Traill College Celebrates Past and Plans for Future
Principal's Lodge dedicated to Dr. Marion Fry and Greg Piasetzki '72 Traill College Challenge raises over $100,000
Catharine Parr Traill College, Trent University’s downtown college, was abuzz today when Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University, and Dr. Michael Eamon, Traill College principal, announced the naming of Fry Lodge in honour of the College’s founding principal Dr. Marion Fry. At the event, the University also announced the completion of the Greg Piasetzki Traill College Challenge, unleashing a $100,000 endowment.
“I am excited to honour Traill College’s rich history and offer a vision for its future; together they strengthen Trent University’s downtown presence and its commitment to the college,” said Dr. Groarke.
Dr. Marion Fry, a Philosophy professor, started as the principal of Traill College in 1963 and held the position at Trent’s first all-women’s College for five years. She was also the associate professor of Philosophy from 1964 to 1986, winning the prestigious Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1986-87. Professor Fry then became the vice-president of Trent University from 1975 to 1979, and periodic acting president.
“I am very happy to honour Dr. Marion Fry with the newly named Fry Lodge. From the very beginning she was a groundbreaker as a woman in higher education and an inspiration for young women at a time when universities were male dominated,” said Professor Eamon. “The naming of Fry Lodge honours the College’s first principal and marks a return to the tradition for Traill buildings of naming them after notable women.”
In addition to the naming celebration, today’s event also marked the successful completion of the Greg Piazetski Traill College Challenge, launched at the annual fall Traill College Dinner on November 25, 2016, when alumnus Greg Piasetzki ‘72 issued a $50,000 matching challenge to kickstart the Traill College endowment. In four short months, alumni and friends conquered this challenge creating a $100,000 endowment.
At the event, Mr. Piasetzki reflected on his experiences at Traill, and the importance of giving back: “Trent and Traill College shaped me in many ways – from the academic subjects I studied, to the friends I made and the non-academic interests and hobbies I acquired during those years. I believe we should all give back, when the opportunity presents itself, to both the larger society in which we live and to the organizations and institutions that shaped and supported us. For me, Trent, and in particular, Traill College, was one of those influences.’’
The endowment will play a vital role in achieving the goals set out in the Traill College review, conducted last year. The review recommended restoring a strong undergraduate presence to ensure the College could flourish as a traditional residential college. To that end, 30 new residence spaces were created at the College this past year, with more to be added in 2017-18.
“The new Traill Endowment is a great step forward for the College. The collegiate tradition prides itself on offering an engaging student experience that is interdisciplinary, personal, and genuine. Students, professors, and staff should feel that the College is a true community where everyone belongs. Providing such an experience is essential, but it comes at a cost. The new endowment will help maintain Traill as a beacon of higher education for years to come,” said Prof. Eamon.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham – Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
About Traill College
Located near the downtown core, Traill College marks the point at which the university intersects with the Peterborough community. Opened in 1964, Traill College was one of Trent University’s two founding colleges. It is named after the local, nineteenth-century author and naturalist Catharine Parr Traill. Trent University is a collegiate university in the British tradition. Comprised of several smaller residential colleges like at Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham. The College offers a safe space for students to study, attend class and relax. At its founding, Traill was an all women's college, and all of the original buildings at the site were named after prominent, local women. The college is now fully-coeducational and is home to both undergraduate and graduate students. Traill also is the base for Trent University’s Continuing Education program where adult learners can take courses and workshops on a wide range of academic and general interest topics. Situated on the drumlin between London and Dublin streets, Traill College is the point where Trent University meets the Peterborough community.
Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca