Trent Top 10: 2018 Highlights
Relive some of the outstanding stories & news highlights from the past year
As another year draws to a close, it’s the ideal time to re-live and share some of the outstanding events, achievements, and news highlights that made an impact on our campuses, in our community and beyond. Here’s a look back at a few stories that made 2018 a year to remember at Trent University – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, eight years running.
#1 Bata Library Transformed into the Library of the Future
A state-of-the-art visualization space and creativity lab, a Critical Making Studio and three research centres – just a few of the exciting features of the newly transformed Bata Library made possible through the generous support of donors and partners. As part of the transformation, completed in fall 2018, 250,000 books were also donated to the Internet Archive to be digitized and preserved for easy access by all students and future generations.
#2 Growing Roster of Innovative Graduate Programs
New and innovative academic programs – this year, the School of Graduate Studies launched several, including: Canada’s first course-based Master of Science in Forensic Science; Ontario’s first Addiction and Mental Health Nursing Graduate Diploma; a professional 16-month Master of Management offered exclusively at Trent Durham GTA; North America’s first Instrumental Chemical Analysis Masters and Graduate Diploma; and a Graduate Diploma and Master of Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment, the only online graduate programs of their kind in Canada.
#3 Trent Welcomes Two New Canada Research Chairs
Research excellence – something Trent University is known for. This year, Trent’s research impact received a significant boost with the announcement of two new Canada research chairs. Dr. Ian Power, a new faculty member in the School of the Environment, was appointed the first-ever CRC in Environmental Geosciences and Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, a faculty member in the School for the Study of Canada, was named a tier 1 CRC in the Canadian North.
#4 Trent Challenged to do Something “Bold, Audacious and Effective” with Monumental Gift
When former Board of Governors chair, the late Jalynn Bennett, remembered Trent University with a gift of $1.13 million this past fall, she encouraged Trent to do something "bold, audacious and effective." The University plans to do just that, directing the transformational donation, one of the largest legacy gifts in the institution's history, toward projects that will enhance Trent's natural settings, advance academic excellence and enrich the student experience.
#5 International Student Receives World’s Most Prestigious Scholarship
Following in the footsteps of presidents, prime ministers, scientists and world business leaders, International Development Studies student Joshua Low was selected as a 2019 Rhodes Scholar – the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship award in the world. Mr. Low is the fifth Trent student to be awarded the prestigious scholarship.
#6 New International Partnerships
From Mexico to China, Trent University continues to take its leadership in education global thanks to several new international partnership agreements. Now, it is easier than ever for Mexican students to study at Trent with a recent agreement signed between Trent and the Mexican government aimed at making Canada a preferred destination for Mexican students looking to study abroad. Additionally in 2018, teacher education students in China received a boost from Trent with the creation of the new and innovative Educational Leadership Centre through a first-of-its-kind partnership between Trent’s School of Education and the Wuxi Foreign Language School.
#7 Potential Unleashed: Most Ambitious Campaign in Trent’s History Raises over $56.8 Million
A transformative student experience, world-class innovative research, and unparalleled teaching excellence – honouring and building these hallmarks of Trent University resulted in a major milestone this year: more than $56.8 million raised for Trent University's Unleash the Potential fundraising campaign, the most ambitious campaign in the University’s history.
#8 College System Revitalized
This year’s revitalization of the college system celebrates Trent’s roots as a collegiate institution. Within the new structure each college now has a principal who will lead an individual collegiate community, define its identity, and connect alumni, faculty, staff and students in a multitude of ways. The changes are designed to reaffirm the fundamental values of the college system and further invigorate the Trent colleges with a particular focus on their academic roots.
#9 Durham GTA Expansion: Next Steps
Following Oshawa City Council’s approval of 1.8 acres of land in 2017, the expansion project for Trent’s thriving urban campus in the GTA marked a few key milestones this year. In June, campus expansion plans were unveiled and approved by the Board of Governors for a new building that combines residence and academic spaces. In December, the Trent Board of Governors approved the next step in the expansion to allow the University to proceed with an open competitive procurement process to build and finance the project.
#10 World records, Championship Wins and Olympic Hopefuls: Banner Year for Trent Excalibur
Excellence was the theme this year for impressive seasons for many Trent Excalibur teams. In 2018, Trent rowers crushed a world record and finished the season with numerous medals, the Women’s lacrosse team brought home bronze at the OUA Championships, Trent Olympic hopefuls Grace VandenBroek and Trevor Jones represented Trent University at the World Rowing Championships in Poland. We don’t doubt our Trent athletes will continue to make us proud in 2019.