Jennifer Reed Scholarship

About Jennifer Reed

Jennifer Anne Reed was born on July 19, 1969 and was the daughter of Pat (Reed) Wright and the late Dr. James Reed, and sister to Chris Reed. Jennifer was a very proud alumna (’83) of Trent University and held two bachelor degrees and was an active volunteer. She was a member of the 50th anniversary planning committee. She participated in Think Tank sessions and helped to set up the program for alumni 50th anniversary celebrations. As a student, Jennifer received the Champlain College Alumni Recognition Award in 1992. Her first full-time job was with the University.

Jennifer’s career included a fifteen-year tenure with MasterCard Canada where she held a series of progressively senior communications and marketing roles including Vice President, Government Relations and Communications. She then moved to the not-for-profit sector at Right to Play Canada, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Canada. She was on the cusp of an exciting new professional adventure with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation when she died of a medical emergency while swimming.

In 2008 Jennifer was selected to attend the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and remained actively involved with the Conference through to her untimely death. She also served as a Board Member of Sheena’s Place. Jenn maintained friendships across the world and over decades. She was a woman of many passions, including travel, books, movies and conversations with cherished friends and family. Her vibrant personality, sense of humour, direct communication and intellectual curiosity endeared Jenn to all who met her.

Purpose of Jennifer Reed Fund

This Fund was established by family, friends and colleagues in memory of Jennifer A. Reed ’88 after her tragic death in July 2015. Jennifer Reed exhibited a rare combination of care, compassion, and leadership, and the world is a much better place as a result. While her leadership skills offered her great personal success in the realm of finance, ultimately it was her profound belief in human resilience that marked her greatest achievements. Because of Jennifer’s participation and involvement with the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, an important requirement is that the student recipient of the scholarship must have demonstrated leadership.

Eligibility and Nominations

Any full-time undergraduate student who is in second year and above is eligible to receive the scholarship. The student must have a minimum cumulative average of 80% and be enrolled in any undergraduate program. The student must have demonstrated leadership qualities that contribute to the Trent mission, the community or the country as a whole. Examples include supporting civil discussion about sensitive topics, promoting inclusiveness of people from diverse backgrounds, facilitating social change, and/or helping others to understand the importance of contributing to their community.

The recipient of this award must have held at least one leadership role at Trent University, and used this opportunity to bring about positive/constructive change and/or meaningful learning for members of the community. Examples may include being a member of a college cabinet, a residence don, a lead volunteer within a student organization who has demonstrated exceptional commitment above and beyond normal expectations. (Student organizations can include clubs or varsity sport teams.) Consideration may also be given to an individual who has taken a lead role in a grassroots movement on an important issue or cause.

This scholarship is worth $2000 and is applied to the student's account at Trent University.

The nomination period for the 2019-20 recipient has now closed.