Virtual Museum Of The Spanish Civil War Launches At Trent University

A first-of-its-kind virtual museum, dedicated to the exploration and understanding of the Spanish Civil War is now open to online visitors after its launch event at Trent University on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Developed and co-directed by Trent University history professor Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez, the project brings together scholars and experts from Trent, York University, the SSHRC and the University of Warwick, as well as the Embassy of Spain in Canada and Spain's Ministry of Culture and Sport. 

This virtual museum is the first dedicated museum that gives a global explanation of the conflict from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives including history, archaeology, digital humanities, literary and cultural studies.

The project has received international support from institutional partners as well as the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Connections Grant which supported the museum by providing $30,000 in funding.

“In many ways, the past is a foreign country. Through the visual elements of this museum, we are witnessing what people experienced in the moment,” said Prof. Cazorla-Sanchez. “A way for visitors to immerse themselves in the mentalities of the people who experienced those events. The big issues that were relevant in the Spanish Civil War [social justice, democracy, women’s rights, rights of minorities] remain relevant today.” 

Trent president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Goarke said that the museum is a reflection of Trent’s commitment to interdisciplinary, international collaboration and the digital humanities.

“The impressive result of the efforts of Professor Cazorla-Sanchez and his fellow researchers is an online tool which can mobilize knowledge in a way that makes it accessible from around the world,” he said.

Those interested can explore the Virtual Museum for the Spanish Civil War at www.vscw.ca.

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Trent University Raises over $172,000 on Giving Tuesday

Trent University surpassed their fundraising goal on Giving Tuesday, raising over $172,000 to support student-focused programming and projects at the University on Nov. 30.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Through generous gifts, alumni, staff, faculty, and the broader community underscored Trent’s important role in transforming the educational experience and building a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders,” said Sherry Booth, associate vice-president, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. “The overwhelming response is validation that the Trent community is committed to supporting the student experience. On behalf of all Trent students, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who chose Trent on Giving Tuesday.”

Giving Tuesday donors were able to choose an area of interest, supporting programs and projects run through Trent’s colleges, Trent Athletics, Trent Durham GTA, and various academic programs.

Highlights from Trent's historic and record-setting #GivingTuesdayCA included a donation from Anne-Marie Prendiville ‘69 and John Gillies for the Lady Eaton College Music Room, a gift from professor emeritus Dr. Harry Kitchen in support of his student assistance fund, and a matching donation to Catharine Parr Traill College from Barbara Finlayson-Pitts ‘66.

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Dr. Stephen Stohn Reappointed Chancellor of Trent University

Award-winning producer and esteemed entertainment lawyer, Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66, has been reappointed as chancellor of Trent University for a second three-year term.

June 7, 2019 Convocation ceremony. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Over the last three years, and with great perseverance during COVID, Stephen has embodied the Trent spirit as chancellor and a champion for the University,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president of Trent. “During this time he has worn many hats – that of a judge presiding over mock trials with our Trent/Swansea dual law degree students, as an ambassador at alumni events, and a host of the Trent Talks series. We are truly fortunate to have another three years of his engagement with the entire Trent community.”

Stohn was sworn in as Trent University’s twelfth chancellor – and second alumni chancellor – in June 2019.

As host of Trent Talks – an interactive video series offering timely, reliable and thought-provoking information, he engaged with faculty members and virtual audiences exploring a range of topics including the environment, epidemiology, learning-at-home, and unmasking racism.

“As someone who was a student at Trent in its early days, it has been my delight to serve as Chancellor, some 50 years later, at a time when the University is truly manifesting its early vision and promise in such exciting ways,” said Stohn. “I look forward to continuing to serve, and to being able to spend even more time not just online but also directly, in-person and on-campus, as the pandemic recedes and all of us in the Trent community face a new future.”

Since graduating from Trent with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics in 1969, Dr. Stohn has been a pivotal supporter of Trent University, while enjoying an outstanding career in the entertainment industry as a lawyer, award-winning producer, songwriter and author.

