PHOTOS: Local Kids Get a Back-to-School Head Start From United Way's 23rd 'Backpacks For Success' Initiative

The United Way Peterborough & District’s 23rd Backpacks for Success initiative filled roughly 400 backpacks with supplies to help kids get a head start on the back-to-school season at the Calvary Pentecostal Church on Thursday.

Elisha Rubacha, United Way Community Impact Specialist (left) and Jason Seguya, CEO (right) getting supplies together for backpacks. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

Volunteers from Swish and IG Wealth Management were on hand to help United Way staff stuff the backpacks. They are being distributed to students across Peterborough and surrounding areas.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent University Awarded Two Prestigious Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs

Two internationally renowned researchers, Dr. Don Lafreniere and Dr. Ryan Sullivan, are joining Trent University to tackle pressing environmental and societal challenges facing Canada, backed by a $16 million federal investment through the highly competitive Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs program.

Dr. Ryan Sullivan, chair in Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry 9left) and Dr. Don Lafreniere, chair in Community Geography (right) will return home to Canada to establish transformative research programs at Trent. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Lafreniere, chair in Community Geography and Sullivan, chair in Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, are returning to Canada from universities in the U.S. to establish transformative research programs in the Trent School of the Environment and Department of Chemistry focused on community resilience and sustainable chemistry, respectively.

“Securing two Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the University’s research excellence and leadership,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Don and Ryan are exceptional researchers whose work reflects what Trent does so well: bringing disciplines and people together to tackle complex challenges and turn knowledge into meaningful impact. Their leadership will build on Trent’s longstanding strengths in environmental and community-based research, create new opportunities for students and faculty, and deepen the contributions Trent makes in Canada and around the world.”

The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program, formerly known as the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program, is part of a $1.7B federal government investment to attract top international researchers to Canada. The two incoming Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs to Trent are part of the first intake of 64 chairs coming to Canada.

Lafreniere and Sullivan each receive eight million dollars over eight years from the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs program as an investment in Canadian research talent development. According to Trent, the researchers will use the funding to build research teams of highly skilled students, post-doctoral fellows and research staff to support community collaborations that help translate their discoveries into industry, policy and public impact.

Lafreniere is a professor of geography and geographic information science (GIS) whose research uses geospatial technologies and historical data to better understand how built, natural, and social environments shape communities over time. Formerly a professor at Michigan Technological University, he is recognized for leading interdisciplinary, community-based research that addresses local challenges such as urban sustainability and health, watershed management, land use and climate change.

Lafreniere will develop a national program that employs and trains disadvantaged youth in geospatial technologies and research to work with communities to strengthen sustainability, resilience, and civic participation. As a researcher in the Trent School of the Environment, Dr. Lafreniere’s work will advance teaching and experiential learning in a variety of programs in the School, such as Geography and Environmental Science and Studies, as well as graduate programs in the Frost Centre for Canadian and Indigenous Studies.

“Trent understands that meaningful community-based research starts with listening and building relationships, and that takes time, collaboration and commitment,” said Lafreniere. “There is incredible expertise at Trent across geography, sustainability, environmental science, Indigenous Studies and beyond, and a shared desire to improve the places and environments where people live. I’m looking forward to bringing those strengths together to build a program driven by the needs of communities across Canada.”

Sullivan is an environmental chemist and engineer whose interdisciplinary research spans environmental chemistry and engineering to understand and remove pollutants affecting climate, water, ecosystems, and human health. Formerly a professor of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University for 15 years, he has developed innovative technologies to treat persistent contaminants such as PFAS, including patented approaches being advanced through commercialization efforts and with Sudoc, a startup he co-founded.

According to Trent, Sullivan will bring new opportunities for cutting-edge research at Trent through investments in advanced instrumentation, talent development and innovation, and new green tech development, further strengthening the University’s capacity for sophisticated chemical analysis of contaminants that affect the environment and evaluation of new remediation methods to remove them. Dr. Sullivan will contribute expertise in environmental chemical transformations and atmospheric chemistry, and expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research across programs including Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis, Master of Science in Materials Science, Environmental and Life Sciences M.Sc. and Environmental & Life Sciences Ph.D.

