Medals and Honours 2020
Joe Muldoon – Eminent Service Award
The Eminent Service Award is handed out annually to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to life at Trent during their time at the University.
Joe Muldoon retired in September 2019 after an accomplished 33-year career at Trent that spanned many roles including the University’s first research officer as well as assistant to the dean of Arts and Science. In his final role at Trent, as the inaugural head of Trent University Durham GTA, he developed the campus while strengthening Trent’s reputation and presence throughout Oshawa, Durham and the GTA through community engagement, new program development, and negotiating new articulation agreements, all which provided new opportunities for students.
The University honoured Mr. Muldoon at the 2019 Durham Convocation by announcing that, starting in 2020, students graduating with the highest average from the Durham campus in both general and honours degrees would receive the Muldoon Award. Mr. Muldoon was also active in the Region of Durham, notably in the Oshawa and Whitby chambers of commerce and was an advisor for the Community Innovation Lab.
Mary Prior '15
B. Sc. Honours, Psychology
Whitby, Ontario
Muldoon Medal – Honours
Trent’s interactive environment motivated Mary Prior to master course material on a deep and meaningful level. Expert faculty, reading courses and research practicums fuelled her particular interest in sport-related concussions and the passion she has for the field of psychology today.
“My studies at Trent enabled me to become well-versed in psychological literature and provided me with skills in research methods and statistical analyses that will be invaluable during my grad school career.”
As a writer and editor with the Student Life Blog, she found a fun way to share her experiences at Trent with incoming students.
What’s Next: Ms. Prior is currently working as an academic assistant in the Critical Thinking and Research Methods course in Psychology at Trent. She will begin an M.A. in Counselling Psychology at Western University in September.
Alyssa Merendino '16
B. A. English Literature
Gainesville, Florida
Muldoon Medal, General
A progressive atmosphere, an interdisciplinary approach to the humanities, and a program rich in diverse content and experiences drew Alyssa Merendino to Trent University Durham GTA. In light of climate change, her capstone project work to evaluate and improve the regional food system in Durham Region within the Communications & Critical Thinking program made a real impact. Ms. Merendino also learned a great deal about writing and editing through Trent’s Writer’s Block Club and Chickenscratch, an annual anthology of student writing at Trent Durham.
For her academic excellence, the Muldoon Medal winner also received the John Pettigrew Prize, the Jane McLarty Memorial Prize and the Helen and Barney Sandwell Scholarship. She is also on the President’s Honour Roll.
“I feel that the range of skills I gained while studying at Trent, from analytical to interpersonal, will be a huge help in reaching my goals.”
What’s Next: Ms. Merendino is living in Florida and is staying open to new opportunities wherever they take her.