Trent University Receives $359,000 Grant From TD Bank Group For University Green Network

Trent University has received over $359,000 from the TD Bank Group (TD) to support conservation and learning on the University Green Network (UGN), announced on Wednesday.

A student conducts research in a forested area part of the University Green Network at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The network is a large, interconnected 868-acre system on Trent’s Peterborough campus, including habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, Indigenous Knowledge integration, and experiential learning opportunities for students, according to Julie Davis, Trent's vice-president of external relations and development.

“Thanks to this latest funding from TD, we can take the next step in realizing the vision for the UGN – implementing the Ggwepnandizamin Systems-Level Plan,” she said. “The plan provides a structured approach to monitoring and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health across campus. This funding support will allow us to restore and enhance habitats, establish best practices in conservation, and create meaningful opportunities for students and the community to engage with the natural environment.”

This new grant builds on funding received from TD in 2022 to support multiple initiatives within the UGN, a system that includes diverse habitats, wildlife corridors, productive landscapes, and various green spaces that promote ecological function and biodiversity according to a press release. The UGN was first envisioned in the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan.

Earlier funding from TD facilitated the development of the Ggwepnandizamin Plan in collaboration with faculty, students, Michi Saagiig First Nations, and local organizations, including Camp Kawartha and Peterborough Green-Up.  The word Ggwepnandizamin means ‘together, putting our best effort forward towards something important’ in Anishinaabemowin. The name was provided by the Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council at Trent, who provided wisdom and guidance in developing the plan.

“Trent University's focus on enhancing biodiversity and embedding Indigenous Knowledge in environmental stewardship reflects a deep commitment to reconciliation and sustainability,” said Robyn Small, TD Bank Group senior manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, TD is proud to continue supporting Trent University in advancing this important work that honours Indigenous knowledge and creates hands-on opportunities for students and community members to meaningfully connect with the environment.”

During the next three-year funding period, Trent says the will implement key actions from the Ggwepnandizamin Plan, including developing wildlife corridors and natural areas, such as pollinator gardens; creating Michi Saagiig cultural harvesting areas; reducing invasive species, such as phragmites; launching Indigenous storytelling initiatives; and expanding teaching and learning opportunities.

The grant will also fund a part-time ecological land planning coordinator to implement the plan, integrate ecological planning into campus projects, support environmental monitoring, facilitate Indigenous engagement and involve students and faculty.

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Trent University Faculty Association and Trent University Reach Tentative Agreement

Trent University and the Trent University Faculty Association’s negotiating teams (TUFA) have reached a tentative settlement on a new collective agreement, announced on Friday.

TUFA represents over 330 faculty members at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

According to a press release, both teams have agreed to recommend the tentative settlement to their respective parties.

Details will follow from TUFA regarding a meeting to ratify the agreement at a later time. The settlement is also subject to ratification by the University’s Board of Governors.

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Trent University Recognizes Nine Recipients With Alumni Awards

Nine individuals are honoured through the 2025 Trent University Alumni Awards to recognize their contributions to shaping a better world.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

This year’s recipients are being recognized for efforts advancing research in public health and family well-being, leading in sport and science and inspiring creativity, compassion and leadership in family-law policy, health equity, forensic science, community building, student leadership and student governance.

“This year’s recipients embody what it means to be part of the Trent community,” says Naomi Handley, Trent director of Alumni Engagement and Services. “Their leadership, innovation, and compassion shine through everything they do, from advancing research and championing equity to inspiring the next generation of learners. We’re honoured to recognize their accomplishments and the many ways they carry Trent’s spirit into the world.”

The 2025 alumni award recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Dr. Zach Conrad ’02 (Champlain College) is an internationally recognized nutritional epidemiologist whose transformative research shapes national and international policy for the world’s biggest challenges around nutrition, health equity, and sustainability.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Glossop ’67 (Champlain College) is a distinguished researcher on family dynamics whose three decades of work have directly influenced social policy and family law across Canada to better support the well-being of families.

Spirit of Trent Award

Neil Horne ’96 (Champlain College) is a passionate and dedicated leader in Trent’s rowing community, whose 14 years of service to the Head of the Trent Regatta have elevated both the Trent Rowing Club and the regatta to international recognition.

Young Leaders Award

Dr. Theresa Stotesbury ’07 (Gzowski College) is an esteemed forensic scientist whose groundbreaking research on the degradation of biological tissues, such as blood, has revolutionized forensic investigations across Canada.

