The Kawartha Artists Gallery and Studio (KAGS), founded by Dorothy Martin, was a not-for-profit artist collective located in Peterborough, established in June 1990 in the basement of the Peterborough Public Library’s De La Fosse branch. Some of the well-known, founding members include George Elliot, Poul Thrane, Ann Cossar, John Norton, and Neil Broadfoot. For a $25 membership fee, they offered the opportunity for artists to access to exhibition space with a hanging fee and no commission on sales, individual painting space, storage space for materials and unfinished work, and use of worktables, easels, work areas, kitchen and washroom facilities. They showcased demonstrations during exhibitions, held workshops for young children and adults, and hosted various art events and contests. They aimed to bring together local artists, both professional and aspiring, to support the growth of arts and culture in the surrounding area.
Frank Morris was, firstly, a classics master at Trinity School , Port Hope, Ontario. After acquiring a Master of Arts degree at the University of Toronto, Morris joined the staff of Peterborough Collegiate Institute and taught Classics and English there from 1913 to 1936. He was an enthusiastic naturalist and photographer, and, with Edward Eames wrote Our Wild Orchids (New York: Scribner and Sons, 1929).
Francis J.A. Morris was born in a parsonage near the town of Crieff, in Perthshire, Scotland. Living in the country, he developed a passion for nature very early in life, and, with his brother, Charles, he enthusiastically investigated the various forms of flora and fauna in the countryside. Morris' father died when he was thirteen, and the family was forced to move to a suburb of London. There he entered Dalwich College to study the Classics and English Literature, and with his brother and a friend, continued to make excursions into the country to collect insects. Through his studies, Frank developed an interest in Darwin and the theory of evolution. Later, he continued his study of the Classics and English Literature at Balliot College, Oxford. His encounters with Wordsworth's poetry added to his own emotional feelings towards nature. In 1895, at the age of twenty-five, Frank Morris came to Canada and attended the School of Pedagogy in Toronto. There, he came under the influence of Dr. William Brodie who introduced him to Canadian natural history. In 1896, Morris joined the staff of Smith's Falls High School. There, the science teacher taught Morris some basic scientific botany and the use of identification keys. In 1899, he returned to Toronto to carry on more pedagogic study. By 1900, he had become the Classics Master at Trinity College School in Port Hope. He spent thirteen years there, during which time he married Miss Elma Walker. In 1911, he attended the University of Toronto to take a Master of Arts Degree and a Specialists Certificate in Classics. In 1913, he was appointed to the staff of the Peterborough Collegiate Institute, where he first taught Classics and later became head of the English Department. He remained in this position until ill health forced him to retire in 1936. Francis J.A. Morris died 31 December 1949.
Alternatives was an environmental policy magazine published at Trent between 1971 and 1983. In 1983 the University of Waterloo took over the publication. At Trent University it was published quarterly by the students and faculty. The purpose of the magazine was to confront the implications the environmental crisis had for economic structures, living habits and political processes etc. At the same time, the magazine wanted to pose and confirm the questions by offering imaginative and serious solutions.
Margaret Jean Laurence (nee Wemyss) was born in Neepawa, Manitoba in 1926. Her mother died when she was four years old. Her father remarried her aunt. He died when she was nine years old and at that point her aunt and stepmother raised her. Margaret married Jack Laurence on September 13, 1947 (they later divorced) and they had two children; Jocelyn and David. She was educated at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Margaret Laurence lived in a number of different places including: Somaliland (1950-1952), Ghana (1952-1957), Vancouver (1957-1962), England (1949-1950 and 1962-1969) and finally Ontario until her death in 1987. Her most important piece of literature was the Manawaka series which consists of: "The Stone Angel" in 1964, "A Jest of God" in 1966, "The Fire Dwellers" in 1969, "A Bird in the House" (connected short stories) in 1970 and "The Diviners" in 1974. The subject matter of this series dealt with women and how the prairies were treated by politics. She also wrote about Africa which included: "This Side of Jordan" in 1960, "The Tomorrow-Tamer" in 1963, "The Prophet's Camel Bell" in 1963, "Drums and Cannons" in 1968, "Heart of a Stranger" (personal essays about Africa, her Canadian roots, and her discovery and recognition of her own Canadian identity) in 1976, various short stories, a non-fictional account of her life in Somaliland and a study of Nigerian novelists and playwrights. Her autobiography "Dance on the Earth" was published posthumously in 1989. (Taken from: Ousby, Ian. "The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English." Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1993.)
