A curated archive of 1,691 books featured on CBC’s Morningside and at the Vancouver Writers Festival is coming to Trent University thanks to the generosity of the late Hal Wake, former CBC book producer and champion of Canadian literature. 

Peter Gzowski and Hal Wake worked side by side on CBC’s Morningside radio program - Gzowski as host and Wake as book producer - introducing Canadians to authors and ideas that shaped the nation’s literary landscape. Their collaboration helped make Morningside a cultural touchstone. Now, thanks to Wake’s generosity and Gzowski’s connection to Trent as a former chancellor and honorary degree recipient, the University will preserve that shared legacy through an all-new book collection housed in Gzowski College. 

“This collection is more than books - it’s a living archive of Canadian voices and stories that have shaped our national identity,” says Melanie Buddle, principal of Peter Gzowski College at Trent University. “We are honoured to preserve the legacies of both Hal Wake and Peter Gzowski, and to share this extraordinary collection with students, scholars, and alumni for generations to come.” 

Hal Wake’s world of words

Wake, who passed away on January 7, 2026, devoted his life to words, writers, and the power of storytelling. Wake’s passion for literature lives on through this collection, which he curated and donated to Trent prior to his passing. The collection began with books featured on Morningside and expanded far beyond - becoming a significant archive of Canadian literature. The collection features rare, first-edition books including Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam and Roch Carrier’s The Hockey Sweater, many signed and representing voices that have defined Canadian literature. 

Wake worked for CBC Radio for 17 years, serving as the book producer for Morningside in the mid-1980s, and later hosted Vancouver’s The Early Edition from 1994 to 1997. Following his broadcasting career, Wake became artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest, a role he held for 12 years, and moderated hundreds of literary events across Canada and internationally. 

Visiting the collection

The collection, housed in the atrium of Gzowski College on the first floor of the Enwayaang building, offers a unique opportunity for research, learning, and cultural engagement. Students, alumni, staff, and community members will be able to access the collection, ensuring the stories behind the broadcast remain accessible for years to come. 

Trent will now lead preserving this remarkable collection for generations to come  - and your support can help. Your gift will help provide the housing and care to ensure the long-term quality of the works and display. Donors will be invited to a spring unveiling event celebrating the collection. Give today and help keep the story alive.