Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/879668
RETIRED VP BOB KENNEDY PENS PATHWAYS TO DREAMS, A BOOK ABOUT GEORGIAN'S PAST 25 YEARS Pathways to Dreams follows the leadership of past presidents Bruce Hill and Brian Tamblyn, from 1992 through 2012, offering a glimpse into the creation of new programs and campuses, and the many successes of students and graduates. It was published in 2017 as part of Georgian's 50th anniversary celebrations. Below is an excerpt from our Q&A with author and former Vice President of External Relations Bob Kennedy. You can read the full interview with Bob at GeorgianCollege.ca/georgianview. Q. What were the challenges in condensing 20 years of Georgian history into one book? A. I knew from day one that my greatest challenge would be deciding what content would, and wouldn't, be covered. So many triumphs, disappointments, historic events, and, most importantly, people who all in their inimitable way had a hand in Georgian's most formidable period of growth and expansion. Q. What kind of research did you do for the book? A. I sourced everything from presidents to staff newsletters, correspondence and memos, to strategic plans, reports and newspaper clippings. When I encountered information voids, I relied on interviews to fill the gaps. The first seven to eight years of the book covered a period when there was no Internet, or at least not to the extent it pervades Georgian today. In all, I was able to yield up to 80 pages of raw research for any given year or chapter. From start to finish, the book took just over three years to complete. Q. What's your favourite story? A. That's a difficult question to answer because all the stories are different and yet say a lot about the indelible impact Georgian had on so many people. Georgian's success never comes down to any one story or person; rather, it's defined by the rich tapestry of human achievement, and the role the college played in providing renewed hope in people's lives – many who years later still see their experiences at Georgian as life- altering. Q. What was the hardest story to write? A. Without a doubt, the most heart- wrenching part of the book to write was chapter 29: Heroes Among Us. Pathways to Dreams is available to purchase at Georgian Stores and online at georgianstores.com. BOB KENNEDY with 28 GEORGIANVIEW 2017 CELEBRATING 50