On March 25 and 26, Trent University hosted a symposium to honour the legacy of Professor Bernard Hodgson of the Philosophy Department, who passed away unexpectedly in 2009. The event, entitled “Symposium on Death and Dying for Bernard Hodgson, In Memoriam” featured two days of reflections, both on Prof. Hodgson’s legacy and his work, as well as on the topic of death and dying, a theme chosen by Prof. Hodgson himself before his untimely passing.

The opening of the symposium featured an introduction entitled “Remembering Bernard Hodgson,” featuring Professor Emeritus Robert Carter, Professor Andrew Wernick and Professor Emeritus Constantin Boundas. Each offered a glimpse of Prof. Hodgson, not only as an academic colleague, but also as a friend and someone whose “unwavering collegiality” has “left a gap” in both Trent and in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.

Prof. Carter, the first speaker, described Prof. Hodgson as “a friend, a colleague, a wonderful philosopher,” and as someone who had “a very good sense of humour.” Professors Wernick and Boundas each recalled Prof. Hodgson’s tireless work as a mentor and philosopher. His commitment to making Trent a better place for both students and faculty was unparalleled and was rivalled only by his humility and kindness. The introductory session concluded with a reading of C.P. Cavafy’s poem Ithaca followed by a moment of silence.

Following the introductory remarks, a series of diverse speakers offered their reflections on Prof. Hodgson’s academic legacy, with presentations focussing on his work in economic and democratic theory as well as his broad philosophical contributions. One of Prof. Hodgson’s final papers was read by his son, University of Toronto graduate student Matthew Hodgson, and one of Prof. Hodgson’s former students and current York University Ph.D. candidate Dennis Badeen also presented on the influence and impact of Prof. Hodgson’s work.

On the evening of March 25, the emphasis of the symposium shifted to the topic Prof. Hodgson had chosen himself for this symposium, Death and Dying. The evening session saw three esteemed speakers – Prof. Brent Adkins of Virginia’s Roanoke College, Prof. Todd May of Clemson University in North Carolina, and Trent’s own Prof. Constantin Boundas – address the philosophical meditations surrounding death and dying. On Friday, the theme of death and dying was again explored from a variety of disciplinary perspectives and a broad range of sites of inquiry, from conceptions of community to British art projects, mass graves to plasticized corpses.

These engagements with the notion of death and dying were offered by members of the Anthropology, Sociology, Politics, Cultural Studies and Philosophy departments at Trent, as well as Trent alumnus and current professor of English at SUNY Albany, Kir Kuiken. Prof. David Morris, formerly of Trent and now of Concordia University, offered the closing address, a touching and thoughtful engagement on philosophical friendship, the kind of friendship he and many others had with Prof. Hodgson. Prof. Morris’s deeply touching and insightful address concluded the formal symposium, and provided a fitting close to the memorial event. Following the formal symposium proceedings, all were invited to the Electric City Gardens restaurant on Queen Street for a closing dinner. This event had particular significance, in that Prof. Hodgson frequented that establishment and had in fact envisioned the entire symposium to be held at the Gardens.

The symposium, in addition to fulfilling a wish of Bernard Hodgson’s to host such an event, also served as a place for his friends, family, colleagues and students to remember him as a man of great character and humour, a father, a husband, a committed community member, a consummate academic and a friend.

The symposium was co-organized by professor emeritus Constantin Boundas and Professor Davide Panagia, Canada Research Chair in Cultural Studies. The event was sponsored by the Trent Centre for Theory, Culture and Politics, the Canada Research Chair in Cultural Studies, and the Trent Cultural Studies Ph. D. Program with financial assistance provided by the President's Office, the Cultural Studies Department, the Politics Department, the Research Office, the Office of Graduate Studies, the Canada Research Chair in Cultural Studies, the Trent Centre for Theory, Culture and Politics and the Trent Philosophy Department.

A full speaker’s list is available is available at: http://www.trentu.ca/theorycentre/conferences.php

In his honour, Prof. Hodgson’s family, colleagues, students and friends have created the Bernard Hodgson Memorial Award at Trent. Contributions to this fund will help future students, majoring in philosophy and proceeding from third to fourth year, to receive bursary support. The award will be based upon financial need and academic achievement. Donations can be made to the Trent University Office of External Relations and Advancement, attention Ms. Betty O’Toole.

Visit www.trentu.ca/givingtotrent; call (705) 748-1601; or e-mail advancement@trentu.ca