Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area’s first fundraising campaign, to support a new residence and academic building, has exceeded its goal, raising $5.6 million.
“The success of our Campaign for Trent Durham is a sign of resilience, dedication and hope in this uncertain time and a nod to the bright future of students, graduates and the Region of Durham,” says Dr. Scott Henderson, dean and head of Trent University Durham GTA. “We thank the Trent family and all of the generous donors who have invested in our students’ success and this community’s future.”
The campaign, which launched in March 2019 with a $5 million fundraising goal, was pivotal to the creation of a new residence – a first for the Trent Durham campus – which is part of a state-of-the-art academic building that opened in September 2020. The expansion integrates both residence and academic space and features a 200-bed residence, 100-seat tiered lecture hall, two 64-seat classrooms, research space, student common spaces, new green space, and faculty offices.
Strong partnerships and collaboration between local government and community partners were key to the success of the campaign. The City of Oshawa supported the expansion through a donation of 1.8 acres of land, while the Region of Durham gifted $1.42 million, said a statement.
“We thank the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham for sharing our vision and investing in a campaign that represents hope and progress,” says Doug Kirk ’70, campaign executive co-chair, Trent alumnus and president of Durham Radio.
Kirk launched the campaign with a $500,000 gift and helped close the campaign, inspiring others to double their impact by matching all donations received by November 30, 2020, up to $100,000, which resulted in over $220,000 of support to complete the campus expansion.
Kirk adds: “My Trent education equipped me with the skills that have helped make my career a success. In today’s competitive economy, it’s more important than ever that we invest in the next generation.”
Honorary campaign chair Dr. Katie Taylor, one of Canada’s most influential and powerful citizens and the first woman to chair the board of a major Canadian bank, also played a lead role in the campaign.
The overall success of the Campaign for Trent Durham is also tied to the generosity of numerous donors across the local and Trent communities, including business leaders and community members, as well as Trent Durham staff and faculty.
Looking forward, phase two of the Campaign for Trent Durham, now underway, will continue to strengthen and grow the university’s presence in the Durham Region by supporting students with increased financial support and through the development of enhanced career-boosting experiences for students.