Jordan MacDonald ’17 (Lady Eaton College) is a dedicated researcher and community advocate whose work is reshaping how we understand and support teen parents – advancing policies that help young parents overcome barriers, complete their education, and thrive.

Founder’s Spirit Award

Newly introduced this year, the Founder’s Spirit Award honours alumni whose visionary leadership and lasting contributions have strengthened Trent University and its broader communities. The late David Christopher (Chris) Leach ’70 (Peter Robinson College) was a leader and Olympian whose founding role in Trent and Peterborough’s rowing clubs - including his instrumental role in creating the Head of the Trent Regatta - left a lasting legacy on sport, mentorship, and University life.

David Glassco Prize (student leadership)

Izabelle (Izzy) Miranda is a dynamic student leader who has held more than 10 leadership positions in campus clubs and organizations, leaving a lasting impact on the Trent community.

Robert W.F. Stephenson Prize (student governance)

Rylin Wormington (Otonabee College) is a fourth-year student who has served as junior senator, vice-president, and now president of the Otonabee College Cabinet, demonstrating exceptional commitment to student governance and University life.

Anne Warigia Kitheka ’18 (Lady Eaton College) is a dynamic leader whose dedication to equity, mentorship, and student advocacy has left a lasting impact at Trent while continuing to shape her path in science and business.

The 2025 awards will be presented at a reception on Nov. 18 at Trent University.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Soccer Ends Their Season With a 3-1 Playoff Loss to the Carleton Ravens

The Trent Excalibur men’s soccer team’s 2025-26 season came to an end after being downed by the Carleton Ravens, 3-1 at TAGG Park in Ottawa on Wednesday night.

Excalibur goalkeeper Owen Schultz was Trent’s player of the match, making 13 saves on 16 Ravens shots. The team finished with five shots on goal. Photo courtesy of Trent Excalibur.

The Ravens squad took control early with goals in the 15th and 20th minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Trent could have been in a bigger hole but was saved by a few posts.

The gExcalibur cut the lead in half in the 35th minute with their first playoff marker since 2016 as Oliver Parratt capitalized on a Ravens turnover and put a low strike into the back of the net. The half ended with Carleton holding a 2-1 advantage. 

Trent was more offensive in the second half with several narrow misses but Carleton was able to hold off the attack. Eventually, the Ravens found a hole in the 78th minute to extend their lead to 3-1 and hold on for the victory.

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Trent and PCHC Partner For New Community Health Outreach Vehicle to Increase Access to Primary Care

A new donor-funded Community Health Outreach vehicle, coordinated between Trent University and the Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC), has been unveiled to the public to deliver primary care services to rural and Indigenous communities in Peterborough County, as announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Following a successful first-year pilot, Trent and PCHC aim to increase funding for the initiative, expanding the range of services, increasing the number of communities reached, and involving students from additional disciplines such as social work. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The vehicle also provides experiential learning opportunities for Trent/Fleming School of Nursing students according to Dr. Hugo Lehmann, dean of the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing.

“The Trent/Fleming School of Nursing is dedicated to educating nurses who can adapt to changing environments and deliver care where it is needed. The Community Health Outreach vehicle embodies that vision,” he said. “By partnering with PCHC and through the generosity of our donors to Trent’s Momentous Campaign, we are advancing access to healthcare for Indigenous, rural, and underserved populations while ensuring our students gain the experience to become leaders in equitable healthcare.” 

Operating two days per week, the vehicle will serve Havelock, Ennismore and Hiawatha First Nation as a first-year pilot. It is staffed by a nurse practitioner and eight second-year Trent/Fleming Nursing students per academic term. The vehicle will provide drop-in services for acute and chronic conditions and offer well-child visits, harm reduction supplies, safer sex supplies and education. 

The project launches at a critical time, as Ontario faces an ongoing shortage of family doctors and primary care providers, an issue felt acutely in rural regions according to Ashley Safar, PCHC executive director.

“The demand for health care in Peterborough is greater than ever. Our mission is to meet people where they are, addressing not just medical needs but the broader social factors that impact health. The Community Health Outreach vehicle is exactly the kind of low-barrier, community-based care our centre is committed to providing,” she said. “We’re able to expand access to primary care and ensure more people receive the timely, equitable care they deserve.” 

