Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore

Trent Forward: Learn more about our response to COVID-19.

Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Trent University Mourns the Death of Walter Pitman

June 15, 2018

The Trent University community is saddened to learn of the passing of Walter Pitman, teacher, journalist, administrator, author and social activist. Mr. Pitman began working at Trent in 1965 as associate registrar, and later, as dean of arts and science in 1972, a position he held until 1975. Mr. Pitman received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University in 1993.

"He was a person of extraordinary talent," said Tom Symons, founding president of Trent University in an article about Mr. Pitman’s passing in the Peterborough Examiner. "He did an enormous amount of good without making much fuss about it... It was a life of almost total service.”

In addition to his time at Trent, Mr. Pitman made history in 1960 when he was elected the first New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament for Peterborough. In 1967, he was elected as a member of the Ontario Legislature for the NDP where he became a well-respected education critic, chair of the NDP caucus, and, in 1970, deputy leader of the Ontario NDP. Following his time in politics, Mr. Pitman returned to education as president of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (1975-1980) and later, director of the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (1987-1991).

Walter Pitman’s obituary notice, originally published in the print edition of the Toronto Star, can be read online.

A celebration of Mr. Pitman's life will take place on Friday, June 22 at 7 p.m. at Trinity St. Paul's United Church on Bloor St. W. in Toronto.

The University extends heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Pitman’s family and friends, and to all who knew him in Peterborough and at Trent University.

You Might Also Like

Students working with a mental health professional.

Provincial Funding Helps Expand Mental Health Supports for Students

Students working with a doctor in a hospital.

New Medical Pathway Offers Trent Students Unique Hospital Clerkships as Undergraduates

Hands holding soil with a plant in it.

Cleantech Commons Enters New Partnership to Advance Clean Technology Innovation

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2021 Trent University