Arnie Smith, Physical Education graduate, 1962, provided another example of the unique and varied experiences those from this faculty have undertaken. While at UBC Arnie played Thunderbird football under coach Frank Gnup and following graduation had a tryout with the Montreal Alouettes. He then quickly embarked upon a teaching and coaching career in Vancouver.
In June 1977 there was an urgent need for appropriate schooling for young children of Canadian parents working in Iran. Arnie was selected to be the principal of a school in northeast Iran, find teachers, materials and a suitable building for all grades K to 12. Under difficult circumstances Smith was successful in pulling this challenge together. However in the fall of 1978 anti-Shah riots, arson, demonstrations and strikes ravaged the country. With the country in turmoil all Canadians were told in the spring of 1979 to quickly evacuate Iran with only one bag per person.
As a teacher, Arnie recalls this as an experience of a lifetime. It was “. . . such an adventure I would never pass up . . . we had a cultural immersion and learning experience.”
With his Masters of Education, Smith continued to teach, coach and administrate on the North Shore until retirement. Later, while living in the Okanagan, Arnie hosted events for UBC Okanagan before relocating to Ontario. In 2017 Arnie was pictured in Trek magazine along with president Ono as the two connected at a UBC alumni event in Toronto.
– Fred Hume,
October 2017
