Alumni Enjoy Rowing, Nostalgia, and Connection During Head of the Trent Weekend

Generations of alumni participate in one of Trent University's longest standing traditions

October 4, 2023

Head of the Trent 2023

Hundreds of Trent University alumni returned to Trent University on Saturday for the annual Head of the Trent to watch the fabled rowing regatta and join special events including an Indigenous art tour, alumni art exhibition, scarf ceremony, varsity games, and live music on the Festival Stage featuring alumni musicians.

"What a momentous Head of Trent as we saw so many familiar faces and welcomed so many alumni home to Trent for a day of fun, nostalgia, and ceremony," says Sherry Booth '98, associate vice president, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

Traill College

People wearing orange

At Catharine Parr Traill College, principal Michael Eamon named two new fellows – Dean Pappas '85 (Champlain College) and Charles Meanwell '66 (Peter Robinson College) during the 2023 Scarf Ceremony at the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre. The University is a family affair for Pappas, a former Peterborough city councilor who represented the Downtown Ward for 16 years. His wife Anita Erschen Pappas '90 (Julian Blackburn College) and son Basil Pappas '17 (Champlain College) are both alumni and his daughter Toula Pappas is a current student.

Meanwell, who was also made a Fellow, is a poet, thinker, and contemporary artist who studied English Literature at Trent in the '60s.  Following the Scarf Ceremony, Eamon invited guests to the unveiling of Meanwell's art exhibition, now on display in Wallis Hall.

Many friends who had met at Traill reunited at the gathering. One group of longtime friends, Cathy Warren '88, Cathy Aldridge '87, Lynne (nee Pidduck) Angus '86, Tracy (nee Rush) Kennedy '87, and John Kennedy '85 say they have remained close friends since their Traill days; in fact, Tracy and John married after meeting at Trent.  All wearing orange shirts to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, they sat together in the amphitheater to watch the ceremony that welcomed matriculating students, and returning alumni, to the college.

Later in the afternoon, Peterborough-based fiddling phenom, Irish Millie, entertained the crowd with her East Coast, Bluegrass, and Contemporary musical style.

Lady Eaton College

Lady Eaton College hosted a reopening of the Alumni Hall featuring a complete collection of graduation composite photos from 1967-2017. LEC alum Mark Ryckman '98 and Adam Ruck '98 joined the gathering; when looking back on when they met, the pair laughed, saying that they’ve been friends since the night a fire alarm in LEC brought them together. Ryckman joined the Trent Alumni Slo-Pitch league as a student and continues to play in the league to this day.

Peter Gzowski College

Peter Gzowski College principal Melanie Buddle hosted an Anishnaabe Art Tour, leading alumni and friends through the Enwayaang Building to learn about the history and relevance of the Indigenous artwork that adorns the halls and classrooms. Sisters Valerie Dennison '00 (Otonabee College) and Jay-Ellen MacNeill '88 (Lady Eaton College) said they loved the tour. "I'm a teacher in Scarborough and will pass on this knowledge to my students," MacNeill said. Dennison added, "This tour was especially important on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as I am here to learn."

Otonabee College and Champlain College

Otonabee College started the day with a Bleed Green Brunch and Pep Rally during which students, alumni, and guests enjoyed breakfast and practiced some cheers before heading out for a day in the stadium and banks of the Otonabee River.

Champlain Principal Tina Fridgen welcomed alumni, students, and guests to The Great Hall for a nostalgic social. Visitors perused photos and memorabilia while sharing stories and enjoying refreshments.

Ronan Bosch, an undergraduate student who started at Trent this year and is affiliated with Champlain College, brought his alumna mother Tania Lambert '91 (Traill College) to enjoy the HOTT activities and watch the regatta.

Brittany Crowley '10 (Otonabee College) was touring campus with her family and says she's grateful to Trent for introducing her to her future husband. She and husband Ryan Crowley '10 (Lady Eaton College) met on campus more than a decade ago and now have three children – all "future Trent alumni" – Charlie, Laureli, and baby Vilenna.

Two alumni sitting at a tableMemories of the Commoner

This September marked 25 years since the Commoner, a beloved campus pub, started its last season of operation. To mark this milestone, the Trent University Alumni Association and The Trent Archives curated an exhibit of Commoner artifacts including staff photos, staff training manual, and posters of famous pub nights. Sharing stories of when they first met at a Commoner Pub Night, Lorna (nee Westhouse) Adams '69 (Lady Eaton College) and Peter Adams '70 (Champlain College) were among many in attendance at the Ceilie. Adams recounts that despite her wishes, her mother would not let them host their wedding reception at the Commoner.

The Stage

This year, live music was available for event goers of all ages to enjoy. Presented by the Trent University Alumni Association, The Stage featured live music performances by alumni Acts like Lorinda Frudd '93 (Traill College) and her band, the Ilk. Also taking the stage were Trent favourites including King's Limit, The Pangea Project, and Washboard Hank & Reverend Ken, who have been entertaining Trent students and alumni since the 1970s.

What's Old is New Again

Many alumni will remember the historic Pig's Ear Tavern in downtown Peterborough that was recently reopened by Trent alumni Steve Robertson '93 (Champlain College) and Ashley Holmes '06. The tavern opened just in time to host the Peterborough Alumni Chapter social, kicking off HOTT programming in Peterborough. Listen to Roberston and Holmes in this Ontario Morning CBC Radio interview about the reopening.

A Little Further from Campus

Group of people

For those who couldn't make it to campus, alumni chapter leaders hosted HOTT socials in their area. Frank Durante '69 (Champlain College) in Edmonton and Kemi Akapo '05 (Champlain College) in Ottawa welcomed alumni in their region to get together and get in on the HOTT fun.

Varsity Sport takes the Spotlight

The catalyst for the weekend of activity is the Head of the Trent regatta. The annual 5km head-style race draws competitors from Ontario, Quebec, the northern United States, and some international clubs. With over 2000 athletes and 600 boats participating in the regatta, it is regarded as one of the premier rowing events in the region.

Trent Excalibur also hosted rugby and soccer matches at the Justin Chiu Stadium, both the Women's and Men's rugby teams each earning wins on the field. For complete results of the weekend’s games, visit the Trent Excalibur website.

Recognizing the Third Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This year, Head of the Trent overlapped with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Trent observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29 in Durham, and on Monday, October 2 in Peterborough to enable the campus community to fully participate in the programming and to ensure staff are available to provide support to our students. On September 30, Trent varsity athletes wore orange warmup jerseys and held a moment of silence before the first varsity game. Orange lapel pins were also available at the stadium, the Rowing Club, and the Alumni Welcome Tent on Bata Podium. As a university committed to reconciliation, it is important we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a community.

 

Enjoy the 2023 HOTT photo gallery. You are sure to recognize some familiar spaces and faces.