College Welcome

• Melanie Buddle is Principal of Peter Gzowski College at Trent University. She holds a PhD in History from the University of Victoria, her MA from the University of Northern British Columbia, and a BA Hons from the University of Guelph. She has worked at Trent since 2003, in various roles - as a course instructor, an academic advisor, a College Head, and College Principal. With a background in gender, business, and regional North American history, Melanie continues to teach courses in the History department and in interdisciplinary humanities courses. As an award-winning educator, and in her role as Principal, she is passionate about student engagement, student success and wellbeing, and respectful dialogue across communities and disciplines.
   
• Melanie grew up on, and now works and lives on, land that is the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg, adjacent to Haudenosaunee territory and in the territory covered by the Williams Treaty. 

As your Principal, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Trent's youngest college. I am here to support your interests and introduce you to a variety of collegiate, academic, and campus-wide services and supports. Whether you are a student in one of our affiliated programs or you are in another academic program but have an interest in our collegiate commitment to a spirit of alliance and collaborative dialogue, you are welcome!

Gzowski College was established in 2004 and named after distinguished Canadian broadcaster and former Trent Chancellor, Peter Gzowski (pronounced zaw-skee). Adored by Canadians, he was most famous as someone who listened and welcomed conversation and diverse opinions. That makes it appropriate that Gzowski College is housed within a building named Enwayaang, an Anishinaabek word meaning “the way we speak together.” The building, located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, hosts a lot of amazing people, programs, and experiences. Our colours reflect the colours of the Anishinaabe medicine wheel: yellow, red, black and white. The medicine wheel also reflects our collaborative spirit. We work closely our neighbours in Enwayaang, the First Peoples House of Learning, School of Business, Departments of Economics and Mathematics, Office of Research and Innovation, and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies.

Unlike the original architecture on Trent’s campus, the Enwayaang building is filled with colour and we are one of the tallest buildings on campus. This was a purposeful architectural choice: Enwayaang has a small footprint, rests gently on the land, incorporates Indigenous space, design, and artwork, and provides beautiful views of our stunning campus. We have comfortable seating, light-filled corridors, modern classrooms, and a beautiful dining hall (with a fireplace, good lighting, and great food – a perfect place to meet friends). We are also lucky to be connected to the First Peoples House of Learning. Visit the Tipi during social fires, learn from visiting Elders, and attend events hosted in the First Peoples Performance Space and Gathering Space.

A sense of entrepreneurial risk-taking comes along with our youthful college spirit. Gzowski students are young and vibrant change makers, balancing traditional knowledge with modern ideas.They take intellectual risks for great rewards, with a focus on “speaking together” to respect each other, learn together, develop leadership skills, and create sustainable futures, no matter what they are studying.

Connect with me any time if you want to talk or if you have questions or ideas: I am here to support your educational and the experience-based learning opportunities that make colleges so special. Listen, share, “speak” and learn with us. We move into the future speaking together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Melanie Buddle, Principal, Peter Gzowski College       melaniebuddle@trentu.ca 

Gzowski Facts

• The colour of our building has a specific name: Ochre Number 33.
• The building houses a strong collection of artwork by Indigenous artists.
• Every September, we officially welcome new members to our college by presenting them with a Gzowski College scarf.  Our scarves are beautiful and unique!
• We are the only college without a “crest”: instead, a beautiful image of a loon serves as our logo, taken (with permission) from a print by artist Josh Kakejamic.
• Our scarves also do not have our College motto on them because it is pretty long: “Nendimowinan e-niigaanbidegin zhidchigaadenoon nongwa - The minds of the future are made great beginning today."
• Gzowski College is pronounced Zaw-skee!