Toronto's Trent Students Welcomed by Alumni at Special Event
“You will be changed,” alumnus tells incoming students
Incoming Trent students from the GTA and their parents were welcomed to Trent University by the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA) at an event held this week at Children's Peace Theatre in Toronto. The TUAA, in partnership with Alumni Affairs and the Recruitment and Admissions Office, undertook this new initiative as a way to support students in their transition to the university. New students who will be attending the Oshawa and Peterborough campuses this fall were in attendance and had the opportunity to meet other students from their hometown, ask questions about their new campus, courses, and student services, and get to know alumni who will potentially serve as mentors for them in the future.
Bob Taylor-Vaisey '66, president of the TUAA, provided opening remarks and encouraged students to "get involved with their college and seek out alumni for mentoring." The featured speaker of the evening was distinguished alumni award winner, and renowned theatre artist, Mr. Robert Morgan '70. Wearing his original class gown he shared some of his very fond memories of Trent, including how students and professors all knew each other by name. "Do students still wear robes? Well, they should," he joked. His message was one of encouragement and hope, "When you feel discouraged – and you will – that is your role as a student. Trent is like a Petri dish. You will all come together in a special environment to find ways to make the world a better place. You will be changed."
Nona Robinson, associate vice-president of Students, and representatives from Trent University's student services groups were on hand to answer questions and welcome the new students and parents. The energy of the evening was upbeat and lively – thanks to an acoustic musical performance by new alumnus Andrew Shedden.
For more information about TUAA initiatives, please contact Lee Hays, director of Alumni Affairs, 1-800-267-5774 or visit www.trentu.ca/alumni