I came to McGill from Niagara Falls, Ontario. I was at the Gardner Hall residence and met students from around the world. I thrived in this environment and wanted to get involved in the McGill community. I was fortunate that Earle Taylor, the program director of the students union, saw my leadership potential and encouraged me to take a risk. He said that I should run Welcome Week then Winter Carnival and that led to my role as President of the Students’ Society of McGill.
As society President it was incumbent on me to establish a rapport with the University’s leadership so when David Johnston became Principal, I invited him to lunch at the Chateau Champlain. With his encouragement, I applied for and won a Rhodes Scholarship. I would never have had that chance if I didn’t have the background, freedom and independence I enjoyed at McGill.
I have many vivid memories of my friends at the University and my time as a student. Once I went searching for a book at the Concordia library (which wasn’t available at McGill). I stayed late at the library – so late that they turned out the lights and locked the doors. The police had to let me out.
The lessons I learned at McGill have stayed with me throughout my life, in business and in philanthropy. My best career, entrepreneur and life choices have always been at the intersection of what I like to do, what I’m good at, and what benefits society.
For me, success in business was a natural segue to establishing the McCall MacBain Foundation with my wife Marcy and devoting our energies to diverse and worthy philanthropic causes around the world – including the creation of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill.
When I came to Montreal from Niagara Falls, it was because I received a James McGill entrance scholarship. That opened the door for me to come to McGill so I’m hoping other students from across Canada and around the world will have the same opportunity I had through these graduate scholarships. That’s why we’re developing this program.
That’s why I stay connected and committed to McGill.
Read more about John McCall MacBain.