William (Bill) Andrew Waiser was born in Toronto on 6 June 1953. He earned a B.A. Honours in History from Trent University in 1975 and went on to complete an M.A. (1976) and a Ph.D. (1983) in History at the University of Saskatchewan. Prior to joining the faculty of the U of S Department of History in 1983, Dr. Waiser was employed as a Lecturer in History at the U of S 1980-1983 and as Yukon historian, Parks Canada, Prairie and Northern Regional Office in 1983. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate students, he has served as graduate director (1987-1990) and department head (1995-98). A specialist in western and northern Canadian history, Waiser has authored, co-authored, or co-editor several books, including All Hell Can't Stop Us: The On to Ottawa Trek and Regina Riot, Park Prisoners: the Untold Story of Western Canada's National Parks, Loyal Till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion, Saskatchewan's Playground - A History of Prince Albert National Park, The Field Naturalist - John Macoun, the Geological Survey and Natural Science and Saskatchewan: A New History. Between 1998-2002, Waiser hosted "Looking Back," a weekly Saskatchewan History column on of CBC Saskatchewan television. Dr. Waiser has served on the council of the Canadian Historical Association (1997-2000), chaired the Advisory Board of the Canadian Historical Review (2000-2003), and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Canada's National History Society (2001-2004), publisher of The Beaver magazine. His many honours include the Queen's Fellowship (The Canada Council), Doctoral Fellowship (Social Sciences and Humanities and Research Council of Canada), the College of Arts and Science Teaching Excellence Award for the Humanities and Fine Arts and the University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher. In 2006 Dr. Waiser was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

Arthur Gordon Wacker was born on October 10, 1933 in Jansen, Saskatchewan. He received his early education in Regina and won a scholarship to Queen's University, where he earned his B.Sc. (1955) in Electrical Engineering. He also earned a PhD from Purdue University. He worked briefly for both Northern Electric Co. Ltd. and the Schlumberger Well Survey Corporation, prior to being appointed Special Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in 1957. He earned his M.Sc. in 1962. Wacker was promoted to full Professor in 1975. His research activities have included working with the Institute for Northern Studies to improve radio communications in the North; "ground truthing," or collecting agronomic data from microwave radars; and monitoring soil and crop conditions using satellites. He died on July 25, 1989 in Saskatoon.

Born in August 1915 in Zheleznovodsk. Russia, Dr. Vasilii Vasilevich Vladimirskii graduated from Moscow University in 1938. Since 1946, he has been deputy director of the Theoretical and Experimental Physics Institute in Moscow. His works have been in optics, propagation of ultrasound and electromagnetic waves as well as in the theory of linear accelerators and neutron spectroscopy. He participated in the creation of the Serpukhov accelerator whose energy level is 70 giga-electron-volts. He was awarded the State Prize in 1953 and the Lenin Prize in 1970. He served as an advisor to the Theoretical and Experimental Physics Institute (ITEP) in Moscow.

Merville O. Vincent was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on 21 November 1930. He earned a BA from Acadia University in 1950 and his medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1955; and later received his certificate in internal medicine (1960), fellowship in psychiatry (1962), and diploma in community mental health (1972). Between 1954 and 1959 he held internships or residencies in both psychiatry and internal medicine, and was clinical instructor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan from 1959-1960. In 1960, he returned to Canada, having accepted a position as staff psychiatrist at the Homewood Sanitarium in Guelph, Ontario - the largest private psychiatric hospital in the country. By 1972 he had been named executive director of Homewood, remaining in that office until he resigned from Homewood to take up private practice in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, in 1986. In addition to his own practice Vincent served as staff psychiatrist for the Shuswap Lake General Hospital (1986-1997), president of their medical staff (1988-1991), and took locams as a consultant psychiatrist in Australia and New Zealand. He retired from his medical practice in 1998. During his career Vincent published a book, God, Sex and You, and over 120 articles, chapters and essays in both medical and religious publications. In addition to other various honours, Dr. Vincent was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal and was a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The original Victoria School, now known as the Little Stone Schoolhouse (LSS), was built in 1887 by Alexander Marr, known for owning the Marr residence, currently the oldest residential building in Saskatoon. The LSS building was not only Saskatoon’s first school and library, it was also its first public building. In the evenings, various community events were held here, such as dances, meetings and various religious events. The one-room school house was used until a two room school house was constructed in 1905, followed by an even larger Victoria School in 1909, officially assuming the role of the original Victoria School. In 1911 the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire raised funds to preserve and relocate the building to the University of Saskatchewan campus. The school was carefully dismantled and moved. Almost 50 years later, in 1967, the Saskatoon Council of Women raised money to renovate the building and officially opened the LSS as a museum. Later that year the LSS was declared a Municipal Heritage Site and eventually Provincial Heritage Property in 1982. The Little Stone Schoolhouse continues to play an important role in the Saskatoon community and on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The U of S took over the operation of the building in 1981 and the Diefenbaker Canada Centre has ensured the continued appreciation of this historical landmark. The main Little Stone Schoolhouse program focuses on a historical introduction and the docent roleplaying as a school teacher.

