Thank You Dr. Don Tapscott ’66: Trent University Pays Tribute to World’s Top Digital Thinker
Trent’s 11th chancellor leaves lasting legacy at the University and beyond
During Convocation ceremonies this week, Trent University bids farewell to its outgoing chancellor Dr. Don Tapscott ’66 who, during his tenure of two terms since 2013, became a member of the Order of Canada, was ranked the top digital thinker in the world, and published the global best-seller Blockchain Revolution.
Dr. Tapscott was Trent’s first alumnus to hold the distinguished role of chancellor and he presided over several key University events including Trent’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the grand opening of the Student Centre and the transformation of the Bata Library. He will be succeeded by Stephen Stohn ’66, who will be installed as chancellor during a formal ceremony on Friday, June 7.
“Don’s role was more than ceremonial. His reputation around the world attracted global attention and he proudly championed Trent wherever he went,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “We thank Don for all of the time and effort he put into this role. He was truly an outstanding chancellor.”
“Being the first alumni chancellor of Trent was a great honour and one of the most gratifying experiences of my professional life,” added Dr. Tapscott. “Trent is a superior university in Canada and I look forward to continuing my rewarding collaboration with the administration, faculty and students.”
Dr. Tapscott is CEO of the Tapscott Group and executive chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute. He’s one of the world’s leading authorities on how technology impacts business and society and is a prolific writer, having authored 16 books including the international best-sellers Paradigm Shift (1992), The Digital Economy (1995), Growing Up Digital (1997), The Naked Corporation (2002) and Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything (2007).
His most recent book Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies is Changing the World (2016) has been translated into more than 15 languages. The book is co-authored with his son Alex Tapscott, a globally-recognized investor, advisor and speaker on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
In 2017, Dr. Tapscott and his son also co-founded the Blockchain Research Institute, which supports more than 80 projects that are the definitive investigation into blockchain strategy, use-cases, implementation challenges and organizational transformations.
That same year, Thinkers 50 ranked him as the world’s top digital thinker as well as the second most influential management thinker in the world.
Dr. Tapscott is also an adjunct professor of Technology and Operations Management at INSEAD, a top graduate business school with campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Tapscott and his wife Ana Lopes (also a member of the Order of Canada) continued to be generous donors to Trent and when presiding over convocations, Dr. Tapscott would always encourage new graduates to remain involved with Trent, and to live a life of consequence.
Learn more about Dr. Tapscott and his legacy at Trent University.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Verhulst Rogers, manager, Marketing & Communications, Trent University, 705-748-1011 x6182 or kathrynverhulst@trentu.ca
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