The Centre for Community Studies, a joint University-Government program, was created in 1957. Its objective was to undertake research, disseminate knowledge and offer specialized advice with respect to the applied social sciences and the processes of community education. It specialized in the theory and practice of community change and development, using an inter-disciplinary approach: its staff came from sociology, economics, anthropology, social psychology, and history. In 1966 the Centre was incorporated as the Canadian Centre for Community Studies, with a head office in Ottawa.

In 1913 Abigail DeLury began 17 years as the Director of Women's Work in the Department of Extension, establishing Homemaker's Clubs (later, Saskatchewan Women's Institutes) to whom she taught homemaking skills and for whom she produced a variety of domestic science pamphlets. Instruction in household science began on campus in 1917 with the appointment of E.B. Rutter as instructor. The Department became a School within the College of Arts and Science in 1928 and the School became a College in 1942. In 1941 the degree program expanded from 3 to 4 years following senior matriculation. The name was changed from the College of Household Science to the College of Home Economics in 1952. The College was phased out in 1990. The following individuals served as Dean: G.H. Ling (1931-1940); H.H. Hunt (1940-1965); E.R. Simpson (1965-1971); M.J. Guilford [Acting] (1972); Helen Abell (1973-1974); M.J. Guilford [Acting] (1974-1976); D.L. Gibson (1976-1981); T.J. Abernathy (1981-1982); H.E. Nixon [Acting] (1982); G.M. Moss (1982-1987); Eva Lee (1987-1989); M. Crowle (1989-1990).

With John Diefenbaker’s “Northern Vision Speech” in February 1958, Canadians turned their collective eyes north. It was now a Federal funding and policy priority. There was, however, a wide knowledge gap when compared to the Scandinavian countries and Russia. To fill this gap, the University of Saskatchewan established The Institute for Northern Studies in January 1960. Building on the decades of northern research, the U of S created a muli-disciplinary unit dedicated to research on the Subarctic and Arctic regions of Canada. A special emphasis was placed on northern Saskatchewan. The Institute was to act as a focal point for northern research at the University, to encourage northern research by obtaining scholarship funds and grants, and to coordinate interdisciplinary research. In addition the Institute provided a lecture series which promoted understanding of the Canadian north; training programs which taught northern peoples new skills; cross-cultural courses for people working in the north; and a northern information service. A sample of the studies supported by the INS include political and social history of the Northwest Territories; biological investigations on forest vegetation, fungi, mammals, biting insects, birds; economic surveys of water transportation, mining, fishing, timber, furs; the geology of some mining camps, the geophysics of the earth's crust; engineering design of radio communication for remote areas. In 1981 it was announced that the Institute would be phased out over three years. The records of the INS can be found at the University of Saskatchewan Archives.

John Duncan Dewar was born on 7 March 1932 in Sexsmith, Alberta. Graduating with a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the University of Alberta in 1955 he went on to earn a Master of Arts from the University of Ohio in 1960 and a Doctor of Education from the Florida State University in 1965. A former member of the University of Alberta Golden Bears basketball team, Dewar accepted the position of Athletic Director and Coach at the University of Saskatchewan for the 1960-61 academic year. He next moved to the University of Alberta, Calgary, where he was Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Men's Athletic Coordinator and Basketball Coach from 1961 until 1967. The next two years found him serving as Associate Professor and Director of Physical Education at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In 1969 Dr. Dewar joined the faculty of Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario. Over the next eight years he held a variety of academic and administrative positions, including: Full Professor and Dean of the Division of Physical Education, Associate Dean of Professional Schools, Acting Director of the School of Social Work, Head Administor of the School of Nursing and Acting Director of the School of Commerce. In 1977 Dewar returned to the University of Saskatchewan as Professor and Dean of the College of Physical Education. He remained Dean until 1986 and continued on faculty as Full Professor until his retirement in 1996, becoming Professor Emeritus. The bulk of Dr. Dewar's scholarly work relates to the study of sports history. Research and publications include works dealing with Dr. James Naismith, the Edmonton Grads, the Olympics, Indigenous athletes and athletics and residential schools. Dewar was member of several local, national and international societies and organizations and served on the editorial board or as a reader for several Saskatchewan sports history groups.

The Department of Family Medicine came in existence in 1971 under the Deans Dr. John Gutelius (1970-1973) and Dr. Robert Murray (1973-1983). Dr. Louis Christ was the first Head of the Department of Family Medicine from 1971-1977. He later joined the Department of Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Christ died on 9 February 1983 in Saskatoon.

Walter Charles Murray, first president of the University of Saskatchewan, was born in Kings County, New Brunswick, in 1866 and received his BA with honours in 1886 from the University of New Brunswick. Having won the Gilchrist Scholarship for Canada, for continued studies overseas, he attended the University of Berlin and the University of Edinburgh, where he received his MA with first class honours in 1891. Later that year he joined faculty at the University of New Brunswick as Professor of Philosophy and Economics. In 1892 he was appointed Professor of Philosophy and lecturer in Education at Dalhousie, where he remained until joining the University of Saskatchewan as president in 1908. Murray served as president for 26 years, retiring in 1937. Murray was successful in building a progressive university of high standards with a beautiful campus. His own work was in education and education history, but he was also a supporter of art and music. Murray served on numerous councils and commissions, including the National Research Council from 1916-1932. Murray married Christina Cameron (1866-1947), born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1895. They had three daughters: Christina Cameron Murray, Lucy Hunter Murray and Jean Elizabeth Murray. Murray died in Saskatoon in 1945. The city of Saskatoon honours Murray with several landmarks: "Murray Place" in the Dundonald area; Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, opened in 1965 and located near Market Mall; the Murray Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus; and President Murray Park, located in the Varsity View neighbourhood.