Laurence won the Governor General's Award for "A Jest of God" and "The Diviners". She received honorary degrees from 12 universities including Trent University in 1972. She was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1973 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1977. She was Chancellor of Trent University from 1981 to 1983, a writer-in-residence and frequent guest speaker at Trent. Margaret Jean Wemyss Laurence died at Lakefield January 5, 1987. (See the Trent Fornightly, Vol. 17, No. 9.)
Jamaican Self-Help (Peterborough) was a registered charitable organization founded in Peterborough, Ontario in 1978 by teachers Rosemary and John Ganley. Registered in 1980, JSH (Peterborough) operated under the slogan "empowering people and building community” and was part of a larger organization of Canadians "working in solidarity to foster the development of healthy Jamaican communities through partnership based on mutual respect, understanding and a shared vision of self-determination; and foster an understanding of global forces North and South and their interconnectedness." (taken from: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/jamaican-self-help/). Over its 43-year history, JSH (Peterborough) was concerned with issues of racism, colonialism, poverty and other matters which it addressed through its educational activities; it had numerous ties to other local and international agencies and organizations and links to Trent University through faculty and students. JSH closed its Peterborough office in 2016. The organization continued on a volunteer basis until closing permanently in 2021.
The Indian-Eskimo Association of Canada (IEA) had its origins in the Canadian Association for Adult Education (CAAE) when the CAAE appointed a committee “to study the problem of the Indian in the community off reserve, thereby stimulating organizations to make surveys, conduct research appoint specialists and provide services as needs arise,” with the intention of the Committee becoming a national organization. This committee became known as the National Commission on the Indian Canadian and it functioned as a standing committee of the CAAE. In 1960, the Commission withdrew from the CAAE and was incorporated as the Indian-Eskimo Association. Its services, at this time, were expanded to include all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people both on and off reserve. Its first president was Clare Evelyn Clark. The Indian-Eskimo Association was a national citizen's organization with membership open to all people interested in promoting the well-being of Indigenous people. Indigenous people formed 25% of the membership and at all times had members on the Board of Directors. The Association was headquartered in Toronto until 1973, it when it moved to Ottawa and changed its name to the Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples (CASNP). The IEA was active in fund raising, organizing workshops to discuss housing, and working on community and economic development projects.
The Trent-Fleming Trail Studies Unit (TSU) was started in 1992 to address a lack of research into trails. TSU was a joint initiative between Sir Sanford Fleming College and Trent University. TSU was directed by Professor John Marsh of Trent University and Dr. Al McPherson of Sir Sanford Fleming College. TSU was in operation from 1992-2022 and held 3400 publications regarding national and international trails in their library. TSU also engaged in research projects, conferences, committees, and public education on trails.
The aims of TSU included:
- Conduct research on trails, trail use, trail management, trail interpretation, trail impact.
- Offer courses relating to the development, planning, management and interpretation of trails.
- Develop interpretation materials and services and services relating to trails
- Assemble documentation on trails, trail studies, trail interpretation, and produce bibliographies relating to trails.
Throughout its tenure, TSU hosted conferences, created local guides on trails, consulted on trail-related projects on a national and international level, led numerous research projects, and supported student research via graduate theses, and undergraduate course work and honours theses.
Martha Ann Kidd (nee Maurer) was born October 15, 1917 and resided in Peterborough, Ontario. She married Kenneth E. Kidd in October 1943. A well known and respected local historian, she was also known for her talents as an author and artist and was an authority on architecture, particularly the architecture of the Peterborough region. Martha Ann Kidd was chair of the Old Buildings Committee of the Peterborough Historical Society and a member of the Peterborough Historical Society, Peterborough's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, and Trent University's Friends of the Bata Library. She died on July 30, 2012.
Maureen H. Martin is a Professor of Law at Carleton University.
