Marilyn: So, I walked into Robin Harris’ (the then-principal’s) office – second day I was in – I said, “Hi! This is who I am, and I want to start a newspaper!” He said “Yeah, sure okay,” thinking nothing would come of it. I got a bunch of people together and we decided to do this newspaper. Unfortunately, we didn’t have anything to do it with. Except this typewriter and this room. So what we did was type out stories. It was almost like a journal, but it was news stories about what was happening at Innis and around – what you saw. We typed them up on these long sheets of paper. And then in the attic of what was then the Varsity building, there was this big machine called a Gestetner machine, which operated on blue ink that was very Jurassic technology – and pretty creepy – we would, after classes, late into the night, run off these sheets, staple them together, and then leave them lying around and hang it in the attic. And it was really an amazing experience. People really liked it; they got a lot of entertainment from it. And I owe it a great deal because from that I started also writing for The Varsity and writing for the Toike Oike engineering newspaper, any kind of writing that I could do. From that I ended up getting a summer internship at the Toronto Star, I did that for two years before I graduated. From then on, I got a job at The Globe and Mail, and then The Montreal Gazette. And it just went on from there. It really started my career in media. And so, for me, this proved that if you really wanted to do something, you can start small, you can start unusually, it doesn’t have to be traditional. And you can really do something remarkable. All you have to do is have the willpower, the confidence, and the sheer brashness of going ahead and doing it. And I’m so thrilled to see what The Innis Herald has now become, and how people are benefiting from contributing to that.

Simba: That’s an amazing story. How The Herald sort of shaped your future because of your involvement with it, it’s amazing to hear.

M: And I think people need to understand, you know, people always say, “Well, when I graduate, I’ll work at blah, blah, blah.” No. I have clear proof of that. If you want to do something, you want to start in college because ultimately, the way I got my first job at The Star was, they read 12 reviews that I did – I was an entertainment reporter – when I did movie reviews. So, what I tell everybody – and I ended up being a screenwriter in Los Angeles and also a professor of screenwriting in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount – and what I ended up telling my students: start, even as a freshman, do not be afraid. Ultimately, start doing your stuff right away. Do not wait. Nobody’s getting any younger, you know what I’m saying? And “older” is coming up. I had my first journalism job when I was just eighteen years old. And I don’t see why you have to wait ‘till you graduate. The more you get involved in student opportunities – that you are really interested in – and the more that you can excel and perfect your craft in that arena, the better off you will be. It will stand you in good stead when you do graduate. Try to get noticed – not in an obnoxious way, but in a good way – keep honing your craft. And the way to do that is to volunteer, to get involved in student papers, student media, student podcasts, create things of your own. For example, if you want to create your own poetry journal, create your e-zine, just do things, because too many people think, “I’ll just wait.” And I say, do not wait. Do it.

S: Yeah, I can relate, because I’m now in my third year, and I’m starting to feel that I’m running out of time. And so, I’m scrambling to do as much as I can. (chuckles in “I’m in danger”)

M: See, that’s important, because, frankly, once you graduate, you’re in the land of the many, you know.

With Robert Patrick (I)

Zachary: How do you feel like the experience in Innis College – just being in there, being in that environment – how do you feel like that changed you? Or what did you learn?

Robert: Oh, I can nail that easily. Going into my second year, I wasn’t clear on what I should be pursuing. So made an appointment to talk to Geoffrey Payzant, who was the Registrar. Friday afternoon, four o’clock. And I respected this guy because he was brilliant. And I thought all I need to do is: make an appointment, show up, and ask the question. So, I asked the question. I said, “What should I do?” And in eight words, he changed my life.

Z: Really?

R: Yeah – and I was known as Bud at that time rather than Robert – he said, “Bud, I can’t help you with your indecisions.” Eight words. And that was the end of the interview. So then I walked out. I was angry, frustrated. I thought, “Gee, I came to this guy who’s brilliant. He’s supposed to tell me what to do with my life!” So, I sulk over Saturday, Sunday – by Monday I start to recall his words. “I cannot help you with your indecisions.” And from that point on, I really started to take control of my life. I had to make my decisions, accept the consequences, good or bad. But that was the impact that Innis College had on my life.

Z: That sounds really incredible.

With Robert Patrick (II)

R: I was able to graduate from high school. And I entered Innis college with a 62% average.

Z: Okaaay.

(both laugh hysterically)

R: We were considered late bloomers. And every year, my marks got a little stronger. With the help of the Writing Lab, I was able to write more succinctly and graduated. I thought, “Okay, I’m done. I don’t have to do any more.” But I went back and picked up another degree. And eventually, I wound up with four university degrees. And if it hadn’t been for Innis College, it wouldn’t have happened. So I’m a late bloomer. And here I am talking to Zach sixty-some-odd years later in Hart House and reflecting on some of the things that have influenced me, and the major one is Innis College.

Z: I think it’s important for all our students to really reflect on Innis College, reflect on its history, on how it’s changed, and how it can be a part of our identity throughout our university career.

R: Well, I think it’s important to look to the future but also take a look at where we’ve come from. As I mentioned earlier in this little chat; stand in front of the old observatory. Take a look at the second-floor glass windows. That’s where The Innis Herald first started. And then just glance to the right. And you’ll see just a grassy area. And that was the location of the Innis College Biscuit Box, the beginning in 1964. Those are our roots.

Z: Those are our roots.

R: Those are your roots as well.

Z: Everyone’s roots here.

R: Everybody’s roots. You’ve got to respect them and appreciate them. We’ve come a long way.

Z: We have. We really have. From a little fishbowl, to getting a new building and then renovations on the new building. It’s really been a long 60 years, huh?

R: Almost seems like yesterday.

(both laugh hysterically once more)

Z: Let’s say you were in charge of talking to the new Innis students or recruiting new Innis students. What do you think would be things you wanted to mention to them?

R: Believe in yourself. And believe in the people around you. And I have a saying, “Go as far as you can see. And when you get there, you’ll always be able to see further.”