#FacesOfTrentU: Supporting the Durham campus expansion
Doug Kirk, ’70, Economics and Chemistry

Alumnus Doug Kirk reflects on his past and future in the Durham Region

“The business career I have chosen resulted largely due to my experience and development during my time at Trent.”

Doug Kirk, ’70, Economics and Chemistry, has seen a great deal of growth in the Durham Region since he first entered the radio business. Beginning with just a single AM radio station, Kirk has grown Durham Radio to five stations since 1994 —including KX96, the top station in the region. From the outset, Kirk’s strategy has always been his connection to the surrounding area, focusing on highly local content on each of his stations. Local news, community events, and celebrating what makes Durham region unique is key.

With all the company’s success, though, Kirk says, “We think the best days for Durham—both Durham Radio and Trent Durham GTA—are still ahead, as we’re very positive about the prospects for this region.”

Kirk remembers his years at Trent fondly: “I can still say, even today, that my four years spent at Trent were deeply formative for me in figuring out who I was, where I was going, and how to do it.” And he hopes his gift of $500,000 to kickstart the Durham campus expansion campaign will help to energize others in supporting this project.

As campaign executive co-chair, Kirk challenges other alumni and those in the region to “dig deep” and give whatever they can to assist in transforming students’ experience on campus, from the new residence to increased financial aid to career-enhancing programs.

Says Kirk: “To me, it’s very important that the experience I had at Trent, which I valued very deeply, be made available in this larger context of the Durham region and GTA.”

Learn more about how you can make an impact at Trent Durham GTA today.