$1.13 Million Gift from Jalynn H. Bennett Foundation
Challenges Trent University to“Be Bold”
Legacy gift to enrich student life, academic excellence, environmental stewardship, engagement with local & Indigenous communities
When former Board of Governors chair, the late Jalynn Bennett, remembered Trent University with a gift of $1.13 million from the Jalynn H. Bennett Foundation, she encouraged Trent to do something “bold, audacious and effective.”
The University plans to do just that in directing the transformational donation, one of the largest legacy gifts in the institution’s history, toward projects that will enhance Trent’s natural setting, advance academic excellence, increase engagement with the local and First Nations communities, and enrich the student experience.
“Jalynn Bennett was a trailblazer who showed leadership in everything she undertook. She broke glass ceilings and encouraged others to be brave and make their mark,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “She did that at Trent University in many ways, with her steady hand as chair of the Board and in guiding one of Trent’s most successful fundraising campaigns. I think she would be pleased to see that her gift will make an enormous difference in very tangible ways right across the University’s campuses, and in the spirit of Trent’s current tagline, which I think she would have liked very much: ‘Challenge the Way You Think.’"
Ms. Bennett’s transformational gift will launch and support the following projects:
Nature Areas Stewardship Plan and Enhancement to Natural Areas, Trails, and Teaching Spaces
Trent is conducting a review of the Nature Areas Stewardship Plan and studying campus lands to identify and evaluate areas of natural, cultural and archaeological significance. The funds will support student and public involvement in the review process and invest in teaching shelters, trail improvements, and other resources to enhance the natural areas and their important role in teaching and research.
Forensic Crime Scene House
Ms. Bennett's estate will help build a new state-of-the-art crime scene training facility designed specifically for teaching purposes. The new facility will support the recent launch of Canada’s first Masters in Forensic Science at Trent
Public Sculpture Initiative
The gift will help acquire nationally significant sculptures as part of Trent's new public sculpture initiative, set to launch during Peterborough's 2018 Artsweek celebrations on September 21.
Recognition of Local Indigenous Communities
Funds will assist the University to recognize the Mississauga Anishinaabeg as the treaty and traditional peoples of this area through honorific naming across the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses, information panels, and enhancement of sacred and Indigenous teaching spaces.
Traill College Amphitheatre
Engagement with the local arts and music community in Peterborough will be enhanced with the creation of a new outdoor performance space at Traill College.
Campus Arbour at Trent University Durham GTA
Building on Trent’s more than 40-year history in the Durham region, Trent’s Durham GTA campus is growing. With thanks to gifted land by the City of Oshawa, the campus plans to expand and add several new facilities. This gift will create a vibrant natural and social space at the expanded Durham GTA campus, which will connect the current and planned new building.
About Jalynn Bennett
Jalynn Bennett was the vice-president of Corporate Development at Manufacturers Life Insurance company before founding her own consulting firm in 1989, specializing in strategic planning and organizational development. She chaired the Board of Governors at Trent from 1994-1999. She was known as an intelligent and humble leader. During her service to Trent, Ms. Bennett was passionate about the environment, leadership, and sustainability of the University. She was a champion of philanthropy and a key volunteer, inspiring others to support the University, especially through a gift in their estate.
To learn more about ways to create your legacy at Trent University, please contact Donna Doherty, Senior Development Officer at donnadoherty@trentu.ca or 705.748.1011 ext 7208.
Leaving your Legacy at Trent University
What is a legacy? It’s about linking generations, leaving your mark after you’ve gone, and honouring the things you feel are most important. It’s not only about paying it back but about paying it forward. Legacy is all about merging the past, present and future.
“A university is a growing, living legacy– and it
needs all kinds of support.”
-Professor THB Symons
Founding President, Trent University
As an alumni, faculty, staff, student or friend – a person whose life has been transformed by their experience here and who believes strongly in the power of education – your personal legacy is inextricably tied to the legacy of Trent University. We all share a common goal – to enable Trent to continue inspiring and educating students for generations to come.
Leaving your legacy at Trent University through your estate or through a gift of life insurance is a way to transform your dream into reality. Other like minded individuals are creating their legacies at Trent. We invite you to join us and explore what your legacy at Trent can be.
