On September 7th, the School for the Study of Canada hosted a reception for incoming and returning students in the newly renovated Senior Common Room at Traill College. 

The reception recognized the retirement of Professor Michele Lacombe who has taught in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies at Trent since 1988 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

During a brief speech in recognition of Lacombe’s contributions to Trent, Dr. Mark Dickinson remarked upon his personal experiences as a student and current colleague of Lacombe.

“Michele had no trouble seeing me as part of the academy, even through the prospect seemed hard for me to grasp,” Dickinson said. Adding that Lacombe “accepted me as a colleague from the very beginning.” 

Lacombe addressed the crowd of current students and acknowledged her gratitude to Trent and Canadian Studies in particular for allowing her the freedom to conduct research and teach across and between disciplines. 

She also noted the changing nature of the fields and noted that as Canadian Studies celebrates its fiftieth anniversary at Trent this year “the next 50 years belongs to you.”

Lacombe is currently engaged in a research project entitled “Wabanaki Writings: Aspects of New Brunswick and Maine Cultures and Communities” which has earned her a Fulbright Canada Research Chair. She will be completing this research at the University of Arizona at Tucson. As a part of her retirement gift, Dr. Heather Nicol thoughtfully presented Lacombe with a cactus.

The event also served as an opportunity to recognize the achievements of undergraduate students with a series of prizes for excellence in coursework and essays on topics concerning Canadian Studies and/or Indigenous Studies.

As Nicol announced the winners, she remarked upon the difficulty of making the final decisions and how good it was to be able to hold a ceremony for these students for the first time in three years. 

The prizes honour the memories of alumni and their family members, something Administrative Assistant Jeannine Crowe said speaks to the School’s sense of and respect for history and community in keeping their memories and work alive.  

In total, seven undergraduate students in attendance took home awards on Wednesday afternoon: 

Peterborough Historical Atlas Prize: Morgan Loughlin

Symons Essay Prize 1st year: Keara-Lynn Douglas

Symons Essay Prize 2nd year: Ashley Battista

Carolyn Thomson Scholarships: Keira Essex and Elisa Knight

Ralph McEwen Scholarship in Canadian Literature: Brittany Nichols

Mary L. Northway Scholarship: Alexa Grandy

As the formal part of the event concluded, Professors, undergraduate, and graduate students alike remained for conversation, demonstrating the unique way in which Traill fosters connections between people at all stages of their academic careers. 

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