It has been an incredible year at Trent University.  Take a moment to reflect on the outstanding events, achievements and news highlights of a memorable year for our faculty, staff, students and campuses.

2019 was certainly a year to remember at Trent University – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, nine years running.

1. A Shining Moment for Academic Excellence

2019 has us feeling #TrentUProud. Our students earned scholarships and fellowships for their top marks, ambition and global citizenry. Recent Trent Mathematics graduate, Melissa Van Bussell received a Mensa Scholarship to pursue her passion for Statistics in graduate studies. English Literature student, Tessa Smith, an aspiring humanitarian, was named a Terry Fox Scholar, one of just 22 award recipients from across Canada in 2019. And of course, Biomedical Science and Indigenous Studies student Tonya-Leah Watts was named the third 3M National Student Fellow in three years for Trent.

2. Stepping out with Experiential Learning

Putting theory into practices to build connections to future career paths – experiential learning gained prominence in 2019. In March, Trent launched a rebranded Careerspace to connect students with access to resources and real-world opportunities, and the community with freshest talent: Trent University students. As our Trent students tested the waters of future careers, we also launched new programs and pathways geared to building career experience including a new Journalism program to equip grads for the future of content creation and a pathway for Fleming students into the renowned Trent School of the Environment.

3. Growing a More Sustainable Future (Cleantech Commons)

We are cultivating an incredible opportunity at Trent University by tapping into talent, world-class research facilities and an ideal location to grow the region’s emerging green technology sector. Cleantech Commons at Trent University, has come into focus in a variety of discussions about sustainable development and balancing the needs of the economy and the environment. As the new research and innovation park continues to go through the preliminary steps, studies and sign-offs, it is also generating buzz from startups (including the park’s first tenant, Noblegen) and storytellers (such as the Globe and Mail) alike.

4. New Trent Chancellor Inspires Students and Community

“You are the New Hope,” Dr. Stephen Stohn ’66 told the graduating class as he was installed as the University’s 12^th chancellor at Convocation in June. The entertainment mogul and Trent alumnus, then went on to discuss the ways that student clubs and groups, and multidisciplinary programs equip Trent graduates to respond to a rapidly changing world.

Since convocation, Dr. Stohn has returned to Trent University, delivering an inaugural lecture in the Stohn Hall, and serving as judge for a moot court exercise with Trent/Swansea dual law degree program students. It is clear he is living up to a commitment to be engaged in and enrich student experiences at the University.

5. Asking Questions and Getting Answers

Inquiring minds must know – and our Trent researchers have been asking questions (and getting answers) about how the world works. Some interesting research that made headlines include Dr. Aaron Slepkov’s research into the science of grapes in a microwave, Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant’s exploration of youth and procrastination; and Dr. Robert Huber’s Discovery Award winning research into Batten Disease. This type of research saw Trent research stack up in Canada as the #2 undergraduate university for publication intensity and #4 for research in the 2019 Research Infosource rankings.

6. Going for Gold As 1Excalibur

The Justin Chiu Stadium was filled with magnetic energy this year as captivated spectators and fans cheering on some incredible moments. This summer, Trent University played host to the Women’s Lacrosse U19 World Championships, culminating in a gold medal game where teams from Canada and the United States faced off. We also saw some impressive moments for our Trent Excalibur teams with Women’s Lacrosse bringing home the gold in the OUA Championships. A new identity for our 1Excalibur athletes also set us up to unite the University community around sport like never before.

7. Science Gone Wild

Did you have a chance to meet the “Narluga” this year? In June, Trent’s own Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada research chair, worked with a team in Denmark to prove the existence of a narwhal and beluga whale hybrid. This was one of the ways that science went wild at Trent, with other highlights including funding to support long-running lynx study, a collaboration that led to the revitalization of a threatened fish species, and an Early Researcher Award for Trent Forensic's professor, Dr. Aaron Shafer for his exploration of how animals’ DNA responds to changing environment.

8. Chiming in with the Trent Perspective on a Bellwether Riding

The recent election saw Peterborough make headlines and visits to campus from CPAC, The Hill Times, Global Toronto, and of course the CTV News National broadcast. What were these outlets looking for? Insight into Canada’s most reliable bellwether riding from resident political expert, Dr. David Sheinin, as well as the ways that youth were engaging in the election as the country’s largest voting bloc.

9. Opening our Minds to Aging

Experts in the Trent Centre for Aging and Society are challenging the myths and mysteries about getting older. In May we welcomed a global community of scholars, with more than 200 scholars, researchers and writers from more than 20 countries attend the Trent Aging Conference. Our researchers explored the way that that language and algorithms play on the way we think about what it means to grow older.

10. Growing Trent Durham

Trent has had a presence in the Durham Region for 40 years, this year we are seeing the University’s campus step into the limelight like never before. With a bright, contemporary six story building under construction, the campus is gearing up to add 200 on-campus residence spaces. The campus also welcomed Dr. Scott Henderson who was appointed the new dean and head of Trent University Durham GTA in July. The University is also leading the charge on continuing to grow the campus as a vibrant institution of collaboration, discovery and leadership with a $5 Million Fundraising Campaign for Trent Durham.