What a techie! What a sense of humour! What a guy! What a winning personality! That's Bill Sanders to a T.
I was delighted to read Laurentian's worthy tribute to Bill in your publication. And I was delighted to work with and chat with Bill over many years.
I am an old Laurentian crusty barnacle, who retired from the place as vice-president Academic (Anglophone Affairs) in the days when there were two VPs Academic, Anglophone and Francophone, put jn place to respect the bilingual nature of Laurentian. Maybe there still are two. I swear had the Music Department had a VP Academic he or she would have been called VP Saxophone Affairs.
Bill stuck a mic in my face many a time and oft. I had him on speed dial; it wasn't unusual in times of technological crisis to hear folks say, "Get Bill."
There's a broader point here and allow me to make it: Laurentian was blessed with wonderfully dedicated support staff who went about their work quietly, competently and ungrudgingly. The place wouldn't have survived without them.
Bill, like so many others, was there to help. More often than not they stood in the background. I'm delighted that Laurentian's tribute to Bill Sanders foregrounded his accomplishments, pushed him to the front of the stage, as it were.
Douglas Parker
Ottawa
Professor Emeritus, English Dept. Laurentian University