$1.2 Million Gift to Double Number of Trent Students Participating in Community-Based Research

A $1.2 million gift to Trent University – announced immediately after the launch of the new $100 million Campaign for Momentous Change – will support Trent’s community-based research by doubling the number of students and community organizations able to participate in the program.

photo courtesy of trent university.

This four-year commitment to the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) will develop training for students and employers, enhance hands-on learning opportunities, provide funds for primary research and cover travel and other expenses for students to complete research. 

“Momentous change happens when students are not just motivated, but supported, to do outstanding work with local organizations, deepening the connection between Trent University and local communities,” says Julie Davis, vice-president External Relations & Development at Trent University. “This generous donation, from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, benefits both the community and students.”

For more than 25 years, the TCRC has facilitated community-based research projects in Peterborough City and County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Durham Region and Northumberland County.

Community-based research brings together the research expertise of Trent University faculty and students with the knowledge and research needs of a wide range of community groups and organizations including municipalities, social service agencies, conservation authorities and interest groups.

“Thanks to this generous donation, even more students will become engaged in local causes that fuel their passions, and in many cases, shape the trajectory of their life and career,” said Kevin Whitmore, director of Careerspace at Trent. “Community-based research showcases the power of collaborative learning and the value of work-integrated opportunities for students to make a positive difference in their community.”

TCRC recently hosted its annual Celebration of Community-Based Research where more than 50 Trent students presented their groundbreaking research projects and showcased the impact of research partnerships between students, faculty and community partners including Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Brain Injury Association of Peterborough Region.

Learn more about Trent’s community-based research and the Campaign for Momentous Change.

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Cabinetree Peterborough Presents $21,000 To Women in Trades and Technology Programs at Fleming College

Cabinetree Peterborough presented a cheque for $21,000 to Fleming College’s Building Bridges for Women in Trades & Technology program April 6.

photo by felicia massey.

The Building Bridges program encompasses both financial support and mentoring for women wanting a career in male-dominated sectors. Designed to address the gender gap in skilled trades, the program is a part of Fleming’s goal to double the enrolment of women in the School of Trades and Technology.  

Carpentry & Renovation Technician Semester 4 students Zoe Hopewell and Julianna Bruni have each received the scholarship from Cabinetree.  

“This scholarship has enabled me to be focused on school and not worry about working. Building Bridges had opened a lot of new opportunities,” says recipient Zoe Hopewell. “It has given me the opportunity to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity every Friday, where I have gained new experiences and knowledge and is a great addition to my resume. Thank you for you support of women in trades.” 

Cabinetree, a custom cabinet making company in Peterborough, has funded two scholarships for Carpentry & Renovation Technician students who identify as female. Cabinetree also pledged a further $14,000 over the next two years toward the Building Bridges program.  

Cabinetree dedicated an employee, cabinet maker Jessica Downes, to mentor one of the successful scholars.

“This scholarship allowed me to be able to commit my time to school without the worry of not being able to pay for my education. Which in turn, has taken a load of stress off my shoulders and for that I am so grateful,” says recipient Julianna Bruni. “It has also made an impact on me as it has shown me that people want to see me succeed and believe in me. I am so thankful for your support.”

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Trent Day Raises Over $460,000 to Support Students and Programs at Trent University

On Trent Day (April 4), the Trent community came together to raise $462,525 to support students and programs, set a new single-day record of increasing monthly donors, volunteer at service sites to support the community and collect 1,795 pounds of non-perishables for local food banks. 

photo courtesy of trent university, facebook.

“What a momentous day for the University community as we came together to showcase our founding values of support, service and spirit,” said Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice-president Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “It was heartwarming to see increased monthly philanthropic support for our students, various department teams – dressed in Trent gear – joyfully carrying bags of non-perishables to the food drive booths, and alumni across the country volunteering for causes close to their heart. Thank you to everyone who showed their generosity by taking care of our students and campuses, while also shining the Trent spirit on our local communities.”

The third annual Trent Day was celebrated by staff, faculty, students, community members and alumni from around the world.

Highlights of Trent Day 2023 include: 31 new monthly donors signed up to support Trent students; 115 alumni participated in service and spirit activities in their communities across the country and beyond including working with Cuddles for Cancer, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Kawartha Food Share, Feed the Need in Durham, Teachers for Kids, and Casey House (Toronto); nearly 1,800 pounds of food collected for Kawartha Food Share in Peterborough and Feed the Need in Durham – a nearly 80 per cent increase in food donations from last year.

