Think Positive: Renison alum helps students see the good in people

Renison alum Doug Austrom teaches MBA classes on leadership at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana. His class syllabus for Winter 2014 term was titled “Positive People Practices for the Global New Normal” and included classroom topics such as “applying humanity-centered first principles, humanocracy and positive people practices” and “building organizations as great as the people inside them.” Doug sees the good in people and wants you to see it too.

When pressed, Doug has a hard time pinpointing where his philosophy on leadership originated, but he reflects warmly on his time at Renison, living in residence, and helping to organize some of the world-class musical acts that put Waterloo on the international stage. Waterloo’s unlikely prominence in the international music scene was showcased in the documentary “Rock This Town.” Doug remembers helping to organize the Yes concert in Waterloo but was underage and unable to attend the series of Elton John performances the year prior.

Originally destined for Queen’s University and a poli-sci / history double major, Doug learned of Renison and the University of Waterloo through a neighbour. A few years his senior, Doug’s neighbour returned to his hometown of Chippawa, Ontario for the winter break and told Doug about a new International Studies program available at Renison College. Doug liked what he heard and moved his application from Queen’s to Renison. Though the program was cancelled after Doug’s first year, he moved his major to psychology and continued his studies at UW.

Doug recalls Renison as being highly political and socially active during his time on campus in the 1970s. Sit-ins at administrative offices were as commonplace on campus as Canadian geese are today. Most of Doug’s Renison floormates were active on the Federation of Students Board (now known as the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association), acting as President, Treasurer, Vice-President, VP Operations, student life advocate, etcetera. There was a need to ensure that all students were treated fairly and with human dignity; the lessons learned at the Federation of Students boardroom table would continue to shape much of Doug’s future trajectory.