F.H. Auld, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Sir John Cockcroft, Nobel prize-winning British scientist, during 51st annual Convocation at Physical Education gymnasium. N.K. Cram, University Registrar, hoods recipient.

Bio/Historical Note: Sir John Douglas Cockcroft, OM, KCB, CBE, FRS (1897-1967) was a British physicist who shared with Ernest Walton the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1951 for splitting the atomic nucleus, and was instrumental in the development of nuclear power.

F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Dr. David L. Thomson at convocation at Physical Education gymnasium. Norman K. Cram, University Registrar, hoods the recipient.

Bio/Historical Note: David Landsborough Thomson, FRSC (1901-1964) was born in Scotland. Thomson earned BSc and MA degrees from the University of Aberdeen, then a PhD in biochemistry from Cambridge University under the eye of Nobel laureate Frederick Gowland Hopkins. After further studies in Europe, he moved to Montreal, joining the McGill faculty in 1928. At McGill, he was Gilman Cheney Professor of Biochemistry from 1937-1960, dean of the faculty of graduate studies and research from 1942-1963, and the vice-principal from 1955-1963. He served on the National Research Council of Canada, the Defence Research Board and the Scientific Research Bureau of Quebec. He received an honorary LLD in 1961 from the University of Saskatchewan. Thomson published several highly cited papers in major journals.

A display of chicken information in the Poultry Car of the Better Farming Train.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1914 to 1922 a Better Farming Train (BFT) 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 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.

F.H. Auld, University Chancellor,making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Samuel R. Laycock at spring Convocation. N.K. Cram, University Registrar, prepares to hood Dr. Laycock.

Bio/Historical Note: Samuel Ralph Laycock, ’16 MA, ’20 BDiv, ’23, BEd, was born in Marmora, Ontario, in 1891. He received his BA from the University of Toronto before moving to Edmonton, where he taught math and Latin for five years while earning a MA from the University of Alberta. During the First World War Laycock enlisted in the Canadian Signals Corps and served in France. After demobilization he joined the staff of the University of Alberta and earned a master’s degree in education. He attended summer sessions at Columbia and Harvard before enrolling at the University of London, from which he received a PhD in 1927. That same year Laycock was appointed assistant professor of educational psychology at the newly formed School of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. He was promoted to full professor in 1929 and served as dean of education from 1947 to 1954. Upon retirement Laycock continued to teach summer session courses at a number of Canadian and American universities and in 1958 accepted a University of British Columbia appointment as special lecturer. He was the author of 14 books and published more than 700 articles, as well as conducting the CBC’s School for Parents for 18 years. Laycock also pioneered the Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher movement and served on a number of boards, councils, committees and commissions. Among the many honours bestowed upon him were an honourary degree from the University of Saskatchewan and the Medal of Service of the Order of Canada. Laycock died in Vancouver on 5 September 1971.

F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Dr. Harry Thode at Convocation held in Physical Education gymnasium.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Henry George (Harry) Thode was born in 1910 in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. He received his BSc in 1930 and his MSc in 1932 from the University of Saskatchewan In 1934 he received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Chicago. He joined McMaster University in 1939 as an associate professor of chemistry, became a full professor in 1944; was named director of research in 1947; and was appointed head of the chemistry department from 1948-1952. Dr. Thode built a cyclotron capable of making radioactive isotopes and along with Dr. C.H. Jaimet, investigated the use of radioactive iodine in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease in humans, the first medical application of radioactive iodine in Canada. Dr. Thode became principal of Hamilton College in 1949; appointed vice-president in 1957; and in 1961 became president and vice chancellor. He retired as president in 1972. Dr. Thode was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to atomic research during World War II. Dr. Thode was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1943 and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1954. The University of Saskatchewan awarded him an honourary Doctor of Laws degree in 1958. In 1967 he was the first scientist to be made a Companion of the Order of Canada. The Science and Engineering library at McMaster University is named after him. Dr. Thode died in 1997 in Dundas, Ontario.

Dr. Don Bailey, Professor of Physical Education, measuring vertical jumps in the Physical Education gymnasium.

Bio/Historical Note: In the 1960s Dr. Don Bailey, professor of Physical Education, studied child growth and development and the relationship between bone mineral accrual and physical activity in the growing years. He directed the landmark Saskatchewan Growth and Development Study, a 10-year investigation of growth and physical fitness in school-age children.

Two unidentified male students working in a lab setting; facing camera.

Four unidentified male students working in a lab setting.

Female student working in a [lab setting].

Male student working with drafting tools.

Man lecturing a small class of four in [Arts Theatre Wing].

Man lecturing a class; view is from back of the class looking towards instructor.

Four recipients of honourary Doctor of Laws degrees stand together during Convocation (l to r): Duncan A. MacGibbon, James G. Taggart, A.R. Brown, and W.K. Lamb. During Convocation in Physical Education gymnasium.