Caileigh Morrison ’09, B.A.H, Canadian Studies and History, Mississauga, ON

“This personal touch is evident even outside the classroom and at the administrative level.”

Ms. Caileigh Morrison has enjoyed a stellar academic career at Trent.   Ms. Morrison was rewarded for achieving the highest cumulative and academics averages during her studies and for her essay writing.  Her work at Trent Radio also proved to be very rewarding.

She credits the broad range of humanities courses she has taken at Trent with providing a Canadian context to issues that are relevant to her own life experience.  She plans to return to Trent in the fall to pursue a Master’s degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies with a focus on archives and multiculturalism.

Why did you choose Trent?
I came to Trent thinking I just wanted to major in history, but the interdisciplinary nature of Canadian Studies really attracted me and I ended up doing a joint major.

What are your future goals?
I’m working for Parks Canada in Winnipeg this summer, and then I’ll be returning to Trent in the fall for my Master’s in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies. I will be studying archives and multiculturalism.

What did you get out of your Trent degree?
I’ve taken many Canadian history courses, but I’ve also taken courses that were cross-listed with Indigenous Studies, Politics, Sociology, Geography, Gender and Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies. This has given me a broad theoretical base and allowed me to study things that are relevant to my own life because everything from critical race theory to the welfare state to nationalism is explored in the Canadian context.

What is the best thing about studying at Trent?
For me, everything at Trent is so personal. It’s a small school with small classes and small departments, so everyone knows and cares about you. I’ve been able to develop close relationships with professors and choose topics that I am passionate about.

This personal touch is evident even outside the classroom and at the administrative level. I worked for Alumni Affairs this year and our goal was to maintain close relationships with alumni and to make sure that they always felt like they had a home to return to at Trent. The atmosphere is so inviting, and I always felt comfortable taking academic risks because I knew I’d be supported.

Can you give an example of how Trent professors had a special impact?
I’ve had so many excellent professors here at Trent.  I will be forever grateful to Keith Walden and Kevin Siena for being wonderful teachers and mentors.  Molly Blyth pushed me academically; and encouraged me to think harder and write better than I ever had before. I am very proud of the work I did with her. Finally, Dimitry Anastakis  has been there for me as a mentor my entire time at Trent, asking the hard questions, providing invaluable advice and making me really think about what I want to do with my life.

Extracurricular activities:
I started programming at Trent Radio in September of my first year, and joined the Board of Directors soon after, serving first as Vice-Chair and then for three terms as President and Chair. Trent Radio is my family, my home. It has helped me grow in so many ways.

I am also beginning my second term as President and Chair of the PR Student and Community Association, which is the governing body of the Sadleir House facility. The PRCSA and Sadleir House are an amazing part of Trent’s history.

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Dale Standen Prize, 2012
• Mary L. Northway Scholarship, 2012
• Carolyn Sarah Thomson Scholarship, 2011
• Donald Chase Memorial Prize, 2010