Ian Mackay says goodbye to Hopwood after 36 years

Ian Mackay (centre) with students, left to right: Rachel Large, Courtney Jowitt and Jessica Burton

Students and staff at Hopwood Hall College bid a fond farewell on Tuesday (17 December) to their much loved art lecturer, Ian Mackay, as he retired after almost 36 years at the College.

Mr Mackay was presented with tickets to watch a rugby world cup match next year by college Principal Derek O’Toole on his final day, surrounded by his work colleagues and students.

Mr Mackay has always loved art. Having gained a degree in fine art from Leeds Polytechnic in 1978, he got his first job as a part-time lecturer at what was then Rochdale College of Art after a chance meeting with one of the College’s lecturers. He taught A-level sculpture and a range of evening and weekend classes. Then, in January 1983, he applied for and was offered a full time position teaching art and has been at the College ever since!

His time at Hopwood Hall College has seen him work under six different principles, and allowed him to see the College grow over this time.

Mr Mackay says: “I have hugely enjoyed working with the youngsters that our borough produces. They are an amazingly talented bunch of people. That also goes for the talented and supportive staff I have worked alongside. They are all dedicated to delivering the best student experience they can and I would really like to thank everyone for their help over the years.”

Mr Mackay’s approach to teaching stems back from his own childhood memories. As his father was a Warrant Officer in the RAF, Ian spent his childhood moving from place to place every couple of years. It meant that he attended eight primary schools and three secondary schools.

Mr Mackay says: “I had so many teachers as I was growing up and the ones I liked and worked for were those who really listened. I have always remembered that and have tried to bring that ethos into my own classes, and really listen to what my students tell me.” The method clearly worked as Ian has been a much loved lecturer and work colleague since he started, with his fellow tutors commenting that Ian has always put the needs of the students and colleagues above his own and that his encouragement and jokes will be missed.

Mr Mackay now has exciting plans for his retirement. He is about to move to Southern Austria, on the border with Slovenia and Italy, where he intends to take time out...and paint. Throughout his time at the College, Ian has remained a practising artist and he hopes that retirement will give him more time to do this.

Mr Mackay adds: “I have many happy memories of the College which I will take with me to Austria.”