In recognition of Trent University’s outstanding use of video and social media, the University has received four prestigious awards including an award that’s considered the highest honour in the post-secondary Advancement sector across the world.

The Campaign for Momentous Change video Gratitude for All Our Relations, featuring a spoken-word poem by Indigenous artist and alumna Sarah Lewis ’14 (Gzowski College), took home bronze in the Circle of Excellence Awards through the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), widely considered the highest honour in the global post-secondary Advancement sector. The video also won silver in the Prix d’Excellence Awards through the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) and a CASE Best of District II Award.

Trent's Communications, Recruitment & Admissions teams were also awarded a CCAE Prix d'Excellence award - bronze in the Best Use of Social Media category for a LinkedIn campaign aimed at transfer students, which offered a quintessentially Trent ‘personalized’ recruitment approach.

“I’m delighted that peers across the country as well as internationally have recognized the hard work, dedication, and talent of our staff who executed these initiatives,” said Julie Davis, vice president of External Relations & Development at Trent University and chair of CCAE.

CASE’s annual Circle of Excellence Awards recognize exceptional achievement in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising, and marketing.

The annual CCAE Prix d’Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, communications, marketing, development, advancement services, stewardship, and overall institutional advancement.

‘Gratitude for All Our Relations’: Silver – Best Use of Video/Film – Engagement (CCAE); Bronze – Long Video / Fundraising and Stewardship (CASE); Best of District II (CASE)

A recording of the powerful poem Gratitude for All Our Relations, by an award-winning Indigenous artist and alumna, elevated Indigenous voice and inspired support for Trent’s Campaign for Momentous Change.

Premiering during the Campaign launch in 2023, the video of Sarah Lewis reciting her spoken-word poem has moved audiences to tears through the narrative that philanthropy “waters the sacred seeds of descendants.” The recorded poem by Nogojiwanong-Peterborough’s inaugural Poet Laureate makes strong use of Indigenous language, imagery, and prose.

The video would not have been possible without the support of Chancellor Stephen Stohn ‘66 and the talent of Sarah Lewis.

“We thank Sarah for her magnificent creativity and Chancellor Stohn for supporting the project by providing the Orange Lounge studio for the filming and recording,” said Sherry Booth ’98, associate vice president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

LinkedIn Campaign for Transfer Students: Bronze – Best Use of Social Media (CCAE)

In 2023 Trent University’s Recruitment, Admissions and Communications teams developed and launched an innovative new campaign on LinkedIn that offered a personalized recruitment approach for college students looking to transfer to Trent upon completion of their diploma or certificate.

The College Transfer Campaign, delivered primarily through LinkedIn InMail, spotlighted Trent’s transfer adviser Gillian as the primary contact for students looking to transfer.

“Trent prides itself on ensuring students don’t feel like a number” said Eliza Nicholson, director of Recruitment & Admission. “In putting Gillian front and centre, as the welcoming voice and face of Trent, prospective transfer students were able to make an immediate personal connection with a staff member and contact Gillian for one-on-one support to assess their transfer credits and find their path to Trent.”