Former Trent chairwoman donates $1.13M to university as legacy gift
When a former chairwoman of Trent University left the institution sizeable legacy gift, she wanted it to be used daringly.
The late Jalynn Bennett donated $1.13 million to Trent, encouraging the university to do something “bold, audacious and effective.”
Bennett, who devoted nearly 30 years of service to Trent, died in January 2015.
She joined the board of governors in 1987, as one of only two women on the board at the time.
Bennett played key roles on several board committees before becoming vice-chairwoman, and then chairwoman in 1994. She served as chairwoman until 1999.
During her years at Trent, Bennett was passionate about its environment, leadership and sustainability.
Trent is directing funds to enhance the university’s natural setting, advance academic excellence, increase engagement with local and First Nation communities, and enrich the student experience.
Leo Groarke, Trent’s president, said Bennett was a trailblazer who showed leadership in everything she undertook.
“I think she would be pleased to see that her gift will make an enormous difference in very tangible ways right across the university’s campuses, and in the spirt of Trent’s current tagline ... Challenge the Way You Think,” Groarke stated in a release.
The legacy gift will benefit a nature areas stewardship plan as well as the enhancement to natural areas, trails and teaching spaces. Funds will support student and public involvement during the review and be invested in teaching shelters, trail improvements and other resources to enhance natural areas.
Money will also be put toward the construction of a new, stateof-the-art crime scene training facility for Trent’s masters in forensic science program.
Trent’s relatively new program is the first in Canada.
As part of Trent’s new public sculpture initiative, funds will be used to buy nationally significant sculptures. The initiative launches Friday, during Peterborough Artsweek celebrations.
Trent will also to the gift to recognize Mississauga Anishinaabeg as the treaty and First Nations people of the area. There’ll be honorific naming across the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses, information panels and enhancement of sacred and Indigenous teaching spaces.
Furthermore, funds will help expand the Durham GTA campus and add several new facilities. A vibrant natural and social space will connect the current and new building.
Lastly, Traill College on London St. will get an amphitheatre. The new outdoor performance space is meant to enhance engagement with the local arts community.