My Trinity connections
I chose Trinity because I wanted to study international relations, and Trinity was the only school that offered a truly interdisciplinary IR program. As a Loran Scholar, I was fortunate to be able to live in residence all four years, which was transformative for me.
Being from New Brunswick, I really found community at Trinity, and it became my home away from home. I made lifelong friends, including Caroline Ross ’12, Aberdeen Berry ’12, Jasmeet Sidhu ’10 and Taryn McKenzie-Mohr ’13.
There were a lot of opportunities to get involved. I was the President of the Trinity Environmental Club, the Lit was a fun way to improve my public speaking skills, and I was active in the Trinity College Meeting, Trinity College Corporation, and the Board of Trustees.
I was also elected Head of College in third year.
Why I give
I’ve been a monthly donor since I graduated — it wasn’t a lot, but I felt it was important. In my mid-30s I started thinking longer-term and I decided to make a will. And it made perfect sense to me to include a planned gift to Trinity.
Participating in Trinity’s governance for over 10 years — as a student and then as an alumna — highlighted for me the impact that donors have on the student experience. It also opened my eyes to the importance of unrestricted giving. And I have complete trust in the very engaged and competent professionals and volunteers at the College to decide where my donation can be best used to benefit Trinity.
I’m also excited about the direction the College is headed in when it comes to sustainability. I was part of the student team that oversaw the installation of rooftop solar panels at the College when I lived on campus. The power generated by those panels is sold back to the City of Toronto and the proceeds fund 25 student bursaries! I was proud to be part of that.
Seeing the Lawson Centre for Sustainability taking shape on campus, along with the amazing academic offerings now available through the Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream, aligns with my personal values and reinforces my commitment to the College.
What I get back
I had memorable and formative experiences at Trinity that have had a positive impact on my life since then. Giving back as a member of the Trinity community helps me maintain my sense of connection to the College. It feels good knowing that I am helping make other Trinity students’ experiences even better, and I want to be part of Trinity’s next chapter.
Becoming a member of the Gerald Larkin Society
When I was Head of College, I was invited to the Gerald Larkin Society luncheon, which is an annual gathering of alumni and friends who have included Trinity College in their Wills. I absolutely loved it – the atmosphere, the conversations, the feeling of connection to different generations of the Trinity community.
So, when I was doing some estate planning last year, part of that process was considering gifts to organizations that are impactful. And Trinity is on that list for me. I am now a proud member of the Gerald Larkin Society in addition to being a monthly donor – and I’m looking forward to meeting with fellow Society members!