Growing Alumni Family Welcomes Largest Graduating Class in Trent History

More than 2,600 graduates being celebrated at convocation ceremonies in Peterborough and Trent Durham GTA until June 16

June 12, 2023

Group of Graduates crossing bridge

The Trent University alumni family is welcoming more than 2,600 graduates this year – the largest graduating class in Trent’s history.

A record 2,266 undergraduates and the largest class of graduate students—357 Ph.D., masters and diploma graduates—are being celebrated across 12 ceremonies at the Symons Campus and at Trent University Durham GTA. Peterborough ceremonies began on June 6 and continue until Tuesday, June 13. Trent Durham GTA convocation ceremonies will take place on Friday, June 16 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa to celebrate 425 graduates—the largest graduating class in Trent Durham history.

Highlights of this year’s ceremonies include:

• Peterborough: The first cohort of graduates from Trent/Swansea Law Dual Degree, as well as first graduates from several new programs, including the Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies, Knowledge Basket Stream, M.Sc. in Anthropology, and postgraduate certificates in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

• Durham GTA: The first cohort of graduates from the Policing & Community Well-Being program and the first graduates from Durham’s Computer Science B.Sc. program.

• Ambassadors: A record number of convocation ambassador volunteers are supporting the ceremonies as 170 staff, students, faculty, retirees, and alumni across both campuses are helping direct students as well as greet and assist guests.

Honorary Degree Recipients

During this year’s ceremonies in Peterborough and Durham, the University is bestowing honorary degrees upon four social changemakers, recognized for their extraordinary contributions to society. 

Honorary degrees are being bestowed upon: 

• Master Warrant Officer Moogly J.J.E.G. Tetrault-Hamel (June 7) distinguished member of Canadian Armed Forces and Indigenous rights advocate;

• Drew Hayden Taylor (June 7) award-winning playwright, journalist, filmmaker, and humorist;

• Dr. K. Jennifer 'Jenny' Ingram MD (June 12 - afternoon ceremony) specialist in Internal and Geriatric Medicine, Trent adjunct professor, and accomplished community leader.

• Christine Elliott (June 16 – afternoon ceremony in Durham) Former Ontario minister of Health and deputy premier.

Friends, families, and grads can watch the ceremonies live at trentu.ca/live, follow @Trent_Alumni and @TrentUniversity on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and share their own comments and photos during the events using the hashtag #TrentUGrad.  Visit trentu.ca/convocation for detailed information on the 2023 convocation ceremonies, bios of honorary degree recipients, further details for students and guests, and maps.

Visit trentu.ca/convocation for detailed information on the 2023 convocation ceremonies, bios of honorary degree recipients, further details for students and guests, and maps.