Who’s who at STU:

Jardine gets education without the marks

Mike Jardine sits in a classroom among 30 young journalism students every day at St. Thomas University. He listens to them debate the issues of the day, he watches them panic over tests and assignments, and he hears their sighs of relief when professors extend deadlines.

Unlike the rest of the class, Jardine didn’t have to go through an application process to get into the journalism program, he doesn’t have to pay tuition, and he doesn’t even have to complete tests or assignments.

Also unlike the rest of the class, this middle-aged man is not a student. In fact, he graduated from STU in the ‘70s.

But he’s not a professor, either.

Jardine is a home support worker who helps people with special needs. Because one of his clients is a STU student who needs Jardine’s help getting around, Jardine is getting a second crack at university.

In 2006, Jardine faced retirement after 31 years of teaching. The thought of not being in constant contact with people didn’t sit well with him.

“I didn’t want to lose my people contact because I enjoy people immensely. I felt that was a big part of my world to lose just because I was leaving that setting.”

When he retired, he took a summer vacation and then took a job as a home support worker that fall.

In 2007, he met Adam Wright, who at that time was a first-year student at the University of New Brunswick. In September 2008, Wright transferred to STU and got accepted into the journalism program that winter.

Jardine hasn’t missed a class, meeting, or lecture that Wright hasn’t missed.

“Any of these classes or anything that we’re doing, I’m always keen and eager.”

Jardine said he has tackled a few assignments.

“I’m okay at (journalism). I’m not the greatest but I’m never the greatest at anything.”

Jardine said being in the journalism program with Wright feels more like fate than coincidence.

When he was a teenager, Jardine hoped to one day become a journalist. He was even accepted into a journalism program at a Toronto university.

“I just didn’t have the guts to move away to Toronto. The city scared me right to death.”

He gave up on the idea of becoming a journalist and instead studied English and history at STU. He graduated in ‘74 and then returned the following year for an education degree.

For the next 31 years, he taught Grades 1 to 9 at Keswick Valley Memorial School in Burtt’s Corner, N.B. He said he has never regretted his decision to become a teacher.

He said one of the things he loves most about this job is seeing Wright and his classmates go from nervous teenagers to professional journalists within four years.

Learning from top-notch journalists is also a plus, he said.

“The people that are teaching it have walked the walk, talked the talk, (and) they’ve been out there in the trench. They know what they’re talking about, they know how it’s done, and they all have great expertise,” he said.

Jardine has developed friendships with some of the students, especially Wright.

“He’s such a great guy to work with. We’ve both got a sense of humour, (and) we’re both into sports. He’s got so many qualities that I have.”

Wright said he feels the same way.

“I can tell him stuff I don’t tell my own family. He does so much for me, and I’m lucky for it … because I know if I had someone else working with me, it wouldn’t be as fun or easy,” Wright said. “The thing about him is that he’s always, always in a great mood. I’ve never seen him on an off day. I’m sure he has them, but he hides it very well. Just really upbeat all the time, and it’s great.”

Jardine said he feels blessed to be given these opportunities.

“I know it’s all coincidence but it’s the greatest coincidence to ever hit,” he said.

“It’s fantastic.”