Alumni Award Recipients “Changing World through Kindness”
At special event recognizing 2023 Alumni Award winners, outgoing president Dr. Leo Groarke presented with honorary alum title
Three Trent alumni and outgoing Trent president were honoured by the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA) at a reception hosted at Catharine Parr Traill College.
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet ’74 (Traill College), a former MP who advocated for housing and Indigenous rights and issues, accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award; Henry Clarke ’70 (Traill College), a longtime City of Peterborough councilor who showed leadership in supporting people experiencing homelessness, accepted the Spirit of Trent Award; and Alice Olsen Williams ’69 (Otonabee College), a renowned Indigenous artist who uses her artform to educate others on Indigenous rights and issues, received the Spirit of Trent Award in absentia.
“Congratulations to three alumni who have used their Trent University experience to change the world through empathy and kindness,” said Naomi Handley, director of Alumni Engagement & Services. “Their lives and careers continue to have a ripple effect, inspiring others to care for those who may be vulnerable.”
During the Alumni Leaders Reception on April 10, Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice chancellor of Trent University, received a special surprise from the TUAA. As Dr. Groarke is preparing to conclude his presidency in June, TUAA president Alma Barranco Mendoza ’90 (Lady Eaton College) awarded him special recognition as an honorary alumnus to thank him for his leadership and outstanding support of the Trent alumni community.
“We warmly welcome Leo into the Alumni Family,” Barranco Mendoza said. “Whether he was attending Trent’s 50th anniversary gala, Tom Symons’ 90th birthday, or meeting with alumni in intimate gatherings in Malaysia, England, and New York City, Leo has been a passionate supporter of Trent alumni initiatives throughout the world.”
President Groarke said the Leaders Reception was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate alumni accomplishments and is “humbled” to be an honorary alumnus.
"I've always felt so connected to our alumni community, but this, this is really special,” President Groarke said.
Athena Flak ’93 and Terry Jackman ’67, co-chair and member of the TUAA Awards & Recognition committee respectively, were in attendance to present the awards. Additionally, several other celebrated award recipients attended the event including Bill Kimball ‘75 (Julian Blackburn) - Spirit of Trent Award, Beth McMaster ’78 (Julian Blackburn) - Distinguished Alumni Award, and John Kennedy ’85 (Traill College) – Spirit of Trent Award. Also in attendance were honorary alumni Mary Smith ’19 (hon) and Paul Wilson ’96 (hon).
Enjoy the photo gallery from the event.
Learn more about the 2023 Trent University Alumni Award recipients and stay tuned this summer for the announcement of the 2024 recipients.