[0:00 - 1:58] : Introduction Music Plays [This is History Narrated by: Ann-Majella McKelvie, President, Trent Central Student Association, Peterborough/Symons Campus; Rayna Porter, President, Trent Durham Student Association, Durham GTA; Sandra Klemet-N’guessan, President, Trent Graduate Students’ Association] Ann-Majella McKelvie: Today we are creating history. Rayna Porter: Today we are creating history. Sandra Klemet- N’guessan: Today we are creating history. Ann-Majella McKelvie: During a moment that has managed to both bring us together and push us apart in shared isolation, we are witnessing and reacting to events never experienced before. Rayna Porter: The unimaginable happened, a highly contagious virus began affecting communities worldwide at first it seemed like a distant worry too far off to really comprehend, until suddenly it was here in Canada, in Ontario and in our communities, Peterborough and Durham region. Then the unprecedented happened the World As We Knew It Started shutting down first, sporting events then, concerts and then businesses and institutions. Sandra Klemet- N’guessan: But this University born of community generosity in 1964 responded to the crisis with that same Community Spirit; donating personal protective equipment, food freezers, and even providing a home away from home for front-line workers. Rayna Porter: Trent students meanwhile showed our resilience, our strength, we persevered, we finished out our classes, we completed our exams, we became the first cohort to finish their education completely online and we should be proud. History will record how we responded to this adversity. Ann- Majella McKelvie: Which is why you are gathered here today, together apart to celebrate you, the graduates of 2020. We have worked hard not just this year but for two, four or more and throughout those years we succeeded through classes, exams, papers, presentations, labs and everything else student life could throw at us. We made friendships that will last a lifetime. Met influential teachers and mentors, and gained experiences and lessons that have shaped who we are in our path ahead. Sandra Klemet- N’guessan: In Peterborough students made the breathtaking New Student Center possible Rayna Porter: In Durham we saw the groundbreaking of a new building to accommodate the exponential growth of the campus Ann Majella McKelvie: Grad studies saw a huge increase in students and many new programs. Sandra Klemet- N’guessan: We enjoyed ourselves in clubs and groups with our friends and classmates. We have had the best times together and we've been there for each other through some of the most difficult times. We will never forget our Trent days and how we have benefited from this amazing University and the people in the Trent community. Ann Majella McKelvie: And now sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the show! And we’ll see you in person at Convocation next spring! [5:04 End of this is History] [5:07 Dr. Michael Eamon and Dr. Melanie Buddle appear on screen] Michael Eamon: Hello everyone, I am Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catherine Park Trail college. Melanie Buddle: And I am Dr. Melanie Buddle and I am principal of Peter Gzowski college. Together Michael and I represent the oldest and the youngest colleges at Trent University Michael Eamon: But today it’s about being a part of a much much bigger community, and in fact everyone from Trent Durham GTA to Peterborough Trent campus, we are representing everyone today. Melanie Buddle: And we are here to celebrate grad from your pad 2020 as a celebration of your accomplishments. Michael Eamon: As we all know it's been a pretty crazy time in this Covid era, we've had to socially separate, we've had to redo how we do our even shopping, and our everyday things we've had to go back home with our families, sometimes it's worked out sometimes it hasn't worked out. Look at Melanie and I right now, we have to socially separate even to be with you today Melanie Buddle: And actually, that's not that hard for us. We hate being next to one another. This is very difficult. Michael Eamon: It's a little too close for comfort for me but anyways I'm so glad that you can see us today from the comfort of your own home. Melanie Buddle: We are here as your emcees today for grad from your pad and to introduce some of our special guests for you Michael Eamon: And our first very special guest is Dr. Leo Groarke who is our vice chair and the president of Trent University. [6:23 Leo Groarke appears on screen] Leo Groarke: Good morning my name is Leo Groarke I consider myself lucky to be the eighth President and Vice Chancellor of Trent. I want to begin by acknowledging that Trent University is located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. Today, as always we offer our gratitude to our first peoples for their care for, and teachings about our Earth and our relations, may we honour those teachings. I have the distinct honor on behalf of the entire Trent community to congratulate our graduating students on their convocation. The completion of your university degree is a monumental accomplishment, and the pinnacle in the life of a student it's an achievement that deserves a celebration and that is exactly what we want to do here to pay tribute to you our newest graduates. Today as we celebrate Grad from your pad I join you from my own pad on the podium of the battle library in full regalia, except for my green Converse running shoes which our new tradition recently established by our new Chancellor. Today is the first time that I've had the honour of addressing all our graduates together in a single message that highlights one of many unique moments of virtual togetherness we could not have anticipated a few short months ago. I hope that as this message reaches you wherever you may be you are safe and healthy surrounded in person or virtually by your circle of support, your parents and families partner spouses and friends to them I extend a welcome and offer my own words of thanks to those special supporters, we're looking forward to a time when we can all gather together in person again at a convocation next spring. To our graduates today I will say that you are merging with your degrees at an extraordinary moment of uncertainty there has been stress and sadness but I can also say that our community has been truly extraordinary. Over the past couple of months the commitment the Compassion of the community mindedness that I have seen from our community has been truly inspiring. As you look forward to the path may be uncertain, your passion, dedication and experiences at Trent will help you navigate the road ahead. Today does not mark the end of something but rather the beginning of something new, you are not leaving the Trent community but joining the ranks of prestigious Trent alumni which include famous authors, scientists, artists, religious and political leaders, as well as teachers, researchers, medical practitioners, and all-round good citizens. Stay Well keep connected. I hope to see you back on campus soon. [9:33 Leo Groarke leaves] [9:34 Michael Eamon and Melanie Buddle appear on screen] Michael Eamon: Thanks again President Groakre for the inspirational words. It is so great also to see those green shoes that you're wearing you know that is something unique about Trent you can always tell Melanie someone who's gone to Trent for so many reasons one of them is they like wearing green from their feet to their head that's Trent right you're wearing green what are some other things that are so quintessentially Trent; going on the George North instead of taking the Trent express who here has been trapped on the George North and thinking why didn't I get on the Trent express you know I thought was a good idea at the time but... Melanie Buddle: absolutely sure you're not at your house trends Durham students also have some signs that they went to Trent Durham so one of those would be if you're a Trent Durham GTA student how many of you have gotten lost in the faculty cubicles and I hope that you haven't got lost in the back of the cubicle for this guy dr. Scott Henderson your dean and head of Treasure of GTA so we'd like to give a warm welcome to dr. Scott Henderson now and listen carefully for what year he graduated from Trent. [10:37 Melanie Buddle and Michael Eamon leave and Scott Henderson appears on screen] Scott Henderson: Welcome Trent University graduates and all of the family, friends, and peers that have supported you and your educational Journey. I'm so pleased to have you join us today. My name is Dr. Scott Henderson and I'm the Dean and head Trent University of Durham GTA campus. I began this exciting rule just about one year ago and what a year it has been Ive quickly become endeared with this special campus while getting to know the students that contribute to the phenomenal intimate Community energy. The Faculty that push the boundaries of learning inside and outside of the classroom, and the staff that offer exceptional services. it's been a year we have seen excitement that includes the construction of our new residents and academic space, a successful fundraising campaign that will provide additional financial supports for Trent Durham students in the future, and celebrating the first graduation cohorts for my exclusive Trent Durham programs including child and youth studies honours and the Masters of management.