Moments That Matter

Trent has once again been named Ontario’s top undergraduate university in the 2026 Maclean’s rankings, also earning #1 in student awards, student services, medical/science grants, and best overall reputation, placing among the top five undergraduate universities nationally in each.

One of Canada’s foremost Arctic scholars, Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer, has been awarded the Governor General’s Polar Medal, among the country’s highest honours for polar research and service. His work with Northern communities and the Canadian Rangers is community-centred policy and advancing knowledge of Arctic governance, Northern sovereignty and security.

The Excalibur women’s lacrosse team claimed the Patterson Cup with a commanding championship performance in Waterloo, securing the program’s fourth OUA title. Led by head coach Jocelyne Lemay, the team now looks ahead to hosting next year’s championship at Justin Chiu Stadium from October 16 - 18, 2026.

Dr. Wesley Burr is the recipient the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Teaching Award, one of Ontario’s highest honours for university educators. At Trent, he rebuilt the statistics curriculum, created 11 new courses and a new specialization within Mathematics, and launched mastery-based grading in Canada.

Drs. Whitney Lackenbauer, Anne Pasek, and Naomi Nichols will continue their nationally recognized work in Arctic sovereignty, climate and media, and community-based social justice, supported by renewed Canada Research Chair appointments. These renewals reflect the extraordinary calibre and sustained impact of Trent’s research community.

Destiny Vimalendiran (Gzowski College), a Forensic Science and Business joint major, is one of four Ontario students selected to receive the Fessenden-Trott Scholarship. The prestigious award recognizes academic distinction and leadership already evident in her work as a student leader and campus ambassador.

Translating science fiction demands both scholarly precision and creative invention. Trent’s Dr. Sylvie Bérard and collaborator Suzanne Grenier reimagined Larissa Lai’s The Tiger Flu, crafting new language and cultural textures in Les Sœurs de la Muée, earning them a Governor General’s Literary Award.

The Patterson-Ainsley Collection, a 47-piece gift of blown glass, painting, photography, and mixed media, is now accessible across Trent’s campuses and through a new on-line gallery. It is the largest collection of its kind at a Canadian university and a striking addition to campus life.

Election to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars marks a pres-tigious national honour for Dr. Bharati Sethi, whose research advances equity  and inclusion for newcomers, racialized communities, and aging populations. It is  one of the country’s highest scholarly distinctions.

Trent Durham GTA has launched Canada’s first B.A. in Artificial Intelligence (AI) plus a B.Sc. in AI, preparing students to engage emerging technologies with insight and responsibility. It also boasts a new Black Studies specialization and Black Life and Community Knowledge Lab to strengthen research and action rooted in equity and systemic change.