For Bill Sanders, Laurentian University has never been just an institution, it’s been home. His journey with the university spans decades, from his time as a student in the 1980s to his long standing role as the university’s audio-visual technician.
As Laurentian celebrates its 65th anniversary, Sanders reflects on the experiences and people who shaped his life and career.
Sanders’ first memory of Laurentian is a quintessential experience for students living in residence– eating breakfast in the Great Hall.
What made this particular breakfast so memorable? An older man approached and asked if he could join him. Though surprised by the request, Sanders welcomed the stranger, and they struck up a conversation over their meals. Little did he know at the time, the man was John Daniel, Laurentian’s president.
“That first point of contact was so friendly, unexpected, and positive,” Sanders recalls. “I had a good relationship with the president, and I later became close friends with his son, Julien, who even stood in my wedding. It’s these kinds of relationships and built-community that make Laurentian so special.”
John Daniel, later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II as Sir John Daniel after 17 years serving the president of Laurentian University, also gave Sanders his first job at the university, marking the start of a lifelong connection to Laurentian.
Positive relationships and influential people are defining features of Sanders’ reflections on his time at Laurentian. Among them, professors Bill Hart and Norma Mcrae. Over the years, Sanders found himself participating in theatre on and off the stage while developing a newfound career path in audio-visual tech.
“At Laurentian, there were people who believed in me and there were always opportunities to try new things and follow my passions both as a student and as an employee,” he said. “These experiences are among the great joys of my life.”
Sanders is an accomplished actor and a member of ACTRA. His career at Laurentian has provided him with the flexibility and support to pursue this passion, allowing him to balance his work with his artistic endeavors.
He even through his hat into politics and ran for mayor.
After more than 30 years behind the curtain of the auditorium, Sanders has had a front-row seat to some of the university’s most remarkable moments. One that stands out is the visit of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who toured the SNOLAB before delivering a lecture at Laurentian. Other incredible guests to the university that he’s encountered include Princess Diana, David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood, Jane Goodall and astronaut Chris Hadfield.
“I’ve had the privilege of putting a microphone on some of the most brilliant minds,” Sanders said in a news release from the university.
For Sanders, Laurentian’s impact extends far beyond its campus. The Auditorium in the Fraser Building, where he has worked for decades, is a gathering place for the entire Sudbury community.
“There are very few Sudburians who haven’t walked across that stage or sat in that audience,” he said.
Sanders remains a staunch supporter of university theatre and looks forward to when Laurentian’s stages once again host student-run performances, fostering creativity and bringing unique stories to life.
With 34 years of service and having been part of every convocation for the past 40 years, Sanders is not only an alumnus, he’s an integral part of Laurentian’s story.
As the university marks 65 years, this is one story that speaks to the connections, experiences, and lifelong impact that Laurentian fosters, said a press release.