Leslie Krasa graduated from the School of Agriculture in 1945.

Following passage of the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Act in 1911, the newly incorporated Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Association requested the University of Saskatchewan undertake the training and examination of pharmacists. A School within the College of Arts and Science was established in 1913 and the following year, 22 students enrolled in a one-year certificate program following a three-year apprenticeship. In 1921 the School became a College offering a four-year course leading to a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Three years later the certificate program was extended to two years. In 1946 the four-year BSP was a requirement for license in Saskatchewan. In 1987 a Division of Nutrition and Dietetics was established in the College of Pharmacy. Prior to this, Nutrition and Dietetics had been offered in the College of Home Economics. In 1994 the College was renamed the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

Eugene Alfred Forsey PC CC FRSC (1904–1991) served in the Senate of Canada from 1970 to 1979 and was considered to be one of Canada's foremost constitutional experts.

Saskatchewan’s branch of the Dominion Provincial Youth Training Program (DPYTP) was established in 1937 with the goal of training young people for gainful employment (Paul, 1948, p. 1). This program was initiated during the depression years; since government funds were scarce, the costs of the program were shared between the Dominion Department of Labour and the Provincial Department of Education. As a result, the program was given the name “Dominion Provincial” (Paul, 1948, p. 1). In general, the program offered instruction to people between the ages of 16 and 30 years, offering courses in agriculture for men and in homemaking for women. In addition to the specific courses, there was also the opportunity for young men to receive financial assistance to attend the two-year School of Agriculture Course at the University of Saskatchewan.
The DPTYP was established as a solution to a specific issue, namely, “the youth problem” that was considered to exist in Canada (Department of Labour, Youth Training Division, 1939, p. 5). The “youth problem” was characterized by high rates of unemployment among young people. Many believe that the “youth problem” began with the collapse of 1929; in reality, this issue existed prior to 1929 (Department of Labour, Youth Training Division, 1939, p. 6). Prior to the onset of the depression, Canada’s economic conditions meant that this issue was overlooked. However, the depression magnified the issue, resulting in a perceived urgency in the need for a solution. This problem was not exclusive to Canada, as all Western countries were trying to deal with the “youth problem.” However, there were certain factors that existed in Canada that made the problem different here than anywhere else. More specifically, there were 50,000 to 55,000 between the ages of 16 and 30 years in Saskatchewan who were unable to leave home to pursue training in any area of study (Federal-Provincial Youth Training for Saskatchewan Farm Boys Memo, p. 1). Many of these young men had left school at 15 or 16 years, having only completed a grade nine education. The perceived consequences of such a large number of unemployed youth were clear: “Because of little or no directional influence they are inclined to drift mentally, to allow their minds to stagnate, and due to economic conditions, to feel sorry for themselves” (Federal-Provincial Training for Saskatchewan Farm Boys Memo, p. 1). Farming skills training was considered important both economically and for general social well-being.
The DPYTP was originally implemented to restore morale, increase independence and to provide direction for the youth of Saskatchewan. It was suggested that the Agricultural Extension Department hold short courses for young males and offer financial assistance to those who may need it (Youth Employment Program, 1937, p. 1). However, as the needs of the communities changed, so did the DPYTP. As the depression years came to an end and war broke out in Europe, the needs of the communities changed. Many communities experienced a decline in population: men were called away to the war or for special labour. These smaller communities made it difficult to run courses in all communities. Despite the efforts of community members to advocate for courses, many towns could not meet the 20 person minimum registration requirement. In addition, the increasing manufacturing work in the urban areas meant that the needs of urban areas became quite different from rural areas. As a result, the University of Saskatchewan began to offer two sets of courses: urban courses and rural courses, each with programs offered for men and women. Thus, the University continued to adapt its programming based on the needs of the communities.
In short, the DPYTP provided a program that served the needs of rural communities in Saskatchewan as they changed. Since Saskatchewan was a farming province, most of the courses offered to young men and women revolved around farming. This program helped communities provide skills and education to a young workforce. However, as men went to war and the urban/rural divide widened, the programs were altered to meet the changing needs of the communities.

General Henry Duncan Graham "Harry" Crerar CH, CB, DSO, CD, PC (1888 -1965) was a senior officer of the Canadian Army who became the country's leading field commander in World War II, where he commanded the First Canadian Army.

In the spring of 1910, when the sod was turned on the site of the present College Building, there was on the prairie but one clump of half a dozen poplars. The university of today, large, complex, handsome, is the result of human imagination – and money and work and the will to make it happen. To remember the prairie before the building began is a good way to recognize the importance of human agency in remaking our world. This essay is a brief account of the decisions that led to the building of the university of today.

Conway James Skelly was born in Ontario in 1922. He graduated from the School of Agriculture in 1947. Skelly died in 1949.

Alfred Lewis (Lew) Parres was born 19 February 1915. He was a juvenile and junior hockey star with the Nutana Athletic Club in Saskatoon. He also excelled at track and field, winning many awards. In 1932 his brother Jim entered Geological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan with Lew following in 1934. Lew played hockey for the Huskies and after graduation could have had a career in hockey but chose the mining business instead. Parres was a staunch Northerner. He knew the North and loved the North. His vision in proposing a new Northern Province (which he called Precambria) was to keep the wealth (especially the tremendous mineral wealth) of the North in the North working to improve the lives of Northerners. His dream was to combine Northern Manitoba and Northern Saskatchewan and a small piece of Northern Alberta into one entity. His plan was backed by the local Chamber of Commerce in the early 1950s and made headlines across western Canada.