Trent University Celebrates “Homecoming from Home”

Trent University Alumni Engagement & Services Offers Week of Online Events

 With varsity games, a College Challenge scavenger hunt, and an incredible live coffeehouse concert, the 2021 Trent University Homecoming was one for the ages. It was also one that reflected the ages, as COVID kept all celebrations online for the second year in a row.

In light of ongoing public health measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trent University Alumni Engagement and Services and the Trent University Alumni Association hosted a week of online events, including reunions, interactive activities, live-streamed sports, and more.

“While we weren’t together in person, the Trent energy was felt around the world, from Halifax to Vancouver, from Reykjavík, Iceland to Shah Alam, Malaysia,” says Alumni Engagement and Services Director Lee Hays. “Alumni truly showed their Trent spirit during this year’s virtual Homecoming celebrations, reconnecting with friends and their alma mater. And reconnecting is what Homecoming is all about! It was a week that may have started some exciting new traditions.”

The week kicked off with the online College Challenge, where Champlain College took home bragging rights, narrowly defeating a team made up of Traill College/Peter Robinson College/and Julian Blackburn College alum while scouring basements and attics for Homecoming and University mementos.

Homecoming weekend saw alumni attending a virtual Pig’s Ear for a sold out (and raucous) evening of PINGO (Pig’s Ear Bingo). The event, hosted by former Pig’s Ear owners, John Punter and Lylie Ryder, promises to be a new annual tradition.

Among the athletics highlights of Homecoming were an Excalibur men’s lacrosse rout of the Laurentian Voyageurs by a score of 28-1 and a women’s lacrosse win over the Toronto Varsity Blues, 10-5.

Homecoming also saw the return of the Head of the Trent Regatta, hosted by the Peterborough Rowing Club, and Excalibur rowers didn't disappoint.

A total of 10 boats finished on the podium: Mike Caryk (3rd, Men's 1x), Grace VandenBroek (1st, Women's 1x), Rosalyn Shepherd (2nd, Women's Lightweight 8+ & 2x), Mixed Club 4x (2nd), Brendan Rivers (2nd, Men's 2x), Men's Novice 8+ (1st, 2nd), Women's Novice 8+ (2nd), Brianna Tombs (1st, Women's 2x), Tasmin West (1st, Women's 4+).

Attendance to athletics events was limited to students, while Head of the Trent was open only to athletes and coaches. Events were live-streamed by Trent Excalibur.

The week wrapped up on Saturday afternoon with Homecoming Live, a live-streamed concert of Trent University alumni musicians, including 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Ian Tamblyn ’67, Mary-Kate Edwards ’14, Michael Martyn ’90, Shahrazi ’10, Karyn Ellis, The Outsorcerer, Pat Johnson ’88, Scott 'Reishi' Maylen Somerville ’16, and former Trent chancellor Don Tapscott ’66. The event was hosted by Chancellor Stephen Stohn ’66 and Trent Radio program director, Jill Staveley ’99.

"It was so much fun, seeing familiar and new faces after a long time,” wrote Jo Ong ’15, taking part from Malaysia. “Listening to fun stories and moments from all alumni reminded me again of why I love Trent so much!"

The Alumni Association and Alumni Engagement and Services look forward to a return to campus Homecoming activities next year.

Re-live Homecoming Live now! Watch the entire show below: