FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2002

AON PRESENTS $20,000 LEADERSHIP GIFT TO PSB WILSON FUND FOR ATHLETICS AND RECREATION

Smith family donation pushes campaign beyond $156,000

At a community fundraising dinner celebrating the career of recently retired athletics director Paul Wilson,Trent University was presented with a $20,000 cheque from Hugh, Braydon, and Brad Smith, on behalf of AON INC president Ross Smith.

The Smith family and Trent President Bonnie Patterson announced that the leadership gift had increased the total fund raising campaign to over $156,000.

"The Smiths and AON are to be commended for their leadership gift and their on-going support of Trent University," said Bonnie Patterson, President and Vice Chancellor. "Through the generous donations by AON and hundreds of other friends of Paul Wilson, the PSB campaign has emerged as one of the most successful endowment fund initiatives in the university’s history."

To date, over 200 donations to the fund have been received and over 350 individuals have supported the Wilson golf tournament and the dinner. The fund is designed to both honour Wilson’s career and strengthen the department of athletics by improving facilities and equipment.

A wide cross section of individuals attended the fundraiser including representatives of the city and county, the rugby, rowing and squash community, and members of the medical and legal professions.

Athletic directors from other universities were in attendance along with keynote speaker and Trent graduate Rob Marland, gold medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Additional speakers included Mayor Sutherland, Erica Cherney and David Hall.

The dinner was videotaped by Cogeco Cable Solutions for broadcasting at a future date.

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For more information contact:
Ross Smith, President, AON Inc. (705) 742-5445 or
Tony Storey, Director, Alumni Relations, Trent University, (705) 748-1599