Stohn is a 14-time Canadian Screen Award winner (formerly the Gemini Awards) who may be best known as the executive producer of the Degrassi television franchise. For his innumerable contributions to the industry, Mr. Stohn was inducted into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame in 2011.

“Chancellor Stohn is an exceptional communicator and a shining example of the potential of a Trent education,” said Marilyn Burns, vice-president of Communications, Colleges and Enrolment at Trent. “His enthusiastic engagement with Trent’s colleges and special moments with Trent students brought an air of optimism during the pandemic. We are looking forward to seeing the creativity and engagement Chancellor Stohn brings to his next term.”

Stohn’s transformational philanthropic support for Trent has also been key in the development of several projects at the University, including a $1 million gift to make the new Student Centre a reality and establish Stohn Hall lecture theatre.

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$1 Million Estate Gift Supports Indigenous Graduate Student Scholarship at Trent University

A generous $1 million estate gift from philanthropist Bill Reid will provide opportunities for Indigenous graduate student scholarship at Trent University.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

This is the largest gift of its kind in the University’s history.

The gift will help endow the William B. Reid Scholarship, first established at Trent in 2016, providing more than $30,000 in annual funding to support Indigenous graduate students at Trent.

The scholarship will fund research expenses of Trent graduate students in Canada or abroad, hands-on training opportunities related to the thesis or major research project, and opportunities to engage with specialists in the field, through attending international conferences

“After the recent inaugural Truth and Reconciliation Day, more and more Canadians are asking themselves how they can best support Indigenous peoples,” said Sherry Booth associate vice president of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at Trent. “Bill was a passionate individual who listened to Indigenous people’s stories, wanted to make a difference, and created a fund that encourages many young Indigenous students in their pursuit of higher education so that they, in turn, can better support their communities.”

Trent’s Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program is a first-of-its-kind in Canada, and offers students an opportunity to engage in advanced learning experiences grounded in Indigenous cultures and reflecting on the interaction between traditional and contemporary Indigenous knowledges. The University’s deep roots in reconciliation date back more than 50 years.

Reid became involved in Indigenous issues through reading, personal friendships with Indigenous people, and a hobby of collecting and restoring Indigenous beadwork, says his long-time partner, Bob Seabourn. Before his death in 2019, he donated nearly 400 pieces of beadwork to the Art Gallery of Guelph.

Reid was a long-time supporter of Trent with a legacy of giving over more than 20 years.

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Trent University to Install Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Trent University is partnering with Ameresco, Inc. to install various energy efficiency upgrades, including an on-site Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on its Peterborough campus.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The new system aims to reduce the University’s carbon footprint, while supporting the provincial energy grid.

“This project is an exciting next step in Trent’s ongoing commitment to environmental and sustainable initiatives on campus,” said Tariq Al-Idrissi, acting vice president, Finance and Administration at Trent University. “Our renewed Energy Performance Contract with Ameresco builds on previous energy saving projects such as converting the campus lighting to LEDs, implementing smart ventilation systems and using solar energy to power the new zero-carbon Forensics Crime Scene Facility, the first of its kind in Canada.”

The BESS will store energy overnight, when the provincial grid is producing the lowest cost and lowest carbon energy and use it to power the campus at strategic times when the Ontario system operators typically turn to gas-fired generation to meet atypical high demand for electricity.

Taking this action on campus contributes to Ontario’s Industrial Conservation Initiative and will result in an expected reduction in Global Adjustment fees of over $1 million annually. These savings will fund the BESS installation as well as extensive upgrades to Trent’s electrical infrastructure.

“One of the amazing things about working with customers on projects like these is finding energysaving solutions that work for them and generate significant cost savings in the long run,” said Bob McCullough, president, Ameresco Canada.

The Energy Performance Contract amendment between the University and Ameresco was recently approved by Trent’s Board of Governors, with construction scheduled to commence later in the fall.

