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 Elisabeth Harrison
Why did you choose Trent? I chose Trent because it is a smaller school, with a friendly atmosphere. Because of this, I hoped that I would get to know my professors and my classmates really well, which is exactly what happened, as it turned out. How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you? What are your passions in life? I’m not sure how others would describe me, but I think it might be something about how I’m very talkative, I laugh a lot, and I have a really loud voice. They might also mention that I’m very focused on academics – I spend most of my time doing schoolwork, but it seems strange to write that homework is my life passion… I think that the reason why I can spend so much time on my work is that the subject matter that I tend to focus on is very engaging, and I also think that it’s very important. In Women’s Studies, we learn a lot about power and oppression, and the way that societies, economies and cultures are organized to the benefit of some and the detriment of others. This means that when I’m working on an essay, it isn’t just an intellectual exercise (although it is that, too). The information that I’m coming to understand is information that will inform my attitudes, beliefs, and, ultimately, my actions. Have you been involved in any clubs, groups, and/or sports at Trent? If so, which ones? In 2004-2005, I was a volunteer note taker for the Disability Services Office, and I volunteered at the Sadleir House Alternative Library. In 2005-2006, I was also the second year student representative on the Women’s Studies Program Committee, and I was the Women’s Issues Commissioner of the Trent Central Student Association From 2005-2006 until 2007-2008, I was a member of the Steering Collective of the Trent Women’s Centre. I have also been involved in community organizations and activities, volunteering in several election campaigns for the NDP, and attending the Peterborough Allowed Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. What has your time at Trent meant to you? What are some of your favourite memories? What will you take with you from Trent? My time at Trent has meant a great deal to me. I’ve learned so much in my time here, both inside and outside the classroom, and I think that I’ve become a better person as a result of that. In order for my favourite memory of Trent to make any sense, you have to know that I am a lesbian, I was “out” at my high school (a Catholic school in a small town), and I was harassed quite badly during my time there. Anyway, on my very first day at Trent, I went on a tour of the campus with some of the other students from my residence section. Walking across the Faryon Bridge and Bata Podium, I saw that some of the folks from the TQC had chalked big rainbows and slogans everywhere, and that they were flying a huge pride flag over the bus stop at the Library. I actually burst into tears, because I felt like I had finally come to a place where I could fit in! I was just incredibly happy. What are your future plans and aspirations? Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? What do you hope to accomplish? How do you want to make a difference? What are you looking forward to? Next year, I will be attending the University of Toronto, where I will be enrolled in the MA program in Women and Gender Studies. After that, I hope to continue my education in a PhD program. I don’t think that I could ever possibly explain how grateful I am to all of the absolutely wonderful professors and teaching assistants that I’ve been able to learn from and work with during my time at Trent. I hope that I might, one day, be able to work as a professor, and I hope that in doing so, I could help students the way my professors helped me.
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Mallorytown, Ontario