Martha Wilder '74 - Volunteer profile

As a Trent student in the 1970s, Martha Wilder and two friends hitch-hiked from Trent University to Lakefield, carrying a sail and coils of rope, so they could take the school’s boat out on Katchewanooka Lake. They rigged the small wooden craft and had a wonderful afternoon sailing on their first day of their orientation week.

“What other university could give you this kind of adventuresome experience?” she marvels, more than four decades later.

That unique personal experience, and other priceless moments at the University, have inspired her to volunteer for Trent as part of its Philanthropic Advisory Committee and its college campaign. She was one of only 3,000 students at Trent when she began her English and history studies to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree.

“I welcome the chance to be involved with Trent after many years,” she says, “to see how the University has grown and to see what elements have remained the same. I hope that I can make a relevant and worthwhile contribution.”

After graduation, Martha moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland with her husband and became Co-Manager of the Newfoundland Historic Trust Museum Gift Shop. Part of her responsibilities included developing heritage products, and this experience inspired her to create a Canadian history board game called Trailblazer. (An American version soon followed). Currently, Martha is researching the idea for another children's product.

Even while working for small entrepreneurial businesses, she found time to volunteer. While she was the Volunteer Coordinator at Street Kids International, Martha studied in the Non-Profit Management Certificate Program at York University’s Schulich School of Business. After that, she helped organize events for the Evergreen Foundation, the Textile Committee at the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Fact & Fiction Committee for the Royal Ontario Museum Foundation. Martha has also served on the boards of Canada’s National Ballet School, The Bishop Strachan School Foundation Board and the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts. All of these prepared her for her current role at Trent, she notes.

“I like to get involved where I see a need, have a personal connection and think that I can contribute,” Martha says. “I am inspired by learning, meeting new people, becoming part of a community, andcreating value.”

Martha feels strongly about the view among some students and alumni that the world would be a better place if it adopted Trent's values, including a respect for local and Indigenous communities and respect for the environment.

She still reflects fondly on the personal and caring environment of the University. As a student, she was matched with Trent's comptroller as part of a mentorship program. “My father hoped his influence might help my budgeting abilities,” she jokes now.

“I think the Trent community is special, in that everyone has the same shared values,” Martha says. “Even though I attended Trent more than 30 years ago and the University has changed significantly since then, it still seems to have the same open and generous spirit.”

Martha uses her analytic and creative problem-solving skills and social skills to build strategic relationships as part of the Philanthropic Advisory Committee.

“I think The committee has been able to help guide the conversation and focus the discussions so that Trent can maintain its integral spirit and values, while embracing change and new challenges,” Martha says. “If we can convince others to share our vision and mission, then we will have an enormous impact!”

While first volunteering many years ago at Toronto General Hospital to cheer up patients, “Today, my motivation has become more deliberate,” Martha says as she reflects on her past volunteer roles.

“l want to get involved and be part of an important community and give back.”