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Jubilee Medal for the Humanities
Jonson. Photo: Robie Liscomb
By Melanie Tromp Hoover
Trent Jonson returned to school to find his passion, and—judging by his future plans that include both an MA and a PhD—he found it at UVic somewhere between the 5th and 16th centuries in Medieval history.
“I think it has always been the period of time I was most interested in,” says Jonson. “My first courses at UVic confirmed it as I began seeing the continuity between the Middle Ages and our own modern society.”
It turns out that passion has paid off for Jonson, who graduates this June with an honours degree in Medieval studies. He will also receive the University of Victoria Jubilee Medal for Humanities award for achieving the highest grade point average in the faculty’s 2009 graduating class.
“For me, this award is a validation of sorts for choosing the right path, for going back to school after many years,” says Jonson.
Jonson moved west from Alberta 13 years ago to spend a decade working for several BC ministries in Victoria before making the decision to change paths and pursue an academic career.
“Although the work was interesting and I had experienced some success in my career, I wasn’t passionate about my work. I always had academic interests, so I decided to return to school and UVic was both the most convenient and had the program I was looking for,” he explains.
After coursework in history and religious studies, Jonson settled on the Medieval studies program because it allowed him to take classes across disciplines that were related to the time period he was most interested in (1050–1350 CE). His diverse research interests include the history and authenticity of relics, codicology (the study of books as physical objects), science and technology in the Middle Ages and Islamic material culture.
“The Medieval studies program turned out to be the perfect fit for me, with great instructors who were extremely accessible and dedicated to their students,” says Jonson. “The program, which is expanding the concept of Medieval studies beyond the Latin West, fits with my strategic, big-picture way of thinking.”
Although he’s back at work for the BC Aboriginal Relations Branch this summer, Jonson intends to expand his pursuits beyond academia while he has the time. “I’m working on my sailing skills as part of a race league crew this summer and I’m taking up both the banjo and guitar,” says Jonson, who also claims to be an avid poker player.
In September, Jonson will move abroad to start his MA in philosophy with a focus in Islamic art and archaeology at Oxford University.
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