Head and shoulders portrait of Dr. Ahmed El-Serafi, Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Ahmed El-Serafi was born 3 March 1929 in Cairo, Egypt. He received a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Cairo University in 1950, a PhD from the Manchester College of Science and Technology in England in 1955, and a Dr-Ing from the Technical University at Darmstadt, Germany in 1964. In 1968 Dr. El-Serafi joined the University of Saskatchewan where he became professor of electrical engineering and a member of the power systems research group. After his retirement in 1996 he was appointed as professor emeritus and continued his professional activities. Dr. El-Serafi significantly contributed to various international professional institutions such as ICEM, IEEE, CIGRE and VDE. He received many international awards such as an IEEE Fellowship award for his significant contribution to synchronous machines, and an Alexander von Humboldt fellowship. Dr. El-Serafi published more than 300 refereed conference and journal papers. He was one of the founders of the Saskatoon Islamic Association and served as its president for several terms. Ahmed El-Serafi died 9 April 2018 in Saskatoon.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Alan Manson, Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Alan H. Manson was professor of Physics and Engineering Physics at the University of Saskatchewan from 1969-2021. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Engineering Physics (2022).

Bio/Historical Note: The Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (ISAS) was formed in 1956 to study the aurora (northern lights), the related 'disturbances' in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, and the effects of solar activity upon climate. On 11 July 1967 the University's Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, in co-operation with Bristol Aero-Space Industries Ltd. of Winnipeg, sent up two Black Brant 3 rockets from the Churchill Research Range. The launchings marked the third and fourth in a series of experiments to better understand weather patterns by studying the photochemistry of the atmosphere. Each rocket rose approximately 100 km into the atmosphere. The clamshell nose cones separated in flight to expose a light measuring device called a photometer. All measurements were “telemetered” to the ground and no attempt was made to recover the scientific instruments. Both payloads, weighing approximately 80 kilograms, were built and tested in the workshops of the institute on campus and then sent to Winnipeg for further testing and incorporation into the nose cones. Bristol Aero-Space supplied the rocket engineering under a contract with the National Research Council. The institute continues to expand the world's knowledge and understanding of how the sun and the earth interact; and trained more than 200 scientists and engineers in a wide range of technical and scientific areas. ISAS developed observing systems for space and atmospheric sciences, ground based optical and radar instruments, and satellite systems, remote sensing technology, and knowledge of STP processes are a vital resource for "Canadian Space Science" and couples powerfully into high-technology industries (2024).

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Albert E. Cameron, professor of Biology, 1918-1928.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Albert Ernest Cameron, professor of zoology and entomology, arrived at the University of Saskatchewan in 1918. He was appointed lecturer in medical entomology in the department of zoology of the University of Edinburgh in 1928. He was a brilliant lecturer, research worker and scientific illustrator. Albert Cameron died on 27 February 1952 at age 64.

Passport portrait of Dr. Albert E. Cameron, professor of Biology, 1918-1928.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Albert Ernest Cameron, professor of zoology and entomology, arrived at the University of Saskatchewan in 1918. He was appointed lecturer in medical entomology in the department of zoology of the University of Edinburgh in 1928. He was a brilliant lecturer, research worker and scientific illustrator. Albert Cameron died on 27 February 1952 at age 64.

Head and shoulders passport photo of Dr. Man-Kam Leung, Associate Professor of History.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Man-Kam Leung was born on 2 December 1937 in China at a time when the country was in turmoil and at war. Second in a group of seven children and the first son in the family, from a very young age Leung learned how to share many of the family responsibilities. In the 1950s the family moved to Hong Kong where he attended high school and the University of Hong Kong, where he majored in Chinese history, philosophy and literature. Dr. Leung graduated in 1963 with high honours. Right after his graduation, he received the prestigious East-West Center full scholarship to pursue his graduate work in History at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Leung obtained his MA and PhD there. In 1965 he joined the newly founded Department of Far Eastern Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, teaching Chinese and Japanese history, classical and modern Chinese, Southeast Asian history, Chinese philosophy and Chinese literature. In 1984 Dr. Leung transferred to the History department, where he taught Chinese and Japanese history until his retirement in June 2005, finishing a teaching career spanning 40 years. At retirement, he donated his entire book collection of 60,000 volumes to the U of S library, which included rare reference books on China and Japan. Dr. Leung died in Saskatoon in 2019.

