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In Memoriam

Ancient History & Classics Alumni

Eminent Grounds for Eminent Service

by Cheryl Davies '68

Shortly after my 18th birthday in 1968, I moved into the brand new Lady Eaton College as a first year student. During Intro. Week, I met and became friends with my husband Bryan who was in first year at Champlain College. Thirty one years later, on August 28th, my 28th Wedding Anniversary, Bryan and I moved back to the campus into the guest apartment in Champlain as Alumni In Residence, proving the fallacy of the expression, "you can never go back". It has been an exciting and extraordinary year for us.

This letter is in response to the question that is often asked of us, "What does an Alumni in Residence do?"

Before the 1st year students even arrived, we were thrown into the hum of the campus. Master Stephen Brown, who masquerades as an accomplished chef, held a sumptuous dinner where we met many of the staff, faculty and dons. The next day, Glen Easson '89 and I sang for the Intro. Week staff, introducing them to the rich history of music at Trent. We performed a medley of songs by famous Trent Alumni, Stan Rogers '68, Christopher Ward '67, Ian Tamblyn '67 and Nigel Russell '66. We were honoured to be asked by the students to perform at the first coffeehouse of the year in the Celie. Two days later, Bryan and I greeted first year students and their parents, assuaging their fears. We participated in many Intro. Week activities, cheering on the College during the Great Race and joined with glee in the famous bun fight at the first formal dinner of the year. A mood of nostalgia washed over me as I sat in the Great Hall looking at the students in their green gowns and listening to their enthusiasm as they anticipated the exciting year ahead. This was the end of the first week!

When Master Brown's secretary unexpectedly had to take the month of September off, I volunteered daily at the college office. This was a great opportunity for me to meet and get to know many of the students and to see first hand the daily activities of the college. The following is a list of some of the activities that I attended, arranged, facilitated and/or performed at:

  • Glen and I hosted 'open mike' pubs where the students sang to Glen's accompaniment and my harmony

  • Glen and I revived the Trent Folk club for the year

  • Celebrity chef at the United Way Bar-B-Que

  • Shame on the Moon (the band that I sing in) played for the Head of Trent and for the 35th Anniversary celebration. Guest singers included President Bonnie Patterson, John Beach '68 and author and cyber-guru, Don Tapscott '66.

  • twice-weekly meetings to get the on- line mentoring program in place which culminated in a successful implementation in May.

  • Youth Work and Study Abroad Fair

  • guest lectures given by visiting Professors and toured one of them around the local area

  • Hosted various dinners for dons and local alumni

  • Attended the press conference for 'Urban Legend II' which was filmed on campus in October and made hot chocolate and bagels for students who were hired for security on the cold 'night watch'

  • dinner at the Symons' home in honour of Chancellor Peter Gzowski

  • open house for Careers and Counselling

  • launch of the 'Beyond Our walls' campaign

  • meetings and open forums regarding the Superbuild Fund and the relocation of the colleges and responded personally in writing to concerned alumni

  • Conducted the Champlain College Christmas Student choir

  • Alumni events such as the Golf tournament, the Canoe Museum tour, the Madison Pub night and the Durham College reception.

  • Volunteered twice weekly to read at the audio library
    regular meetings with two students in a personal counselling capacity

  • regular Alumni Executive meetings and Council Meetings

  • Attended the Trent Fashion Show

  • Attended the Champlain College Student Art Show

  • Alumni Lecture by Carol Campbell on the freeing of the slaves in Sudan, including an Academic Tea, a dinner and the lecture

  • Participated in the Broom Ball Tournament and Wrestling Event for Bon Temps weekend

  • reception in honour of Board Chair Gary Wolff '67 at the home of Past Chair and Alumnus Robert Stephenson '68 in Toronto

  • Attended the dress rehearsal and made suggestions to Master Brown's Children's Literature class who performed a delightful version of fractured fairytales for local school children

  • Attended graduation dinners and presented Alumni Awards to the recipients of the various colleges

  • Alumni Weekend Retreat at President Bonnie Patterson's home
    Spoke at Convocation, welcoming the new graduates into the Alumni Association

  • Bryan coordinated and helped deliver an extensive course to the student members of ACE (Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs)

The above are selections from my journal. As you can see, there was never a dull moment! An overall observation is that the students still have the same love for Trent, the same fierce loyalty to their College and the same camaraderie. They are, however, quieter and more studious than I remember! I believe that this is related to the fact that computers allow students to stay in their rooms more. They are still political. The food is still mostly mediocre with occasional ashes of gourmet during special events. The campus is still very beautiful and after all these years, it still feels like home.

Bryan and I are moving out soon and we would like to publicly thank Master Stephen Brown and his wife Prof. Katherine Chittick for their warm hospitality and kindness to us during our stay and for being shining examples of Faculty who care deeply for their students. Some things about Trent never change.


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