Canadian Entertainment Industry Powerhouse Stephen Stohn Appointed Chancellor of Trent University
Trent alumnus, entertainment lawyer and television producer to be installed as Trent’s twelfth chancellor in June 2019
Respected entertainment lawyer, award-winning producer, songwriter and author, Trent University alumnus Stephen Stohn ’66 can now add another esteemed title to his name – chancellor of Trent University.
Mr. Stohn’s appointment as Trent University’s twelfth chancellor was approved by University Senate on March 12, making him the second alumnus to hold the position in the institution’s 55-year history. Noted entertainment and copyright lawyer, Mr. Stohn was once described by the CBC as “the Forrest Gump of Canadian pop culture” as an instrumental figure in the Canadian entertainment industry throughout his career. A 14-time Canadian Screen Award (formerly the Gemini Award) winner, Mr. Stohn is well known as the executive producer of various iterations of the Degrassi television franchise and for his role as executive producer of The Juno Awards for close to 20 years. As an attorney, he has represented some of the most talented and successful artists Canada has produced in the last 30-plus years, helping to guide their careers to international success.
“The unique guiding principles of Trent have been foundational to my life,” said Mr. Stohn in speaking about the appointment. “The formal and the informal learning opportunities that I look back on propelled my own career, but are even more important for students today as formative and needed tools to help confront and adapt to our rapidly-changing economic, political and social times. In coming back as chancellor, I’m delighted that I will be promulgating these special qualities of Trent and, like we did through Degrassi, mentoring young people to become better citizens of Canada and the world, and energizing projects that will leave a legacy.”
Graduating from Trent in 1969 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Economics, Mr. Stohn has long been a supporter of the University. As a student, he co-founded Trent’s student newspaper, Arthur, as well as Trent Radio – both of which are still widely known to Trent students and the Peterborough community. Mr. Stohn’s transformational philanthropic support for Trent has been key in the development of several projects, including a $1 million gift to make the new Student Centre a reality. In 2015, he served as alumni-in-residence, participating and mentoring Trent students in workshops and seminars. The same year, he was awarded an honorary degree from Trent, the University’s highest honour.
“For decades, Trent has been fortunate to be associated with Stephen Stohn’s successes and generosity,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “His accomplishments include initiatives he pioneered as a Trent student; an enormously successful career as an entertainment lawyer; and his continued commitment to our students and community. He brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to the position of chancellor and combines it with a passion for Trent that is contagious.”
Since graduating from Trent, Mr. Stohn has enjoyed an outstanding career in the entertainment industry. He began his more than 50-year career in the industry as a performing artist and songwriter, before becoming a producer and a founding partner of a prestigious entertainment law firm.
Currently the president of Skystone Media Inc. and its related companies, Mr. Stohn has been the executive producer of numerous television series including, Degrassi, Instant Star, Open Heart and The L.A. Complex. In addition, Mr. Stohn served for nearly 20 years as executive producer and then chair of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences who organize the Juno Awards, Canada’s music awards show.
An entertainment and copyright lawyer since 1979, Mr. Stohn has been an active lobbyist for the reform of Canada’s copyright laws. He has been instrumental in the creation of the Songwriters Association of Canada and was director and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of Ontario Media Development Corporation. As founding partner in the entertainment law firm, Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP, Mr. Stohn provides strategic legal advice to performers, advertisers, agencies, merchandisers, recording artists, songwriters, multimedia/internet creators, broadcasters and film and television producers.
In 2011, Mr. Stohn was inducted into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame, nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, and won a Peabody Award.
Mr. Stohn will be installed as Trent University’s twelfth chancellor at Convocation ceremonies to be held Friday, June 7, 2019 at 2 p.m.
Download high-res images of Stephen Stohn.
Duties of Trent University Chancellor
The role of the chancellor includes conferring degrees and diplomas and sitting as an ex officio member of the Board of Governors and the Senate. In addition, the chancellor represents the University in an official capacity at external functions from time to time. Each chancellor brings his or her special talents and interests to the position, and enters into and enhances the life of the University. The term of the office is normally for three years but is renewable upon the recommendation of Senate Executive and the agreement of Senate and the incumbent.
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.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers, manager, Communications, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6182 or kathrynverhulst@trentu.ca
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