Presidential Endowment Funds
- President Tom H. B. Symons (1961-72)
- President Tom E.W. Nind (1972-80)
- President Donald Theall (1980-87)
- President John Stubbs (1987-93)
- President Leonard Conolly (1994-97)
- President Bonnie Patterson (1998-2009)
- President Steven E. Franklin (2009-2014)
- President Leo Groarke (2014-2024)
Office of the President Administered Endowments
- TEW Nind Endowment
- Theall Research Fund
- John Stubbs Library Innovation Fund
- Leonard Conolly Prize
- Bonnie Patterson Athletics Award
- Jean and Eric Franklin Bursary
- Louis and Paul Groarke Philosophy Endowment
- The Vanier Professorship
- Mackenzie Discretionary Art Endowment
- Nancy Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence
- Trent Durham Head's Enhancement Fund
- College Funds
- Presidential Endowment Fund
Presidential Endowment Funds
President Tom H. B. Symons (1961-72)
Symons Trust for Canadian Studies
The Symons Trust for Canadian Studies was established in 1995 by friends and colleagues of Thomas H. B. Symons, the founding President of Trent University, to honour and to continue his work in the field of Canadian Studies. The purpose of the Symons Trust is to support and enhance the study of Canada, especially, though not exclusively, at Trent University. Under the direction of its Committee of the Trustees, the Trust provides funding to support imaginative new activities, to act as seed money for worthy new endeavours, or to foster important long-range projects. Applications, which are welcome from any and all disciplines, programmes, or individuals, are evaluated by the Trustees in terms of their originality, quality, and potential contribution to the study of Canada. Funding from the Symons Trust for Canadian Studies is disbursed annually by the President of the University on the recommendation of the Committee of Trustees.
Application details for the Symons Trust for Canadian Studies
Symons Award for Teaching Excellence
The Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching is named for Professor T.H.B. Symons, the Founding President of Trent University, and is made available through the generous support of Professor and Mrs. Symons. The Award (monetary award, a Symons liripipe and a framed citation) is presented each year to a member of the Trent faculty or staff (full-time or part-time) in recognition of outstanding teaching in the broadest sense and, in the words of Professor Symons, "exemplary concern for students." The presentation of the Award is made each year at the Spring Convocation and is acknowledged in April at a celebration of Trent teaching excellence reception that is open to the university community.
See the Centre for Teaching & Learning for application details.
Symons Essay Prizes in Canadian Studies
Established through a gift from T.H.B. Symons, the founding President of Trent University, to recognize excellence in performance in courses of the Canadian Studies Program. Four prizes of $250 each are awarded for outstanding achievement in the first year course, and outstanding essays in the second, third, and fourth year courses.
This prize is awarded by a committee within Canadian Studies. There is no application process.
Thomas H.B. Symons Seminar Series on Graduate Student Research
Initiated by students of the 1993-94 Vanier Seminar. The Thomas H.B. Symons Seminar Series, named in honour of the founding president of Trent University, Professor Thomas H.B. Symons, is a graduate student research forum where individuals from various disciplines communicate their knowledge and research findings to a broader audience consisting of fellow graduate students, and the Trent and Peterborough communities. The series has provided a unique platform for graduate students and future leaders to share their research and raise awareness on different issues of concern.
The Symons Seminar Series is a program of Traill College. Please contact traill@trentu.ca for application details.
President T.E.W. Nind (1972-80)
TEW Nind Endowment
TEW Nind Award
Tom Nind International Scholarship
President D. Theall 1980-87
Theall Research Fund
President J. Stubbs (1987-93)
John Stubbs Library Innovation Fund
John Stubbs Otonabee College Prize
This is not an application-based award.
President L. Conolly (1994-97)
Leonard Conolly Prize
Leonard Conolly Graduate Students' Travel Prize
For application information, please contact M.A. in English Literature (Public Texts) program.
President Bonnie Patterson (1998-2009)
Bonnie Patterson Athletics Award
Bonnie Patterson Leadership Development Grant
An award established by President Patterson, for students enrolled in the BBA program who engage with the community in order to develop their collaborative and entrepreneurial leadership skills. Grants of $500 - $3000 per year.
For application information, please contact the Business Program.
President Steven E. Franklin (2009-2014)
Jean and Eric Franklin Bursary
President Leo Groarke (2014-2024)
Louis and Paul Groarke Philosophy Endowment
Office of the President Administered Endowment Funds
Presidential Endowment Fund
The Presidential Endowment Fund has been established to support initiatives that (i) aim to secure the long-term success of Trent, or (ii) preserve some of the core values that are part of its past and heritage. Eligible projects must be approved by the President after consultation with the university’s vice-presidents. Projects must be funded on one-time-only basis. They may include art installations and cultural events to enhance the Trent community, heritage projects, or new initiative that will allow the university to move in new directions.
Process of Applying
Applicants seeking support from this endowment should submit a letter to the President outlining a budget for the project they propose and an account of and the ways in which it will further the Fund’s intended goals. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the President’s Office before submitting a request. The office aims to make 1-3 grants available every year. Please note that submissions will be received on a rolling basis and grants to the fund do not normally exceed $2,000.
The Vanier Professorship
Mackenzie Discretionary Art Endowment
The Nancy Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence
Recognizing a long-standing need for a staff recognition award, the University established the Nancy Simmons Smith Award in 2008 to recognize non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent. With the support of an endowed fund, the Award is named in honour of Ms. Simmons Smith, University secretary and secretary of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 2008. Throughout her career as a senior administrator, Nancy advocated tirelessly for the recognition of non-academic staff and their contributions to the University. The Award includes a cash gift of $500 and a framed citation presented at the "Heart of Trent" event. Final decisions on the spending of the interest on the endowment are made by the sitting President.
Application details for the Nancy Simmons Smith Award
Trent Durham Head's Enhancement Fund
College Funds