The Trent community also celebrated Trent Day and shared their Trent spirit through stories and photos across social media using the #TrentDay hashtag.  

“We hope alumni around the world enjoyed celebrating their Trent memories and thank all those who donated so Trent can continue to offer a transformational experience to future generations,” said AVP Booth.

Trent Day marks the April 1963 signing of the Trent Act, which formalized the incorporation of the University as a degree-granting institution, and pays tribute to the University’s history, values and community. On Trent Day, the Trent community comes together to support student needs, showcase school spirit, and give back through volunteer service and philanthropy.  

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Going Out On a Limb For the 25th Annual Tree Climbing Competition at Fleming College

Students in Fleming College’s Arboriculture program are branching out and taking their learning to new heights as the annual Tree Climbing Competition gets underway at Fleming’s Frost Campus.  

photo courtesy of fleming college.

Twenty-five first semester students will be competing on April 11, challenging themselves and each other in five separate categories. Students will have the chance to put their skills to the test, win prizes, and cheer each other on.   

The top male and female students will go on to compete in the Ontario Tree Climbing Championship.  

The day is also a networking opportunity for both students and industry professionals-representatives from sponsor companies and vendors like Universal Field Supplies, Maple Leaf Ropes, Vermeer Canada, Petzl, Stihl Canada, Husqvarna and the International Society of Arboriculture will be on site during the competition.  

The competition takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Outdoor Education Cabin at the Frost Campus Arboretum. A rain date is scheduled for April 12.   

Tree Climbing categories:  

Aerial Rescue: A climber must ascend a tree and rescue a geared up, 200 lb. ‘dummy.’ The student rescuer must adhere to a set of protocols based on a specified emergency. This is a time-based event, with points awarded or deducted according to the protocol and emergency.  

Speed Climb: Each contestant is timed climbing up a tree from the ground to a height of approximately 15 metres where they will ring a finishing bell.  

Throwball: This event is timed and tests the contestant’s ability to accurately place a throw line and a climbing line into the tree at heights between 12 and 20 metres.  

Ascent Event: The contestant must vertically ascend 13 metres in a tree by using the footlock technique. This is a timed event.  

Work Climb: This event tests the contestant’s ability to move quickly and efficiently in the tree and perform various tasks. At each station the contestant rings a bell. Bonus and penalty points are awarded based on safety, performance, and competence. 

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Trent Spirit Shines: Support, Service and Spirit Through Trent Day Celebrations April 4

On April 4, the Trent University community – students, staff, faculty and alumni around the world – mark the third-annual Trent Day by encouraging philanthropic support for student needs, reinforcing the University’s founding value of service to the community and celebrating Trent spirit.

photo courtesy of trent university, facebook.

“Trent Day has established a new tradition of showcasing our founding values of service,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent. “Our Trent spirit shines brighter than ever on this day as we collect non-perishables for local food banks, encourage philanthropic support, and volunteer for causes close to our hearts. We hope alumni and supporters across the world join us in celebration.”

The event pays tribute to the April 1963 signing of the Trent University Act. This year’s event marks the 60th anniversary since that special day in Trent history when the University was officially granted the ability to confer degrees.  

How to take part in Trent Day 2023: 

1) Trent Day Support

Join the #TrentDay challenge and become one of 50 new monthly donors who offer reliable philanthropic support to the Trent Community. Gifts to the Trent Fund will respond to new and evolving student needs such as emergency housing and mental health initiatives. For details, visit the Trent Day monthly donors web page.

2) Trent Day Service 

In the tradition of service to the community, Trent alumni will come together in a unified display of service by volunteering with organizations including Kawartha Food Share, Feed the Need in Durham, Cuddles for Cancer, Peterborough Museum and Archives, and Casey House in Toronto. Alumni and friends can also get together, register an independent volunteer activity, and participate in a way that is meaningful to them, and on a day that suits their schedule.

A Trent Day food drive will take place at both the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses. Staff, faculty, students, alumni and community members are encouraged to bring their non-perishable items to donation booths stationed on both campuses from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. All donations will support Kawartha Food Share in Peterborough and Feed the Need in Durham in Oshawa.

3) Trent Day Spirit 

Whether at school, in the office, or out in the community, Trent Day is the time to wear your Trent gear and show your school spirit! Alumni and community members are encouraged to show #TrentDay pride on social media by sharing memories or posting photos in Trent gear (tag @TrentAlumni and use #TrentDay hashtag when posting).

