Trent University Launches Peter Gzowski College Campaign
High profile Canadians lend their support to Cabinet and Honorary Committee
Peter Gzowski College Campaign
Dates and Events
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June 18, 2004
Campaign Launch
October 16, 2004 2:00 p.m.
Official Opening of Peter Gzowski College
October 16, 2004 7:30 p.m.
Peterborough Special Event: "An Evening with Peter's Friends"
November 8, 2004
Elizabeth and Tony Comper Dinner for Peter Gzowski College at Bank of Montreal |
Trent University has officially launched the Peter Gzowski College Campaign, unveiling an esteemed group of Campaign Co-chairs, Campaign Cabinet members and a star-studded Honorary Committee, many of whom were close to Mr. Gzowski, both personally and professionally.
The Peter Gzowski College Campaign will raise money for the new college, named in his honour, which is located on the east bank of Trent University's Symons campus. Heading the Campaign team are entertainment lawyer, Michael Levine; businesswoman and Trent Board of Governors member, Ana Lopes; businessman and philanthropist, Jack Rabinovitch; and former Ontario Premier, Bob Rae. Mr. Rae was recently appointed by the Ontario government to lead a comprehensive review of the province's postsecondary education system.
The Campaign Cabinet includes Mr. Gzowski's life partner, Gillian Howard; his son, musician John Gzowski; his former CBC Morningside producer, Shelley Ambrose; Sony Music Canada President and former New Music host, Denise Donlon; communications specialist Bridget Hoffer; literacy activist Jenny Marcus; former Quaker Oats Canada President, David Morton; former Senior Vice President of NOVA Chemicals Sheila O'Brien; and non-profit executive director, Kathy St. John.
On the heels of a quarter million dollar donation from David and Patricia Owens Morton of Peterborough, the Campaign is now being launched on a nationwide basis.
Mr. Rae was delighted by the list of individuals who had joined the Campaign team. "This list of exceptional Canadians from many walks of life is a testimony to Peter's life and his love for Canada," said Mr. Rae. "From coast to coast and from artists to bankers, Peter's friends demonstrate that he was a catalyst, someone who brought people together. His legacy in Peter Gzowski College reflects this, with its emphasis on arts and science, and its range of concerns covering everything from Aboriginal issues to business ethics."
The Native Studies program being one of Mr. Gzowski's favourite aspects of Trent University, the college that bears his name co-resides with the First Peoples House of Learning, which features Aboriginal gathering space, ceremonial space and performance space. The building itself has been given the Nishnaabe name, Enweying, meaning "the way we speak together."
The $38.4 million college encompasses residential, academic and administrative space including the departments of Native Studies, Mathematics, Business Administration, and Research and Graduate Studies.
The Campaign Co-chairs also announced several special events in support of Peter Gzowski College. "An Evening with Peter's Friends" will be a variety show featuring a cast of well-known Canadian artists, writers and performers. The special event will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Showplace Peterborough on October 16 following the official opening of Peter Gzowski College, at 2:00 p.m., part of Trent's 40th anniversary celebrations on Symons Campus.
In Toronto, friends of Peter Gzowski will gather at a dinner to be held by Elizabeth and Tony Comper at the Bank of Montreal headquarters on November 8, 2004.
For more information on the Peter Gzowski College and its campaign for support, please visit http://www.trentu.ca/gzowskicampaign
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On June 18, Bob Rae was the guest host of CBC Radio's The Current. He had the opportunity to talk with his Gzowski College Campaign Co-Chair Jack Rabinovitch about Mr. Gzowski, his legacy at Trent University and the newly-launched campaign.
Mr. Rae commented that many of his most memorable times at the CBC were interviews with Mr. Gzowski. After replaying one of those interviews, Mr. Rabinovitch discussed Mr. Gzowski’s connection with Aboriginal people.
“He had a special talent for understanding people who were disenfranchised from the normal community and I think he saw literacy and education as a way of ending that disenfranchisement…I think Trent University fit in very well, because as the chancellor - he loved being the chancellor - he devoted much time to the library…”
And in speaking to the opportunity for listeners to get involved in the Peter Gzowski College Campaign, Mr. Rae remarked, “It’s a terrific opportunity for people to recognize Peter’s remarkable contribution to Canada, to Aboriginal people and to Trent University, so we really hope that people will get involved.”
Posted: June 18, 2004
