Thanks to a generous gift of $250,000 to the Bryan P. Davies Heritage Fund by past Trent Board chair Bryan Davies, Trent’s legacy of iconic architecture will continue to be cherished and preserved by future generations. 

Davies announced during the Toronto launch of Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change that his gift would help conserve the masterful works of architect Ron Thom and his team of architects and designers. 

“Trent is a university with a unique pedigree thanks to the amazing vision of founding president Tom Symons who invested heavily in its built heritage, retaining renowned architect Ron Thom,” says Davies. “This wonderful legacy needs to be not only cherished but preserved.” 

A head for numbers, a heart for architecture, and a passion for inspiring spaces

Davies, who has held numerous senior positions in the public and private sector, has long dovetailed his aptitude for numbers with his passion for architecture. 

When opportunity arose throughout his illustrious career, he helped make smart investments in heritage. In the mid ’80s, when serving as deputy minister for the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, Davies championed funding for the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre to refurbish the building to its original glory. 

Davies' generosity is fueled by his passion for built heritage, which extends beyond his career to his involvement with not-for-profits in the heritage and educational sectors. Having vacationed in the Peterborough area since his youth, he was encouraged by then-Trent President Bonnie Patterson to become involved in the region. 

“I’m a big believer that inspiring work happens in an inspiring environment,” says Davies, noting that the setting and structures at Trent serve the institution well as a backdrop for innovation and discovery. 

After serving on Trent's finance committee and as board chair, Davies has been impressed not only by its architecture but also its focus on interdisciplinary studies, low faculty-to-student ratio, and its remarkable growth founded out of community support. 

After six decades of growth, Trent’s architecture continues to inspire those across the world, and Davies’ goal is to help steward that landscape for decades to come.  

“Like so much excellent design, Trent’s architecture needs upkeep and maintenance to preserve its glory for future generations,” he says. 

Learn more about Heritage Stewardship at Trent University and the Campaign for Momentous Change.