Proposed upgrades include the installation of a 2.5MW/5 MWh BESS, the replacement of aging switchgear components and the implementation of a carport canopy photo-voltaic (PV) and electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The PV and EV charging station will complement the newly installed BESS and reduce the University’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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Global Keynote Speaker and Best-Selling Author Named 2021/22 Ashley Fellow at Trent University

Best-selling author, future of work expert and global keynote speaker, Hamza Khan, has been named the 2021/22 Ashley Fellow at Trent University.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“The Colleges at Trent University are honoured to be welcoming Hamza Khan to campus as our newest Ashley Fellow,” said Dr. Stephanie Muehlethaler, principal, Otonabee College. “Hamza is a world-renowned leader on the subjects of leadership, resilience and productivity. We look forward to the opportunity for Trent students to engage with Hamza over the time of his fellowship.”

In addition to leading a week-long series on leadership and innovation with the University’s five colleges in January 2022, Khan will be the featured speaker of ‘Enwayaang: A Series of Extraordinary Talks’ at the University on October 21 from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. In his virtual talk, Beyond Burnout, Khan will speak about circumventing the burnout culture many find themselves in during the global pandemic.

Registration details for this and other Enwayaang events can be found online.

“I'm deeply honoured to have been selected as Trent University's Ashley Fellow,” said Khan. “As a visiting scholar, I'm excited to attend a variety of classes, especially from the institution's wide array of Indigenous course offerings. During my residency, I plan to meet with members of Trent's faculty, student body, and the wider Peterborough community. I commend the late Professor C.A. Ashley’s vision for this unique fellowship—his championship of holistic learning and community development is deeply inspiring. This transformational and immersive fellowship will expand my ability to better understand several key issues facing our world, as well as empower me with powerful Indigenous ideas about our future.”

Author of ‘The Burnout Gamble and Leadership Reinvented’, Khan has a keen interest in the success of post-secondary students as a multi-award winning education marketing professional.

As a leader in innovation and thought, educator at Ryerson University, and the co-founder of SkillsCamp, Khan strives to empower leaders and organizations to thrive in the future of work.

Through his consulting, writing, teaching and speaking, he empowers people and businesses to transform visionary ideas into actionable next steps. His insights have been featured through outlets such as VICE, Business Insider, and The Globe and Mail.

The Ashley Fellow is a visiting scholar hosted each year by one of Trent University’s Colleges. The fellowship is funded by a bequest from the late Professor C.A. Ashley, long-time friend of Trent University and an enthusiastic proponent of the role that informal contacts of college life can play in the academic pursuits of the University.

The Ashley Fellow resides at one of Trent's residential Colleges for part of the year, delivering lectures and meeting with faculty and students. The 2021/22 Ashley Fellow is hosted by Otonabee College, Trent University’s largest college.

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Trent U Rising: Peterborough University Continues Its Climb Up Global University Rankings

Trent U’s exceptional learning environment and academic performance has earned the University a ranking among the world’s best.

In the 2020/21 Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR), Trent is holding steady at No. 32 out of 96 Canadian universities, while placing 1237 out of over 20,000 global institutions—up nine places from last year’s 1248 place ranking and earning Trent a spot in the top 6.2% of universities worldwide.

“We are proud to see Trent recognized as a notable institution for both world-class research and exceptional learning experiences,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “These rankings continue to highlight how Trent is making an impact globally as a leading Canadian institution.”

The newly announced CWUR ranking caps off a year that has seen Trent University rank highly in many prestigious independent rankings and surveys, including Maclean’s University Report. Indeed, with the release of the 2019 Maclean’s University Report last fall, Trent continued to hold on to the top spot as Ontario’s No. 1 undergraduate university for the ninth year in a row, and No. 3 in all of Canada.

Each year, the CWUR publishes the largest academic rankings of over 20,000 universities around the world. These rankings focus on four key pillars—quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance—with no reliance on surveys or university data submissions. In this year’s list of the top 2,000 universities globally, only 44 of Canada’s 96 universities made the list—including Trent. 

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Trent Community Has Raised More than $70,000 In Emergency Support For Students Affected by COVID-19

With an amazing funding boost of $70,000 in donations to the Student Rapid Relief Fund (SRRF), Trent University has distributed emergency support directly to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new fund, established specifically to assist Trent students experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19, complements Trent’s reputation as a national leader for scholarships and bursaries, and builds on additional emergency funding provided by the University.

