Trent University Named 2021 Employer of the Year at Peterborough Business Excellence Awards
New Forensic Crime Scene Facility wins Green Initiatives category recognizing Trent’s environmental leadership
Trent University was named Employer of the Year for 2021 at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards and won the award in the Green Initiatives category for its new Forensics Crime Scene Facility.
“These awards speak to the important role Trent plays in the local community,” said Debra Cooper Burger, chair of Trent University’s Board of Governors. “As a key employer in the region and a recognized environmental leader, Trent provides an inspiring place to work and study, creating the conditions for both ideas and people to thrive.”
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce announced the 2021 Business Excellence Award winners in a virtual ceremony on October 20. The University took home top honours as a leading regional employer, committed to professional development, employee wellness and diversity while also supporting the local community, especially through the pandemic. The award recognizes Trent’s $678 million annual economic impact in Peterborough and role as a catalyst for regional prosperity, and social and cultural vitality. Other highlights include the University’s commitment to professional development, training and employee recognition events, mental-health training to all employees and free 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Program, as well as support for our local community through the pandemic – opening a residence for frontline workers and donating PPE and food supplies.
“Trent University strives to promote positive engagement and employee wellness, acknowledging employee success, encouraging lifelong learning, training and diversity,” shares Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “In many ways, the two awards are complementary because caring for our environment is another way that we make Trent a great place to work. Thank you to the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for this recognition and for the strong connections they forge in this community.”
In the Green Initiatives category – recognizing organizations for reducing their environmental impact – Trent was awarded top honours for the University’s Forensic Crime Scene Facility, a first-of-its-kind professional forensics training building constructed on a Canadian university campus which aims to be Canada’s first zero-carbon building certified by the International Living Future Institute.
Made of hemp blocks, the Forensics Crime Scene Facility located on Trent’s Symons Campus, stores 13 tonnes of carbon and is powered primarily by renewable energy through a roof-mounted solar PV system that’s designed to provide 110% of the building’s energy needs. Using guidelines within the Trent Land and Nature Area Plan – an innovative and environmental-led planning framework – the facility was constructed within the core campus on land already in use, to reduce the environmental impact.
The prestigious awards show also recognized Trent School of Business student Mohamad Ellabban, who earned the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Prize.
During the awards ceremony, the University presented the Local Focus Award, which recognizes organizations and businesses that have a significant community impact, and was awarded to RMS Events - LIVE! At the Barn, which supported local artists who were unable to play at live events or concerts throughout the pandemic.
View the full list of 2021 Chamber Business Excellence Award winners.
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.
Cara Walsh, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6240 or carawalsh@trentu.ca