The Presidential Review Committee was created in the spring of 1983 at the instigation of President Donald Theall. It was formed with four board members, two faculty and two students giving it a structure of eight people. The committee was formed to assess a renewal of contract with the President. (Taken from: Cole, A.O.C. "Trent : The Making of a University 1957-1987." Trent University, 1992.)
The position of Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Officer was created in the (approximately) 1968-69 academic year. Previous to this time, the small number of graduate students at Trent University were looked after by the Registrar's Office. The Senate search committee responsible for hiring a Dean of Graduate Studies and University Research Officer. Since 1985, the Associate Dean of Arts and Science has been responsible for the position of Dean of Graduate Studies and University Research Officer.
The Trent Student Union (TSU) was created in 1972. The objectives of the Union were to "...represent the interests of the students to the administration of the University; to give recognition and financial support to student clubs, organizations, and societies within the University; to study the academic and physical growth or decline of the University and to make suitable recommendations to the appropriate bodies; to represent the TSU to other student governments, to the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, and to other organizations outside the University; and to foster in students an awareness of community, provincial, national and international issues and to promote action in relation to these issues." The TSU executive was composed of one elected representative from each college and the remaining members were elected by the general membership of the TSU. It was comprised of 13 members in total: Chairperson, Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Commissioner for External Affairs, Commissioner of Finance, Commissioner for Academic Affairs, the Recorder, five College representatives, and two TSU senators. (Taken from the TSU Constitution). In 1995 the TSU ceased to exist. Students voted in the Trent Central Student Government (TCSG). During the application of Incorporation as a non-profit corporation the new TCSG was informed that they could not be a government and therefore a new name was chosen. The new name was the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) and the TCSA is now responsible as the representative of the students of Trent University.
Thomas Eagleton Westwood Nind was born June 16, 1926, at London, England, son of John Warrick and Amy Mary Nind. He was educated at the Windsor County Schools for Boys from 1934 to 1943. He received his B.A. (1946) and M.A. (1950), from Cambridge University where he studied mathematics. He studied geology, petroleum geology and oil resevoir engineering at the Royal School of Mines in 1950/51. Nind spent a number of years in the oil and petroleum business in England, Holland, Venezuela, and British Borneo. In 1958 he joined the Geology Department at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1966 he took a position as Professor of Mathematics and Dean of Arts and Science at Trent University. In 1971 he became the Vice-President of Academics, and the following year, Nind became T.H.B. Symons' successor as President of Trent University. Nind held this position until 1979.
Thomas H.B. Symons was born at Toronto, Ontario 30 May 1929, son of Harry Lutz Symons and Dorothy Sarah Bull. He was educated at Upper Canada College, University of Toronto (B.A. 1951), and Oxford University (B.A. 1953, M.A. 1957). He married Christine Ryerson 17 August 1963 and with her had three children: Mary, Ryerson and Jeffery. Professor Symons held many posts as an educator, including Assistant Dean of Men, Trinity College and Instructor of History, University of Toronto 1953-1955; and Dean, Devonshire House, University of Toronto 1955-63. His most notable post, however, was as the founding President and Vice-Chancellor of Trent University, 1961-1972. Symons also held many presidencies, chairmanships and memberships in various organizations, mainly dealing with the topics of education, Canadian studies, Indigenous rights and human rights. From 1971 to 1973, Symons was the President of the Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples. He was the author of several reports and articles and contributed chapters to many books including: "Political Education in Canada" 1988; "Archives Libraries and the Canadian Heritage" 1983; "A Century of Canada's Arctic Islands, 1880-1980" 1981; "A History of Peel County" 1967; and "Native Rights in Canada" 1970. Professor Symons resided in Peterborough, Ontario until his death on January 1, 2021.