“I’ve been aware of Trent’s leadership in environmental studies since I was an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, and I’ve always been drawn to Trent's interdisciplinary approach and placing the environment at its core,” said Sullivan. “The opportunity to build my research program at a university where collaborative research across disciplines is so deeply embedded in the research and education culture is particularly compelling. Trent’s unique resources for environmental research such as the Water Quality Centre and Canadian Environmental Modeling Centre will amplify the impact of my research.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Univtersity Honours Campus Builder and Philanthropy Champion With Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Awards

Robert Ballarin and Sherry Booth have received the 2026 Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Awards at the Heart of Trent, the campus’s annual employee appreciation event, in recognition of decades of service to the University.

2026 Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award recipients, Robert Ballarin (left) and Sherry Booth (right), honoured at Heart of Trent, the University's annual employment appreciation event on Aug. 26. This year, the award was renamed the Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award in honour of former chancellor Stephen Stohn. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Trent University continually demonstrates a commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience for students, and at the heart of that commitment are the people who work here,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “This year's Stephen Stohn Eminent Service Award recipients, Robert and Sherry, are wonderful examples of how we stand out by standing closer. Over decades at Trent, they have each invested deeply in this University, and their impact will have lasting effects.”

Created in 1978, the Eminent Service Award recognizes individuals at the culmination of Trent careers whose contributions to the University extended well beyond the responsibilities of their role.

Over three decades at Trent, Booth helped transform philanthropy and alumni engagement at the University. Over her three-decade career at Trent, she held seven roles at the University, starting as Annual Fund coordinator and culminating as associate vice president of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. She is also a Trent alumna, completing a degree in the Computing and Information Systems program part-time while working at Trent. Booth championed seven fundraising campaigns for the University that collectively raised more than $130 million, supporting financial aid for thousands of students and leading to the creation of new and renewed campus spaces. A champion of alumni engagement, Booth has helped generations of graduates maintain meaningful connections with Trent and has led by example as a donor for 30 consecutive years.

One alumnus stated the following, “I doubt there is a building, a program, or a trail at Trent that hasn't been shaped by Sherry’s hard work and leadership. Her imprint on Trent has been and will continue to be momentous.”

For over 25 years, Ballarin has helped shape Trent’s campus while stewarding its distinctive built environment. Since joining the University in 2000 as Coordinator, Land, Reality and Project Management, he contributed to numerous transformative projects, including the Endowment Lands Plan, Stanley Adamson Powerhouse, Athletic Centre expansion and the construction of the Trent Child Care, Student Centre, Forensic Crime Scene Facility and River Walk. Throughout his career at Trent, Robert brought a deep respect for the University’s iconic Ron Thom architecture and natural environment to his work, helping create and preserve spaces that enhance campus life while advancing sustainability. 

The celebration also recognized faculty and staff for excellence in service, innovation and community leadership, as well as employees marking significant career milestones.

The full list of award recipients at the Heart of Trent is as follows:

• Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence: Jeff Gardiner, Senior Instructional Technologist, Information Technology  
  Recognizes non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent.

• Team Innovation Award: Procurement Services Team 
  Recognizes a team, unit, or department at Trent University whose innovative contributions have impacted the strategic objectives of the University.

• Trent Community Leadership Award: Dr. Andrew Monti, Communications; and Ryan Sisson, Team Lead Community Workplace Partnerships, Trent Community Research Centre 
  Awarded to faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to the local community in Peterborough or Durham regions.

• Emeritus Awards: Dr. Peri Ballantyne, Sociology; Dr. Charmaine Eddy, English Literature; and Dr. Ray Dart, School of Business 
  The honorific title ‘Emeritus’ is bestowed upon eligible retiring members of the Trent University Faculty Association and librarians for their service and contributions to the University.