“This is great way to celebrate Trent! We hope all members of the Trent community will show their Trent pride, take part in Trent Day activities, and make a gift to assist and empower a student,” says Sherry Booth ‘98, associate vice president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement at Trent University.

Learn more about Trent Day and how to participate online.

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Innovation and Technology Showcase Returns to Fleming College April 5

Creativity, dedication and teamwork will be on full display at the Venture North building during the annual Fleming College Innovation and Technology Showcase on April 5.

photo courtesy of flemng college.

A highlight of the academic year, this event is a chance for Fleming College’s Global Business Management students to present the applied projects they have been working on. 

Twenty teams comprised of 73 students are competing in this year’s challenge with a wide array of projects.

Some projects paired students with established, external organizations. A team working with a local non-profit organization helped that organization connect with community members and increase memberships, while another team paired with a Toronto office furniture company created a marketing plan to attract new clients.  

Other projects include the creation of a parking app to help market unused parking spaces on private and commercial properties, where another project focused on identifying environmentally friendly ways to handle industrial waste.  

After an initial round of judging on April 5, 10 teams will go on to the finals taking place at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus on May 10. Student teams are eligible for cash prizes which are sponsored by IEEE.

Other sponsors for the Innovation and Technology Showcase include Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Ashburnham Realty, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and the Innovation Cluster.  

The showcase is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Fleming College Heads to Enactus Canada National Competition

A team of Fleming College students will be competing against some of the top minds in Canada during the Enactus Canada National Exhibition in May.

photo courtesy of fleming college.

Enactus Canada brings together some of Canada’s best and brightest students, challenging them to use business models to address some of our most pressing social and environmental issues.  

During the regional competition earlier this month, Fleming beat teams from Ontario and Quebec-including three teams which had previously won the national competition.  

Enactus projects must address at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Fleming’s project, “Paddy Waste to Income,” won their league in both the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge and TD Entrepreneurship Challenge. “Paddy Waste to Income” put Fleming students in touch with small farmers in the Punjab region of India.  

In that region most local farmers own one to three acres of land, producing anywhere from three to 10 tons of paddy waste. Paddy waste is a term used describe what is left behind in a field after certain grains are harvested, like stalks and husks. 

Large farming operators use bailing machinery or hire a truck to get rid of their paddy waste or work with government or institutional buyers to sell it. But small farming operations can neither afford to hire machinery or lack the contacts to sell the waste. Therefore, most farmers burn the waste, creating air pollution and squandering a valuable organic resource.  

In September 2022, 21 farmers from 12 communities in Punjab and Uttarakhand signed up to work with Fleming College, agreeing not to burn their paddy waste. Working with local NGOs, community leaders and farmers, Fleming College students and faculty helped small farming communities access equipment and market contacts while helping them create the logistical support to collect, bail, store and transport paddy waste.  

Through this project, it is estimated that 99 tons of paddy waste from 99 acres of land were diverted elsewhere:  

• 59 tons were used to feed cattle. 

• 30 tones were used to shelter crops. 

• 10 tones were used in dairy farms as bedding to keep animals warm, saving farmers an estimated $17,000.  

The student team estimates that carbon dioxide emissions in those regions were reduced by 143.5 tons. Not only did this project have a positive economic impact on the 21 farmers and their families, but it had an indirect impact on 670 people in 133 homes in nearby communities. 

Fleming students are now taking this project to the Enactus National Exhibition in Montreal in May. This is the first time a team from Fleming has qualified to compete for the National Champion title. The winner of the national competition will go on to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands in the fall.  

For more information, visit the website.

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Local Students Receive Career Advice From Mentors In World of Choices Program

165 elementary school students were left with words of wisdom as they attended Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) and Peterborough Petes’ World of Choices (WOC) program listening to various mentors about career paths on Thursday morning.

Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations (left) addressing the 165+ students in grades 7 and 8 about his career experience with the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre hosted grade 7 and 8 students from Crestwood, Chemong Public School, Prince of Wales and Immaculate Conception. They listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges in the professional sports and entertainment industry. Mentors included organizations from the Peterborough Petes, Rawscoe's Sport Collectibles, RBC, YourTV Cogeco, Corus Entertainment and more that spoke to the pre-teens.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

“We’re excited to partner with The Peterborough Petes to help local students understand and explore a wide array of career options,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “Following the completion of today’s program, students will feel empowered to continue their education towards a chosen career and be better equipped to meet the challenges of today’s working world.”

All participating students received a ticket to attend the Petes’ game that night with a family member against the Kingston Frontenacs.

