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Trent University Alumni Association Honours Student Leaders By Joe Teft ‘99
Piet Funnekotter has devoted most of his time in student politics to Champlain College, where he was a Senator and President of the College. He spent three of his four years involved with the College Cabinet. He was also a guest liaison for the Board of Governors and a member of the Trent Central Students Association (TCSA). Not limiting himself to College life, Piet was involved with the Trent Business Students Association. Currently, he is working for the Office of Student Affairs organizing Introductory Seminar Week. Although his motivation for involvement was not for recognition, he was thrilled to win the Robert Stephenson Award. After battling a serious illness last summer, Erin Stonehouse was honored with the first ever presentation of the Gary Wolff Leadership Cup at the Trent University Athletics Award Ceremony. Gary Wolff was the second Trent alumnus to chair the Board of Governors. By establishing this award, the Alumni Association is continuing to honour student and alumni leaders. It is presented to a student who shows courage, determination and leadership in any sport at any level. Erin joined Trent Rowing her first year and has been a valuable member ever since. Besides being a talented rower, Erin was treasurer and president of the Trent University Rowing Executive. Under Erin’s leadership, Trent Rowing hosted the most successful Head of the Trent in 2002. Acknowledging the help of a fantastic executive, Stonehouse also credits the aid of family and friends. The Robert Lightbody Prize is awarded to an upper year Peter Robinson student who combines significant contribution to Peter Robinson College life and a strong academic performance. This year Matt Naylor took home the Lightbody Prize. Upon his arrival at Trent, Naylor immediately fell in love with Peter Robinson. In this downtown college he most enjoyed the "marriage between the average and the academic" which he feels is not often seen in other Universities. Part of the honor of receiving the Lightbody prize is a dinner with Robert and Margie Lightbody. Matt thoroughly enjoyed listening to their stories about the original class and the early years of Peter Robinson College. His only regret is that he did not have enough time to hear more. In Matt’s first year he joined the Senate; afterwards, he continued to play a large role in student politics. In his last year Matt Naylor was President of the TCSA. He spent his three upper years involving himself in Introductory Seminar Week. He particularly appreciates the community that Trent offers. Currently Matt is trying to look for a building to create a new student space downtown. He is very excited about creating a new facility for the Trent community. The Alumni Recognition Awards are presented annually to graduating students at the colleges who have made significant and continuous contributions to college life. This year’s recipients were Matt Hopkins (Lady Eaton College), Janet Pearson (Catharine Parr Traill College), Joe Burns (Champlain College), Mike Izzo (Peter Robinson College), Manuela Le Franc (Julian Blackburn College) and Julie Thomas (Otonabee College).
The Alumni Recognition Award for Peter Robinson College was bestowed upon Mike Izzo. Mike was very excited to win this award as he has devoted much of his time to Peter Robinson. During his career at Trent, Mike was a student senator from September 1998 to April 2000. He was Vice-President of the TCSA for the next year and is currently concluding a term on the University’s Board of Governors. Peter Robinson was a source of political and social activity for Mike. The live music at the Hangman every Friday and the live music in the courtyard of the townhouses were particular highlights. One of Mike’s favorite memories is of a Peter Robinson party which included founding President Tom Symons, as well as other founding members of Trent. Throughout the evening there were many speeches, and lots of music. Mike was impressed by the positive energy the people created. Since the faculty, staff and alumni fostered such a sense of community, Mike decided he would work with the college in order to keep the community intact. His effort in developing a positive environment at Peter Robinson led to his selection for the Alumni Recognition Award. Joe Burns is no stranger to the Champlain College office. What made the Alumni Recognition Award special for him, was the peer support. Although he feels proud of his accomplishments, he felt that many others had contributed just as much as he had. A former athletic representative, President and ISW leader, he has remained active in college life. However, the fact that his fellow students had chosen to honor him this way really helped convince Joe that the people he met, and the activities he was involved in strengthened the college community. As a child of a former Traill student, the Alumni Recognition Award is of equal importance as Janet Pearson’s Bachelor of Arts Honors degree. While she worked hard in the classroom, Janet feels that all the invaluable experiences outside the classroom setting are reflected in this award. During Traill’s graduation luncheon, Assistant Registrar Allan Barnfield ‘91 presented Janet the Alumni Recognition Award. Hearing Allan’s kind words were especially moving for Janet. As a president of College Cabinet and a ISW co-chair, she has made an incredible contribution to Traill college life. This year’s winners, as well as winners from the past twenty years are listed on permanent plaques in Blackburn Hall. These awards stand as a testimony to the importance of college life. Alumni and peer recognition aids in the advancement of the Trent community. After twenty years, the Alumni Association is still rewarding great leaders. Photo 1: Robert Stephenson '68 and Piet Funnekotter '99, winner of the Robert Stephenson Award Photo 2: Matt Hopkins '99, Alumni Recognition Award for Lady Eaton College Posted: June 23, 2003 |
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Convocation
was a special day for Pieter Funnekotter. Not only did he receive
his business administration degree but he was also
presented with the Robert
Stephenson Award. The Trent University Alumni Association established
this award in 1994 in honor of Robert W.F. Stephenson who was
the first Trent
alumnus to chair the Board of Governors. Robert was also a distinguished
member of student government while attending Trent University. The
award is presented to a student who has demonstrated excellence in
student
governance. 
Matt Hopkins won
the Alumni Recognition Award for Lady Eaton College.
During his Trent career he has been heavily involved in intramural
sports. The
past two years he has won the most participant male for Lady Eaton
College and
the most participant male at Trent University. He is a bright and
positive individual
who has made Lady Eaton College his home away from home. Sports
are not Matt’s
only extracurricular involvement. For the past four years he has
been on the Lady Eaton College Cabinet. This past year he was President
of LEC and Co-chair
for ISW. For the past two years, he participated with the YWCA
Fashion Show. Currently, Matt is working in the Registrar’s Office
helping to develop Trent’s first ever summer registration
program for first year students.