Michael Minor

Thunder Bay, Ontario
English and Politics
A varsity athlete and Academic All Canadian, Michael Minor also served on the Board of Directors of the Seasoned Spoon and acted with the Anne Shirley Theatre Company.

Why did you choose Trent?

It is a small school which seems to take good care of its students and focuses on undergraduate programs.  I think education in Canada is becoming increasingly cheapened by large factory like schools, when I came to Trent it truly was Canada's outstanding, small University.

Tell me about yourself. How would others describe you? What are your passions in life?

I am 22 years old and will be married before the summer is out.  Others generally say that I am busy and I was once called a renaissance man.  My passions lie first and foremost with the ideas around community.  I work hard to realize a life where I can live with little negative impact on those around me and in cooperation with my neighbours.

Have you been involved in any clubs, groups, and/or sports at Trent? If so, which ones?

Yes. In first year I began a four year stretch with the varsity Cross Country Running team.  I have been the team captain for the past three and have been an Academic All Canadian for all four years.  I was Conrad Birdie in "Bye Bye Birdie", which was put on by the Anne Shirley Theater Company in 2005.  I have been on the Seasoned Spoon Board of Directors for the past 2 years as well as the Coordinator for Trent Meal Exchange which puts on an event called Trick or Eat. This past year I was on the English Department's Executive Committee and had a show on Trent Radio.

What has your time at Trent meant to you? What are some of your favourite memories? What will you take with you from Trent?    

No matter how many changes occur in our corporately dominated society, Trent continues to attract certain kinds of students and professors who are genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge.  I will remember personal encounters with people who view education as something completely different than an 'industry' and I hope that I hope that as I continue my education elsewhere I will bring the desire to pursue rather than own knowledge with me. 

What are your future plans and aspirations? What do you hope to accomplish?

In about eight years I hope to be done a doctorate in English Literature, publish some of my poetry and be a father.  I look forward to being in new communities and I hope that I can teach in such a way that new possibilities and perceptions are opened up to students.  I want to reciprocate the gift of open minded education to a younger generation.