September 10, 2025
Education News Canada

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Heart of Trent Recognizes Outstanding Contributions of Staff, Faculty, Retirees

May 15, 2023


Annual appreciation event celebrates dedication, expertise and hard work of Trent employees at both campuses

The outstanding contributions of Trent faculty, staff, and retirees were celebrated today (May 10) at the University's annual Heart of Trent employee appreciation event, hosted this year at Trent's Durham GTA campus in Oshawa.

"This event is a genuine celebration," said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. "It is an opportunity for our community to gather and recognize the successes and achievements of our dedicated staff and faculty - truly, the heart of Trent - throughout another momentous year."

At the event, the University celebrated the 2022/23 recipients of the several esteemed awards, including: Team Innovation, Community Leadership, Eminent Service, Provost Award for Support Staff, the Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence, Research Impact Award, and Eminent Service Awards. Trent also recognized its long-serving employees and retirees as vital members of the Trent community. 

A full list of award winners is included below: 

Provost's Award for Support Staff: Cassandra AkedAcademic Administrative Assistant, Trent University Durham GTA

Awarded annually to a support staff member who plays a key role in student engagement and retention and who makes a difference through their performance at Trent.  

Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence: Dana Capell, Senior Education Developer, Trent Centre for Teaching & Learning

Recognizes non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent.  

Team Innovation Award: First Peoples House of Learning 

Recognizes a team, unit, or department at Trent University whose innovative contributions have impacted the strategic objectives of the University.  

Trent Community Leadership Award: Linda Dsouza, Health & Safety and Training Advisor (Human Resources)

Recognizes faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to the local community in Peterborough or Durham regions.  

Jackie Muldoon Award for Faculty Service: Dr. Susan Wurtele, Associate Professor, Geography and Professor David Newhouse, Director, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies

This award recognizes faculty who have served with distinction in institutional governance roles, provided collegial and effective service to committees, departments and colleges, led program and department renewal efforts, achieved advancements in administrative responsibilities, and advanced the role of faculty in contributing to the academic and overall success of the University and the profession at large. 

Trent University Research Impact Award: Dr. Finis Dunaway, Professor, History

Honours Trent researchers or research teams stewarding original and impactful research that has contributed significantly to society on a local, regional, national or international scale.  

Emeritus Awards: Mak Arvin, Jonathan Bordo, Lynne Davis, Teresa DeCicco, Paul Elliott, Joanne Findon, Carolyn Kay, Michele Lacombe, Marrie Mumford, Elizabeth Nisbet, Mark Parnis, Igor Svishchev, Catherine Thibeault, Kristen Woodend, Barbara Znamirowski 

2023 Long Service Awards 

  • 25 Years: Anne Parsons, Brian Thackeray, Elena Koudiakova, Stephanie Williams, Bruce Cater, Suzanne Bailey, Kenneth Coughlin, Anne Meneley, Steven Rafferty, James Schaefer, Loretta Durst 
  • 30 years: Holger Hintelmann  
  • 35 years: Cheryl Mckenna-Neuman, Inge Lovell, Kimberley Rumball 
  • 40 Years - Barbara Znamirowski 

The following 2022/23 Trent University retirees were also honoured at the event: Jodi Aoki, Kathy Axcell, Jose Blanco, Stephen Bocking, James Buttle, Robert Clarke, Wayne Craft, Tim Foster, Mary Goldsmith, Tara Harrington, Denise Hartwick, Paul Heard, Donna Hoard, Pauline Johnston, Carolyn Kapron, Carolyn Kay, Michele Lacombe, Peter Lafleur, Chris Los, Jean Luyben, Tim MacInnes, Barbara Marshall, Lorna Patterson, Judy Pinto, Tony Porter, Pauline Rioux, Marisa Scigliano, Margaret Steffler, Igor Svishchev, Danial Swinnerton, Cathy Thompson, and Michele Venton. 

Eminent Service AwardsTara Harrington, Associate University Secretary (Senate) and Human Rights Advisor; Barbara Znamirowski, Senior Librarian; Brenda Maracle-O'Toole 77, Administrative Assistant, Indigenous Studies Ph.D.

Presented annually to recognize individuals distinguished by a track record of outstanding contributions to University life that go beyond the performance of their job or role.

About Trent University

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.

For more information

Trent University
1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough Ontario
Canada K9J 7B8
www.trentu.ca


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