Christine Evans

Bowmanville, Ontario
English
Bagnani Medal Winner

While exploring her post-secondary education options, Christine Evans took into account many different criteria. She wanted a flexible and convenient program because she worked full-time and had a family, but she also wanted a university with an excellent reputation. She found everything she was looking for at Trent.

“I already have a job as a school librarian that I enjoy, so my studies would not necessarily mean a career change. Working in children’s fiction and educational programming, I saw an opportunity for me to explore my creative writing further with a ready-made and captive audience,” Christine says, explaining why she chose Trent’s renowned English program.

During her time at Trent, Christine has enjoyed every aspect of her education, from animated discussions in creative writing classes to learning about different cultural voices in her Indigenous Studies classes. She also identifies Trent as the active stimulant that made her realize her potential and worth as a writer. In fact, she attributes her Trent experience to giving her the confidence to pursue this new path.

As a top student, Christine was honoured as the winner of a 2009 Bagnani Medal. Upon hearing about the award, she says she was, “totally surprised and stoked!”  For Christine, being a recipient of such an honour validates all her hard work that she has put into her education and her personal interests. 

“A degree is often viewed as a requirement into a particular career or job, and it can be seen as a means to an end. That’s not always true for people like me or for those who like to challenge themselves, often struggling to find a balance between a job, family-life and academic pursuits,” Christine says. “Academic awards can give you an edge in the job application process but they are also a celebration for those who push to learn, grow and change.”

Looking back at her journey at Trent, Christine values the support of her family above all else. Her husband Dave, and her three daughters, Ceri, Katy and Sian, have always been behind her 100 per cent.  “We have always valued the pursuit of academic achievement within our family and it’s great to be on the receiving end this time,” she says.