50th Anniversary Homecoming Attracts Alumni from Near and Far

University and colleges offer special events including scarf ceremony, art tour, film screening and live music

October 5, 2022

Alumni from the 1960s to 2020s came home to Trent on Saturday for the 50th Trent Alumni Homecoming, enjoying special events including the Head of the Trent regatta, an art tour, music-room dedication, film screening, scarf ceremony, varsity games, Ceilie pub gathering and live music on the Festival Stage featuring alumni musicians.

“It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and classmates reminiscing and enjoying themselves as they came home to their colleges and to the University,” said Lee Hays, director Alumni Engagement & Services. “The 50th anniversary events and college open houses made this a year to remember!”

CATHARINE PARR TRAILL SCARF CEREMONY

At Catharine Parr Traill College, principal Dr. Michael Eamon hosted the 2022 Scarf Ceremony, an annual tradition that officially welcomes matriculating students into the college. Professor Eamon first named three new Traill fellows – honorary degree recipient Rosemary Ganley, Dr. Tom Miller ’82, and Jim Forrester ’14, before holding the ceremony for students.

“Be loud and proud with your scarf so everyone knows you’re part of Traill College, or just tuck it into your jacket so it can be close to your heart,” Prof. Eamon told the crowd of students, alumni and staff. Dr Miller, a medical doctor at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, said it was special to be at the ceremony as a Peter Robinson (PR) College alumnus.

He said the former PR College had a reputation in the ’80s as an innovative, creative and cultural college. “It’s an honour to be a part of the Traill scarf ceremony since Traill and PR have always had an affiliation seeing as they are the two founding colleges and are both downtown.

NEW MUSIC ROOM AT LEC

At Lady Eaton College (LEC), principal Christine Freeman-Roth hosted the unveiling of the new Prendiville-Gillies Music Room made possible through the generosity of Anne-Marie Prendiville ’69 and John Gillies. LEC is home to individual musicians, opera singers, groups and bands who will make use of the room, said Ms. Freeman-Roth.

“It’s clear music is alive and well at LEC,” she said.

Ms. Prendiville and Mr. Gillies joined a ribbon-cutting ceremony before touring the room with LEC students and then enjoying a live performance by indie band I, The Mountain – made up of alumni Matt Lamers ’09 and Matt Rappolt ’11 who founded the band when they lived in the LEC residence. 

PETER GZOWSKI COLLEGE LUNCHEON, ART TOUR

Meanwhile, Gzowski College hosted a luncheon in the Peter Robinson Dining Hall to recognize and remember the history and spirit of the original colleges and to honour the roots of the first members of Gzowski College. PR alumni had the opportunity to reminiscence and discover connections between PR and Gzowski College.

Following the lunch, the group joined an Anishinaabe art tour to view and learn about the art display on the walls of Enwayaang.

OTONABEE AND CHAMPLAIN COLLEGES WELCOME BACK ALUMNI

Otonabee College (OC), meanwhile, kicked off its own 50th anniversary celebrations with a brunch and pep rally as well as its own tent on the Bata Podium offering information about events planned for the coming year and OC merchandise. OC staff, students and alumni volunteers were on-site gathering myOC Stories as part of a special 50th Anniversary project.

Champlain College welcomed alumni and friends to a drop-in social in the Great Hall that included snacks, music and a display of Champlain memorabilia. Champlain also hosted three screenings of The Novice, a full-length feature film shot on Symons Campus in 2019 that showcases varsity rowing. (The film also features a few members of the Trent Excalibur Women’s Rowing team!)

TRIED-AND-TRUE TRADITIONS

The Head of the Trent Regatta attracted alumni, both to cheer on athletes, and to race themselves. Highlights include Trent placing first in the Women’s University singles, Division 2, with a time of 20:26.08; and Trent also placing second in Men’s University Novice 8+, Division 6, with a time of 15:06.47. There were some notable Trent alumni on the water: Jamie Fleming ’76 and crew from the late 1970s celebrated on Friday night with their 11th reunion row, while Rob Marland ’83, former Trent rower and Olympic gold medalist, returned to compete in the Men's Alumni Singles.

Rugby alumni, family, and friends gathered for a coffee social before heading to the Justin Chiu Stadium to cheer on the Excalibur Women’s Rugby as they faced off against Laurier, winning 49-12.

On the Festival Stage, musicians included children’s entertainer Michelle Prins ’86, the Peterborough Academy of Circus Arts (including Kayla Stanistreet ’08, Teagan Moss and Jeffery Cadence), fan favourites Washboard Hank and Reverend Ken who have been entertaining Trent students and alumni since the 1970s, artist Sara O. Shahsavari ’10, and pop-folk indie band I, The Mountain that formed while jamming in their residence rooms at LEC.

MEMORIES FROM THE PUB

Meanwhile at the pub gathering at The Ceilie, many alumni were reminiscing, meeting old friends and making new ones. Jenna Clarke ’07, an OC alumna, was at the pub with husband James Hennessy as they looked out the window at the Faryon Bridge – where they were engaged many years ago.

“We come almost every year, there are lots of memories here,” Ms. Clarke said.

Ravi Jokhu ’94, another OC alumnus, was with his wife Carole McMullan and said it was their first time at Homecoming and was worth the drive from Toronto. “Walking around campus is a stroll down memory lane,” Mr. Jokhu said.

On the outdoor patio, Bronwen Perks ’82, said she and her husband Derek Perks came specifically to see Reverend Ken perform on stage and to enjoy the regatta. They have an extra special reason to celebrate Homecoming now as their daughter Ceinwen Perks recently graduated with a degree in Environmental and Indigenous Studies. 
“We’re now proud alumni parents,” Ms. Perks said. 

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