Compassion Coming Full Circle

Alumna honours caring Nursing students through a new bursary

The rippling effect of a single act of kindness is undeniable. In 2012, the decisive action of three Trent students allowed Cindy Morgan ’75 to say her goodbyes to her father, who was involved in a fatal car accident. The students, some of whom were students in the Trent-Fleming School of Nursing and members of the University’s Emergency First Response Team, were grocery shopping when the accident happened and were the first on the scene to assist the Morgans.

When her father passed away, the Morgan family made a memorial donation to the School of Nursing Bursary at Trent. Now, almost 10 years later, Cindy, who passed away in December 2019, is leaving behind a legacy of care through the creation of the Cindy Ellen Morgan Nursing Bursary in honour of the students who came to her parents’ aid. The bursary will provide financial support for Trent-Fleming School of Nursing students who have proven financial need, with the inaugural bursaries expected to be awarded in the 2022/23 academic year.

“Having been a student herself, Cindy knew how difficult paying for your education can be,” says her husband, Dr. Roy Hagman, professor emeritus in the former Modern Languages Department (now the Trent Centre for Language and Linguistics). “In fact, she had to take a year off of her first degree to earn money to finish it off, so she was very appreciative of students who need financial help and thought that helping Nursing students, in particular, would be a good thing to do.”

A spirit of giving

According to Prof. Hagman, Cindy was known for her sociable nature and generosity towards friends and strangers alike. Cindy worked as an Alzheimer’s caregiver for several years and shone at bringing joy into the lives of her patients and family. “She was the most entertaining woman I've ever met. She could make me laugh to the point where I would laugh for days,” shares Prof.Hagman. Cindy was also passionate about animal welfare and was involved with several animal rescue
organizations, including the Ontario Turtle Centre.

Fond memories of her time at Trent

Cindy obtained her undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Ancient Greek and Roman Studies from Trent and was working towards a Master’s in History. In fact, Prof. Hagman first met Cindy when she was a student in his Anthropology and Linguistics classes in the mid-70s. “Cindy talked about her time at Trent quite a bit. I think that her years at Trent were some of the happiest years of her life frankly. She was very involved in theatre productions and various other activities that were going on in Trent. Trent in the 1970s was a very exciting place.” Cindy continued to live out her passion for the arts, history and performing after she graduated. Among other artistic endeavours, she co-founded Hurly Burly, a local not-for-profit ensemble dedicated to researching and performing early music from the Medieval and Renaissance periods, of which Prof. Hagman is also a member. “She knew so much about early music and was instrumental in setting up the programs for our group,” shares Prof. Hagman. “She was the master of ceremonies at all our performances and would give comments on various pieces. She was really a core part of our group.”

A legacy for nurses

The compassion shown by Trent’s Nursing students and the happy years spent at Trent inspired Cindy to leave a life insurance policy to the University. Leaving a new or existing policy is an affordable way to make a large impact, and you can turn small monthly premiums into a significant future gift. “She was already thinking of including Trent in her will and decided that this life insurance policy would be a very good thing to leave to Trent,” shares Prof. Hagman. “She decided to make Trent the beneficiary and it wasn't a hard thing to do at all.”

To learn more about ways to create your legacy at Trent University, or to let us know that you have already taken this thoughtful step, please visit trentu.ca/legacy or contact Donna Doherty, Campaign Manager, at 705-748-1011 x7208 or donnadoherty@trentu.ca.