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2015 Graduate Profiles Carmen Meyette '11, B.A. History and English Literature, Cambridge, OntarioCarmen feels the picturesque landscape at Trent in Peterborough really spoke to her. Ultimately so did the thought-provoking subject matter she encountered while completing her joint major in English Literature and History—dual interests that have accompanied her since high school. “While at Trent I have become particularly interested in the voices of the oppressed both in historical records and through literature,” stated Carmen. “I find that at times it is these voices, or their silence, that offers the clearest understanding of society in a particular historical situation or moment.” At Trent she found her ideas and perceptions have been challenged in an academic context. “There’s a good reason “Challenge the Way You Think” has become a Trent tagline,” states Carmen. Recalling the seminar setting and resulting open dialogue in “Holocaust Studies” with Dr. Carolyn Kay and “American Love Story” with Dr. Stephen Brown she stated, “This allowed me to get to know these two wonderful professors and feel that I really am participating in the educational experience, not just being told a combination of facts that would total a degree,” revealed Carmen. Within her studies at Trent Carmen feels she was able to increasingly define her own education through course selection and research topics as she progressed in her academic career. Carmen also left an indelible stamp on the Trent community. She was a member of the Gzowski College Cabinet for four years and served as a member of the Trent Central Student Association as president of Cabinet. She experienced life as a student journalist of the Arthur Newspaper before being elected to the Board as the Staff and Volunteer Issues Commissioner and then as chair. She has volunteered in many other capacities by giving tours, welcoming incoming students and volunteering for Trent Mudder in 2015. In recognition of her dedication to the Trent community she received the Gzowski College Community Builders Award in 2014. She was also selected as the student speaker for this year’s Last Lecture event. Carmen has accepted a position as the Student Centre project coordinator for the Trent Central Student Association. She feels Trent provided the environment she needed to develop the range of skills necessary for this job and to develop her own style. She is very excited to stay connected to Trent in a new, professional capacity. According to Carmen, “I have been wholly grateful for the way this community has made me feel included. I want to give back to Trent and in fact to any community I find myself in, in a way that reflects the talents, ideas and voices of all those involved.” Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:
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