. Dawn Memee Lavell-Harvard, director of First Peoples House of Learning at Trent. “It enables trade, travel, hunting, and the gathering of food and medicine. By bringing together people from across the University and the community, this project has demonstrated what reconciliation looks like in action: doing hands-on work, thinking about knowledge holders in a different way, and showing that these knowledges are just as important now as they ever were.”

Labelle constructed the canoe from scratch in the atrium of Trent’s Bata Library. Students, faculty, and visitors had the opportunity to engage directly with the project by trimming roots, splitting cedar and forming ribs, gaining insight into the artistry and skill behind traditional canoe-building.

“Part of reconciliation is creating space for Indigenous knowledge in places, like libraries, which have long marginalized it,” said Emily Tufts, Trent librarian. “Over the past month, Alex has shared his knowledge in a way that is physical, embodied, and deeply meaningful. This project brought the work of reconciliation out of the theoretical and into the practical and material, giving students and staff a chance to connect with Indigenous traditional knowledge firsthand.”

Following the naming, Labelle launched Enheh from the west bank of the Otonabee River and paddled the canoe to the east bank of campus. It was carried to the Gathering Space in Trent’s First Peoples House of Learning for a celebratory feast to be displayed permanently.

“It’s great to know that FPHL and Trent students will put this canoe to use. Often people will put them up as museum pieces, but we're trying to bring canoes like this out of museums and back to into life,” said Labelle. “My time at Trent has been great—great people and lots of interest in the project. I hope this has shown people that you can go into the bush and find all the materials you need to build a canoe.”

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New Students With 95 Per Cent Average Can Earn Trent University Full Tuition Scholarship

Trent University has introduced full-tuition scholarships for new domestic students entering with an average of 95 percent or higher for their first year, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

“Rewarding academic excellence of our students is a top priority at Trent,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “When students work hard and demonstrate a strong commitment to their studies, we must recognize and nurture that dedication, especially in a way that has meaningful material benefit to their life on campus and their life outside of academics. By increasing renewable entrance scholarships, we hope to inspire our students toward even greater achievements here at Trent and beyond.”

Trent also offers increased and renewable scholarships of up to $30,000 over four years to recognize top scholars' academic and community achievements.

The scholarship is renewable up to $4,000 yearly at Trent, with a maximum potential of over $18,000. Trent also increased guaranteed and automatic entrance scholarships for students entering with 80 per cent or above with renewable scholarships that can total between $6,000 to $12,000 over four years.

The University has also boosted its prestigious scholarships: 15 annual awards with potential funding up to $30,000 over four years. One application can permit students to be considered for all major awards including the Champlain Scholarship, Board of Governors Scholarship, Special Admissions Scholarships, Canada Wide Science Fair Scholarship and the Michael Treadwell Scholarship.

Trent University has also increased scholarship support for international students, introducing renewable entrance scholarships for top international scholars. International students also have access to International Prestigious Scholarships, nine awards recognizing students for academic excellence, community service, leadership, and many other qualities and some valued up to $136,000 over four years.

“We are thrilled to be able to support our international students who travel far from home and benefit greatly from a range of supports and services,” said Glennice Burns, associate vice president of Trent International. “Enhancing our international entrance scholarships will help ease the transition to university life in Canada and support students as they excel in their studies here.”

For both domestic and international students at Trent, no application is required for Trent's entrance scholarships. Scholars with an average of 80 per cent or higher automatically receive an entrance scholarship and are automatically considered for renewable scholarships as they complete their studies.

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CUPE and Trent University Reach Tentative Agreement

CUPE Local 3908 Unit 2 and Trent University reached a tentative settlement on a new Collective Agreement, pending ratification, effective Sept. 1.

CUPE represents over 550 part-time academic workers registered undergraduate and graduate students at Trent University. File Photo.

Both teams have agreed to recommend the tentative settlement to their respective parties. CUPE will provide details regarding a meeting for members to ratify the agreement. The settlement is also subject to ratification by the University’s Board of Governors.

Details of the tentative agreement will be released through a joint communique after ratification.

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Arts Advocate Made Honorary Fellow of Traill College

David Goyette was made an Honorary Fellow of Catharine Parr Traill College at a ceremony at Trent University's downtown Peterborough campus.

One of the founding colleges of Trent University, Traill College is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Photo courtesy of Victoria Pearce.

Traill Principal Dr. Michael Eamon inducted Goyette as part of the annual Traill College Scarf Ceremony and was the only person to be inducted this year. An Honorary Fellow carries the status of College faculty and is recognized for exemplary service to the College or the community.

Goyette was recognized for his community service and long-standing support for the arts. In 2021, he was inducted into the Peterborough and District Pathway of Fame and named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2023.

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Peterborough Police Urge Head of the Trent Attendees to Celebrate Safely; Heightened Police Presence During Weekend Festivities

With Head of the Trent homecoming running this weekend from Friday until Sunday, first responders are urging the community to celebrate safely during Trent University’s festivities.

Mark Ressor, Peterborough Police Service Staff Sergeant (left) and Julie Davis Trent Vice-President, External Relations & Development (right) addressing the media of having a safe homecoming during the weekend’s festiviites. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The first responders include the Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Emergency Management, Peterborough Fire Services, Peterborough City-County Paramedics, Trent University, and the City of Peterborough.

The Peterborough Police have developed a coordinated response to help navigate the weekend over the coming months. As a result, a heightened police presence will be present throughout the city and additional police officers will be hired to patrol the campus.

“During large events, we often see an influx of 911 calls,” explained Mark Ressor, Peterborough Police Service Staff Sergeant. If you are seeing things in the community that pose a risk or a danger, we're asking people to call in so that we're aware of it and can respond appropriately. Ultimately with people's safety and well-being our primary concern.”

He continues to state that during these events, Police typically receive calls regarding noise, disturbances, mischief, damage to property and impaired driving.

While the Police say they have an all-hands-on-deck situation for the weekend, it will not affect any day-to-day calls that are not affiliated with the homecoming weekend.

Police are asking the community to be safe while celebrating, ensure everyone gets home safely and be good neighbors and community members. 

“We know that this is a time of celebration and we would like to see a positive and safe experience for all,” said Ressor.

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