“The response so far has been tremendous,” says Sherry Booth, director of philanthropy at Trent. “We had so many reach out who wanted to help either financially or by offering words of encouragement. The ongoing #TrentUCares campaign reinforces just how much the Trent family is committed and responsive to the challenges facing the world today.” 

A significant portion of funding for the SRRF came from Trent’s five colleges, which collectively contributed $21,300 to the fund. The Trent University Alumni Association also came forward with a generous $10,000 lead contribution to help launch the SRRF earlier this month.

“The funding injection was crucial when students needed it most,” adds Christopher Rooney, associate registrar of operations and client services. “The COVID-19 crisis has hit in waves. Students needed immediate emergency funding to travel home, set-up online learning, and pay for basic necessities like rent and groceries.”

With financial need expected to increase over the coming months, Trent University is continuing to fundraise for student relief support, which will aim to ensure that changes to a student’s financial situation do not become a barrier to accessing a Trent education.

Consider donating or sharing a word of encouragement here.

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Trent U On Fire In Maclean’s University Rankings

In this year’s Maclean’s University Rankings, Trent University has topped the charts as the No. 1 undergraduate university in Ontario for the ninth year in a row.

Additional highlights from how they performed in the rankings include…

-> #1 undergraduate university in Ontario nine years in a row;  #3 in Canada

-> #1 in Canada for Scholarships, 19 years running 

-> Top 4 undergraduate university in Canada for overall reputation and #1 in Ontario for highest quality

-> #1 in Ontario for Academic Advising Staff 

-> #1 in Ontario for award-winning faculty and students

-> #1 in Ontario for promoting Indigenous visibility

-> #1 in Ontario for medical/science grants and #2 in Ontario for social sciences and humanities Grants

-> #2 undergraduate university in Ontario for being the most innovative and for producing leaders of tomorrow  

Photo courtesy Trent University

“Numbers are only one part of a larger story, but there’s no denying that Trent’s rankings are impressive,” says Trent University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke.

“This year’s Maclean’s rankings, individually and cumulatively, tell a compelling story of why Trent continues to be the number one ranked undergraduate institution in Ontario, and a highly sought university for top students and faculty from across Canada and around the world.”

Photo of Trent University campus in Peterborough courtesy Trent University

The rankings also show Trent’s reputation on the rise, as the University moved up one spot from last year to take the number four position in all of Canada, and number one in Ontario, for reputation in the undergraduate category.

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Trent University Launches Ontario’s First Conservation Biology Program With Co-op

A first in the province, Trent University’s new Conservation Biology B.Sc. program will include co-op and placement opportunities that provide graduates with career advantages and the skills and knowledge to help protect the world’s most vital organisms and at-risk wildlife.
 
Now accepting applications for its launch in fall 2018, the new Conservation Biology B.Sc. program will provide students with the opportunity to study the science behind conserving the world’s wildlife.

With the introduction of a one-of-a-kind co-op option, students will also be able to take what they learn in the lab into the real world. Through the five-year co-op option, students will undertake three paid work terms while studying at Trent.

The program also offers a fourth-year placement option that gives students the opportunity to gain awesome work experience, spending the last eight months of their degree working alongside conservation science professionals.

Through Trent’s large network of organizations and agencies, students will have the opportunity to work with and learn from biologists and researchers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry thanks to the University’s on-campus partnership and connection to the Ministry.

Trent has also developed relationships with a number of organizations including the Nature Conservancy Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada and Parks Canada, providing ample opportunities for students to work with leading agencies in the field of conservation biology.

In the Conservation Biology B.Sc., students will spend time learning alongside leading professors and researchers in the field, studying the science behind the decline in biological diversity across the planet, and will work to better understand the best solutions to this global crisis.

The program is geared to equipping students for the task of protecting species and organisms from becoming at-risk through in-depth studies on a wide variety of species and organisms, studying the current threats to their existence, and examining the various ways to preserving their environment.

Applications to the new Conservation Biology B.Sc. program are now being accepted. Learn more here.

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