• Provost’s Award for Support Staff: Melissa Martin, Sr. Manager, Campus Safety Support Services 
  Awarded annually to a support staff member who plays a key role in student engagement and retention and who makes a difference through their performance at Trent.

• Jackie Muldoon Award for Faculty Service: Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Archaeology, and Director of Anthropology Graduate Program 
  Awarded in recognition of faculty who have served with distinction in institutional governance roles, provided collegial and effective service to committees, departments, and colleges, led program and department renewal efforts, achieved advancements in administrative responsibilities, and advanced the role of faculty in contributing to the academic and overall success of the University and the profession at large.

2026 Long Service Awards:  

• 40 Years: Michele Sparkes

• 35 Years: Stefan Bilaniuk, Mark Neufeld, David Sheinin, Richard Hurley, Raul Ponce-Hernandez, Deborah White

• 30 Years: Tracy Flaherty, Gyles Iannone

• 25 Years: Dave Russell, Marilyn Burns, Brenda Blackburn, Feyzi Baban, Leslie Kerr, Jennifer Moore, Brian Patrick, David Patton, Kevin Siena, Paul Wilson, Andrew Vreugdenhil, Ingrid Brenner

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Fleming College Partnership Offers Tuition-Free Training For PSWs and Rural Nurses Winter of 2027

Fleming College and Scarborough Health Network (SHN) have partnered to provide tuition-free training to prepare new personal support workers and help current nurses develop skills to deliver care in rural and remote communities, beginning in the winter of 2027.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The project is supported by a $2.2 million investment from the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream.

Fleming expects to train 80 new personal support workers and provide specialized rural and remote nursing training to 30 Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses by June 30, 2027.

“This partnership brings together Scarborough Health Network’s health-care leadership and Fleming College’s expertise in applied, career-focused education,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Interim President of Fleming College. “By removing financial barriers and providing learners with practical training and comprehensive supports, we are creating more accessible pathways into rewarding health-care careers while responding directly to workforce needs across Ontario.”

Through Fleming Continuing Education, the project offers two training streams:

• Accelerated Personal Support Worker training: Participants will complete 12 weeks of theory-based instruction followed by a paid, 300-hour work placement. The accelerated format will help learners develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter the workforce quickly and confidently.

• Rural and Remote Nursing micro-credential: Current Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses will complete three asynchronous courses taken concurrently over 14 weeks. The training will help nurses strengthen the specialized skills needed to provide care in rural and remote settings.

Tuition will be free for eligible participants. Personal support worker learners will also receive paid placements, while wraparound supports and stipends will help eligible participants overcome financial and personal barriers to completing their training.

“Building a strong and sustainable health-care workforce means creating opportunities for people to enter the field and supporting current professionals as they expand their skills,” said David Graham, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network. “Together with Fleming College, we are helping more people access health-care training while preparing personal support workers and nurses to meet the needs of patients and communities.”

Recruitment will focus on eligible domestic participants, with targeted outreach to women, newcomers to Canada, racialized people, and members of underserved communities. Training may be delivered through multiple cohorts to provide participants with flexible entry points and appropriate learning supports.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Three Trent University Researchers Receive $643,477 For Advanced Research Infrastructure

Three Trent University researchers have received a combined $643,477 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund for advanced research infrastructure, announced on Friday.

Faculty and student researchers conducting investigations in Trent's Water Quality Centre will benefit from a new state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrument supported by JELF funding. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The money allows the researchers to acquire advanced tools and equipment that will strengthen scientific investigation in fields of growing importance to Canada, including aging and dementia care, environmental contaminants and medical innovation, according to Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor

“The federal government is supporting important research for Canada – a nation that values knowledge creation, innovation, and productivity grounded in deep research,” she said. “Thanks to the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Trent researchers can equip campus spaces and labs with state-of-the-art tools and equipment that help attract world-class talent to the University and push discovery further.”