If you have included Trent University in your estate plans, please let us know so that we have the opportunity to thank you. We also want to make sure that we understand the intentions of your gift to ensure it succeeds in doing as you wish. Any information exchanged will be held in the strictest of confidence.
To learn more about ways to create your legacy at Trent University, please contact Donna Doherty, Senior Development Officer at donnadoherty@trentu.ca or 705.748.1011 ext 7208.
| Charter Members |
| Recognizes the donors who originally founded the Legacy Society on October 17th, 1999 by remembering Trent University with a future gift. |
| Stefan Bilaniuk |
| Cyril† and Jenny Carter |
| Debra Clarke |
| Frances H. Daunt† |
| Lois Davidson |
| John and Marni de Pencier |
| Walter and Anne Dodington |
| Sheila Dohoo Faure |
| Madeline I. Dunham† |
| Bruce Dyer |
| Doug and Michele Fisher |
| Errol† and Audrey† Hanbidge |
| Frederick and Lois Helleiner |
| Susan M. Jamieson |
| Kim and Kate† Krenz |
| Robert† and Margaret Lightbody |
| Robert K. Loney |
| Susan M. Mackle |
| H. Christina MacNaughton |
| Gillian R. Minshall |
| Brendan and Janet Moher |
| Paul J. Moore |
| Bonnie M. Patterson |
| Robert Darou Norris Prichard |
| Peggy A. Pritchard and Andrew M. Kropinski |
| William B. Reid |
| Ann Prince Stevens |
| John and Mayling Stubbs |
| Tom and Christine Symons |
| Patricia Townsend |
| Gary Wolff |
| Ruth Houghton Wolff |
| Patron's Circle |
| Recognizes donors who have remembered Trent University with a future gift of $25,000 or greater. |
| Robert Alvo |
| Charles and Susanne Armitage |
| Heather Avery |
| Vickramjeet Bakshi |
| Steven Bark |
| Paul Barron |
| Jalynn Bennett† |
| Rick and Lorraine Bennett |
| Michael Beswick |
| John Butcher and Elaine Sullivan Butcher |
| Erica Cherney† |
| Patrick Clancy |
| Jim and Rosemary Dolan |
| Frank and Jane† Dudas |
| John Earnshaw |
| Lucie Edwards and Tom Roach |
| Carole H. Ernest |
| Shirley Foster |
| Iris Gengembre |
| Carol Rae Gifford |
| Robert and Margaret (Edmison) Glossop |
| Jon and Shelagh Grant |
| James B. Hamilton |
| Lynn Hardy |
| Robert and Judy Harper |
| Julia D. Harrison |
| Pamela Jane Hart |
| Walter Howell |
| David James and Lili de Grandpré |
| James Jury |
| Anne Keenleyside |
| Michael Edward Kidd |
| Colin Languedoc |
| Anthony Lieb |
| Ian† and Lorraine Logan |
| Cynthia Loveman |
| Raymond and Kathleen March |
| Tamara Massey |
| Eleanor McClelland-Mott |
| S.A.M. and Harvey McCue |
| Eugene and Sharon McKeiver |
| James Middleton |
| Murray Miskin |
| Cindy Ellen Morgan and Roy S. Hagman |
| Jeannette and John Hanly Morgan† |
| David Morton and Patricia Owens Morton |
| Jack and Gayle Nelson |
| Janet Nelson |
| Doris Noftall† |
| Alan and Linda Slavin |
| Mary and Gerry† Stephenson |
| Stephen Stohn and Linda Schuyler |
| Tony Storey |
| Tsetan† and Khando Sundup |
| Katie Syrett |
| H. Donald Tapscott and Ana P. Lopes |
| Wm. Robert and Mary E. G. Taylor |
| Brian Toller and Lorna Tener |
| Len and Phyllis Vernon |
| Ian Whillans |
| Peter and Margot Wilhelm |
| Anne Wright |