Originally known as the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, VIDO was established at the University of Saskatchewan in 1975. VIDO is a research organization of the University of Saskatchewan that operates with financial support from the Government of Canada, the government of Saskatchewan, livestock industry councils and agencies, foundations and human and animal health companies. VIDO worked to find cures for common infectious diseases in cattle, swine and poultry. VIDO scientists carved out an international reputation for their pioneering work in the 1980's on vaccines aimed at combating shipping fever and a disease which produces pneumonia and arthritis in cattle. In addition to the 2,500,000 sq ft facility on campus, VIDO-InterVac also operates a 160-acre research station. The laboratory took on its current name, International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), in March 2003. In October 2003 a large expansion was completed. In March 2004, VIDO received funding for the construction one of the world's largest and most advanced biosafety level 3 facilities, the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), for research into emerging and reemerging human and animal diseases. In 2020, VIDO-InterVac began developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was established with a grant provided by the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations of Calgary, and with supplementary funding from the provincial governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the University, and subsequently a great many livestock and poultry organizations. VIDO represented a new and unique model for funding practical goal-oriented research, and established an international reputation by developing several new vaccines to prevent neonatal diarrhea, or scours, in newborn calves (Vicogen, Ecostar, Ecostar 2RC); Haemophilus somnus infection of cattle (Somnu-Star and Somu-Star Ph); shipping fever pneumonia in cattle (Pneumo-Star); pneumonia in pigs (Pleuro-Star); and adenovirus infection in turkeys (Hevlan-TC). It also developed new management and disease prevention programs for cattle and swine. In 2003, VIDO changed its name and opened an expansion to its building that now provides 80,000 square feet of ultramodern laboratory space for a staff of 145 researchers. It uses the most modern research tools of genomics and bioinformatics to develop new vaccines and vaccine delivery technology.

Stephen Acres

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.

Since 1969, the Department of Veterinary Physiological Sciences has provided undergraduate and graduate training in the function of the physiological systems of mammals, carried out basic and applied research, and provided analytical and diagnostic assistance to its clients through its three service labs. The following have served as head of the department: R.H. Dunlop (1967-1971); W.E. Roe (1971-1977); J.G. Manns (1977-1982); D.L. Hamilton (1982-1985); C.S. Sisodia (1985-1991); D.L. Hamilton (1991- ).

The University Summer School emerged in 1914; for the first three years (1914-1917), the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the direction and support of the school. Only school teachers took the courses; these were designed to improve instruction in agriculture, household science, nature study, art, and elementary science. In 1917, at the request of the Department, the University took over management of the School, and classes were offered leading to a degree. Classes were given in English, Latin, Chemistry, Physics, and Field Husbandry (Morton, p.110). From 1919 to 1937, G.H. Ling was Director; during his tenure it grew into one of the largest and best known university summer schools in Canada (Morton, p.71).

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) opened the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre on September 3, 1997. Funded by the Students’ Union but maintained and operated by volunteers, the Centre was created to provide information, support, and advocacy around sexual and gender diversity issues for all students at the University of Saskatchewan. It operates as a resource centre and provides services such as a drop-in centre, resource library, peer support, speakers bureau, discussion groups, safer sex information, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. It is committed to educating and bringing awareness of sexual and gender diversity issues and experiences to the campus community. The Centre also advocates for the rights and equality for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The name of this Centre was changed to USSU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally (LGBTA) Centre in 2002. In 2007, the Centre’s name was changed again to USSU Pride Centre.

One of the major issues facing the university's fourth President, J.W.T. Spinks, was the expansion of Regina Campus. Although that campus was administered by a principal, feeling grew in Regina that, with no equivalent position for the Saskatoon campus, the President would be more concerned with the northern campus. To counter this feeling, the government was asked in January 1966 to modify the University Act so that a principal could be appointed in Saskatoon. It was hoped that this move would allow the president greater freedom to concentrate on university, as distinguished from campus, affairs. On 1 July 1967 Robert Begg became the first and only principal of the Saskatoon campus of the University of Saskatchewan (Hayden, p.245). Dr. Begg's duties as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Saskatoon Campus included membership on the Board of Governors and several of its committees, including the Finance and Personnel Appointment Committees. In addition, he was a member of the University Executive Committee, University Senate and chaired both the University Council and its Executive Committee. He also chaired or was a member of several advisory councils, boards and administrative committees including Budget, Discipline and Buildings.

