James Barrie was born on August 14, 1904 in Morden, Manitoba. He was educated in Manitoba and in British Columbia. Early in his life he moved to Pelly, Saskatchewan were he was a general merchant from 1922 to 1948. He worked as a general insurance agent from 1950 to 1958. He was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature as a Liberal MLA for the Pelly constituency in the general election of 1956, re-elected in 1960, defeated in 1964 and re-elected in 1967. He was appointed Minister of Natural Resources on December 21, 1967. Barrie was a member and past Master of the Kamsack Masonic Lodge AF & AM. He died in 1976.

Frank Laurie Barron was born on March 13, 1942. He received a B.A. (1965-66) in history, M.A. (1968), and M.Phil (1970) in Canadian history, all from the University of Waterloo, and a Ph.D. (1976) in Canadian social history from the University of Guelph. Prior to his appointment at the University of Saskatchewan, he was an assistant professor at Brandon University (1976-1982). He was appointed as an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan in 1982, as one of the founding members of the Department of Native Studies. He was the head of the department from 1985-1991. He was the founding editor of the Native Studies Review (1984-1995), published at the University of Saskatchewan, and resumed duties as editor in 1999. His books include Walking in Indian moccasins: the native policies of Tommy Douglas and the CCF (1997); Urban Indian reserves: forging new relationships in Saskatchewan (1999, edited with Joseph Garcea); and 1885 and after: native society in transition (1986, edited with James Waldram). He died in Saskatoon on January 11, 2000.

Reginald J.G. Bateman was born on October 12, 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, Co. Fermanagh, and both his B.A. (1906) and MA. (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after his graduation, he immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. Recalled in 1916 to take command of the Saskatchewan Co. of the Western Universities Battalion and promoted to the rank of Major, Bateman [voluntarily] reverted to the rank of lieutenant to return to France in 1917, where he was wounded. He returned to France once more, as Captain of the 46th Battalion CEF. He was killed in action on September 3, 1918.

Dr. Frank Lester Bates was born in 1909 in Colorado. He moved to Saskatchewan two years later and completed his elementary and high school education in Luseland, Saskatchewan. He attended Normal School in 1927-1928 in Calgary, Alberta, and completed a B.A. and B.Ed. at the University of Saskatchewan. He acquired a Doctor of Education degree at the University of California in Berkeley in 1947 with special emphasis on Elementary Education and Educational Psychology. His career in education in Saskatchewan included teaching at the Saskatchewan Teachers' College in Moose Jaw and Regina (1958-1963). He was Principal of the Saskatchewan Teachers' College, Regina from 1963 to 1964, then became Dean of the newly formed Faculty of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (1964-1967). He continued to teach in the Faculty of Education until 1977. He is currently retired and resides in Regina.

Jean Gordon Bayer joined the staff of the university in 1909 as President Walter Murray's secretary. Bayer previously had been his secretary at Dalhousie University. She arrived in Saskatoon in time to witness the registration of the first students. She was the President’s secretary, university librarian, and unofficial adviser to students. Bayer helped choose the university colours and motto, and was one of the founders of the Pente Kai Deka Society. In 1915, due to staff shortages caused by the Great War, Bayer was appointed Instructor in English. She proved so effective she was encouraged to continue, and took a year of study at Bedford College, London, prior to being formally appointed to the faculty. Like Murray, “she possessed a wide vision of the function of a university and, like him, she…dedicated herself to Saskatchewan.” “A most kindly guide” to her students, “many caught their first glimpse of what a literary ‘salon’ of the great days might have been in the genial atmosphere of tea and literature in her book-lined suite. She was a most loyal and cooperative colleague….She made it seem an easy thing to be happy and brave.” When Bayer returned from London in 1921 she was named Assistant Professor of English, a rank rarely held by women in that period. Bayer retained the post until her death in 1945. A scholarship in her name is available to a student who has completed at least two years of university studies