Remembering THB Symons: Chapter Three: A Place of Aesthetic and Intellectual Excitement

Throughout the summer, Trent University Alumni Engagement and Services will be presenting Remembering THB Symons, a nine-part video honouring the life and times of founding Trent president Professor Thomas Henry Bull Symons (1929-2021). Compiling stories and memories from friends, family, and colleagues, the video explores the history of this noteworthy Canadian and the university that he helped shape.

Episodes will be released each Friday throughout the summer.

Chapter Three: A Place of Aesthetic and Intellectual Excitement features recollections of the creation of key Trent architecture, including the opening of Champlain College and the procurement of Trent's iconic furniture. This chapter also discusses the changing roles occupied by T.H.B. Symons throughout his time at Trent and the timeless spirit of youth he maintained at the University.

These stories are recounted by Paul Merrick, award-winning architect and member of Trent’s original architectural design team; Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College; Molly Thom, member of Trent’s original architectural design team; Dr. Ralph Heintzman, former assistant to Professor Symons, editor of Tom Symons: A Canadian Life, Honorary LLD from Trent University.

Tune in each week for subsequent chapters.

Prof. Symons, who passed away earlier this year, was an honoured Canadian and Peterborough resident, recognized with Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals, 13 honorary degrees from universities and colleges across Canada, the City of Peterborough Civic Award and Key to the City, and appointments to the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada.

“He was a leader, but he was a leader in a very interesting way. He was a gentleman. He was very reserved and quiet. But he had this vision for Trent University. And we all got imbued with that vision. So we followed him like a leader… Like a Beatle. Like a rock star,” reflected Trent University chancellor, Dr. Stephen Stohn.

The video features recollections of Prof. Symons from Trent University, Peterborough, and Canadian luminaries, including: Trent University President Leo Groarke, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant governor of Ontario; former Privy Council member Tom McMillan; former Peterborough Mayor Sylvia Sutherland ’68; THB Symons biographer Ralph Heintzman; founding Trent University staff and faculty; alumni; and many others.

“I thought of myself as one of his students and I learned with every encounter I ever had with him,” noted Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant governor of Ontario.

Special thanks goes to Trent University Library & Archives for photo support, former CBC/680 News personality Jack Roe ’73 for providing narration, Catharine Parr Traill principal Professor Michael Eamon for source material, and filmmaker Michael Hurcomb for editing.