The 100 years, and three months, of Clarence Hollingsworth’s life has been intertwined with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, a relationship the institution recognized on Friday with an honorary degree.
“I was here before SAIT,” laugh Clarence of the honour. ““It sure is something I never ever expected in my lifetime, never gave it a thought.”
“SAIT’s coming up on its 100th anniversary next year,” said David Ross, SAIT’s president and CEO. “We’re very fortunate with Clarence, who has watched us grow very close in hand as a child growing up across the street, as a student with us and as a faculty member.”
“We have somebody that has fully participated in SAIT’s growth and success for almost the full 100 years.”
Clarence was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, a town since consumed by the expanding boundaries of the city of Winnipeg. His family relocated to Calgary in 1919 and, a short time later, at the age of six, Clarence had his first of many encounters with SAIT.
“The first time I saw anything about SAIT was when they laid the cornerstone of (what is now) the Heritage building,” said Clarence. “There was nothing there. There wasn’t even houses around.”
The curious six-year-old was drawn to the ceremony of the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA)to investigate the unusual group of people, some of which were wearing top hats.
Clarence would attend public school in the west wing of the building as a fourth grade student in Miss Moyer’s class.
After developing electrical theory skills as a member of the first class of Western Canada High School, Clarence returned to SAIT as an Industrial Electricity student.
Following a stint in the navy, three years living in Hollywood, California, and time working for Hutton’s as an electrician, Clarence was offered an instructor position at SAIT.
Clarence said the campus was in a constant state of growth during his time as an instructor
“We didn’t have all those teachers that you’ve got now,” recalls Clarence. “We had our monthly meeting in, I believe, room 1137 on the main floor. Theatre seats in there. During my 28 years, the staff got so big that there wasn’t room in there.”
Members of Clarence’s family, including granddaughter Sheila McKillop, attended Friday’s graduation ceremony.
“It’s such an honour to see my grandfather get this degree,” said Mckillop. “He wanted to go to university to get his electrical degree and he wanted that sign on his door to say he has a bachelor of electricity.”
Mckillop says she burst into tears when she heard of SAIT’s plans to honour her grandfather.
“It’s just phenomenal to see him and the excitement. We’re all excited to see this.”
SAIT plans to include Clarence in the school’s 100th anniversary festivities and he plans to attend as a spry 101-year-old.
“I love being old,” said Clarence. “A lot of people, they have a lot of problems. I’m one of the lucky guys, I don’t have any real problems.
