College Historian As a senior staff member, which I think may be code for “you are really getting old”, I was honoured to be asked to write an article for this year’s edition of our alumni magazine, The Ascent.
My Dog, Underdogs, and This Old Dog
My life does not compare with the mystery and excitement one might find in something like the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, but hopefully with a couple of stories, memories, some comparisons and genuine thoughts, you can get some perspective on the Rundle life of this old dog. As one of the original cast members in our first year at the Dr. Carl Safran building, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the “then” and the “now”, and the realization of how some things never change and how this can be a good thing; as well as offer some thoughts on the changes and impact as a result of COVID-19.
A Day in the Life of Neil Domstad
Before becoming a teacher at Rundle College, life was all about my dog, fishing, and wrestling — chasing trophy trout and that elusive Olympic dream. The trout I managed to corral but after 14 years of dedication to a sport that gave me so much and defined who I was, I fell just short of making the Olympic team. That is when life’s priorities shifted and my career started at Rundle College Jr. High. Though it was 24 years ago, I can vividly remember the first day of classes. The year was 1996 and my teaching load consisted of social studies, science and physical education. I had more time on my hands than ever, so I hit the ground running, fully immersing myself in everything that first day at Rundle and have relished every moment since. For those who were fortunate to experience it, our campus was located in the old, but beautiful and historic sandstone Dr. Carl Safran Building. It was visually stunning,
adorned by the classic bell tower, separate boys’ and girls’ entrances, complete with ornate wood at every turn.
I have some amazing memories of the staff, students and events that occurred at the Dr. Carl Safran building over the span of nine years, as I do at the Conklin School on 17th avenue since our move. I have an appreciation for the talent, passion, humour, energy, and love of education Continued on page 16
Summer 2020 | The Ascent
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