| Members |
| Recognizes donors who have remembered Trent University with a future gift. |
| Carole Aida |
| Christopher Armitage |
| Alan Barber and Jennifer Tiberio |
| Duncan† and Isabel Bath |
| J. David Beattie |
| Susan Beckwith |
| Deborah and Michael Berrill |
| Alex G. Bird |
| John Bishop |
| Sherry A. Booth |
| Martin R. Boyne |
| Roy T. Bowles |
| Adam and Jenifer Bradley |
| Heather Brooks |
| Beth Brown |
| Julie A. Brown |
| Stephen E. Brown |
| Brenda Brownlee |
| Alan and Catherine Brunger |
| Anne F. Brunner |
| Marilyn and David Burns |
| Tracey Campbell |
| Bruce Cater |
| Dan Charron |
| Robert Clarke |
| Dan Coholan |
| Gina and Mark Collins |
| Gregory Conchelos |
| Leonard and Barbara Conolly |
| Gordon Copp |
| Bruce and Audrie Cossar |
| John Cotton |
| Paul and Cate Crookall |
| Roderick Cumming |
| Janice Cunning |
| Leah Curtis |
| Ray Dart and Krista English |
| Julie Davis |
| Teresa Daw |
| Jan de Pencier Seaborn |
| Bill Devitt |
| Jim Doran |
| Michael Doran |
| Julie Ellis |
| Leah (McInnes) Eustace |
| Ramnarine Etwaroo |
| Raymond P. Fallis |
| Lloyd Fenemore |
| William Fields |
| Kathy and Tom Fife |
| Ryan Flatters |
| Steven and Dawn Franklin |
| Susan (McBride) Garlick ‘64 |
| Robert Garvin |
| David Gillespie |
| Sue Graham Parker and Jim Parker |
| Marc Griffiths |
| Leo Groarke |
| Jovan Groen |
| Jess Grover |
| Ann Harley |
| Kevan Herod |
| Norah Hillary |
| Ruth Hillman |
| Katharine Hooke |
| Grant Karcich |
| John Knight |
| An Kosurko |
| Lari Langford |
| Beth Lech |
| Catherine Lees |
| Mary Leggett |
| Sheila Leonard |
| Nancy Lewis |
| Dianne Lister |
| Dan Longboat |
| Anthony Lovink |
| Eunice Lund-Lucas |
| Rod and Rhonda MacDonald |
| Jennifer MacIsaac |
| Carol MacKinnon |
| Eileen Madder |
| Janice Millard |
| Amy Millburn |
| Thomas Miller and Barbara Chisholm |
| Karen Morgan |
| Richard Morgan and Carolyn Jonkman |
| David Newhouse |
| Gillian Nielsen |
| Kenneth Nimigon |
| Erica Nol |
| Michael J. Nolan and Ingrid A. (Bird) Nolan |
| Richard O’Donnell |
| Jennifer Palmer |
| Michael and Cara Peterman |
| Thomas Phillips |
| Douglas Poff |
| Beth Popham |
| Alan Prendergast |
| Robin Quantick Laurie Davey-Quantick |
| Irene Redegeld |
| Wendy Reynolds |
| Brian Roadhouse and Betty Plewes |
| Sue and Brian Robinson |
| Scott and Meg Seabrook |
| Denis and Dawn Smith |
| Mary Snack |
| Joseph K. So |
| Lisa L. Spence (Wynn) |
| Dale and Bernice Standen |
| Anne Steffler |
| John (Jeb) Hentig Stevens |
| Brenda Stewart |
| Christopher Stone |
| Professor Ian Storey |
| Laura Storey |
| Nancy Strickland |
| James and Marion Swanston |
| Morgan and Illi-Marie Tamplin |
| Colin and Kerry Taylor |
| Robert and Anne Taylor-Vaisey |
| Matthew and Jessica Temple |
| John Thorp |
| Rob Tonus |
| Claire Van Astyne |
| John Wadland |
| Stephen Wallace |
| James Watson |
| James D. Watson |
| Robert J. Weese |
| Andrew Wernick |
| Jean White |
| Kristine Williams |
| Richard Williams |
| Steve and Lorelei Wilkinson |
| Alan Wilson |
| Janet Wright |
| Doug and Debbie Young |
| Amira Zekry |
| † - indicates our deceased donors |