Psychology professor Dr. Raheleh Saryazdi is using the funding to support research in her Cognition, Health, Aging, and Technology (CHAT) Lab at Trent University, Durham. Research includes examining how sensory and cognitive changes affect communication as people age. Using tools such as eye-tracking equipment and a social robot, her team will study communication between people and how older adults interact with emerging technologies. Research findings will help inform new interventions for people experiencing hearing loss or dementia and support the design of more effective technologies for Canada’s aging population.

Chemistry professor Dr. Michael Burt plans to build a globally distinctive laboratory with a titanium-sapphire laser, allowing researchers to observe how complex molecules change during chemical reactions. Research at the Spectroscopy and Optics Lab at Trent Lightsource (SPOTLIGHT) will advance applications in greenhouse gas storage and medicinal chemistry and provide students with training on ultrafast spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and scientific computing.

Dr. Mary-Claire Buell, assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment and Forensic Science, is using funding to acquire a new high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer to be housed in Trent’s Water Quality Centre (WQC), Canada’s most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility. The new instrument will advance the work of her 14-person research lab working to detect and analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—known carcinogens often referred to as “forever chemicals’—and other emerging contaminants in freshwater and coastal systems.

“Modern scientific tools are essential to producing the reliable data that communities need to understand potential risks and consider approaches to mitigation,” said Professor Buell. “The new mass spectrometry equipment has greater sensitivity that will allow researchers to identify contaminants at very low concentrations and determine how much is present in water, soil and traditional food sources. The new instrument will help us train the next generation of researchers while producing evidence that communities can use.”

Shared access to the new mass spectrometer in the WQC expands research and training opportunities for other programs at Trent, including Chemistry, Forensic Science, Biology, Anthropology, and Physics disciplines, as well as for collaborators in government, other universities and the private sector. Over the past year, more than 75 faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral researchers used facilities in the WQC supporting research across Canada and internationally.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Four Exceptional Student-Athletes Graduates Receive 2026 Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary

Four graduating and exceptional student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award for 2026 at a presentation ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday evening.

(Left to right) Tim Barrie, PDSHOF board Chair; Allie Arnott; Charles Dobbin; Natalie Keys; Noah Mooney; and Linda de Jeu, PDSHOF Second Vice Chair. The award has been given annually to four recipients since 1996 (with 2020 having six) Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Allie Arnott, Charles Dobbin, Natalie Keys and Noah Mooney were this year’s winners, taking home $2,000 apiece from the bursary. Each recipient was a graduating high school student attending University in the fall.

This year’s winners will have their headshots commemorated in the Hall of Fame and their names etched into the history of the awards’ beneficiaries.

Allie Arnott. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Arnott is an honours student and is a graduate of Crestwood Secondary School.

She will attend Brock University in the Business Management Program in the fall and will play for the Badgers Women’s Lacrosse team.

Arnott is a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, ran cross country and track and field and competed in alpine skiing and badminton. She was awarded the Dysart athlete award – Crestwood’s highest athletic honour. Arnott also earned the principal's award for student leadership in grade 9 and the Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board Community Contribution award last year.

She was selected to attend the ‘Her Mark’ conference which is a conference where other female sports leaders empower female athletes.

In the community, Arnott has been a member of the Peterborough Power Basketball program, the Thunder Volleyball program and the Kawartha field lacrosse program, not only as a player but also as captain for several of the teams.

Arnott’s high school teacher-coach, Ms. Tracy McKellar, describes her as an enthusiastic, energetic and highly motivated student-athlete.

On top of all the high school and community sport participation, Arnott still found time to volunteer with Relay for Life, Special Olympics, Jump Ball program coaching students with exceptionalities and as a Peterborough youth basketball clinic coach. This year she has also received the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award.

Charles Dobbins, 18. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Dobbins is an honours student and is a graduate of Crestwood Secondary School.

He will attend the University of Guelph in September.

Dobbins is a multi-sport athlete who played soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis, rugby, ultimate frisbee and competed in Alpine Ski racing. He was awarded the Dysart Award – Crestwood’s highest athletic honour 3 times.

