Trent University Chancellor Dr. Roberta Bondar to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Royal Conservatory of Music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Bondar’s Multi-Discplinary Talents to be Honoured for Ability to Cross Academic and Artistic Boundaries

Thursday, April 19, 2007, Toronto

Trent University chancellor Dr. Roberta Bondar will receive the Royal Conservatory of Music Lifetime Achievement Award on April 19, 2007 as part of the Conservatory’s fifth annual Celebration of Excellence Awards event in support the Learning Through The Arts (LTTA) program.

“This award holds a special significance for me as it reinforces the value of combining arts-based and scientific pursuits in the learning process,” explained Dr. Bondar.  “I commend the educational programs provided by schools that expand their abilities in several areas. The Royal Conservatory recognizes the inextricable link between art and science and, in so doing, encourages each of us to take new strides in learning without borders.” Today’s Lifetime Achievement Award follows fresh on the heels of Dr. Bondar’s appointment last month to chair a working group on environmental education as part of the provincial government’s new curriculum review process.

Trent University president and vice chancellor Bonnie M. Patterson was delighted to offer her congratulations.  “Renowned as a space scientist, neurologist, author, astronaut, and photographer, Dr. Bondar has exceptional strengths in crossing academic and artistic boundaries and these are reflected in this award,” said President Patterson.  “We are pleased to see her diverse skills recognized in this way and congratulate Dr. Bondar on earning this honour.”

Now in her second term as chancellor of Trent University, Dr. Bondar has always recognized Trent University’s strong commitment to interdisciplinary education. “Trent University is truly distinguished by both the calibre of its teaching and flexibility for students who want to combine majors from the sciences, social sciences and humanities,” she said after being appointed to a second term as chancellor.

As the world’s first neurologist in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contribution to space medicine. Her findings developed technology that has been used in clinical studies at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Bondar is an acclaimed photographer of the natural wonders of our planet. She is the author of four critically acclaimed books featuring her stunning photography of the Earth both from space and on the ground. An exclusive exhibition of Dr. Bondar’s photography called “Green Time” was mounted in honour of International Earth Day and is currently on display at First Canadian Place Gallery in Toronto; the show runs until April 30, 2007.

Renowned for her expertise and animated commentary, Roberta Bondar has been a guest of television networks such as CNN, BBC, PBS and the CBC as well as many radio stations throughout the U.S. Dr. Bondar has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal, inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for her pioneering research in space medicine and into the International Women’s Forum’s Hall of Fame. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. Last year TIME magazine named her among North America's best explorers.

Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) is an acclaimed educational initiative that brings actors, musicians, dancers, visual artists and writers into more than 350 schools across Canada. Together with teachers, these artists create lively new ways to motivate students and deliver core curriculum by using various art forms. Created in 1994 as a way to enhance the goals, methods and culture of public education, LTTA is now one of the world's most innovative educational programs, which reaches more than 100,000 students and involves 5,000 teachers and 500 artists across the country.

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University is renowned for striking a unique balance between outstanding teaching and leading-edge research. The University is consistently recognized nationally for faculty who maintain a high level of innovative research activity and a deep commitment to the individual student. Distinguished by excellence in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and increasingly popular professional and graduate programs, Trent is dedicated to providing its students with an exceptional world view, producing graduates who are ready to succeed and make a difference in the world.  Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River. Together with its satellite campus in Oshawa, Trent draws excellent students from throughout the country and around the world.

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