Children of Alumni Scholarship Story: Adam Milburn ‘17

For 2017 Children of Alumni Scholarship recipient Adam Milburn ’17, all roads seem to lead back to Trent. A graduate from both the Bachelor of Arts Honours and Master of Arts programs, Adam's remarkable Trent story began even before his educational journey started and continued as he was selected to be the recipient of the Children of Alumni Scholarship during his first year. 

As a recipient of this scholarship, Adam knows the importance of maintaining intergenerational Trent connections and remembers how encouraged he felt upon receiving funding, especially when he entered residence. As his parents, Thomas J. Millburn '82 and Tania Pattison '85, are alumni, Adam was able to apply for this distinct scholarship, which is only available to first-year students who have an alumni parent. 

Even before receiving the Children of Alumni Scholarship, Trent was embedded into Adam’s everyday life. His parents were married in the Champlain Quad, he attended the Trent daycare, and his mother worked in the ESL department; she would often drop Adam off at the daycare on her way to her office in the Champlain Towers.  

With fondness, Adam remembers being surrounded by the creative, intelligent, and unique atmosphere students create and share with all of Peterborough. This included eating at restaurants downtown surrounded by Trent students and seeing the arts community flourish under the influence of the University. Reflecting now, starting his Bachelor of Education at Trent, Adam recognizes the special impact a supportive and nurturing space has on students, as his story and the University are intrinsically woven together. 

Adam came to Trent after a year of studying abroad in France and moved into residence as a Champlain College student, continuing his family's Champlain legacy. Being close to home allowed Adam to explore his interests at Trent and in Peterborough as part of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company, the Peterborough Theatre Guild, and gave him opportunities to work in technical theatre and lighting design at Market Hall.  

After finishing his B.A. Honours in History and International Political Economy, Adam's Trent story was far from over. He enrolled the following year in an M.A. History program under the direction of his mentor and leading Hispanic Historian Professor, Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez. Thanks to post-undergraduate funding, Adam was able to travel to Spain and learn Spanish before his graduation and acceptance into Trent's B.Ed. program, continuing his Trent trajectory. Today, Adam strives to become a high school History teacher, preparing students for the world outside of secondary school while fostering the love of history he developed at Trent under the diligent care of impactful professors and classmates.  

As Adam continues in his third Trent chapter, he remains grateful for the connected and positive experience nurtured by the University. Regardless of whether Adam was being dropped off at the Trent daycare or walking into his B.Ed. classes this Fall, Adam knows he will always have a home on campus. Applications for the 2023 Children of Alumni Scholarship will be accepted until August 31, 2023.