He won an OFSAA gold medal in Alpine ski racing this past year. 

In the community, Dobbins has been an active member of the Peterborough City Soccer and the Power Basketball program for many years. On many of these teams, he was not only a player but also chosen captain.

Dobbins’s high school teacher and coach, Ms. Tracy McKeller, describes him as one of the most accomplished and well-rounded student-athletes to walk the halls of Crestwood.

In addition to his school and community sport participation, he has been a coach and official with Cavan FC and has helped with skill development in the U6-U14 program. Dobbins has worked with the Petes U10 hockey team and the Tigers U10 baseball team, aiding with off-season training.

Natalie Keys. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Keys is an honours student and is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate.

She will be attending McMaster University in Hamilton, studying Kinesiology and playing for the Marauders Women’s basketball team.

Keys is a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, Ultimate frisbee, badminton, ran track and field and competed in Alpine Ski racing. Over the course of four years at Adam Scott, Keys and her teammates earned 22 COSSA gold medals and three silvers. She has attended 12 OFSAA championships in four years – with five of those being in her final year of high school. She has one OFSAA Gold and one bronze medal.

This year at the Athletic awards ceremony, she received the Marilyn Tudhope OFSAA award of excellence – which recognizes a female athlete's dedication and success over her entire high school career at OFSAA championships. At the Peterborough Civic Awards ceremony, Natalie received the Mayor’s Youth Award.

In the community, Keys has been a member of the Peterborough city soccer program, the Peterborough Power basketball program, as well as the North York and Scarborough basketball elite programs. She has been a member of the Peterborough Thunder Volleyball program and the Peterborough Pacers Track and Field program.

Keys’s high school teacher-coach, Mrs. Kim McBride, describes her as an outstanding student-athlete who is disciplined, motivated and exceptionally organized - consistently balancing the demands of rigorous academics and high-level athletic commitments.

On top of all the high school and community sport participation, Keys still found time to volunteer with the ROAR volleyball camp, Special Olympics and the Jump Ball program, which offers students with exceptionalities the opportunity to play basketball. In addition to her sport–related volunteer work, she has supported the holiday program organized by the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Noah Mooney. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

Mooney is an honours student and is a graduate of Adam Scott Collegiate.

He will attend Trent University in the fall and join the Excalibur Men’s Rugby team.

Mooney is a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, volleyball, soccer, rugby, football, tennis, badminton, ultimate frisbee and competed in wrestling and Alpine Ski racing.

He was named Senior male athlete of the year this past spring and has earned multiple athletic awards throughout his high school career. During his four years at Adam Scott, he won six OFSAA medals – three gold, two silver and one bronze. As part of the Lions teams, he won 12 COSSA gold medals and four silver medals.

In the community, Mooney has been a member of the Peterborough City Soccer Association and the Power and Time to Hoop Basketball programs. Mooney can be found on the beach with the Soul Beach volleyball program and you can also see him at Nichols Oval, as he is part of the highly successful Pagans Rugby program.

Mooney’s high school teacher and coach, Mr. Darrell Wright, describes him as a special athlete. He has a mix of natural ability, effort and persistence that sets him apart from his peers.

On top of all the high school and community sport participation, Mooney had time to volunteer with the Lakefield Bridgenorth community clean-up program, with Special Olympics basketball and soccer programs and as a Lakefield community support labourer.

@ptbo_canada Four graduating and exceptional student-athletes were recipients of the annual Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary Award for 2026 at a presentation ceremony. #fyp #news #ptbocanada #journalism #sports ♬ Hockey Theme Song II - The Muster Point Project

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for newsletter here.

PHOTOS: Trent University Showcases Its Farm Research Centre During Its Second Annual Open House

Trent University put its agricultural work on display during the second annual open house of its Farm Research Centre, held for the public on Wednesday morning.

Chickens have become the most recent resident at the Trent Farm Research Centre. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Guests could talk with staff and students about speak with students about the latest in sustainable agricultural research and get a closer look at cutting-edge farming innovations.

