The youngest in Canada at the time, Thomas H.B. Symons was named Trent University’s founding president, and his vision and vitality molded Trent into one of the country’s most distinctive and successful universities. Over his lifetime Mr. Symons lent his talents to numerous national and international organizations by chairing such groups as The Ontario Human Rights Commission, The Association of Commonwealth Universities, and various federal conferences on multiculturalism, and social development.
In spite of his significant portfolio of accomplishments he conducted his life with the utmost humility, supporting his community in countless ways. A testament to his character, he approached everyone – from heads of state, to passersby on the street, to first-year university students – with equal respect and admiration.
Thomas H.B. Symons passed away on January 1st, 2021.