The Trent University Alumni Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the Alumni Awards for 2012, honoured at a dinner and reception on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in the Robinson Dining Hall at Gzowski College.
Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor, along with founding president Tom Symons joined members of the Trent community gathered to celebrate the honourees.
Lucie Edwards ’73, Beth McMaster ’78 and Ian Affleck ’71 were presented with Distinguished Alumni Awards for achievement and leadership in their fields. Spirit of Trent Awards were presented to Bill Kimball ’75, Margaret Lightbody ’64 and Winston Meyer ’78 for representing the values of Trent in their communities. Recent Alumna Meghan Milson ’04 won the Young Leader Award for showing outstanding leadership in the first ten years of her career.
“The Alumni Awards provide deserved recognition to alumni who are truly outstanding,” said Lee Hays, director of Alumni Affairs. “They are leaders in their fields and communities and are making an impact around the world. They are top notch physicists, humanitarians, peace makers, teachers, artists, entrepreneurs and leaders. It's easy to spot a Trent grad - they're usually involved with something significant!”
Radio personality from CBC and 680 News, Mr. Jack Roe played the role of emcee for the evening. A distinguished Trent Alumnus himself, Mr. Roe was proud to be part of the celebration. “It is an honour to help recognize the dedicated and talented alumni gathered here,” he said. “Tonight, Trent has plenty to be proud of.”
Beth McMaster, who received a Distinguished Alumni Award, was impressed by the depth of talent among Trent Alumni. “I look at the winners present here tonight and I am truly honoured to be in such company,” she said. “I look at the previous winners who have been recognized in the past, and I am truly humbled to be included.”
The 2012 Alumni Awards Recipients:
The Young Leader
The Young Leader Award recognizes young alumni who have shown outstanding leadership throughout their first 10 years of alumni status either in their professional career and/or community, public or humanitarian service and are 35 years of age or younger.
Meghan Milson ’04 – Young Leader Award
Meghan graduated from Trent University with a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology. She has taken inspiration from her family’s heritage as well as friendships with students in Indigenous Studies at Trent, in her career as advocate of the youth of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. As a child welfare/prevention worker, she works to find and make improvements in the lives of the young people in the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Distinguished Alumni
The Trent University Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award is presented based on a person's achievement and leadership in their field.
Lucie Edwards ’73 – Distinguished Alumni Award
Graduating in 1976 with an Honours B.A. in Economics and History, Ms. Edwards went on to work for the Canadian Department of Foreign affairs for over 33 years. During this time she held many significant positions, including postings abroad as Director of the Middle Eastern Relations Division, and High Commissioner to Kenya (1993-95), South Africa (1999-2003), and India (2003-06).
Ian Affleck ’71 – Distinguished Alumni Award
Ian Affleck, professor of Physics at the University of British Columbia and Trent Honorary Doctor of Laws, is one of Canada’s most distinguished scientists. He graduated from Trent in 1975 with a B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics, winning the Governor General’s Silver Medal for the top undergraduate marks in his year. He is widely acknowledged as one of the top theoretical physicists in the world in the field of spin systems (especially quantum magnets and antiferromagnets, and quantum spin chains).
Beth McMaster ’78 – Distinguished Alumni Award
Graduating from Trent with a B.A. in English and Cultural Studies in 1983, Beth McMaster has become well known in the Peterborough community. She was named citizen of the year of the city in 1995. Among her achievements is the creation of Showplace. Serving as chair of the building committee, and on the board during its formative years, she is responsible for the growth of amateur theatre and performance in Peterborough.
Spirit of Trent
The Spirit of Trent award is presented to an alum who has made a difference, through contribution to the University, the alumni association or the community.
Bill Kimball ’75 – Spirit of Trent Award
Graduating from Trent in 1980 with a B.A. in Cultural Studies, Bill Kimball was integral to the transformation and survival of the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, as well as the development of countless professional artists whose careers span two decades nation-wide and internationally.
Margaret Lightbody ’64 – Spirit of Trent Award
Margaret Lightbody is dedicated to making a difference in the community through supporting the women and their families who have been affected by breast cancer. With a B.A. in French and Mathematics Margie is a proud member of Trent University’s original class.
Winston Meyer ’78 – Spirit of Trent Award
Graduating from Trent in 1982 with an Honours B.Sc. in Economics, the first vice-president and Investment Advisor at the Meyer Financial Group (CIBC Wood Gundy), Mr. Winston is a past board member of the United Way of Peel Region and Chair of the United Way’s Investment Committee, and has founded and chaired a number of foundations and companies dedicated to providing assistance for aid institutions.
The 2012 Alumni Awards Ceremony was generously sponsored by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, Industrial-Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company and MBNA Mastercard.
For full biographies of recipients and award descriptions, visit: trentu.ca/alumni
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.