The Trent University community came together on November 7 at the Ernest & Florence Benedict Gathering Space to celebrate the life of Professor Emeritus Daniel Powell. At the memorial, those in attendance spoke of the beloved professor’s involvement in the Trent-in-Ecuador program and his passion for community-based research in Peterborough.

"I remember Daniel as a wonderful teacher—enthusiastic, stimulating, and very accessible to students," said Dr. David Morrison, professor emeritus, International Development Studies and Political Studies, and Dr. Powell’s colleague of many years.

To honour and celebrate Dr. Powell’s life, and his contributions to Trent, his wife Norma and son Adrian have created the Daniel Powell Scholarship through a generous donation to support future International Development students from Latin America.

“We wanted to do something that would serve as a meaningful tribute to him,” said Norma Pattuelli. “This scholarship reflects Daniel’s passion for international development and teaching. It is also tied to his love for Latin America and its people, as he felt very close to their struggles and aspirations."

About Professor Emeritus Daniel Powell
After migrating to Canada from his native Argentina in the 1970s, and earning his Ph.D. in Anthropology, Professor Powell became the first faculty member appointed to Trent's then Comparative Development Studies (CDS) program. He held a joint appointment in CDS (later International Development Studies) and Anthropology from 1984 until his retirement in 2006.

Prof. Powell, a fellow of Traill College, and his wife Norma were resident dons at the College for six years. They spent the 1990-91 academic year in Ecuador, where Prof. Powell served as director for the first full year of the Trent-in-Ecuador Program. He was chair of CDS for two terms and organized student field trips to Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua. He also supervised several students who undertook community-based research in Peterborough. His own research was focused on the Welsh diaspora in Patagonia and also Indigenous communities in north-west Argentina. 

Donations in memoriam of Dr. Daniel Powell can be directed to the Daniel Powell Scholarship. The scholarship will give preference to Latin American students entering Trent University who are intending to major in International Development Studies.

Make a donation online. Donations can also be made by phone through Julie Gauthier at 1-877-698-7368.

Charitable tax receipts will be provided for all donations.