The event had farm-tech demonstrations and multiple stations showcasing active projects that include a student-led market garden, chicken coop, tile drainage field, weather station and V6 Agronomy field trial.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough's Beloved Retired Substitute Teacher 'Mr. Wadsworth' Passes Away

Wadsworth Dharmasudandaran Kulatungam, better known as Mr. Wadsworth and one of Peterborough’s most beloved substitute teachers, passed away peacefully on Friday.

Wadsworth Dharmasudandaran Kulatungam a year later after his retirement in 2020. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kulatungam earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of London and returned to his home country of Sri Lanka in 1960 for a 32-year career in education at his alma mater, Jaffna College. He held titles such as teacher, hostel warden, athletics house master, vice-principal and more during that tenure.

Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1993, Wadsworth taught at a Christian Private co-educational recreational school started by the American Missionaries of the Haystack Mission in 1823.

After coming to Peterborough, he worked as a substitute teacher with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.

His students quickly learned of his kind-hearted, calm and positive nature as classrooms were eager to have Kulatungam teach them.

“I remember having Mr. Wadsworth as a substitute teacher back in grade school,” said Mike Adams. “Everyone always got excited when we saw him. We knew it was going to be a great day at school when we saw him in our classroom.”

“A lot of the time kids take advantage of when there is a substitute teacher, but he managed the impossible - everyone was excited to see him but also respected him and didn't give him the usual 'substitute teacher experience,’” said Emily Jones. “He was just always so happy, funny and never seemed bothered. I don't think I ever saw him mad, actually; he was always smiling.”

“High school students are always happy for a supply teacher, but every student was over the moon when that teacher was Mr. Wadsworth,” said Fraser Cossar. “(He’s) Always patient, kind, and soft-spoken. He brought a great sense of happiness to everyone he met and taught. He thoughtfully remembered students’ names and was consistently a great teacher and wonderful influence on many students.”

Wadsworth was known for his entertaining jokes and calm demeanour. As a teacher, he was renowned for seeing the positive in everyone and pushed each student to reach their potential.

“Never put down anyone,” explained Wadsworth in a past interview. “Everyone has their talents, good and bad. None of us are perfect. I don't think any student is useless. I don't use that word at all. Everyone has capabilities and goodness in them. That was my philosophy. Criticism doesn't carry you anywhere.”

“He encouraged everyone; it was just his personality,” said Cherry Kulatungam, Wadsworth’s wife. “He worked with students who would have difficulty; he would take time and encourage them. There were some late bloomers so if you encourage them now, they feel they can go on and do something in life. It was his goal; it encouraged them to do whatever they wanted him to do.”

Kulatungam retired as a supply teacher in Peterborough in December of 2020 after a 25-year tenure. He said it was his time and he wanted to leave on a good note.

His positive personality never stopped in the classroom. He took the same approach with his wife and two kids, Lakshi and Philip Kulatungam, as he did with his students.

“He always loved his former students and they used to take such good care of him,” said Cherry. “He was just a wonderful man and a wonderful husband.”

“He was not a strict disciplinarian. He led with kindness and patience,” said Lakshi. “The man had a lot of patience and was slow to anger. He was very forward-thinking for a gentleman in a different culture. He gave us the best lifestyle we could ever have. He made a lot of sacrifices for us.”

While the family mourns the loss of Wadsworth, they take solace knowing that he was unanimously loved and respected by the community.

“Based on the tributes that have come in, they will remember him as a fine teacher but the kindest and gentlest human being,” explained Lakshi. “A lot of people have respect for him. It’s comforting.”

Viewing hours for Wadsworth are this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m at Highland Funeral Home. The funeral is Sunday at 2 p.m.

Wadsworth was the second oldest of five children.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent University’s Board of Governors and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 365 Ratify Four-Year Agreement

OPSEU/SEFPO Local 365 and Trent University have announced that a new collective agreement has been finalized, following ratification at a Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday and by the majority of voting members of OPSEU on July 14.

