More than 100 Trent alumni, staff and faculty, student leaders, special guests, and community members gathered in the Great Hall of Champlain College at the University on Saturday, November 9 to honour the 2013 recipients of the eighth annual Alumni Awards.

“The theme of this year’s awards was Local to Global Communities: Trent Alumni Lighting the Way, which was especially fitting for our 2013 recipients,” said Lee Hays, director of Alumni Affairs at Trent. “This year’s alumni winners bring prestige to the University and it is a privilege to recognize them for accomplishing so much and making such important contributions to their community and the world.”

Five alumni and one current Trent student were recognized at the event, which featured entertainment from Trent students Sabrina Sapaal on the African Drums, Rosie Pan playing the Guzheng and Anna Nikolaeva with an interpretive lyrical dance. The finale performance was by a local group called "the PyroFlys" and was an exhilarating way to end the evening.

Special guests included Trent president Dr. Steven Franklin, members of the University’s Board of Governors, president of the Trent University Alumni Association Bob Taylor-Vaisey, and many previous Alumni Award winners, including Linwood Barclay ’73, who is currently serving as alumni writer-in-residence at Lady Eaton College. Trent’s chancellor Don Tapscott acted as emcee for the celebration.

“I think I speak for everyone here when I say how proud Trent is of this year’s recipients,” Mr. Tapscott said. “Your accomplishments in the world, both near and far, and your contributions and involvement with Trent bring much honour to the University.”

At the event, alumni were honoured in four award categories: the Distinguished Alumni Award; the Young Leader Award; the Spirit of Trent Award; and the Tony Storey Service Award. The Robert W. F. Stephenson Prize for Excellence in Student Governance was also presented.

The 2013 Alumni Awards recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Award
Presented based on a person's achievement and leadership in their field. Recipients show leadership in business, industry, a profession or in public life. They have brought honour to Trent University through endeavours which have earned them prominence within their field.

Catherine Fooks ’79
Cathy Fooks is the president and CEO of The Change Foundation. Based in Toronto, the Foundation is dedicated to independent analysis and informed debate on current and emerging health issues. Prior to her position at the Foundation, Ms. Fooks was the founding executive director of the Health Council of Canada where she was responsible for implementing the Council’s mandate of reporting to Canadians about health care renewal. She has held various other executive positions with the Canadian Policy Research Network, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Throughout her 20 years’ experience in health policy and research, government affairs and media relations, she has written numerous articles and reports on the Canadian health care system. She graduated from Trent with a degree in political science and economics.

Young Leader Award
Recognizes young alumni who have shown outstanding leadership throughout their first 10 years of alumni status either in  their professional career and/or community, public or humanitarian service and are 35 years of age or younger.

Maryam Monsef ’03 
In the short time since graduating from Trent, Maryam Monsef ‘03 has been a tremendous force for good in the greater Peterborough community. Ms. Monsef, who holds a B.Sc. in Psychology from Trent was both a dedicated volunteer and an employee of the Office of Human Rights during her time as a student. Since graduation Ms. Monsef ran her own successful small business, has worked as the community outreach coordinator for both the New Canadians Centre of Peterborough and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.  She is currently operating as a freelance consultant on marketing, communications, and project management. Since graduation, she also co-founded the Red Pashmina Campaign with her friend and fellow Trent alumna, Jessica Melnik ’03. The Red Pashmina Campaign aims to celebrate, empower, and connect women in the Peterborough area and in Afghanistan. Since its inception, the Red Pashmina Campaign has raised more than $130,000 to support women and girls in Afghanistan.

Spirit of Trent Award
Presented to alumni who have made a difference, through contributions to the University, the alumni association or the community.

Brian ’90 and LeeAnne Lavender ’90
Upon graduating from Trent University in 1993, Brian and LeeAnne Lavender started Canterbury Publishing in Peterborough and published a monthly news magazine entitled PrimeTime. Brian and LeeAnne spent nine years in the publishing business before their shared passion for education took them both back to post-secondary school to pursue degrees in teaching. They taught in the Peterborough area for three years before another shared passion – this time for travel – took them, with their children, to South Korea, where they spent four years teaching at an international school. During their tenure in South Korea, the Lavenders travelled extensively in Southeast Asia, India and Africa, volunteering in orphanages and schools. As a result of their experiences abroad, the Lavenders were inspired to create Freedom through Learning in 2009, a non-governmental organization that would bring together those most passionate about education in developing nations with people who are seeking earnest ways to offer direct support. The organization gives educators in developing nations the ability to articulate their needs so they can receive the specific materials required.

Tony Storey Service Award
Presented to an alumni volunteer who has demonstrated a significant and long-term commitment to the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA).

Robert Lightbody ’64 
Robert Lightbody has been a dedicated volunteer of the TUAA since its inception in 1967 when the earliest meetings were often held at his home. For over four decades, Mr. Lightbody has been an integral and dedicated volunteer with the TUAA and the University. Building on his student leadership experience as a member of Trent’s original class, Mr. Lightbody was a key young alumni leader who gave shape and structure to the TUAA. He also served on the Trent University Board of Governors for eleven years from 1972-1983 including serving on the Executive and Property Committees. To celebrate his contributions to Trent, the Robert Lightbody Prize was created by his fellow alumni in 1984. 

Robert W. F. Stephenson Prize for Excellence in Student Governance
Established by the Alumni Association in honour of the late Robert Stephenson upon the completion of his term as chair of Trent University's Board of Governors - the first alumnus to hold the position. The award underscores the Alumni Association's high regard for student leadership contribution to the overall mission of Trent University.

Amber Vance
Amber Vance is currently in her fourth year of the Queens' Trent Concurrent Education program, majoring in Indigenous Studies. Throughout her time at Trent, Ms. Vance has been extremely involved in student governance. She is currently president of Champlain College Cabinet. Previously she held the positions of junior senator, senior senator and vice-president. Ms. Vance is currently in her second year as a student governor on Trent University's Board of Governors, Advancement Committee, and a member of the Presidential Search Committee.

Posted on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.