Dr. Anne Keenleyside Legacy Honoured at Anthropology Colloquium

April 19, 2024

"Friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Anne Keenleyside present a gift to support students in her honour. Pictured left to right: Christopher Armitage, Dr. Joseph So, Dr. Jocelyn Williams, Patrick Butler, Dr. Paul Szpak, Dr. Jennifer Moore."

Gift from colleagues, friends of Trent professor to establish endowment in support of the annual event

A gift from colleagues and friends of the late Dr. Anne Keenleyside will establish an endowment in support of the Anthropology Colloquium, an annual event that provides an opportunity for students to showcase their research projects.

Announced at this year’s event on Thursday, April 11, 2024, the endowment will sustain the annual colloquium which will be renamed the Anne Keenleyside Colloquium in her memory. The gift was made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of her colleagues who wanted to honour her legacy.

"I believe that those of us who did know Anne all wish that those who did not have the good fortune of meeting her - could have. Her dedication to the Anthropology and Archaeology programs and our students was the perfect example of what sets our faculty apart from other institutions. It is only fitting that we honour our memories of Anne by naming this colloquium that highlights student accomplishments and research after her," remarked Christopher Armitage, director of portfolio operations and digital philanthropy, and former graduate student of Dr. Keenleyside. "We know the joy Anne would feel in knowing that this event will continue to thrive long into our future."

Trained as a bioarchaeologist, Professor Keenleyside joined the University in 2002 as an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and was promoted to associate professor in 2005. Prof. Keenleyside was also chair of the Department of Anthropology from 2013 to 2017 and served on numerous University and Departmental Committees. Her passion for anthropology was evident in her teaching - students were drawn to her enthusiasm and dedication, finding inspiration in her mentorship.

Prof. Keenleyside’s generosity goes far beyond the classroom. She made a remarkable legacy donation to establish the Anne Keenleyside Anthropology Prize, ensuring that future generations of students can pursue their academic passions. This prize will fund a $1,000 annual award granted to a third or fourth-year undergraduate student in anthropology or archaeology who has shown exceptional academic performance in biological anthropology.

As Prof. Keenleyside’s colleagues and friends stood together in tribute, it was evident that her contributions to the department of Anthropology – and its students - would be remembered for years to come.

Learn more about how Legacy Giving empowers the next generation to bring about momentous change.