At its Annual General Meeting in October, the Trent University Alumni Association elected Adam Guzkowski ’95 as its new president. Stepping aside is Matt Griem ’97, who will continue to remain involved with the Association as past-president.

 

A current doctoral candidate in the Canadian Studies Ph.D. program, Mr. Guzkowski brings to the position a familiarity with university affairs, and the Association is excited to have a leader who is regularly on campus and a part of the University’s daily life. He has an office at Traill College, in Wallis Hall, and leads an undergraduate seminar in science fiction, also at Traill.

 

Mr. Guzkowski earned his BA Honours in Cultural Studies from Trent in 1999. Since graduating he has worked extensively with the Alumni Association. In 2008/2009 he held two positions – vice president, Internal and Campus Affairs and Senate representative. Mr. Guzkowski was also very involved as a student, serving on the TCSA, Senate, Board of Governors and many other committees.

 

Mr. Guzkowski is currently working on his dissertation and studying for the first of his two comprehensive exams. His research focuses on depictions of aliens and outsiders in contemporary Canadian science fiction, and treats these as metaphors for Canadian engagement with difference, particularly our experience of people who ‘differ’ with regard to race, gender or sexuality.

 

According to Mr. Guzkowski, the Alumni Association provides a vital link in the Trent community. It helps foster productive relationships and fellowship amongst alumni and also between alumni and the broader Trent community, including faculty, staff and current students. For this reason, Mr. Guzkowski is thrilled to be leading the Association.

 

"I’m particularly excited about working with the incredible alumni that volunteer their time in so many ways – serving on the Alumni Council or on university committees, mentoring, fundraising, leading or participating in alumni chapter events or returning to Trent to be a part of the community, whether that be attending Head of the Trent, or contributing to the academic, athletic or cultural life of the University,” he said.