Dear Trinity College Students, Faculty and Staff:
Welcome and welcome back! As our campus comes alive once again, I am filled with a tremendous sense of excitement and optimism about the new academic year ahead.
This year is especially significant as we celebrate the opening of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability (see below). More than a new physical space, this building represents our commitment to sustainability by creating a new model in which students both ‘live and learn’ sustainability. Integrating beautifully with the rest of our historic campus, the Lawson Centre for Sustainability is a place designed for discovery and community, and I look forward to seeing the energy and ideas that will emerge from it.
We will also be celebrating Trinity College’s 175th anniversary in 2026-2027. Along with moments to honour our storied past, I encourage you to embrace all things new – new friendships, new opportunities to learn, and new possibilities for the Trinity community to grow together.
Whether you are returning to campus or joining us for the first time, please take advantage of the many opportunities this year offers. Step outside your comfort zone and be an active part of our shared Trinity experience. I am confident that together we will make this an extraordinary year of learning, discovery, connection and achievement.
Yours truly,
Provost Nicholas Terpstra
Start of the Fall Term at Trinity College
Matriculation Convocation 2026
At Trinity College Matriculation Convocation on August 31, we formally welcomed and admitted our incoming first-year Arts & Science students to the College (photo: top row). Held in U of T Convocation Hall, students walked across the stage to sign the College Register to mark the start of their university journey, which will be beautifully bookended when our students return to cross the stage at Convocation. At the ceremony, we also conferred: honorary fellowship upon Dr. Robert Selkirk Bothwell (photo: lower row, left); and honorary degrees of Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa) upon Trinity alum Gay (Tugwell) Loveland and Norman Loveland (photo: lower row; right). You can view all photos from Matriculation Convocation on Trinity’s Facebook album.
Divinity (Re)Orientation 2026
To prepare for the start of the new academic year, our Faculty of Divinity community gathered for Orientation 2026 from September 8 to 11, with (re)introductions, prayer, online sessions, engaging discussions, social events and Divinity Matriculation. We warmly welcome both new and returning students to Trinity College! You can view more photos on the Faculty of Divinity’s Facebook page. (Photos by Gabriela Pinho and The Very Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ready)
Doors Open: Lawson Centre for Sustainability
With the first cohort of residence students having moved into the Lawson Centre for Sustainability and classes underway, we held our Welcome Celebration to officially mark the public opening of the state-of-the-art mass timber, zero carbon and targeting LEED platinum residence and academic building.
“We are celebrating not only the opening, we are honouring the traditions and values that have shaped this College for generations. Although it’s the end of the project, it’s the beginning of a life for the building and the future for our students,” Provost Nicholas Terpstra said in his remarks.
On September 9, the Welcome Celebration brought the community together to celebrate an important milestone. The event also marked the completion of the successful Living Trinity Campaign, honoring flagship donors for their extraordinary generosity and leadership, and volunteers for their dedication to the College. Thank you to our entire Trinity community for your incredible work and support over these last few years – staff, faculty, students, alumni and former Provost Mayo Moran who initiated the project and championed its early vision; our building architects Mecanoo and RDHA, construction and project partners; and the University of Toronto.
Read the full story about the Welcome Celebration here. (Photos by Horst Herget)
