Provost’s Message to the Trinity Community
Our Kanzan (or Kwanzan) cherry blossoms are blooming! (front lawn of Trinity College: May 6, 2026)
Dear Members of the Trinity College Community:
As the 2025-2026 academic year comes to a close, it’s a great time to step back and review all that we have accomplished together.
Congratulations to our students: your achievements, perseverance and willingness to challenge ideas and find creative solutions fill us all with admiration and pride. Whether you are graduating this spring or returning to campus this fall, I know your future will be full of possibilities. Thank you to our staff and faculty for your purposeful work and unwavering commitment to students and the community. And to our alumni – you carry our mission into the world, and your continued connection, volunteerism and philanthropic support strengthens the College and inspires future generations.
Looking ahead, we have so much to celebrate. Opening in the coming months, the Lawson Centre for Sustainability will provide critical new spaces for students to live, learn and grow. Already recognized with two international awards for sustainable design, the new building embodies our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We are also immensely grateful to Chancellor Brian Lawson and Joannah Lawson for their vision and ongoing support with an additional $5 million gift to support the new building and the Integrated Sustainability Initiative. The Lawson Centre will formally open to the community in early September and we look forward to showing you the newest addition to campus then – please stay tuned for details.
At the Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting for the Lawson Centre for Sustainability on April 30, 2026: (photo left) Trinity College Provost Nicholas Terpstra, Joannah and Brian Lawson, and U of T President Melanie Woodin; and (photo right) Brian and Joannah Lawson on the pavilion balcony with Provost Nicholas Terpstra, former Provost Mayo Moran, and architects from Mecanoo and RDHA who brought the vision of this new leading-edge sustainable building to life. (Photos by Horst Herget and Ana White)
We are also preparing to celebrate Trinity’s 175th anniversary, or for Latin aficionados dodransbicentennial, in 2027! The cornerstone for the original Trinity building in today’s Trinity Bellwoods Park was laid on April 30, 1851, and we celebrated that anniversary date with a ribbon-cutting at the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, which marks another new beginning. Today, we are proud that 2,400 students from around the world are part of our special College community. This fall, we will be sharing our plans and the ways that all of you can get involved to mark this special milestone.
While we reflect on our storied past, we remain steadfast in the shared commitment to academic excellence that defines our community. I encourage you to take a look at the Trinity College Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which sets out our call to action for the coming years. The plan is framed under four strategic pillars – Renew, Revisit, Revitalize and Reinvigorate – that affirm our vision for Trinity’s future. We have already made progress on a number of items and look forward to working collaboratively with many of you to realize our goals and advance sustainability as a shared value of active practice.
On July 1, we will welcome our new Dean of Arts & Vice-Provost Professor Hang-Sun Kim, an accomplished administrator, outstanding scholar and inspiring role model. We thank outgoing Dean of Arts, Professor Kevin O’Neill, for his leadership in the academic program, including the academic strategic plan that will enliven our intellectual community in the years ahead.
This week, our Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice held its inaugural international conference: Navigating Conflict: Humanistic Buddhism and Comparative Theology in a Divided World. For three days, scholars, monastics, practitioners and theologians from around the world discussed how religious traditions intersect in an age of global pluralism and shared humanity. At the opening ceremony on May 6 (photo above: right), we unveiled the plaque (photo above: left) that will be posted at the Institute’s new quarters in the Gerald Larkin Building. The Institute is made possible by a generous donation from the Fo Guang Shan religious order based in Taiwan and represents an important step toward long-term intercultural and interreligious collaboration. (Photos by Aaron Dumpala)
On May 12 we will hold the Faculty of Divinity Convocation, celebrating with our newest graduates and prize winners, giving honorary doctorates to The Right Reverend Sally Johnson French and The Right Reverend Victoria Matthews and appointing The Reverend Canon W. David Neelands as an Honorary Fellow. Everyone is welcome to join in the day’s events, beginning with a panel discussion at 10:30 am – Called to be Priests and Prophets: Ordained Women Then, Now and Next. There will be a Eucharist service at 2 pm in the Trinity Chapel and Divinity Convocation will follow at 3:30 pm in Strachan Hall.
For our Arts & Science graduands, we look forward to celebrating with you at Trinity’s Graduation Awards Ceremony on June 9. Spring Convocation will follow on June 10, with speaker the Hon. Catherine McKenna (Trinity’s International Relations program grad!). And we hope Trinity alumni from near and far return to campus for Reunion 2026 from June 14 to 20 (view programming and events).
