On Saturday May 23, Trent University celebrated the accomplishments of five distinguished alumni at the 2009 Alumni Awards, held for the first time in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre.

“The annual Alumni Awards give Trent the opportunity to celebrate our accomplished alumni. This year’s winners are five exceptional alumni who are making a difference in the world either in their home communities or in lands far from Canada,” said Tony Storey, director of Alumni Affairs at Trent. “As individuals who care about people and care about our world, these members of our alumni family are people that the entire Trent community can be proud of and celebrate.”

The 2009 Alumni Awards recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Award

Justin Chiu ’76 – In his native Hong Kong, Justin Chiu is described as “The God of Property”. Mr. Chiu graduated from Trent as an international student in 1978. Since returning to Hong Kong, he has worked for three blue-chip companies in Asia and is currently an Executive Director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited. In addition, he is the Chairman of ARA Asset Management Limited, the Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust and the Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust. Since 2003, Mr. Chiu has acted as an external advisor to the Chinese government through the Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Christine Harmston ’91 – Christine Harmston is currently a Senior Advisor to the International Health Division of Health Canada in Ottawa and previously worked for the Canadian International Development Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Council for International Cooperation. She has also held a variety of international positions, including assignments in Cambodia and on the Thai-Burmese border, where she worked to strengthen community health systems for Burmese refugees and the internally displaced.

Spirit of Trent Award

Kate Ramsay ’71 – Since graduating from Trent, Kate Ramsay has continued to be involved in the University through her roles as: Alumni Council Member; Board of Governors representative and member; Vice-Chair of the Board; Chair of the Executive Committee; and member of the Advancement Committee. Outside of Trent, Ms. Ramsay has chaired the Ontario Audio Library Service, Performing Arts Lakefield, the Imagine the Marsh conservation group, Lakefield Police Services Board, and is a member of both the Board and Foundation at Lakefield College School, a Friend of Kinark and a member of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter campaign cabinet.

Young Leader Award

Kevin Rose ’97 – Kevin Rose is the first First Nations person in history to earn the achievement of Professional Economic Development Designation (Ec.D.) and the Professional Aboriginal Economic Development Designation (P.A.E.D.). Today he works as Program Coordinator for the Queen’s University Aboriginal Teacher Education Program and Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute (KTEI). He also established a professional economic and business development firm entitled the “Northern Approach”.

Lara Sylvester ’92 – After graduating from Trent, Lara Sylvester studied at Dalhousie University, the University of Toronto and the University of Pennsylvania where she received her Veterinarie Medicinae Doctoris. She has worked as a lecturer and instructor for Trent University, St. Lawrence College and Loyalist College. Among her professional activities are radio call-in show guest, President of the Quinte District Veterinary Association and Founder and Coordinator of Dash At Dusk Charity Run for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

At the awards event, Trent University President and Vice-Chancellor Bonnie Patterson and Chancellor Dr. Roberta Bondar were also honoured as they were recognized as honorary alumni. Professor Patterson and Dr. Bondar will both wrap up their distinguished terms at Trent at the end of June.

The 2009 Alumni Awards event was generously sponsored by Wellington West Clearsight Investment Program, TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, and Golden Planners.