OPSEU/SEFPO Local 365 represents 530 members; the bargaining unit comprises support staff at Trent and includes such positions as caretakers, administrative support, secretaries, systems analysts, maintenance workers, demonstrators and teaching assistants. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“I want to thank both bargaining teams for their thoughtful work in reaching this agreement,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “This four-year agreement provides important stability and sustainability for Trent University, reflecting a shared commitment to Trent’s future and to the people who make our university such an outstanding place to work and learn.”

“This agreement is the result of hard work and good-faith efforts by both parties,” said William Dowkes, president of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 365. “It delivers meaningful improvements for our members, including enhanced benefits, stronger leave provisions, and important gains for contract staff. I want to thank both bargaining teams for their commitment throughout the process and our members for their engagement and support. Together, we were able to reach an agreement that benefits our members and supports the continued success of Trent University.”

Reflecting a collaborative bargaining process that balanced investments in employees with the University's commitment to long-term financial sustainability, the agreement includes:

• Improvements to key workplace provisions that strengthen the employee experience and support a positive working environment. 

• Enhancements to employee benefits and workplace supports to promote employee well-being and long-term health.

• Across-the-board wage increases in each of the four years.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

PRHC In Partnership With PTBO Fam Docs Brings 'Return & Learn' Program

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) partnered with PTBO Fam Docs to bring the ‘Return & Learn’ program to the community for the first time.

Photo courtesy of PRHC.

It has hospital and family physicians collaborating to host 11 medical learners with roots in the Peterborough community for a three-day learning experience in July.

Participants are individuals who have grown up in the Peterborough area and are now studying at medical schools abroad. The goal of the program is to support these learners early in their medical school journey, enhancing their opportunities to match for residency spots closer to home, easing their transition back into the Canadian healthcare system, and supporting them in achieving their goal of returning to practice in our community.

Learners were offered a variety of opportunities during this year’s three-day event, including:

• Shadowing 22 physician preceptors at the hospital and in the community

• Learning clinical skills in PRHC’s dedicated Learning Centre and in areas around the hospital, including IV starts, injections, and mock emergency codes

• Opportunities to engage with other community organizations, including Paramedics, Public Health, Hospice, Peterborough Family Health Team, the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic, and Hiawatha First Nation, to gain exposure to healthcare environments outside the hospital setting

“The amount of coordination that went into the itinerary, the preceptor placements, and all the logistics made for a genuinely valuable few days,” said Max Moloney, a medical student who participated in the event. “I know that sentiment is shared amongst my peers as well. The shadow shifts and clinical skills training were a great experience, and everything ran smoothly thanks to the team behind the scenes.

 This unique initiative was co-designed and developed as part of a partnership between PRHC and the PTBO Fam Docs collective, led by Dr. Madura Sundareswaran.

“The Return & Learn program aims to highlight the breadth of opportunities for prospective physicians in Peterborough. By partnering with Peterborough Regional Health Centre, we are able to showcase everything our amazing community has to offer – including a glimpse into the unique and innovative community-based practices of our local family physicians,” said Sundareswaran. “PTBO Fam Docs is excited to continue to work with our community partners towards a long-term, sustainable strategy for physician recruitment and retention, for which mentorship, medical education and sense of community are essential.”

“More than anything, the Medical Affairs team has a way of making PRHC feel like home, where medical students are genuinely valued. It means a great deal to all of us, and to my understanding, it is a truly unique experience in Canada. Most importantly, it only reinforces how much I hope to build my career here at PRHC down the road,” said Maloney.

“By all accounts, this event was an incredible and rewarding experience for everyone involved,” said Dr. Janet Hurst, PRHC. VP & Chief Medical Executive. “To see the participation and enthusiasm from every organization and every learner for this initiative has been inspiring. Return & Learn has been a success in large part due to the collaboration, commitment and involvement of so many people and partners, and we can’t wait to work with them to make this innovative program even better in future years.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.