The Trent community is mourning the passing of Environmental and Life Sciences M.Sc. graduate student, Sarah Gunderson.  Sarah was involved in a car accident returning home to North Dakota for the holiday break.

Sarah was conducting research with Professors Marcel Dorken and Erica Nol, looking to understand the global decline in bee populations, and how the patterns of bee populations promote fruit production. Ultimately, she wanted to apply her studies to agricultural settings in a way that would allow farmers to "ensure the success of their labour". The work that she described was exciting and original. 

Sarah was a joy to work with, hard-working, and undaunted by new challenges; she will be sorely missed.  She was a well-respected member of Prof. Dorken and Prof. Nol's labs, and a beloved member of Trent’s graduate program. Sarah had a quick smile and was looking forward to celebrating her birthday over the break.  

Our condolences go out to her family and friends both here and back home in North Dakota. In honour of Sarah, the flag atop Bata Library has been lowered to half-mast. 

Counselling and grief support:

For students: Trent Counselling Centre, Blackburn Hall, Suite 113, tel. 705-748-1386, email counselling@trentu.ca

For staff and faculty: Employee Assistance Program, information at http://www.trentu.ca/humanresources/benefits_EmployeeAssistance.php tel. 1-800-268-5211

Trent Spiritual Affairs Advisor, Glenn Empey: tel. 705-748-1011 x7213, email glennempey@trentu.ca
Grief Support Counselling in Peterborough: tel. 705-742-4042; email admin@hospicepeterborough.org