Dedication to their community and to those around them and a desire to make the world a better place – those are the hallmarks of a V.I.P. – a Vanier Important Person.  This year it is Ian Macarthur, retired Vanier Physical Education teacher, who has been named as a Vanier Important Person for the 2009-2010 Graduation Ceremony. During his address to the graduates, Ian stressed individual respect and reminded graduates and guests of the “Respect Works” motto used by Vanier to encourage harmony.

Someone you can count on
“You can always count on him,” is the catch phrase describing the essence of Ian Macarthur’s commitment to Vanier College.  Although his specialty has been teaching Physical Education, Ian Macarthur has always been interested in the well-being of the whole College.   To that end he has been a member of the Vanier College Board of Directors and the Vanier Foundation as well as countless other councils, task forces, committees, and groups.  Ian also worked long and hard with his union aiming to improve and enrich the working conditions of his colleagues.

“Ian makes everybody he comes into contact with feel good about themselves,” says long-time colleague Linda Macpherson.  “He always sees the best in everyone.  He is genuinely interested in each and every person he meets and makes people strive to become the person that he seems to see.  He has an incredible gift that brings out the best in us all.”

A bridge-builder
Ian Macarthur is the kind of person who works within existing structures; he does not try to build something different but rather tries very hard to make things work.  In this capacity, Ian is one of those precious rarities – a true bridge-builder who brings people together from different departments or areas of the college such as Athletics, Physical Education and academics, to improve teaching and enrich the learning experience of Vanier students.  “Ian always seemed to be there when needed,” states Don Hetherington.  “If you needed a steady hand and clear counsel on a committee, you turned to Ian.  And in spite of all his commitments, he somehow always seemed to have time to stop and talk to people, and if he didn’t have the time, he would make the time.”

Students come first
The bottom line for Ian is students!  They are the motivation behind all his hard work and his dedication to Vanier.  “I believe in trying to make everything equally strong,” Ian explains, “and I think it’s important to keep a balance between spirit, mind and body.”

Scholarships for Liane Baily and Michael Norman
As this year’s V.I.P. Ian Macarthur has the opportunity to award a scholarship to a graduating student of his choice.  Ian chose two students for this recognition:  Liane Baily, a top Health Science student and basketball player who will study Medicine at the University of Toronto next year, and Michael Norman, a Social Science Psychology Major, who  is also an outstanding student and football player going on to the University of Western Ontario.  “Liane is a terrific student in every way,” says Ian.  “She’s keen on physical fitness and was always helpful to others in need and ready to do anything.  Michael is not only a strong student but he also has a positive attitude and worked as a peer tutor, and although he stands at 6’4” he was never afraid to step outside the norms of an athlete of his size and try something different like aqua fitness for instance.”

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