Linda Barry-Hollowell, QC

By Michael Clinton

It is common to say nice things about the deceased. Virtues are mentioned and faults ignored on such occasions. When it comes to Linda Barry-Hollowell, there is much to say about her virtues and no faults worth mentioning.

I first met Linda in the summer of 2004. There is no record of the date because I had no idea then of what an important part Linda was to play in my professional and personal life. I had requested the meeting to discuss decanal authority and received sage advice. 

This was the first of many consultations. In fact, I consulted Linda so often that some in Calgary began to think, and perhaps to worry, that Linda worked for me rather than for the university.

Not that Linda neglected her many other responsibilities. It was simply that she always created the illusion that she had nothing better to do than to advise whomever she was speaking to at the time.
It did not take long to see Linda’s many virtues. She believed in the idea of a university as something more than a corporate body; she was staunchly loyal to senior administration; she acted always with the utmost discretion and integrity; she was industrious to the extent of neglecting the life-work balance that might have protected her health; and she somehow managed to combine the wisdom of Solomon with the tenacity of a terrier.

Gilbert Ryle taught us that we make a category mistake if we think of a university as anything other than its governors, managers, faculty, staff and students. Needless to say, Linda was always there for the marginalized as well as for the true believers. Her passion was much more than a lawyer’s commitment to justice. She worked to right wrongs in the way of someone who has seen too much injustice at first hand.

Although petite, Linda was a substantial as well as a large personality. How substantial? Ample enough to provide a sure foundation for the University of Calgary’s first ever branch campus. Whatever success the Qatar Campus achieves, it will be due mainly to the groundwork laid by Linda’s advice, her long hours of work in the lead-up to winning the contract, her wise counsel and her remarkable skills as a conciliator.

Linda was a loyal friend, always working to heal the disputes that inevitably occur in the quest to realize a higher vision. In her untimely, short and unpleasant illness, Linda showed more courage than many of us will summon in a life-time. I am proud to have known Linda; prouder to have worked with Linda; and prouder still that Linda was my friend.

Michael Clinton is the dean of the University of Calgary—Qatar.