Honouring Trent University’s Outstanding Alumni
2023 Alumni Awards recognize alumni for leadership in politics, environmentalism, and science
A former politician who advocated tirelessly for housing and homelessness issues, a highly respected climate justice advocate, and an award-winning female scientist renowned in the field of biogeochemistry are among the recipients of the 2023 Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA) awards – a series of prestigious awards acknowledging the impact alumni make in their community, professions, or with the University
“Congratulations to all of the award winners who chose to study at Trent University because of their desire to create momentous change in the world and have gone on to lead that change in their professional careers and community with vision, commitment, and creativity,” says Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “The work they do is important, and we are honoured to recognize their remarkable achievements.”
A full list of 2023 winners is as follows:
Distinguished Alumni Award
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet ’74 (Catharine Parr Traill College), former MP for Hochelga in Montreal who served as NDP whip and housing critic; Dr. Keith Stewart ’86 (Peter Robinson College), senior energy strategist for Greenpeace Canada; and Dr. Gesa Weyhenmeyer ’90 (Peter Robinson College), professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, are recipients of 2023/24 Distinguished Alumni Award – the TUAA’s top award that recognizes demonstrated leadership, community involvement and notoriety in sector of work.
Spirit of Trent Award
Henry GB Clarke '70 (Catharine Parr Traill College), a former City of Peterborough councillor and deputy mayor who supported hundreds of residents experiencing homelessness; and Alice Olsen Williams '69 (Otonabee College), a renowned Indigenous artist activist who has supported many Indigenous causes are co-recipients of the Spirit of Trent Award, recognizing their commitment to making a difference in the world by demonstrating values and lessons learned at Trent.
Young Leader Award
The Young Leader Award, recognizing young alumni who have shown outstanding leadership throughout their first 10 years of alumni status, has been awarded to Jacob Dockstator ’10 (Peter Gzowski College), who has boldly, creatively, and collaboratively promoted economic development for Indigenous communities across northern Ontario.
The annual awards are organized through the TUAA and presented during a series of dedicated events throughout the academic year.
About the Trent University Alumni Association Awards
Across Canada and around the globe, Trent University alumni are building a better world by effecting change, making a difference, demonstrating leadership, and giving back through significant contributions in their communities, in their professions, or with the University. Each year, the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA) is proud to honour alumni doing this important work through a series of prestigious awards. Nominations are due to the TUAA Awards & Recognition Committee each March, and the awards are presented to individuals during dedicated events on and off campus throughout the academic year.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that is 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:
Nate Lewis, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x7747 or natelewis@trentu.ca