The space bug first bit Lorne Trottier at 11 when he met another boy who built crystal radios. “I was instantly hooked and began building all sorts of interesting electronic devices,” says Trottier, BEng’70, MEng’73, DSc’06. “I became curious about almost everything."
He eventually opted for applied science, completing his degrees in electrical engineering. He went on to co-found Matrox, a group of companies known around the world for innovative computer graphics, video and imaging products. But Trottier never lost his passion for the pure sciences, and especially astronomy and space exploration.
This was made clear in fall 2006, when his gift of $12 million created the Lorne Trottier Chair in Aerospace Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, and the Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology in the Faculty of Science, along with fellowships for graduate students in both faculties.
This was in fact Trottier’s second major gift to McGill, coming six years after he donated $10 million to construct the Lorne M. Trottier Building, now home to students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the School of Computer Science.
The building has since become one of the best spots for students on the downtown campus. “The student lounge in the Trottier Building is a great space,” says Victor Chisholm, Undergraduate Research Officer in the Faculty of Science. “Bright and open, friendly and welcoming, it encourages students to hang out, interact, reflect, and study.”
Trottier has also had an enormous impact on the general public with the hugely popular Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium Series. For the past four years, these symposia have furthered scientific debate with such mind-benders as “What was the spark of life?” and “What is the origin of ethics?”
Now a Governor emeritus of McGill, Trottier was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science in 2006. The following year, he was named a member of the Order of Canada.
His lifelong fascination with science, stars and sky remains intact. He keenly remembers the childhood sense of wonder and curiosity that fueled his generous philanthropy: “One of my favourite destinations as a boy was an access road near Dorval airport. It was a great thrill to watch as jets came thundering in. It’s a thrill I have never outgrown.”