Eight Honoured with Prestigious Alumni Awards
2024 Trent University Alumni Association Awards recognize outstanding alumni for leadership in climate, politics, archaeology, science, social justice, and governance
August 13, 2024
The Trent University Alumni Association is proud to announce eight outstanding alumni as recipients of the 2024 Alumni Awards, which recognize the achievements of Trent graduates both during and following their time at Trent. Among this year’s recipients are a celebrated Indigenous environmental leader, a former premier known for championing public healthcare, a world-renowned archaeologist, and a social worker whose work supports people from vulnerable populations.
"Congratulations to all of the award recipients whose work is creating meaningful change in their communities, professions, and within the University," says Naomi Handley, director of Alumni Engagement & Services. "We are honoured to recognize their vision and remarkable achievements, which, in true Trent fashion, are making transformational change across the globe."
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
Distinguished Alumni Award
John Horgan ’79 (Peter Robinson College) is Canada’s ambassador to Germany, former leader of the B.C. NDP and former B.C. Premier (2017 to 2022) who became a national champion for public healthcare reform and earned the status of ‘Canada’s most popular premier’.
Dr. Henry Lickers ’68 (Champlain College), a Haudenosaunee citizen of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, is a renowned biologist and environmental leader who has been instrumental throughout his career in bringing Indigenous perspective to local, national, and international environmental initiatives.
Dr. Heather McKillop ’72 (Peter Robinson College), is widely considered a leading authority in the field of Maya archaeology and one of the most important archaeologists of the past century to have enhanced the world’s understanding of the coastal Maya of Belize, particularly underwater sites with preserved ancient wooden buildings.
Spirit of Trent Award
Dr. Deryck R. Persaud ’89 (Lady Eaton College), an innovative researcher, scientist, academic, mentor, and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking research on dietary fatty acids has helped alleviate symptoms for people with autism, ADHD, anxiety, diabetes, and dementia.
Young Leader Award
Jaleesa Allen ’18, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who is passionate about advancing social justice for children and adolescents, while addressing the unique challenges faced by people from marginalized communities and vulnerable backgrounds.
David Glassco Prize (student leadership)
Kelsey Scott ’19 (Gzowski College), a recent graduate recognized for having been an outstanding student leader who led her peers, demonstrated excellence in paid and volunteer roles, and engaged in a vast array of extracurricular activities.
Robert W.F. Stephenson Prize (student governance)
Aimée-Marie Anctil ’20 (Lady Eaton College), a recent graduate recognized for having been a remarkable student leader who used her governance roles in the Trent Central Students’ Association to successfully pursue socioeconomic justice for students including efforts in anti-racism, housing, mental health, access to free legal advice, transportation rights, and food security.
Emma Kaszecki ’16 (Lady Eaton College), a graduate of the Forensic Science program and a third-year Ph.D. candidate who has made substantial gains for Trent graduate students in a variety of governance roles including Student Services, the Trent Graduate Student Association, research, and the Trent University Board of Governors.
The annual awards will be presented during Fall 2024.
Read the full bios.