The Committee on Colleges originated with a report entitled "Trent University. The Report of the Committee on Colleges" on April 15, 1964. In the report student life based on social and academic activities within a college setting were recommended. The Committee felt that the colleges should provide an interactive atmosphere of interdiscplinary, social, international and cultural lifestyles in order for residential and non-residential students to acquire the most positive experience possible from college affiliation and life on campus. The Committee wanted to encourage a healthy rivalry between colleges which would benefit both scholarship and undergraduate activities. This would be done by having the colleges within walking distance of one another so that all undergraduates could participate in activities together. The college system would involve faculty and students living and working together by being teaching colleges. Instead of having classes and residences separate, the university would offer lectures, tutorials and seminars in the colleges. In the report the Committee made recommendations as to the size and style of residential rooms needed and the size and style of furniture required. The report also specifies different room requirements such as junior and senior commons rooms, the college library, dining hall, tutorial offices, seminar rooms, lecture rooms, visitor's rooms, don's rooms, master's lodge, administrative offices and a Porter's lodge. The Committee continues to meet as one of the central means of coordinating the activities and policies of the colleges and the university. The Committee now serves a dual purpose to the Senate, on academic matters, and to the President, in an advisory capacity regarding buildings and finance. Members on the Committee are heads of colleges and representatives from dining services, health services, student health services and athletic services committees. The Committee has evolved to take under consideration off-campus housing, the supervisory system, selection of college heads, telephone directories, dining hall services, pub policies and college admissions besides many more concerns.
The Committee on Colleges served as one of the central means of coordinating the activities and policies of the colleges and the University. It served a dual purpose, reporting to Senate on academic matters, and to the President, in an advisory capacity regarding buildings and finance. It is composed of heads of colleges and representatives from dining services, student health services and athletic services committees. The Committee was also concerned with off-campus housing, the supervisory system, selection of college heads, telephone directories, dining hall services, pub policies, college admissions, etc.
The Trent University Computer Services Committee was originally established as a Presidential Advisory Committee in 1968. The members of the Committee were Professor Tyson (Chair), Professor Barret (Secretary), Professor Earnshaw, Mr. Lewis, Professor Stanford, Mr. Weinzweig, Mr. Pollock, and Professor Carter. By 1971, the committee had become a Standing Committee of the Senate with a mandate to ensure that faculty members were provided with access to a modern, high-speed computer, which was considered a basic requirement of research in many fields; to provide basic instruction in computer programming and in the capabilities and limitations of computers; and, to ensure that sufficient facilities were provided so that the computer could be regarded as a part of the average student's computational apparatus.
M. Margaret (Marnie) McCulloch was born in Peterborough, Ontario, in 1912. Known to her family and friends as “Marnie,” she was the daughter of Dr. Joseph Malcom McCulloch and Etta McCulloch (nee Eager). McCulloch attended Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational Institute and graduated in 1934 in "Moderns" from Trinity College, University of Toronto. She avidly supported the arts in Peterborough and funded a number of scholarships and awards for local secondary and post-secondary students attending educational institutions in the City. McCulloch was involved in the cultural life of Peterborough, becoming a member and supporter of several clubs, organizations and venues: Peterborough Golf Club, University Women’s Club, Women’s Art Association, Showplace Peterborough and the Shakespeare Club. She was also a founding member of the Peterborough Theatre Guild and of a Peterborough Civic Affairs Study Group comprised of local women who took turns attending City council meetings; the Group is credited with smoothing a path for the election of the first three women to municipal government in Peterborough. McCulloch enjoyed traveling and her many hundreds of slides attest to the places visited. McCulloch married John G. Edison Q.C. in 1994; she died in Peterborough in 2003 at the age of 91. Her obituary, published in the Peterborough Examiner, 25 March 2003, describes McCulloch (Edison) as a “life long active participant, supporter and many times catalyst of art, culture, religious and educational pursuits in Peterborough.”
Mary Margaret McCulloch and her parents were long-time contributors to Trent University. In 2001, they were honoured in a room-naming event held at the University’s Otonabee College. The plaque, hanging in Room 204, includes additional information about McCulloch and reads as follows:
“This room is named in honour of Mrs. Margaret (McCulloch) Edison and her parents Dr. J. Malcolm and Mary Etta (Eager) McCulloch. Margaret Edison served as Private Secretary to the Director of Naval Intelligence, Division 3 in Ottawa. “Marnie” returned to Peterborough after the war and was the Deputy Local Registrar at the Peterborough Court House. The community and her church were enriched by her commitment to volunteer work. Dr. McCulloch was a public school principal and then became a medical doctor. He practiced for 59 years in Peterborough and was a founding member of the Peterborough Clinic. Mrs. McCulloch was a teacher. She and her husband were both actively involved in their church and the community.”