The Trinity spirit
“The Trinity spirit knows no boundaries. It never has. Together or apart, a flock is still a flock.” These words from Paul Assaiante, Trinity’s championship-winning head men’s squash coach, capped a video that was shared with the Trinity community not long after the college, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, decided to move to remote learning. Since that time, the Trinity community has initiated and participated in numerous efforts to ease the burden on others. The Student Government Association (SGA) collected money from student groups to launch a crowd-sourced network of support—funding last-minute transportation, housing, and more—to ensure the safety of their peers. Alumni and families also offered monetary help, making contributions to the Student Emergency and Equity Fund (SEEF) to provide financial assistance to students in need. With on-campus activities halted, the community came together in virtual spaces instead, enjoying trivia nights, concerts, and yoga classes. The remote volunteering initiative created by the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER) allowed Trinity students, faculty, and staff to offer their time for read-aloud story-time videos and to provide technical support to community partners. Trinity’s camaraderie also was celebrated online through Virtual Spirit Week in April, with students showcasing their Trinity pride through social media. Time and again, Bantams have proven the resilience of the Trinity spirit.