Alan Brunger

Job Title: Professor, Geography
Years at Trent: 1969 to 2008

In his own words: “Favourite thing at Trent U – field trips with students and colleagues to various more-or-less "remote" areas, including many great trips to Quebec, particularly the Quebec City region, Barbados and England.”

Maged El Komos

Job Title: Writing Instructor, Academic Skills Centre
Years at Trent: 1990 – 2007
Retired: September 1, 2007

In his own words: “What I enjoyed most at Trent was being able to work individually with students who really wanted to grow intellectually – and the kindness and friendliness of the colleagues in my unit.”

Harry Kitchen

Job Title: Professor, Economics
Years at Trent: 40
Retired: July 1, 2007

In his own words: "I had the best job and best career for 40 years"

Doug Lowe

Job Title: Associate Professor
Years at Trent: 37

In his own words: “Perhaps my favourite part of working at Trent was as a member of the strong and dedicated Psychology ‘team’.”

Christine D. Maxwell

Job Title: Associate Professor, Biology
Former don at Traill College and demonstrator in Biology
Retired: July 1, 2007
Years at Trent: 42

In her own words: “My favourite things about Trent include the early days when faculty all knew each other and there was a great enthusiasm for the development of Trent...I refer to them as the "Halcyon days." Secondly, the lifelong friendships that developed with students over the many years. The contact with students is the only thing I miss in my retirement.”

David R. Morrison

Job Title: Professor of Politics and International Development Studies

Member of the Trent faculty for 40 years (1967-2007); founding chair of Comparative (International) Development Studies; served as Dean of Arts and Science (1984-89), Provost and Dean (1989-94), Interim Vice-President Academic (1997-98), and Director of the Trent International Program (1996-2001).

In his own words: "I have many great memories of working with academic colleagues and others to strengthen Trent's excellence in teaching and research, interdisciplinary studies, and international outreach. I was privileged to engage with many wonderful students, both Canadian and international."

David F.R. Page

Job Title: Associate Professor, Ancient History & Classics

A member of Trent University for 39 years (1968-2007) and Fellow of Champlain, Otonabee, Lady Eaton and Catharine Parr Traill Colleges (including serving as Principal of Lady Eaton and Traill Colleges, as Founding Senior Tutor of Otonabee College and as Acting Senior Tutor of Traill College).

Retired: July 1, 2007

Shirley Pavy

Job Title: Administrative Assistant - Economics Department
Years at Trent: 1985 - 2008

Retired: May 1, 2008

In her own words: “My job involved serving students, working for the departmental members in Economics, and working with other Administrative Assistants in other departments.  These are the things I loved.”

Michael Peterman

Job Title: Professor, English Literature

Retired: July 1, 2008

In his own words: "Trent University's English Department provided me with the opportunity to teach in small-sized tutorials; that was a great gift both to me as a teacher and to my students. So much good came of it for us all."

Gary T. Reker, Ph.D., Psychology

Job Title(s):  Full Professor; Chairman of Psychology Department 2004-2007

Years at Trent:  I began my career at Trent as a postdoc in 1972 and was hired as an assistant professor in 1974.  My career at Trent spanned 36 years.  I moved through the ranks and was granted full professorship in 1986.

In his own words: “I really enjoyed the early years at Trent, prior to unionization in the early 1980s.  I loved the small group teaching and the close contact with students.  The college system provided an opportunity to meet professors in other disciplines.  In the first 10 years, I was actively involved with college life at Otonabee college.  At one point, I crafted a good-bye song for students graduating from Otonabee College and sang it at several social occasions.  It’s to the tune of “Mickey Mouse”.
Now it’s time to say good-bye to old Otonabee
Oto-oto-n a b e e
Otonabee (Champlain), Otonabee (Champlain)
For ever let us hold our banner high, high, high, high
Come along and sing this song
And join our company
Oto-oto-n a b e e
Come along and sing this song
And join our family
Oto-oto- n……a…….b……e……e “

Shirley Rolufs

Job Title: Library Administrative Office Manager

Retired: July 1, 2008

In her own words: “I was working at Trent for 29 years plus a six-month contract at the beginning with the History Department at Traill College, then to the Financial Aid Office and finally to the Library in 1980.  The people in the Library, and in the many departments with whom I had contact, will be in my thoughts and heart for many years to come.  It was a joy to work at Trent and one I was, and will be proud, to acknowledge when doing volunteer work in the Peterborough community now and in the years to come.”

Carlyle Smith

Job Title: Professor of Psychology

Years at Trent: Spent a year as a Psychology Lab Demonstrator in 1970-71. Then was hired full time in the Dept of Psychology in 1972. Total time here was 36 years. 35 years as a full time prof.

In his own words: “A great place to do sleep research, with excellent students to share in the adventure.”

Joseph So

Job Title: Medical anthropologist and Professor, Anthropology Department, Trent University (1975-2008)
 
Years at Trent: 1975 - 2008

In his own words: “I have very vivid memories of my years at Trent, since it really was my only academic home. Except for one year (1974-75) as assistant professor at the University of Manitoba when I was a young Ph.D. fresh out of graduate school, I spent my whole academic career here. The 34 years went by very fast - I sometimes wonder where have the time gone?!  For better or for worse, we are defined by our work. I count myself lucky and considered it a privilege to have been an academic. Not everyone can say they make a living in a profession they genuinely love, one that gives them the intellectual freedom we enjoy as academics. I am particularly proud when I hear from former students who have gone on to become professors themselves, or have successfully pursued their dream, whatever that might be.”

John Wadland

Job Title: Professor, Canadian Studies

Taught for 36 years in Trent’s Canadian Studies Program; served as chair for ten years, as director of the Frost Centre for four and a half years, and as editor of the Journal of Canadian Studies for four years.

Retired: July 1, 2008

In his own words: “We started with nothing in 1972, and over the years we built a BA, then, in the Frost Centre, an MA, and finally the first Ph.D. in interdisciplinary Canadian Studies. I have watched all of this evolve during my tenure at Trent, but none of it would have happened without the warmth, generosity and creativity of colleagues joined in common cause.  It was an enormous administrative, pedagogical and financial undertaking, but it is something of which I will always remain immensely proud to have been part.  I am grateful to everyone, including, especially, our students, who joined us on this journey and who shared in the adventure of creating something original, fresh and new – something that lasts because of the collective dedication that continues to inform it.”

Sharon Weir

Job Title: Admissions Officer
Retired:  July 31, 2007

In her own words: “My favourite memory is the day that my daughter Jody graduated from Trent University.  It made me feel so proud that I had prepared her offer of admission and watched her grow each year in her Trent experience.  There were a few bumps on the road but she managed to achieve her goal - a Bachelor of Science degree!”