Bagnani Hall was packed to capacity on November 25 to celebrate the annual Traill College Fall Dinner and to hear a special announcement. The exuberant crowd featured undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, professors and special guests.

The evening began with piano music in the Bagnani Room, where MSc. candidate and Traill member Samantha Stephens exhibited a selection of her nature photography.

Dr. Michael Eamon, Traill principal, then welcomed special guests including President Leo Groarke, Provost Jackie Muldoon, founding president Tom Symons and his wife Christine, and Traill alumnus and benefactor Greg Piasetzki ’72.  Quoting from Australian General David Morrison, Professor Eamon observed in his opening remarks that “real leadership is in the building of a legacy that draws the past into the present and leaves a continuing benefit to future generations.” Then adding that “everyone here is a leader in this regard, and particularly Mr. Piasetzki whose generous donation will ensure a lasting legacy for this college.”

During the dinner, Dr. Groarke rose to announce the establishment of a new Traill College Endowment Fund, explaining that it would play a vital role in achieving the goals set out in the recent Traill Review.

President Groarke then introduced Mr. Piasetzki, who had lived at Traill in the 1970’s and studied Chemistry at Trent.  Now a successful intellectual property lawyer, Mr. Piasetzki has generously offered to match any donations to the new Traill Endowment, up to a total of $50,000. 

“Trent and Traill College shaped me in many ways, from the academic subjects I studied, to the friends I made and the non-academic interests and hobbies I acquired during those years.  I believe we should all give back, when the opportunity presents itself, to both the larger society in which we live and to the organizations and institutions that shaped and supported us,” said Mr. Piasetzki.  “For me, Trent, and in particular, Traill College, was one of those influences.’’ 

Inspired by Mr. Piasetzki’s generosity, several of the faculty and special guests spontaneously offered their own donations to help kickstart the Traill Endowment campaign.

The evening concluded with musical selections from current Trent student Mary-Kate Edwards and local folk singer Celeste Terry.

Find out more about the new Traill College Endowment or donate.