“Students gain so much by serving directly in communities and by being immersed in the realities of frontline health care,” explained Erinne Stevens, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing nurse practitioner. “The Community Health Outreach vehicle will allow students to build clinical expertise while also learning what it means to provide care that is accessible, responsive, and rooted in community.”

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Picketing at Fleming College Ends; Support Staff Return to Work Thursday

After a five-week strike, Ontario colleges and full-time support staff have reached a tentative agreement as strikes and picketing are ending immediately with employees returning to work on Thursday.

The strike encompassed full-time support workers at 24 colleges across the province. File Photo.

Mediator William Kaplan, over a weekend-long private mediation session, help break a bargaining impasse. This led to a tentative settlement between the College Employer Council (CEC), representing Ontario colleges, and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing the 10,000 striking employees.

“Support staff play an important role in our colleges, supporting operations and contributing to student success. We are grateful to have them back to work,” said Graham Lloyd, CEC CEO. “The past five weeks of the strike have been challenging for everyone involved.”

The tentative agreement is still subject to the union members’ ratification by Nov. 4.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Soccer Start Playoffs Against Ottawa This Wednesday

As the Trent Excalibur men’s soccer team completed their record-breaking regular season on Sunday, they begin their playoff run on the road to Ottawa to face the Carleton Ravens on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and Trent Excalibur.

This marks Trent’s first playoff appearance in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs in 14 years.

Trent finished the regular season 6-5-1 for 19 points, setting a new program record for both wins and points in a season (the previous record of five wins and 17 points was set in 2010-11). The Excalibur set both records in their 3-2 victory over Nipissing in North Bay on Saturday

Trent finished the regular season in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OUA East Division but dropped to sixth place due to the tie-breakers. Carleton finished the season in third place in the OUA East Division and are ranked eighth nationally. 

The two teams played once this season, at Carleton on Sept. 26 in a 3-3 draw.

The game will be livestreamed on OUA.tv. 

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New Indigenous Studies Dual Credit Program Launched In Partnership With Trent University & Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

High school students in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) can now earn a credit in Indigenous Studies from Trent University while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma with the launch of a new dual credit program.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“For decades, Trent has been creating curriculum and opportunities to engage students at all levels in Indigenous education. It has been wonderful to partner with the innovative team at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board to create this unique pathway for students,” said Marilyn Burns, Trent vice president of Communications & Enrolment. “As HPEDSB students gain exposure to Indigenous scholarship and ways of knowing, they are also gaining real university academic experience and getting a head start on their degree.”

The program is in place for the 2025/26 academic year. It gives students in the HPEDSB enrolled in two high school credit courses (Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context or First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Governance in Canada) the opportunity to earn a 0.5 university course credit in INDG 1001H: The Foundation of Reconciliation at Trent. This means students who are accepted to Trent University in the future will begin their studies with half a credit already earned for their degree.

The Foundation of Reconciliation half-credit course at Trent also fulfills the University’s Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR), which was implemented in 2018 to ensure all undergraduate students take at least one course focused on Indigenous topics during their degree. Over 20,000 students have completed the ICR since its introduction according to Trent.

The new dual credit program will be piloted at Eastside Secondary School in Belleville. As part of the program, students will engage in land-based learning activities and events, receiving instruction and teachings led by faculty and staff from Trent’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. Students will deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and build real-world skills through university-level study.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to advancing Indigenous education and creating meaningful learning opportunities for students that translate into strong community relations,” said Katherine MacIver, HPEDSB director of education. “This opportunity will no doubt help students strengthen their academic foundation, foster critical thinking, and build confidence for the transition to postsecondary education.”

“This is a perfect opportunity to support students along their learning journey, to build relationships and friendships across our institutions, and to connect students directly with professors, elders, and knowledge holders,” added Dr. Kevin Fitzmaurice, associate professor in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies.

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Trent University Names Its 2025-26 Ashley Fellow

The Honourable Tom Mulcair PC has been named Trent University’s 46th Ashley Fellow, a prestigious annual visiting scholar who offers insight and ideas to members of the Trent community through one-on-one and group interactions. 

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Munclair has been a prominent voice in Canadian public life and former leader of the New Democratic Party.

