Click here to view the Photo Gallery

Civic leaders joined with Trent University students, faculty, staff and board members in Oshawa to celebrate the official opening of the new Trent University Oshawa Thornton Road campus.

The new $11.5 million facility will deliver full-time and part-time programs to over 1,600 students during the next seven years.

“This is a milestone moment in the history of Trent University and the City of Oshawa,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor.  “The University’s commitment to this community is strong and our investment is a signal that Trent believes in the future of Oshawa.  Trent has been delivering courses in the Region of Durham for over 36 years.  We look forward to building even more partnerships throughout the community, including with our education partners at UOIT and Durham College.”

At the ceremony, greetings were provided by a number of dignitaries including Ted McMeekin, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, John Gray, Mayor, City of Oshawa, Roger Anderson, Chair, Region of Durham and John Walker, President of the Board of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.  The event included a plaque unveiling, ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours.

His Worship John Gray, Mayor of the City of Oshawa highlighted that, "The opening of the Thornton Road Campus elevates the 36 year history of Trent and Oshawa to the next level, investing in Academia, Oshawa's number one growth industry.  This is a great day for Oshawa as we welcome a dedicated home for the University and its students in our community. The construction is complete, and now the doors are open to this hub of high quality post-secondary education, flexible learning options, innovation, and exploration. Trent University continues to construct a bright future for students in Oshawa, the Durham Region and beyond. Oshawa is proud to partner with Trent as part of that bright future."

"This new campus marks a milestone for Trent University, and Durham Region as a whole," said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "The innovative ideas introduced into our community, by students and graduates, will help our Region to further enhance its economic potential."

Trent University has emerged as a lead player that is contributing to the economic vitality of the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham.  In seven-years time, Trent’s new campus will inject over $175 million annually into the local economy and produce hundreds of new university graduates. 

In January, 2010 Trent University announced its vision for a new campus site to allow for continued growth of its programs and delivery of services to more students.  “Creating more spaces and giving more students access to a postsecondary education degree, closer to home, is a top priority for Trent University,” said Dr. Franklin.

The new facility includes:

• Vibrant new student commons area, a meeting place for students, faculty, speakers and visitors
• Newly outfitted labs, classrooms and seminar rooms, and the addition of new office space
• Convenient and central location – minutes north of Highway 401 in the heart of Oshawa with close access to the Oshawa GO Station and with ample free parking
• Student services focussed on attention to the individual student goals and needs
• Full service WiFi library and modern information centre with direct access to electronic resources
• Two new lecture halls, including a 195-seat lecture theatre, to be used for academic classes as well as public events that engage the community with the life of the University
• Fully accessible building designs to accommodate the needs of all individuals, including persons with disabilities
• Access to a range of City athletic facilities, including the new Oshawa Civic Centre, located beside the new Trent campus
• New Trent University Oshawa Student Association (TOSA)

For more information about Trent University Oshawa, visit: www.trentu.ca/oshawa.