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On behalf of the faculty, staff and Board members of Trent University I want to congratulate all of our new graduates who were honoured at our convocation on June 1, this year.

Having completed your studies, you have joined a special group of people - Trent alumni who are making major contributions to all sectors of society. Each of you has benefited from various learning experiences and opportunities to forge lasting friendships. From surveys of graduates, we know that well over 97 per cent are more than satisfied with the education they received at Trent.

Helping new graduates stay in touch with their new alumni colleagues is an important priority for the University and for Trent's Alumni Association. Through communication updates like TrenT Magazine, our staff are committed to keeping you informed about Trent's news and our graduates' accomplishments.

The cover story for this edition highlights the achievements of one of our graduates and honorary degree recipients, whose accomplishments were also celebrated at convocation on June 1. Dr. James Orbinski completed his undergraduate degree at Trent and has been honoured for his international medical and humanitarian work with Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Orbinski is one of the Canadian founders of Médecins Sans Frontiéres - Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which won the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize, and graduated from Trent University in 1984. The Trent Alumni Association also recognized Orbinski's exceptional career by presenting him with the Spirit of Trent Award in 1993.

Many other Trent success stories abound and are also highlighted in this edition. One story highlights the Alumni Association's new on-line directory, which is designed to let alumni stay in touch with each other. The directory contains a 'Mentor Module' allowing alumni to register as 'volunteer mentors' who can provide career advice to students. It also allows students to seek information posted by alumni about career opportunities for graduates of liberal arts and science programs. We hope you have availed yourself of the mentoring program and that you might choose to be a mentor yourself when you become established in your career.

Other graduates' accomplishments are outlined in the magazine and recognition of alumni generosity is noted. This past year marked the most generous year ever for donations by alumni to Trent. For this generosity, we sincerely thank our alumni friends.

This support for Trent is vital as the University pursues several exciting new academic initiatives, strives to remain competitive and implements the Board-approved Capital Development Strategy. Having received over $29-million in government Super Build funding, a plan is underway to construct a First Peoples' House of Learning and new academic space for humanities courses, renovations to and expansion of the science complex, and a new residential college on the Symons campus.

As part of the college relocation initiative, I am pleased to confirm for alumni our intention to use the Peter Robinson College name, and the traditions it embodies, in new college space constructed on the Symons campus. I am also pleased to report that while Trent continues to face critical financial challenges, we are on the right path to financial stability. Recently, administration presented its first balanced operating budget to the Board in several years. Maintaining that balance each year will be a challenge and there is still much to do as we tackle a $7.8-million accumulated deficit. The good news is that we can take pride in the fact that we are moving forward on a path to financial recovery.

In closing, I wish each Trent graduate the very best success. I encourage you to celebrate your accomplishments and remain active participants in Trent University's Alumni Association programs.

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