The Trent University Board of Governors held its final regular meeting of the academic year at the University’s Symons Campus on June 24, 2022 with the following highlights:

Governor Emeritus Appointments

The Board celebrated former Board chair Armand La Barge ’95, and former governor Dr. Garry Cubitt ’67, granting each the honorific title of governor emeritus, in recognition of their exceptional leadership and service to the University.

Mr. La Barge was appointed to the Board in 2015, and served as Board chair from 2019 to 2021, leading the University through milestone moments including the opening of the Student Centre, the transformation of the Bata Library, and construction of the sector-leading Forensics Crime Scene Facility. 

Dr. Cubitt served on the Board of Governors for six years, playing an integral role in the growth of Trent University Durham GTA.

Honouring Departing Governors

The Board also paid tribute to seven departing members: Connie Bonello, Dr. Ray Dart, Peter Dilworth, Carol Gray, Robyn Jacobson, Rayna Porter and Scott Sinclair.

Connie Bonello was appointed to the Board in 2016, and served on the Finance & Property Committee, Audit & Investment Committee, Executive Committee, as well as the Ad-hoc Committee on Endowment Fund Asset Mix Implementation and the Ad-Hoc Committee for Transition of Pension Plan, the Climate Change Working Group. She was also chair of the Investment & Pension Committee.

Dr. Ray Dart held a faculty seat on the Board of Governors for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2020. During his tenure on the Board, he was also a member of the University Honours Subcommittee of Senate and the Climate Change working group.

Peter Dilworth was appointed to the Board of Governors in 2016, serving as chair and vice-chair of the Audit Committee, vice-chair of the Finance & Property Committee, and was a member of the Executive Committee. He was also a member of the Ad-Hoc Committee for Transition of Pension Plan, the Climate Change Working Group and the Audit & Investment Subcommittee.

Carol Gray joined the Trent Board in 2017. She has served in a variety of leadership roles as vice-chair of the Board, chair of Executive Committee, and vice-chair of Audit & Investment Committee. She also served on the Ad-Hoc Committee for Transition of Pension Plan, the Ad-Hoc Committee on Endowment Fund Asset Mix Implementation, the Climate Change Working Group, and the Audit and Investment Subcommittee.

Robyn Jacobson joined the Board of Governors in 2016. In addition to a year as vice-chair of the Board, she has served on multiple committees including Nominating & Governance, Audit, and Executive, and in leadership roles such as chair and vice-chair of Nominating & Governance Committee, chair of Human Resources Subcommittee, and vice-chair of Executive Committee.

Rayna Porter, a new graduate from Trent University Durham GTA, held a student seat on the Board since 2020, where she also served on the Finance & Property Committee this past term. Rayna has been very involved throughout her time at Trent Durham, including service as president of the Trent Durham Student Association.

Scott Sinclair served on the Board for six years, two of which as vice-chair of the Board. His various roles on Board committees over his tenure include chair of Finance & Property Committee, chair of Executive Committee and the HR Subcommittee, and chair of Trent Lands Committee. He was also a member of the Climate Change Working Group and the Audit & Investment Subcommittee.

Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan

The Board also received an update on the implementation of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, which received approval in February 2021. Progress that has advanced on a number of key initiatives including:

• University Green Network: which has received funding from both TD Bank Group and the Echo Foundation to advance key land stewardship initiatives.
• University-Integrated Seniors Village: Trent has collaborated with local First Nations to complete a detailed natural heritage review of the Seniors Village site, results of which were shared with the community and local neighbours in mid 2021.
• Developing a “gold standard relationship” with local First Nations: educating the community about the treaty and traditional territory of Trent’s campuses is a key priority of the Plan. Trent has worked in close collaboration with the Elders & Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council to unveil unique installations to this end.
• Trent Farm: steps are underway to relocate the Trent Farm to a larger, more permanent location, with Trent students actively engaged throughout the process
• Cleantech Commons: Trent University has signed a research collaboration with Karbon Brewing Co. The company is actively exploring a location within the research park where it benefits from strong alignment with researchers and other laboratories and research centres.