Trinity College is a place where a strong sense of community is ever present and the student experience remains central to everything we do. From intellectual conversations, mentorship opportunities and social gatherings to informal occasions to simply break bread together – thank you for being a part of our remarkable community. Please see below for photo highlights from the 2026 winter term.
I wish you a wonderful summer, and I look forward to what we will achieve together in the coming year.
Yours truly,
Professor Nicholas Terpstra
Provost & Vice-Chancellor
2026 Winter Term at Trinity College
We have so much to celebrate as a community. Below is a snapshot of the winter term, along with student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments. (Click here for photo highlights from the 2025 fall term)
Sacred Space: Finding, Fabricating, Fashioning
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Trinity College Chapel, last November, the Faculty of Divinity hosted an interdisciplinary conference titled “Sacred Space: Conflicts and Convergences,” where scholars explored the multifaceted concept of sacred space and its role in contemporary society. On April 12 and 13, the second round of scholarly explorations and interdisciplinary discussions was held – “Sacred Space: Finding, Fabricating, Fashioning,” with lectures, tours, musical performances, and opportunities for networking and reflection (photos by the Faculty of Divinity).
Earth Month: April
We celebrated Earth Month (April 2026) with activities and actions that reflect our community’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. (Photos: Campus Clean-Up Day by Cam McBurney)
Last Lecture 2026
Celebrating with Trinity’s Arts & Science Class of 2026! At the annual Last Lecture on April 1, students gathered to celebrate their coming graduation in June. This year, the lecturers were (photo left): alumni – Chancellor Brian Lawson and Joannah Lawson; faculty – Professor Randy Boyagoda (Trinity alum); and graduating student – Eugene Seo (photo right: at podium). Thank you to our fantastic speakers for their reflections and inspiring words, to all those who helped organize the event, and especially to our graduating Class of 2026. (photos by Horst Herget)
Community of Learning
- Photo left: Provost Nicholas Terpstra, Professor John Meehan and a group of International Relations program students attended the Annual Gala 2026 – Reception of Honour of the NATO Association of Canada. The event provided students a unique opportunity to meet practitioners in fields they are learning about in IR. (Photo by Trevor Cheh)
- Photo centre: Trinity’s Ethics, Society & Law program hosted a poster session, featuring work of students completing the Community Research Partnerships in Ethics program (CRPE), and graduation celebration. (Photo by Julia Baskin)
- Photo right: This year’s Lampman Poetry Reading was given by George Elliott Clarke, the first poet to read in the series for a second time, 25 years after his earlier reading. Lively and engaging, Clarke organized his reading around an autobiographical narrative that provided fascinating context to a selection of his personal favourite poems. He concluded with recordings of his poems recently set to music by Canadian composer James Rolfe as part of a large series of songs recorded under the poet’s sponsorship. (Photo by the John W. Graham Library)
The Student Community
(Photo left) Trinity’s 143rd Conversat—The Tr’ule Ball—took place on March 21. Students gathered first for High Table dinner in Strachan Hall before boarding buses to the venue. Music, food, and a few house colours made for an unforgettable night. (Photo right) The week prior, Community Advisor Victoria Navarrete, in collaboration with Trinity College Meeting, helped students welcome the arrival of spring by assembling blooming bouquets together. There may have been snow outside, but inside students enjoyed a moment of colour, creativity, and community while preparing their floral arrangements. It was a cheerful reminder that warmer days—and brighter blooms—are just around the corner. (Photos courtesy of Trinity Conversat and by Jasmin Guest)
Trinity College Undergraduate Research Conference 2026
On March 14, undergraduate research prowess was on display at the annual Trinity College Undergraduate Research Conference, with 100 presenters covering research spanning all disciplines (view the for highlights). Whether presenting or attending, TCURC offered undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to experience the energy of an academic conference while learning from the work of their peers. Judged by Trinity alumni and Academic Dons, TCURC 2026 winners are:
- 10-minute presentations: Winner – Isabela Calderone; and Runner-up – Jia Nitin Vedante
- 3-minute presentations: Winner – Ahzem Rudani; and Runner-up – Victoria (Yixin) Wang
- Poster presentations: Winner – Antonella Pecora Ruiz, Reese Kurian, & Roselaide Decker; and Runner-up – Maya Honda-Granirer
Thanks to Professor John Meehan and Heather Buchansky for delivering the opening and closing remarks, respectively. TCURC is organized by Trinity College’s Academic Dons & Academic Peer Advisors, in collaboration with the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, John W. Graham Library and the Office of the Registrar. (Photo contributions by Jasmin Guest and Kate MacDonald)
Reading as a Catalyst for Change: Trinity Reads
After a year of shared reading, the Trinity Reads campaign closed with a lunch & learn session (photo: left), and keynote lecture Looking Back to Look Forward: The Origins of Moon of the Crusted Snow (photo: right) with author Waubgeshig Rice. Thank you to Trinity Reads’ Organizing Team, student shortlist champions, and Trinity, U of T and community partners and sponsors. Visit for highlights (photos by Trinity Reads).
