Trent awards six alumni
Brianna Salmon, Robert Gauvreau receive Young Alumni Awards
Six Trent University alumni are being honoured with 2017 Alumni Awards for their accomplishments and contributions to the community.
For the first time ever, the awards are being presented over multiple ceremonies.
The Young Alumni Awards were presented to GreenUp executive director Brianna Salmon and Gauvreau and Associates Chartered Professional Accountants president/CEO Robert Gauvreau on Aug. 22 during a luncheon at Alumni House at Trent University’s Symons Campus.
Some of the other awards will be presented to recipients in their own communities across Canada, according to a release form the university.
Future Alumni Awards honouring international graduates will even be delivered at events around the world, the release states.
The awards program honours chosen alumni in three award categories: the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Spirit of Trent Award, and the Young Leader Award.
Here are the citations for the six 2017 Alumni Award recipients:
Brianna Salmon ‘10
Best known in Peterborough as the executive director for GreenUp, Brianna Salmon has been instrumental in creating and helping grow programs such as B!KE: The Peterborough Cycling Hub, the Peterborough Pulse festival, and the Active Neighbourhoods Canada Peterborough Project.
Most recently, Salmon has been a key driver behind a multi-sector co-ordinating committee’s application to have the PeterboroughKawartha-Haliburton region recognized as a UNESCO Regional Centre of Excellence in Sustainability Education.
Bob Gauvreau ‘01
As a chartered accountant, entrepreneur, and business leader, Mr. Gauvreau has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2010 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship; the Peterborough This Week Readers’ Choice award for best accountant in both 2011 and 2012; and the 2017 Peterborough This Week Reader’s Choice Diamond Award Winner for accountant and Platinum Award winner in the category of accounting firm.
In 2014, he was named as a Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Top 4 under 40 business leader. In 2016 he was named Canada’s only affiliate of Tony Robbins’ business advisory team.
Gauvreau’s volunteer efforts include work with the accounting program at Fleming College and a role as founding member of the HOPE Foundation. He is a founding member of Venture North business incubation program.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Garry Cubitt ’67
Garry Cubitt has worked with Durham Region since its formation, becoming chief administrative officer in 1993. For more than 42 years he has served the public sector, beginning his career as a social worker.
With nearly 2,000 employees under his leadership, Cubitt’s guidance has been instrumental in meeting the increasing demands of a region that is growing exponentially. During his time as CAO, Durham Region has grown from 203,925 households with a population of 606,750 in 2008 to 224,810 households and a total population of 658,175 in 2017.
Among his volunteer efforts, Cubitt was the founding chairman of the board of University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), is former chairman of the Durham College board of governors, and currently sits on Trent University’s board of governors. Most recently, he was instrumental in helping develop the Trent University Alumni Association’s strategic directions plan.
Spirit of Trent Award: Caleb Smith ‘93
The driving force behind the Trent University Rugby booster club, Caleb Smith has helped raise a significant amount of financial support for the operation of the current rugby program.
Smith was the chairman of the Trent Rugby 50th anniversary event. He has also maintained a leadership role in Ontario rugby as a player, coach, convener, and member of the Ontario Rugby Union board of directors.
Smith was a lead organizer for the Trent 50th Anniversary Athletics Reunion. He has been president of the Niagara Chapter of the Alumni Association for the past decade.
Spirit of Trent Award: Robin Quantick ‘78
A member of Trent’s board of governors, Robin Quantick has served on several prominent board committees during his tenure, notably nominating and governance; finance and property; investment and pension; and audit. He was also an integral member of both the Presidential Advisory Committee in 2013 and the Presidential Search Committee in 2014.
Quantick is a long-time active member of the Trent Alumni Association, including service on its executive.Away from Trent, Quantick has been recognized by the Frontenac Heritage Society for his work in heritage preservation in the Kingston area, notably in heritage building restoration. He has offered his consultancy services pro bono to Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Quantick helped found Project Beyshick, a youth mentoring program focused on business career development for Aboriginal Canadians aged 21 to 35 years. He continues to take an active role in the project.
Spirit of Trent Award: Dr. Spencer J. Harrison ‘97
As an advocate for inclusion, support, and basic human rights for LGBTQ and marginalized communities, Spencer J. Harrison marries public activism with personal mentorship and guidance. Recently named the Ontario director for Camp fYrefly, he will be instrumental launching this first-of-its kind program in Ontario – to be held at Trent this upcoming summer.
With an extensive list of teaching positions, exhibitions, and residencies, Harrison’s passion for art and activism has touched thousands of lives. His impressive list of awards includes: The Kenner Collegiate Wall of Honour, the OCAD University BLG Equity Teaching Award, the OCAD NonTenured Teaching Award and the OISE/U of Toronto Artistin-Residence, Education and Innovation Award.