 “Trent University’s Traill College and Champlain College are thrilled to be co-hosting the Honourable Mulcair as Ashley Fellow for this academic year,” said Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “The collegiate environment at Trent offers a rich interdisciplinary academic and social environment for this fellowship. “Traill is home to the School for the Study of Canada and the Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North, aligning with Mulcair’s knowledge of Canada. At the same time, Champlain’s founding principle of bringing together French- and English-speaking cultures provides an inviting platform for Mulcair’s roots and connections in Quebec.”

Mulcair has taught at several Quebec universities and has held many notable roles, including lawyer, provincial cabinet minister, federal parliamentarian and party leader.

Through the Ashley Fellowship, Mulcair will offer students, as well as the campus and broader community, insight into both yesterday’s and today’s political leadership, public administration, and the evolving landscape of Canadian federalism.  

“I am honoured to be invited to return to Trent as the Ashley Fellow,” said Mulcair. “When I was last hosted by the School for the Study of Canada, I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students in a variety of different ways, which I'll be doing again during this term. That experience left a lasting impression on me, and I am enthusiastic about returning to engage once again with Trent and Peterborough’s vibrant community of learners, leaders, and changemakers.” 

Mulcair will make two visits to Trent during his Ashley Fellow residency. His first visit, scheduled from Oct. 28 to 31, will feature workshops, informal student sessions and guest lectures in Politics and Canadian Studies courses.

On the evening of Oct. 29, he will deliver a public talk at Champlain College. With advanced registration, all members of the community are welcome to attend. Mulcair will return for his second visit as an Ashley Fellow March 24 to 26, highlighted by more student engagement opportunities and a special college dinner.

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54th Head of the Trent Weekend Rowing Its Way For Oct. 3 to 5

A major university tradition is back as the 54th annual Head of the Trent (HOTT) Weekend takes place from Oct. 3 to 5, featuring world-class rowing, spirited varsity competition, alumni gatherings and family-friendly activities.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Head of the Trent is a time-honoured tradition where generations of Trent pride and spirit converge,” said Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations & Development. “It brings together our alumni, students, and community along the river and across campus to celebrate what makes Trent University so special. It’s an experience unlike any other, and we invite everyone to be part of it.”

The Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club, remains the centrepiece of the weekend. Since its inception in 1971 with just 13 boats, the regatta has grown into one of the largest head races in North America, with over 800 boats and 1,400 athletes competing along the five-km course on the historic Trent-Severn Waterway.

This year, regatta spectators can enjoy premium riverside viewing from the revitalized Founders Walk along the Otonabee River and a licensed area inside and outside of the Ceilie Pub in Trent’s Champlain College. The Peterborough Rowing Club is also providing livestream coverage and commentary available throughout the weekend.

The event pays tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70, who is considered a ‘founding father’ of the rowing community in Peterborough. He led the charge to establish the inaugural Head of the Trent Regatta in 1971 and was a founder of the Trent Rowing Club and Peterborough Rowing Club. The Trent University Rowing Club will sell a commemorative mug featuring one of Leach’s quintessential quotes as part of their annual merchandise sales at Head of the Trent in support of Trent’s renowned rowing program.

With premium rowing, varsity games, alumni gatherings, and family-friendly activities, the Symons Campus has activities for everyone all weekend. Featured activities include:

• Rowing Recognition: Join the Trent Alumni Rowing Social on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring the christening of a new single rowing shell and a tribute to the late Chris Leach ’70.

• Alumni Gatherings: Visit the Alumni Welcome Tent (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on the upper Bata Podium to activate your Trent Alumni Perks and enjoy giveaways, family games, and exclusive perks.

• Family Fun: Bring the kids to the expanded Kid’s Zone Children’s Area (Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Lady Eaton College lawn for play zones, giant games, Bluey & Bingo appearance with The Play Spot Peterborough and animal encounters with Zoo to You. This event is free to attend and brought to you by the Trent University Alumni Association.

• Food and Refreshment: Enjoy a range of cuisine in the food truck area in the parking lot near Bata Library, or enjoy eats with prime riverfront views at the Ceilie, the only licensed location on campus (no cover, and all ages are welcome).

• Varsity Competition: Cheer on the Trent Excalibur with a full schedule of varsity games throughout the weekend, including men’s and women’s rugby, volleyball and soccer. Don’t miss Saturday’s pep rally at 11 a.m., led by the Trent Pom Team, designed especially to get Trent fans fired up.

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