Music at Trinity: Thomas Tallis’ Spem in Alium!
On March 16, the community was treated to a remarkable and immersive musical experience – Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis performed by the Trinity College Chapel Choir alongside friends and colleagues from St. James Cathedral Toronto and the Toronto Chamber Choir. Congratulations to Thomas Bell, Director of Music, and Adam MacNeil, organ, along with gratitude to Dr. Kate Helsen (Western University) for the captivating lecture. (Photos by Ana White & Faculty of Divinity)
Trinity’s Got Talent
From musical performances, stand-up comedy and creative expression, student talent was on display at the Trinity Talent Show! Organized by Trinity’s residence-based Arts & Culture Living Learning Community (LLC), which regularly hosts programming that welcomes participation from the broader community. While the performances by residence and commuter students were memorable, what stood out most was the enthusiasm with which students supported one another – a reflection of the community spirit that defines the College. (Photos by Jasmin Guest)
Celebrating International Women’s Day
We’ve compiled stories about members of the Trinity community – alumnae, faculty and staff from the college’s early days to today. These respected trailblazers are an inspiring reminder of what has been accomplished, and what is left still to do.
Get to Know Trinity Alumni Eliza Reid and Steven Wang
Back at Trinity to deliver the 2026 Warren Lecture, Trinity alum, author and former First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid returned to a phrase that’s stayed with her: , she reflected on storytelling, identity, and the everyday choices that keep a life – and a voice – from being reduced to a single role. And in the latest installment of Trinity alum Steven Wang, CEO of Venture for Canada and a lecturer on AI governance, breaks down what “responsible AI” really means, how the Trinity community can help shape how these tools are used, and what he’s bringing to campus as co-instructor of AI, Governance and Democracy.
Residence Life at Trinity
Meet Trinity student and Community Advisor Hana (photo: furthest left), and Academic Don, Writing Support Joanna (photo: 2nd from left): what she loves most about living in residence and the supports and services dons provide to all Trinity students. The first cohort of residence students will move into the new Lawson Centre for Sustainability in September for the 2026-2027 academic year: preview of some of the new residence rooms (photos by Jasmin Guest).
Snapshot of February Happenings
- Top left: Fellow Professor Stephen Scharper joined Associate Professor Simon Appolloni and his TRN140Y1: Ethics, Humans & Nature class at Queen’s Park, where they met with the Rev. Alexa Gilmour, MPP and had a special tour of the legislature. (Photo by Marshelle Woodward)
- Top middle: The Rev. Fr. Dr. Alvardo Adderley and Humphrys Chaplain the Rev. Paige Souter preached at chapel services to celebrate Black history. (Photo by Faculty of Divinity)
- Top right: Provost Nicholas Terpstra discussed “Making Martyrs on the Scaffold: Space, Sense and Emotion in the Early Modern Theatre of Execution” at an SCR lunchtime talk.
- Lower left: Assistant Registrar, Career Exploration & Education Cherryl-Lyn Holder-Olamuyiwa joined the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program stream mentors for a Q&A session on career planning. (Photo by Trinity One)
- Lower right: Led by graduate student Library Assistant Olivia Anderson-Clarke, students, alumni and Friends learned how to make their own hardcover books. The workshops were organized by the John W. Graham Library and Trinity Wellness team. (Photo by the Graham Library)
Black History Month: February
Trinity College celebrated members of the community who have made a difference. Read stories about Trinity alumni – trailblazers, change makers and community leaders who fought against racism, barriers and challenges of their times – and get to know other members of the Trinity community. The Trinity College Chapel celebrated the contributions of Black Canadians in the life and work of the church as well as acknowledging the reality of racism in the church (see photo above in February Happenings). Trinity Wellness Team also partnered with the BIPOC Varsity Athletes and Nkeng Advisory to host a panel that centred the lived experiences of Black student-athletes at U of T.