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Lakefield College School Presents 'Something Rotten' Musical

Lakefield College School is bringing Shakespeare and rock-and-roll to the stage with the musical production of ‘Something Rotten’ starting Feb. 28.

Renaissance dancers (Norah Appleby and Maia Brocklehurst) with William Shakespeare (Alex Bemrose)

Photo courtesy of Geoff Bemrose.

Portia (Isabelle Kim)

Photo courtesy of Geoff Bemrose.

Nick Bottom (Ben Freeman)

Photo courtesy of Geoff Bemrose.

Photo courtesy of Geoff Bemrose.

A cast and crew of over 50 staff and students from Lakefield College School (LCS) have been working since October to bring this production of the annual musical to the Bryan Jones Theatre.

Now that pandemic regulations have eased and LCS is able to invite a wider audience to the show, Something Rotten director and producer Geoff Bemrose says that he is excited to see the show come together.

“It’s kind of a show within a show. It’s a good send up of Shakespeare, tons of musical theatre and jokes as well,” he says.

The show is based off of the novel by Karen Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Something Rotten takes place in 1595 London, England. The Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel are trying to find success by writing plays, but are outshined by the rock-star playwright of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. Nick gets help from a soothsayer for the next big hit, who foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time. Nick and Nigel then set out to write the world’s first musical’ Omelette: The Musical.’ But amidst the excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being ‘true to thine own self.’

Ben Freeman, who plays Nicholas Bottom, has been apart of LCS musicals since Grade 9, and is now in Grade 12.

“They’re probably the most fun part of the year, although a little stressful. Because on top of classes and preparing for tests, I also have to memorize all my lines,” says Freeman. “At the end of the day it’s really satisfying and everyone really loves it. Not only the cast, but the people at the school because they get to see their friends on stage.”

“I’m also excited for my friends to see it. I’m not really like my character at all, he’s very egotistical. He’s almost polar opposite of me. So I’m excited to see how I can be like that,” says Alex Bemrose.

Alex, who plays William Shakespeare in his second musical production with the school, says that with many rehearsals under their belt the Something Rotten cast is enjoying the “fun part.”

“As (the show) goes on, you just get more comfortable, and it gets more fun,” he says. “And now we’re at the fun part. You know your lines, you get to play more, and you get to really get into your character.”

Along with the other seasoned musical theatre students, Isabelle Kim, who plays Portica, says that the seniors of the school help to foster a comfortable environment for newer performers.

“It’s been a really supportive, really fun team, and everyone’s just had this shared passion and I think that’s what makes it so fun. People feel free to express themselves, try new things and not be afraid to explore their characters,” she says. “That’s something really cool about Something Rotten, everyone has the ability to develop their own character and how they want that to translate on stage.”

Kim says that the students in the audience can look forward to some familiar jokes and characters in the performance.

“It aligns with what the different English classes are working on right now, they’re all studying Shakespeare, so I think it’ll be really cool for them to kind of connect those dots and see how many jokes they catch on to,” she says.

‘Something Rotten’ will run from Feb. 28 to Mar. 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). The opening night show is already sold-out.

Those interested in seeing the production can purchase tickets online for $10 (plus applicable fees) here.

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Fleming Student Association Makes Multi-Million Dollar Donation to Support Student-Life

Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council (SAC) located at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough has donated $3,415,500 to the College announced Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The funding was announced during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The donation comes from funds which were designated for transportation and programming enhancements that SAC saved from student fees.

“Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council continues to demonstrate student leadership,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “This significant gift will make a difference in the lives of students for generations to come. We appreciate SAC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Fleming students.”

$2.3 million of the donation has been earmarked for an Endowment Fund in effort to create a permanent legacy at Fleming College through supporting transportation initiatives and food security programs that directly impact student life.  

More than $2 million of the contribution supports bursaries that help alleviate direct student transit costs, and create micro-bursaries for students facing emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs. $1 million will support capital enhancements to transportation at the Peterborough campus, and these funds will go directly to improving the quality of student transit spaces and amenities. The remaining funds will support food security projects that directly help students who are struggling with food insecurity.

Fleming SAC is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the social and political needs of students at the college. The SAC Board of Directors represent the collective voice on campus and implements programming that addresses the needs of students. 

“Fleming SAC is always there for students, and we have a deep history of supporting students while on campus,” says Joel Willett, SAC general manager. “This donation to the college is important to SAC and our Board as it signifies our existing and future commitment to students.” 

For more information visit the Fleming College website.