Radio alumni mourn passing of Prof. Iain Barrie

Posted on Monday, May 16th, 2016

Iain Barrie

Iain Barrie taught and mentored hundreds of students who went through the College, and in doing so shaped not only their careers, but also the Ottawa radio scene. (Facebook)

Alumni of Algonquin College’s Broadcasting — Radio program are mourning the passing of retired instructor Iain Barrie.

Barrie taught and mentored hundreds of students who went through the College, and in doing so shaped not only their careers, but also the Ottawa radio scene.

Barrie died Saturday and many former students have expressed their gratitude for his guidance.

“He was a legend,” said Jeff Mauler, popular co-host of Hot 89.9’s morning program. “He taught me, mentored me, and inspired me.”

Barrie’s influence also extended to airwaves far beyond the capital.

“Iain Barrie’s lessons have reverberated in my mind since I have graduated from Algonquin,” said alumnus Nathan Bernier, an award-winning reporter and host for the NPR station in Austin, Texas. “He motivated us to work hard to achieve our best, and he gave us the tools we needed to do it. Iain forsaw the technological shifts transforming the world of audio entertainment, and he told us how to prepare for them. I will always think of him as my first radio teacher, and will never forget his oft-repeated advice to ‘let your attitude determine your altitude.’ ”

Still other alumni took to social media to express their feelings about Barrie.

Ryan Lindsay, now a host at Ottawa’s New Country 94, touched upon Barrie’s impact in a tweet:

While Connie Bernardi, program director MAJIC 100 (CJMJ), posted a touching tribute on her Facebook page:

“Iain Barrie was a role model, teacher, a mentor and a cherished friend. He saw something in me all those years ago at Algonquin College that I couldn’t see in myself … He encouraged me and motivated me — even during those times when I wanted to walk away from the radio world,” she wrote. “There will never be enough ‘thank you’s’ for all his guidance, advice and his words of wisdom … not just about work but about life. I will miss him tremendously. My life was immeasurably better with him in it. I am so grateful and blessed that we crossed paths.”

You can read the full obituary for Iain Barrie in the Ottawa Citizen.


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