Let’s go back, back to a time where Mohawk College was known as the Hamilton Institute of Technology (HIT). 

Go back to a time where tuition was… wait for it… $300. This was a time where women simply didn’t take courses in the technology field. It wasn’t because women were not allowed, it simply just didn’t happen. So, when Roberta M. Tremain was accepted into the HIT, the professors simply thought it was a typo. That was until they looked at her picture. 

For Tremain, growing up on her family’s farm in Hespeler Ontario, she was always interested in chemistry and technology. When it came time for her to apply for post-secondary education, Tremain originally sent off an application to Toronto Metropolitan University (formally Ryerson University). 

Toronto Metropolitan University ( formally Ryerson University) rejected her application but sent it to HIT instead. It was this chain of events that would lead ‘Bobbi’ to become the first female graduate of HIT. 

“Mohawk gave me my spark in life,” said Tremain. Of course, at first the professors were shocked that the Tremain they thought they were getting, was actually Tremain. Not only that, they had not had a girl attend the school in the history of the school. So, the question was raised, what do we do with her? 

The answer came as a very simple, yet powerful, and barrier-breaking conclusion. They let her stay. At the time of her admittance, the school was full of new, innovative and eager teachers. They decided to give her a shot. No one really ever made a ‘fuss’ about it, as Tremain explained. While attending HIT, the school introduced a brand-new program called Textile Chemical Technology. Having missed the first semester already, Tremain asked if she could switch programs, understanding that she would have to catch up. With the program being so new, HIT brought in professors from Queens to help the students catch up on what they had missed. 

With HIT giving her the chance, and the professors giving her the skills and knowledge, Tremain went on to cross the stage as the first of thousands of female technical graduates at HIT/Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. 

From the technical streets of Hamilton, Tremain took what she had learned and traveled to the United States to pursue higher education, in her new field of passion. 

Bobbi followed her success in Hamilton with a BS in textile chemistry, and a Masters in textile technology from Northern Carolina State University. 

Many of the opportunities and experiences she has enjoyed, stem directly back to the chance she was given at HIT. So, lets now bring this story back to the current date and time. 

After completing her studies in North Carolina, she decided to make the American State her home. Over time, Bobbi became an active member of the community. 

As a youth, Bobbi always had a secret admiration for the performing arts, and although the stage life was never for her, the seats in front of the stage certainly were. She became a North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Centre Sponsor. 

Having become a donor for various other charities, Bobbi started thinking back to the place that started it all. Mohawk. At first, she considered leaving an amount in her will, but later decided she had no reason to wait. 

Financial deficiency for many prospective students can be a very large barrier. Being someone who broke an even bigger barrier, in its time; she wanted to ensure that for a number of female students, financial need would no longer be one.  

Bobbi kept in touch with her alma mater through the alumni magazine and updates throughout her years and chose to mark the 50th anniversary of her graduation from HIT by donating $50,000 to establish entrance scholarships for women enrolled in technology programs at Mohawk. 

After chatting with her, I could tell she is a very kind and peaceful woman, one who is very humble of her beginnings. Nevertheless, she is a trailblazer and an inspiration to young women with interest in the tech fields. 

This story was originally published in Spring 2012 of the Mohawk Alumni In Touch magazine.