Keeping with tradition, Dr. Leo Groarke took the opportunity to share his vision for the future of Trent at a formal ceremony held to officially install him as the University’s eighth president and vice-chancellor.

On September 22, more than 150 special guests, including local dignitaries, VIPs, and government officials along with students, faculty and staff, and members of the community, gathered at Trent to take part in the official installation ceremony for Dr. Groarke.

In a speech in which he reminisced about his childhood and family, Dr. Groarke spoke to how “the bold and free debate of ideas I experienced growing up was wonderful preparation for a leadership role in a university – an institution which should celebrate the clash of opposing points of view.”

Going on to speak of his vision and hope for Trent, Dr. Groarke said: “A blend of applied programming and the liberal arts and sciences is one key to our future. So, too, is a creative blend of new and old methods of delivery.”

Making reference to the strong history of tradition at Trent in both Peterborough and Durham, Dr. Groarke also paid tribute to the personal and interactive nature of the University saying: “Interactivity is more than personal interaction at Trent…the interaction that characterizes teaching, learning and research at Trent are hallmarks of a Trent education.”

The installation ceremony began with a procession in academic regalia of groups from the University as well as special guests and officials. During the ceremony, Dr. Groarke was given the oath of office by Bryan Davies, chair of the Board of Governors. Trent faculty, staff, alumni and students representatives divested Dr. Groarke of his doctoral robes and invested him with the robes of office before Dr. Groarke addressed the audience.

Special guests in attendance included: Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett; MP Dean Del Mastro; MPP Jeff Leal ’74; Curve Lake First Nation councilor Keith Knott; president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities Bonnie Patterson; and founding president Thomas H.B. Symons. Representatives from universities and colleges across Ontario and Canada were also in attendance.

For more information, including complete video of the installation ceremony, go to the President's Website.

Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.