Two Trent School of the Environment students were awarded with prestigious scholarships in the field of Northern and Polar Studies in a small ceremony on Thursday November 28.  

Ilyse Abraham, a fourth-year Bachelor of Environmental Science and Studies student working under the supervision of Dr. Chris Furgal, was awarded the Peter Gzowski Northern Scholarship.  

“I feel so lucky to receive the Peter Gzowski Northern Scholarship. Throughout the years of my Honours Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies degree I have had the opportunity to learn about Northern experiences several times, with an exchange and a reading course as highlights. My learning about Northern communities is ultimately centered on environmental justice, especially as these communities are experiencing the frontline impacts of climate change. I certainly have much more to learn within Northern Studies, but I am incredibly thankful to be recognized for the work I have done so far!” – Ilyse Abraham  

William Richmond, a third-year Honours Bachelor of Science joint major in Biology and Environmental & Resource Science working under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Murray, was awarded the Bill Armstrong Scholarship.     

“As a student with a keen interest in northern ecology and conservation, receiving the Bill Armstong award is a huge honour. Thank you to the donors for their generous donation, to the Northern and Polar Studies Committee for selecting me as a recipient, and to the Murray Lab for nominating me and offering me many wonderful opportunities.”- William Richmond 

The Peter Gzowski Northern Scholarship was established by the law firm Heenan Blaikie, and by his friends across Canada, to honour the late Peter Gzowski, the eighth chancellor of Trent University. The scholarship is awarded annually to an academically outstanding undergraduate with a demonstrated interest in northern and polar studies and who has engaged in northern research as part of their undergraduate studies.  

The Bill Armstrong Scholarship, a gift of former Peterborough mayor Daryl Bennet in memory of William (Bill) Armstrong of Orono, Ontario, is awarded to a student of high achievement and promise entering the final year of an Honours program with emphasis in Northern and Polar Studies.  

Trent School of the Environment would like to thank the award donors for their generous support of our students and commitment to supporting the field of Polar and Northern Studies.  For more information about the TSE Awards, Prizes and Scholarships available to students, please visit The School of the Environment Awards & Scholarships website.