Trinity 2017: A Year in Review
This year at Trinity College, we celebrated exciting milestones, honoured our traditions and recognized important community accomplishments. As another year comes to an end, we take a look back at some of the amazing moments of 2017.
January
On January 10, 2017, the Faculty of Divinity turned 175! In 1852, Bishop Strachan created Trinity College to serve as an Anglican university in the growing capital. The Diocesan Theological Institution relocated its Divinity students to Toronto and along with 18 Arts students and five Medical students, the group formed the new Trinity College.
February
In February, a new accessibility lift to the Junior Common Room opened. Located outside of Strachan Hall, the new JCR Lift (stair platform lift) is positioned beside the Vertical C Lift, which provides accessible access from the main floor of Trinity College to Strachan Hall. The project was co-funded by the Student Capital Fund, Trinity College and alumni, including the Class of 1967 who celebrated their 50th reunion in 2017.
March
In March, a new green wall was installed in The Buttery. Adding both beauty and health benefits to the space, the initiative was led by Trinity student Danielle Pal. The green wall includes nine species of preserved plants and requires no maintenance (no sunlight, water or energy).
In March, we also held the last ConnecTRIN event of the academic year. This important initiative provides current students with the opportunity to connect with recent Trinity grads for career-support, mentorship and networking. At the event, more than 100 students and alumni joined us for a special Community High Table in Strachan Hall. After dinner, a reception and talk on business etiquette, professional conduct and career tips was held.
April
While students were busy completing their finals, U of T BEES unwrapped their hives on the roof of Henderson Tower! Trinity’s beehives are one of the many green initiatives on campus which also include solar panels, a roof garden, a new geothermal system, rainwater reclamation, and Fair Trade Campus designation.
May
After 15 years, Professor David Neelands stepped down as Dean of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies. Prof. Neelands began his career at Trinity College as a full-time lecturer. Later, he served as Registrar, Dean of Men and finally as Dean of Divinity. Though he says he won’t miss the daily deluge of emails and meetings, Prof. Neelands is enthusiastic about continuing his role as a professor at Trinity.
June
Trinity College’s “Conversations with the Chancellor” offers members of the Trinity community an incredible opportunity to hear from a variety of accomplished, notable speakers. In June, Chancellor Bill Graham welcomed special guest Lieutenant-General Romèo Dallaire (video). General Romèo Dallaire has brought national and international attention to situations too often ignored, whether the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide, the recruitment and use of child soldiers or, most recently, the struggle military veterans face with post-traumatic stress disorder.
At Spring Reunion 2017, Trinity alumni and friends were treated to a tour of the new Trinity College Archives. This incredible new space has provided much needed archival storage as well as a designated reading room for researchers (The Virginia and Peter McLaughlin Room for Archival Study). Trinity has been fortunate to receive support for the new archives from generous donors, the students of Trinity College and the Friends of the Library. We hope the new archives will encourage student use, facilitate scholarship and provide a focal point to inform visitors, students and alumni about the people, buildings and events that shaped Trinity College.
July
Happy Birthday Canada! On July 1, 2017, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Trinity College joined others across the nation to mark this special occasion.
August
How are we making sure our historic buildings meet the needs of 21st century students? Provost Mayo Moran and Hart House Warden John Monahan ’87 discussed both the beauty and challenges of the Trinity and Hart House campuses. Provost Moran also discussed the importance of place at Trinity College and invited members of the community to help us envision our future campus.
At the end of August, our Queen Elizabeth Scholarship recipients returned from their internships abroad.This amazing program allows students to travel to Commonwealth countries and participate in research projects in either of Trinity’s two streams: Immunology or Establishing Right Relations. Students interested in next summer’s internships should submit their applications by December 31!
September
Once again, many members of the Trinity community were recognized for their outstanding volunteer service at the University of Toronto’s Arbor Awards Ceremony. We are so grateful for the incredible contibutions made by all those who received 2017 University of Toronto Arbor Awards.
October
In October, our dedicated Friends of the Library organized another successful Annual Book Sale. The proceeds from Trinity’s Annual Book Sale support many projects and activities of Trinity’s John W. Graham Library.
November
On Wednesday, November 22, the Rev’d Dr. Chris Brittain was installed as Trinity’s new Dean of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies. Held during the Choral Evensong service, the installation was officiated by the Most Rev’d Colin Johnson, Archbishop of Toronto. Trinity’s Vice-Provost and Dean of Arts Prof. Michael Ratcliffe and Humphrys Chaplain the Rev’d Andrea Budgey also participated in the ceremony.
December
Now that December has arrived, things are getting festive around Trinity College. Once again, we held our annual Christmas High Table and we were also lucky enough to have some snow in the Trinity Quad. This photo, courtesy of the Trinity College Archives, shows the original Trinity College site on Queen St. W. in the winter (circa 1900).
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
Categories: College News; Discover Trinity