From Holocaust Survivor to MOMENTOUS Resiliency Researcher

October 23, 2024

Dr. Karen Blair, Campaign for Momentous Change ambassador and associate professor of Psychology at Trent University, stands with Dr. Peter Suedfeld who delivered the inaugural Max Eisen Lecture.

Dr. Peter Suedfeld inspires Trent community during inaugural Max Eisen Lecture, generously made possible by philanthropy 

During Trent University’s inaugural Max Eisen Lecture, Dr. Peter Suedfeld inspired the audience by describing the trauma he and his Jewish family endured during the Second World War, how he survived by hiding in an orphanage with false papers, and how he went on to become a world-renowned researcher in the field of human resiliency.  

The professor emeritus, who graduated from Princeton University with a PhD in experimental psychology, said he has devoted his life to researching how people – including military leaders, astronauts, and those who’ve witnessed genocide – cope with some of the most severe and threatening environments known to humankind.  

“I’ve learned that people can overcome even the most dire environmental problems and some can even thrive afterwards,” he told the crowd of Trent staff, faculty, students, alumni, and community members, including members of the Beth Israel Synagogue, during the free public lecture through the Community Speaker Series. 

Dr. Suedfeld described the shattering of his family’s assumptive world of peace, stability, law, and order when anti-Semitic laws took hold in Hungary, stripping them of rights to own property, have romantic relationships with non-Jews, shop in certain stores, or access education. His talk described how Jewish people were murdered in the streets, forced into labour, and deported to concentration camps where many, including his mother, died.  

His message of hope was that trauma can reveal strength in survivors. “What doesn’t kill you can make you realize how strong you really are,” he said.  

BELOVED TRENT PROFESSOR ESTABLISHED LECTURE SERIES 

The Max Eisen Speaker Series was established by Carolyn Kay (1957-2023), a beloved Trent History professor emerita and past principal of Lady Eaton College. The inaugural lecture was supported through the generosity of Trent departments, staff, community groups, and individual community members.  

Trent alumna Cristy Doris ‘05 (Lady Eaton College) had been a student and friend of Professor Kay and attended the lecture in her honour. Cristy said she's thankful Trent provides free public lectures so she can re-immerse herself in academia.   

“I was also inspired by the message of hope, which is something (Professor Kay) always emphasized,” Cristy said.  

Trent student Bronwyn Lyttle said she was inspired by Dr. Suedfeld’s courageous telling of his family story and his personal resiliency. 

“It makes me feel like if he can get through all of that, then I can get through anything,” she said.

Learn more by watching the full lecture.

Sharing knowledge is one of the ways Trent University gives back to our host communities and provides lifelong learning experiences to alumni. Each year, Trent offers Community Speaker Series lectures featuring visiting faculty and experts, sharing ideas on subjects such as the Environment, Gender & Women's Studies, Business & Society, Chemistry, Cultural Studies, and Indigenous Studies. Thanks to generous support, these talks are free and open to the Trent and broader communities. Learn more about this year’s exciting Fall lineup.