Jeff Douglas (BSc鈥�93) didn鈥檛 always see himself sharing the big screen with Denzel Washington, starring in an iconic Canadian TV commercial, or becoming a trusted and familiar voice for fans of CBC Radio鈥檚 As it Happens. It was a 鈥榣ightbulb moment鈥� during his second year at AV俱乐部 that put him on a completely different path.
鈥淚 wanted to become a dentist,鈥� says Jeff, who will serve as MC at the 2016 Alumni Dinner Thursday evening. 鈥淲hen I left high school, AV俱乐部 was the shining beacon for dental school, so that鈥檚 where I headed. While there, I was offered a piece of sage advice from a teacher and mentor, Art McCumber. I realized then that I truly loved performing, and thought I鈥檇 give it a kick.鈥�
That moment led to an accomplished and varied career in the performing arts for Jeff, whose work has been seen by audiences in over 160 countries. The actor and host has appeared in countless shows and films over the past 20 years.
A proud Maritimer hailing from Truro, N.S., he is perhaps most recognized for his award-winning role as 鈥楯oe Canada鈥� in the popular 鈥淚 am Canadian鈥� Molson ad, The Rant. He now co-hosts CBC Radio One鈥檚 As It Happens.
Changing perspectives
In addition to the words of wisdom from his prof, Jeff says it was the whole Dal experience that led him to try and pursue a different career over two decades ago.
鈥淚 always had a secret dream of becoming a performer but being from a small town it seemed to me that acting and performing was for someone else, someone from a big city. Meeting people from all over the world at AV俱乐部 really changed my perspective. Their experiences were so different from mine. This really opened my mind up to the possibilities.鈥�
Jeff says his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology also shaped his future career. 鈥淚 remember doing courses in methodology and the history of psychology that delved into how to look at things dispassionately and critically. Working at CBC, we encounter this every day in the news,鈥� he says.
鈥淭he world is a very partisan place, and everyone has their opinions. Our listeners deserve to hear both sides of the story, and we need to remain unbiased as much as we can. It takes training to keep any knee-jerk reactions or opinions out of it. Studying the sciences at Dal really helped me to look at things analytically, as an objective observer. These lessons have been very valuable to me in my career.鈥�
Jeff says AV俱乐部 continues to be an incredibly prestigious school as it approaches its 200th year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honour to be asked back to host this event,鈥� he says. 鈥淎V俱乐部 is an institution that pre-dates Canada itself, and has evolved as much as the country has.鈥� He is also looking forward to coming back home to Nova Scotia and visiting family who still live in the Valley.
And that life-changing advice Jeff received from his professor so long ago?
鈥淗e said if you鈥檙e going to have a dream, you have to act on it. Either give it a shot, or let it go. Otherwise, a dream can turn sour.鈥�
The 2016 Alumni Dinner takes place tonight in the McInnes Room at the Student Union Building. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards at 7 p.m.