The Trent University Board of Governors held its final regular meeting of the academic year on June 27 at the University’s Symons Campus.  

In her opening remarks, outgoing Board Chair Debra Cooper Burger paid tribute to outgoing president Dr. Leo Groarke, thanking him for 10 years of leadership. She also spoke to the successes of Trent’s 2024 Convocation ceremonies and the 18th annual President’s Excalibur Golf Tournament, which raised a record-breaking $78,000 for student-athlete scholarships.  

The meeting also featured a special tribute to Chair Cooper Burger, including the dedication of a new bench located outside the Athletics Centre, honouring her six years of service to the Board, (three years as chair) as well as her longstanding dedication to and passion for athletics at Trent. 

“We are thrilled to acknowledge Debra’s passion for athletics and her unwavering commitment to our community with a bench in her honour outside the Justin Chiu Stadium, serving as a lasting tribute to the indelible mark she has left on our institution,” said President Groarke. 

In addition to lending significant business and governance expertise to Trent over the years, Chair Cooper Burger has been a key contributor to numerous academic, philanthropic, and development projects. Many successful initiatives under her leadership include the revitalization of Trent’s Allan Marshall Pool, the creation of the Jaylynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College, welcoming the inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Political Trust & Leadership, and championing Board of Governors Leadership scholarships. 

At the meeting, the Board also recognized two outgoing Board members, Chris Nelan and Julian Smith ‘93. Governor Nelan served on the Board for three years, providing perspective as a Trent Durham staff member and contributing to the Trent Durham Task Force and the Presidential Search & Advisory Committees. A proud Trent alumnus, Governor Smith joined the Board in 2018 and assisted with many notable initiatives, including the transition of Trent pension plans to the University Pension Plan. He served as chair of the Finance and Property Committee, chair and vice-chair of the Audit and Investment Committee, and on the Board’s Executive Committee.  

Further highlights from the June 27 Board meeting include: 

New Board Appointment  
Previously serving on the Trent Lands Committee, Jaime McKenna ’97 is returning as a Trent Board member effective July 1, 2024, for a three-year term. Governor McKenna is the president of Fengate Real Estate, one of the most active real estate asset and growth equity investors in North America. A graduate of Trent’s School of Business, Governor McKenna holds Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Business Valuator, and Institution of Corporate Director designations. She also actively serves on several boards including REALPAC and Seasons’ Retirement Homes.  

Establishment of Trent Farm Research Centre
The Board approved the establishment of the Trent Farm Research Centre, a collaborative interdisciplinary research space where faculty and students across environmental, health, chemistry, biology, education, Indigenous studies, sustainability studies, and Indigenous environmental studies and science disciplines will work together to solve important problems related to food security, environmental stewardship, and support of rural community sustainability. 

Momentous Impact Report: Annual Philanthropy Update      
The Board also received an update on the University’s philanthropic activities, showcasing a year of unparallelled generosity. The Annual Report on Philanthropy provided an update on the Momentous Change Campaign, which has now raised $57 million toward the $100 million goal. Fundraising results in the last year set a new high, with $12.3 million raised for such things as student financial aid, college endowments, restoration of heritage architecture, a new Indigenous medicine garden at Trent Durham, and the Trent Research Farm.  

Alumni Engagement & Services Annual Report
The Annual Report on Alumni Relations included updates on various programs to bolster alumni engagement and notes that Trent now has almost 64,000 alumni located in 147 countries. A new three-year strategic plan to develop programming to support alumni, enhance communications, and foster their involvement with the University was also presented.   

New College & Residence Project Developments    
The Board of Governors officially selected Knightstone Capital Management Limited to develop the new college residence on Trent’s Symons Campus, which will include new classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, retail space, and 1,300+ residence beds. 

Approval of Year-end Budget Appropriations
The Board approved year-end appropriations to improve longer-term financial sustainability and advance campus projects such as the new residence on the Symons campus, the Durham campus expansion, the Trent Enterprise Centre at Cleantech Commons, and growing endowments to support student programming through the Colleges.