Celebrating the Community Builders Behind Traill’s Historic Endowment Achievement 

April 28, 2025

Thanks to the vision, generosity and enduring spirit of its supporters, Traill becomes the first of Trent’s Colleges to fulfill its $1-million endowment 

Thanks to the passionate and generous Traill Community, a quiet renaissance has been unfolding at Catharine Parr Traill College over the past six years. From the restoration of beloved historic buildings to the creation of dynamic new gathering spaces, this revitalization has deepened the sense of belonging within an already tight-knit community.  

These transformative changes were made possible through the passionate alumni, staff, faculty, and community members. Their generosity to various projects at the College and through the Traill Endowment Fund has breathed new life into spaces such as Wallis Hall, Kerr House and Fry Lodge; built the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre; and created unique programming such as the Traill Filmmaker in Residence and a 60th anniversary boat cruise. 

Now, Traill is proudly celebrating its supporters for a milestone moment: becoming the first of Trent’s Colleges to reach its $1-million endowment goal. 

“Traill has always been a dynamic collegiate space where students come to be challenged, inspired, and transformed,” said Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “It’s where lifelong friendships are born, where minds are sharpened through late-night debates and early morning coffees at The Trend, and where distinguished alumni return - not just with memories, but with a desire to give back. Reaching this $1-million milestone is a testament to your belief in what Traill stands for. Your generosity is not only preserving the past - it’s building the future for a new generation of Traillites.” 

Headed by Momentous Campaign champion Greg Piasetzki ’72 (Traill), the Traill Endowment Campaign took on the ambitious goal to raise $1 million and Piasetzki’s personal matching-gift opportunity helped the endowment surpass the goal.  

“I have been enamoured with Traill since I first set foot on the campus in the Fall of ’72 as a science student,” Piasetzki says. “Trent’s unique College system made me grow as a person as I met and mingled with people from different academic disciplines and various personal backgrounds. I’ll always be thankful for its transformative power and am delighted to give back to a place that gave me so much.”  

The Traill campaign received meaningful contributions from many dedicated supporters including Barbara Finlayson-Pitts ’66, former Peterborough mayor Daryl Bennett, Dave Wallbridge ’96, John Butcher ’67, Margie Lightbody ’64, Mark Betteridge ’70 (Mark Betteridge & Associates MBA Inc.), Patricia Townsend ’65,  Dr. Ralph Heintzman ’12 (hon),  and Will Dodge ’91. 

The late Margie and Robert Lightbody ’64, members of Traill’s first class, were lifelong passionate Trent supporters. Their children Tamara and Deb directed a portion of the Lightbody estate funds to the Traill Endowment, which ensured the Endowment surpassed its goal.  

“My parents were trailblazers in every sense,” said Tamara. “They were among the first to walk through Traill’s doors, and now, they’re part of its future too. It’s a beautiful legacy.”  

Are you a passionate Traillite? Help support the Traill College Capital Fund, so that future generations will continue to enjoy all your favourite Traill spaces and those yet to be imagined.