In 1954, President W.P. Thompson formed an ad hoc committee to coordinate the various requests from high schools for visitors from the University. A year later a committee on High School Visits was established to recruit and counsel prospective students. In 1959 three subcommittees were formed: University Nights, Campus Tours, and Teacher's Institutes. The High School Liaison office was created in 1974, and assumed responsibility for the production of brochures, handbooks and audio-visual material, the biannual newsletter "Its Your University", career days, high school summer camp tours (1974-1992), and the coordination of university contact with high schools throughout the province. In 1992/1993, the High School Liaison Office was placed under the jurisdiction of the Registrar's Office. The following have served as department head: C.A. Wheaton (1974-1976); S. Meeklal (1976-1980); R. Niekamp (1980-1982); M. Greenshields (1982-1984); B. Cram (1985-1988); B. Loewin (1988-1992); T. Gasior (1992-1994); K. McInnes (1994- ).

The University of Saskatchewan Flying Club was organized to "promote in the University an interest in aviation, and fellowship among members." Membership was open to "all individuals, pilots, students, and non-pilots with a genuine interest in furthering the objectives of the Club."

In 1910 the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture turned over to the University the responsibility for the development and delivery of agricultural and women's extension programs throughout the Province. To fulfill this mandate, the Department of Agricultural Extension (1910) and Women's Work (1913) were established within the College of Agriculture. Initially the activities of Agricultural Extension focussed on services to the Agricultural Societies--short courses, institutes (meetings and conferences), plowing matches, field crop contests, stock judging, etc. During the war years, a Better Farming Train toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. In 1915 "educational holidays" or camps were initiated for farm boys and girls and in 1918 4-H clubs were formed throughout Saskatchewan. Farm and Home Week, a period of exhibits, lectures, and demonstrations at the University, was introduced in the early 1930s. Special projects and programmes for rural women were offered through Homemaker's Clubs established in 1911. In addition to basic domestic activities, women received advice and instruction in fruit growing, tree planting, home nursing, water supply and purity, libraries, health and welfare services, etc. Adult Education services, begun in 1938 in response to forces for social reconstruction, consisted in part of groups formed to discuss planning, economics, cooperatives, government institutions and policies, international affairs, trade unions, etc. This was a logical expansion of the variety of information (bulletins, leaflets), informal (lectures, demonstrations), public (testing, analyses), professional (training), and cultural (drama, music) services, as well as a variety of services to governments at all levels. In 1949 the work of Agricultural Extension and Women's Work were combined in the Department of Extension. It remained a department in the College of Agriculture until 1963 when administrative responsibility was transferred to the Office of the President and renamed the Extension Division. The name changed again in 1979 to Division of Extension and Community Relations. It was changed back to Extension Division in 1990. The following individuals have served as Director or Dean: [of Agricultural Extension, or the Division]: F.H. Auld (1910-1912); S.E. Greenway (1912-1919); J.G. Rayner (1919-1952); R.D. Ramsay (1952-1963); H.R. Baker (1963-1974); W.B. Whale (1974-1984); R.E. Brack (1984-1991); D.G. Thompson (1992-- ). [of Women's Work]: A. DeLury (1913-1930); B.G. Oxner (1930-1950); A. Stevens (1950-1953); M.H. Pattilo (1953- ).

The Division of Audio Visual Services came into existence in 1966 following a Council resolution of April 1965. The objective was to develop a centralized audio visual service to support teaching, research and extension. With the growing use of audio visual technology in education the Division has expanded both in size and the diversity of services offered. The Division provided a film and videotape library, equipment services, photographic services, multi-media and sound recording, and a wide array of television services. Starting in the 1980s, the Division was been heavily involved in the use of satellite communication for distance education. The Division was subsequently renamed the Division of Media and Technology, and later Educational Media Access and Production, reflecting an expanding role with new technologies. Following a reorganization ca. 2015, Media Production became part of the Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning portfolio, with some other functions assumed by Information Communications and Technology. The following have served as director of the Division (revised 1994): P.R. Greenough (1967-1972); G.A. Farkas - acting - (1972-1974); G.A. Farkas (1974-1985); D. Fortosky (1985- ).