As another defining year at Trent comes to a close, here are some of the University’s shining moments of 2022: 

1. Ontario’s #1 Undergraduate University for 12 Consecutive Years

Trent continues to hold the top spot as Ontario’s top undergraduate university, now for 12 years running. The University was also ranked a national and provincial leader in several categories including overall reputation, most innovative and highest quality, according to the 2023 Maclean’s University Rankings. 

2. New Paid Co-op Streams Enhance Career Experiences for Students

This year, Trent launched 20+ new paid co-op streams across the arts and sciences (including the most recently announced Communications and Criminology co-op streams) that will have students gaining 12 months of paid work experience as part of their Trent degrees.  

3. Anniversaries Abound: Celebrating Milestone Moments

Canadian Studies is celebrating its 50th academic year – an occasion marked with numerous events, including an annual visit to Temagami (a favourite Trent tradition), as well as the historic Northern Nationalisms Conference, which featured a keynote by Governor General and past Trent chancellor Mary Simon. Otonabee College and the annual Head of the Trent regatta also marked 50 years in 2022.  

A little newer, Trent’s Bachelor of Arts & Science celebrated their 10th anniversary with the launch of the “Ask Me Anything” lecture, in honour of the late Dr. David Ellis, where Trent President Leo Groarke served as the inaugural speaker.  

4. Welcoming Distinguished Research Chairs

Dr. Cristine de Clercy, one of Canada’s foremost experts on the study of political leadership, was announced as the University’s  inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership -  a first-of-its-kind collaboration across five Canadian universities.  

Trent also welcomed two new Canada Research Chairs (CRC) in 2022: Dr. Bharati Sethi, CRC in Care Work, Ethnicity, Race and Aging, and Dr. Andrew Tanentzap, CRC in Climate Change & Northern Ecosystems, add to Trent’s rich research landscape for both the environmental leadership and social justice. Trent is now home to 10 Canada Research Chairs. 

5. Winning Year for Excalibur Student-Athletes

The Trent Excalibur brought their best on the field and on the water. The Excalibur Men’s Lacrosse team was  crowned Canadian University Field Lacrosse (CUFLA) champions at Baggataway Cup for the first-time ever - and on home turf as the University played host for the championship. The Excalibur Women’s team took home silver at the OUA championships (following on the heels of double gold over the last two years). On the water, Trent varsity and Team Canada rower Grace VandenBroek was named OUA Women’s Rower of the Year. 

6. Together Again: In-Person Events Return...with Record Numbers

2022 will be remembered by many of us as the year where we came together again. This year’s Convocation ceremonies saw not only the largest-ever graduating class in the University’s history, but also an opportunity for graduates from 2020 and 2021 to return to campus celebrate convocation in person.  

Future students also came out in droves to explore Trent at the Ontario Universities Fair (with our largest-ever presence including stunning new visuals and backdrop), and our biggest Fall Open House events where 5,300 students and their guests signed up to discover both of Trent’s campuses in Peterborough and Durham GTA. 

7. Celebrating Outstanding Giving

In June, Trent unveiled a new Lifetime Giving Recognition installation, celebrating the transformational power of giving. Additional philanthropic highlights of the year include a $2.5-million gift from the Joyce Family Foundation to create the largest endowed bursary ever established at Trent, a new $1-million gift to create the prestigious Moore Family International Scholarship,  a celebration of the University’s growing Public Sculpture Initiative, as well as the success of the ongoing Community Lecture Series that included this year’s W.L. Morton Lecture with Iconic Indigenous artist, Tomson Highway. 

8. Innovative Virtual Resources Receive Accolades  

Trent Online led the award-winning Liberated Learner project, recipient of the Open Education Resource Award for high-quality, innovative teaching and learning materials. 

The first-ever museum dedicated to the Spanish Civil War was also launched virtually, with leadership from Trent historian Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez and the Trent University Library & Archives – receiving accolades from the Spanish ambassador to Ottawa for interdisciplinary international collaboration. 

9. Cultivating a Sense of Community Belonging

“You Belong Here,” a new student support program launched during Fall Orientation Week, provides resources to students in the initial weeks of each academic term. This collaborative initiative supports student belonging, including support specifically for first-generation students, racialized students, mature students, degree progression pathway students, and 2SLGBTQIA+ students. It offers rich and multi-faceted programming that addresses intersecting elements of student belonging and well-being and academic retention and success. 
 

10. Shining a Spotlight on Excellent Educators  

Professor David Newhouse, director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, was named one of Canada’s most outstanding university educators and winner of one of ten prestigious 3M Teaching Fellowships. 

Teaching excellence was also celebrated with a slate of new decanal awards honouring the profound impact of Trent University faculty members, spanning the Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, School of Education, Trent University Durham GTA, School of Nursing, and the School of Graduate Studies.