Five students working in a laboratory, wearing lab coats. One of the students is drinking something out of a bottle. Mortar and pestle, test tubes, and other lab equipment visible on the table. From Greystone 1940.

Head and shoulders portrait of Edward Stamp, honorary degree recipient.

Bio/Historical Note: Edward (Eddie) Stamp (1928-1986) was bom in Liverpool, England, studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge, and qualified in Toronto as an accountant. A naturalised Canadian, he became an academic in New Zealand, returning to Britain in 1968 to professorships at Edin¬burgh and then at Lancaster University, where he founded (and directed until his death in 1986) the International Centre for Research in Accounting. The only Professor of Accounting Research in Britain, he became widely known to account¬ ants worldwide, less for the originality of his ideas than for his robust campaigns to raise standards of corporate reporting, auditing, and open administration.

Elevated view looking southwest from the Administration Building at (l to r): Saskatchewan Hall, Qu'Appelle Hall, north wing of Murray Memorial (Main) Library, Marquis Hall and Arts Tower.

View from northwest across the Bowl with buildings (l to r): Thorvaldson, Biology, Physics and Administration. Students walking on grass in foreground.

Image of Dr. Alexander D. Robertson, professor and head, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, points to a map while seated at his desk; two men look on.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Alexander Duff Robertson was born 28 April 1926 in Dunkfield, England. He received an MB from the University of Edinburgh in 1949, a DPH from the University of London in 1955, and an MD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1961. At Edinburgh Dr. Robertson was a researcher in social medicine (1941-1951), a lecturer in public health and social medicine, and a lecturer in the general practice teaching unit (1951-1954). From 1955-1958 he was a lecturer in social and preventive medicine at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London and in public health at the London School of Hygiene and Topical Medicine. Dr. Robertson made headlines in June 1960 when he made statements in favor of the Saskatchewan government's plan to introduce compulsory prepaid medical care insurance. The Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, of which Dr. Robertson was a member, was opposed to the government's move into the medical field. Dr. Robertson was chairman of the salaried physicians' section of the college when the section's executive was forced to resign after a vote of non-confidence. Dr. Robertson resigned from his post in February 1962 to become executive director of the Milbank Memorial Fund in New York City, resigning in 1969. From 1969-1990 he held numerous positions with the World Health Organization (WHO) such as chief of human resources for the Caribbean; regional advisor on medical education and public health; public health administrator; director of health manpower development; and director of health services in the regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Alexandria, Egypt. Alex Robertson died 29 June 1991.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Alex Livingston, dean, Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Alex Livingston was born 17 July 1940 and grew up in Luton, England. He graduated from London University in 1962. Dr. Livingston received his veterinary medical degree and MRCVS in 1964 and his PhD from the University of Bristol in 1968. He gained a place at the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine in the University of London, where he intercalated a BSc in Physiology in 1962. Dr. Livingston continued his course to complete a veterinary medical degree, B Vet Med, and MRCVS in 1964. He then moved to Bristol to study for a PhD in CNS pharmacology, which he completed in 1968. Dr. Livingston became lecturer, then senior lecturer and then in 1991 acting head of Pharmacology in Bristol. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) in 1993 and Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology in 1999. Dr. Livingston was recognized for his leadership and research advances in the areas of animal pain, animal welfare and pharmacology of analgesics and was awarded the Merial Grand Prize Outstanding Research Program in Animal Pain in 2001. Dr. Livingston was dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) from 1992-2002, after which he returned to the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences where he became involved in several research studies and mentoring of clinical residents and graduate students. Dr. Livingston supervised 15 PhD students and contributed to the scientific community with over 100 publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals, over 70 conference proceedings and abstracts, and over 20 book chapters. Dr. Livingston’s passion was science; even when he was dean, he was still involved with teaching and graduate student research. After his official retirement in 2007, he remained involved in research. Alex Livingston died 7 June 2014 in Saskatoon.