Celebrating Community
(Photo: left) Provost Nicholas Terpstra hosted a dinner with Trinity alum Cathy Graham and Chancellor Brian Lawson to celebrate the recipients of the 2025 Chancellor William C. Graham Awards. Established in 2019, the awards recognize Trinity students, staff, faculty and alumni who demonstrate commitment to improving the spirit of caring and fostering a positive environment at the college. (Photo by Ana White).
Throughout the 2026-2026 academic year, Trinity Reads hosted bookish gatherings for writers and readers across campus, highlighting five titles that helped re-imagine our relationship to the land. To mark the final vote for the winning Trinity Reads title, a Book Fair and Champions Panel was held on January 29. (Photo: right) Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Director of Literary Programming, with five Trinity students who (Photo by Trinity Reads).
Snowy Start to 2026!
First week of classes for the winter term: how it started (photo left: January 5) and how it ended (photo centre: January 9). In addition, historic winter storms resulted in two snow days this month, on January 15 (photo right: entrance to St. Hilda’s College by Narasimha Palli) and January 26.
Congratulations to Members of the Trinity Community: 2026 Winter Term
- Congratulations to Trinity student Fiona Wan – inaugural
- Trinity College Friends of the Library | Trinity’s Short Story Contest Winners – Isobel Dalzell, Gabriel Rodin Lozada and Nino Jan Pol “NJP” Dosdo: (winners were selected by Trinity alumnus and celebrated author Kenneth Oppel)
- Congratulations to the including Grace Rocket, MDiv graduand
- Alum The Rev. Canon Maggie Helwig won the for Political Writing
- Student Parmin Sedigh Tonekaboni received the for her research project titled “Cancer Prevention through Nutrition: Bridging the Knowledge Translation Gap”
- Trinity College won Most Sustainable Residence at the University of Toronto St. George Campus award
- 2026 U of T Awards of Excellence: Former Provost and Professor and Fellow Professor received the 2026 Vivek Goel Faculty Citizenship Awards; and graduand Kaelem Moniz was named 2026 UTAA Scholar
- The Very Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ready (Director, Orthodox Christian Studies and Reimagining Contemporary Ministries, Faculty of Divinity) and Allison Graham (Instruction and Theology Librarian, John W. Graham Library) received the Wabash Center Grant for their project, “Knowledge, Power, and Formation in the Age of AI: A Theological and Indigenous Wisdom Workshop Series”
- Student Anneke Lee co-authored a book on educational reform, “Connections, Academics, and Purpose”
- For the first-time, Trinity competed in the annual U of T Mac ‘n’ Cheese Smackdown – Trinity’s Chef Nathan’s creation came in 2nd place ()
- Students Alisha Aslam, Subhan Khan, Aidan Schenk & Helen Zhao and recent alum Jordan Picheniuk received
- 2026 Student Leadership Award recipients included: students Ezinne Arki, Shaffaan Bin Aamir, Therese Angeline Cruz Reyes, Caroline Ho, Mesai James, Hongzip Kim, Linda Liu, Anjali Mohile, Eugene Seo, Bowen Zhao; and alum Kai Ian Leung.
- Student Amir Samadi and alum Sean Coomey are among finalists for the McCall MacBain Scholarships
- Alum Paul Poirier and his partner Piper Gilles are
- Alum James Wang was
- Alum Pamela Newall was appointed for strengthening Canada’s legal system through her leading contributions to forensic science
- Director of Literary Programming Leanne Toshiko Simpson’s book Never Been Better was among Canada Reads 2026 longlist –
Another Nod for Trinity’s New Residence & Academic Building
- The Lawson Centre for Sustainability won the 2026 World Architecture News (WAN) Awards, Silver in the Future Projects, Education. “Lawson Centre for Sustainability redefines Trinity College with net-zero learning and living. The mix of residential, academic, and social spaces reinforces community, while sustainability is embedded as both infrastructure and pedagogy.”
- ICYMI | The Lawson Centre for Sustainability received a 2025 Holcim Foundation Award for Best Practice in Sustainable Design and was named by ArchDaily as one of the
(Top image) Render of the Trinity campus with the Lawson Centre for Sustainability; and (lower image) Sustainability features of the mass timber, zero carbon and LEED platinum building. (Illustrations by Mecanoo)
Do you know of a member of the Trinity community who achieved a notable accomplishment this fall term? Please email trinity.newsletter@utoronto.ca.