Bio/historical note: Image appeared in 11 Jan. 2002 issue of OCN.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Alexander M. Shaw, dean of Agriculture, 1929-1937.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. John Alexander Malcolm Shaw was born in 1885 in Woodburn, Ontario. He graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1910 and served as an agricultural agent for the Great Northern Railways prior to accepting an appointment at the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Animal Husbandry. In 1929 Dr. Shaw was named dean of Agriculture, a position he held until his resignation from the University in 1937. From 1935-1937 Dr. Shaw was a commissioner of the Canadian Wheat Board; in 1937, he was appointed director of the newly formed marketing service in the federal Department of Agriculture. In 1950 Dr. Shaw became chair of the Agricultural Prices Support Board; and from 1953 to 1955 he chaired the Royal Commission on Agriculture in Newfoundland. Dr. Shaw retired in 1958. He was one of the outstanding pioneers in Saskatchewan agriculture and played a leading role in the development of livestock breeding and of agricultural marketing in Canada. Alexander Shaw died in Ottawa in 1974 at age 88.

Bio/Historical Note: Winkona Wheelock Frank was born in 1881 in Orangedale, Ontario. Hired by President Walter Murray in 1911 as the University of Saskatchewan’s first dietician, she set up the first dining room for students and faculty and was in charge of food service and university functions. She also gave demonstrations and instruction on the Extension Department’s Better Farming Train. Frank lived on campus with her mother, Mrs. Mary Ann (Wheelock) Frank, in a suite just to the left of the main entrance to Qu’Appelle Hall. In 1918 Winkona married Alexander M. Shaw, professor of Agriculture and ended her employment at the U of S. She did, however, return to live on campus in 1927 when her husband was appointed dean of Agriculture and took up residence in what became the University Club (closed in 2020). As wife of the dean, she hosted numerous receptions and dances. In 1937 the family moved to Ottawa, where Winkona Shaw died 24 November 1948 at age 66.

A crowd of children waiting to enter the Boys' and Girls' lantern car as Harry Saville, staff member, and Fred Bradshaw, staff member and chief Game Guardian of Saskatchewan, look on.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 the Better Farming Train (BFT) served as an agricultural college on wheels. These trains, consisting of lecture, exhibit, and demonstration cars, toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the Extension Department of the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

People peer into flat car with pens of sheep and [hogs]; grain elevator in background.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 the Better Farming Train (BFT) served as an agricultural college on wheels. These trains, consisting of lecture, exhibit, and demonstration cars, toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the Extension Department of the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.

A crowd watching a lecture in the demonstration car. "Better Farming Train" banner at top of railway car.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 the Better Farming Train (BFT) served as an agricultural college on wheels. These trains, consisting of lecture, exhibit, and demonstration cars, toured the province providing lectures and demonstrations and presenting exhibits on matters pertaining to agriculture. Funded by the Agricultural Instruction Act, equipped jointly by the Department of Agriculture and the College of Agriculture, and staffed by the Extension Department of the University of Saskatchewan, the BFTs were operated free of charge by the railways. Consisting of between 14 to 17 cars they toured the province for several weeks each summer. During part of one summer two trains operated. The train was divided into five sections: Livestock; Field Husbandry; Boys and Girls; Household Science; Poultry; and Farm Mechanics. A converted flat car acted as a platform for the display and demonstration of the "well-selected" horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Each section usually contained a lecture car accompanied by one or more demonstration cars.