Head and shoulders image of Levi Thomson, member, first Board of Governors of the University of Saskatchewan.

Bio/Historical Note: Levi Thomson, KC (1855-1938) was born in Erin Township, Canada West, He began the study of law in Toronto but then moved west in 1882, settling on a farm in Wolseley, Saskatchewan. Thomson completed his legal studies in Regina in 1894 and practised law in Wolseley. He served as crown prosecutor from 1897 to 1904, resigning to run unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Commons. Thomson was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the Saskatchewan assembly in 1905. In 1913, he was named King's Counsel. He served on the council for Wolseley from 1889 to 1903 and was mayor in 1904. Thomson also served on the first Board of Governors for the University of Saskatchewan. He died in Wolseley at the age of 83.

Image of J.S. Thomson dressed in an academic gown, standing on a street; uildings and cars in background.

Bio/Historical Note: James Sutherland Thomson was born in Stirling, Scotland. He was educated in philosophy at the University of Glasgow, studied theology at Trinity College, Glasgow, and was ordained in 1920. Thomson came to Canada in 1930 as a professor of systematic theology and philosophy of religion at Pine Hill Divinity Hall, a United Church theological college in Halifax. He was appointed as the second President of the University of Saskatchewan in 1937. Thomson served until 1949, taking a leave of absence in 1942-1943 to become general manager of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (described by Acting President W.P. Thompson as Thomson's "call-up for war service"). In 1949 Thomson became McGill University's first Dean of the Faculty of Divinity and Professor of Religious Studies. He was moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1956 to 1958. Thomson retired as Dean in 1957, and died in Montreal in 1972 at the age of 80.

J.W.T. Spinks, newly-installed University President, holding a paper in his right hand and shaking hands with F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, during Convocation held in Physical Education gymnasium.

Bio/Historical Note: John William Tranter Spinks was born in 1908 at Methwold, England. He received his PhD in Science from the University of London in 1930 and that same year joined the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Chemistry. While on leave in Germany in 1933 he worked with Gerhard Herzberg, future Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, and was instrumental in bringing him to Canada. In 1938 Dr. Spinks became a full professor of Chemistry. During WWII Dr. Spinks developed search-and-rescue operations for the RCAF and took part in the early work on atomic energy. His scientific research led to major international achievements in radiation chemistry and his work included over 200 scientific papers. Dr. Spinks was appointed head of the department of Chemistry in 1948; Dean of the College of Graduate Studies in 1949 and was installed as President of the University, which he led through a very active period of development from 1959-1975. Dr. Spinks received many honours: Companion of the Order of Canada (1970); the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (1982), Saskatoon's Citizen of the Year (1985), and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1996). He married Mary Strelioff (1910-1999) on 5 June 1939 in Rugby Chapel on the U of S grounds. Dr. Spinks died in 1997 in Saskatoon at age 89. The north-facing four-storey Spinks Addition is home to the departments of Computer Science and Chemistry. It was completed in 2003. Spinks Drive in College Park honours Dr. Spinks. The University of Saskatchewan open source computer labs were named the Spinks Labs.

F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, stands at podium during Installation ceremony of J.W.T. Spinks as University President held in Physical Education gymnasium. Written on back: "Left to right: Fr. Joseph O'Donnell, St. Thomas More; David Bonham, president, Students' Representative Council; E.C. Leslie; Rupert Ramsay; Dr. Johns, president, University of Alberta; W.P. Thompson, President Emeritus; T.C. Douglas, Premier of Saskatchewan; F.H. Auld; J.W.T. Spinks; V.E. Graham, Dean of Agriculture; J.F. Leddy, dean of Arts; Thomas H. McLeod, dean of Commerce; J.B. Kirkpatrick, dean of Education; Arthur Porter, dean of Engineering; Balfour W. Currie, dean of Graduate Studies; and Dr. Hope H. Hunt, dean of Home Economics.

Bio/historical note: John William Tranter Spinks, CC MBE SOM, (1908-1997) was born at Methwold, England. He received his Ph.D. in Science from the University of London in 1930 and that same year joined the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Chemistry. In 1938 he became a full professor; head of the department of Chemistry in 1948; Dean of the College of Graduate Studies in 1949 and was installed as President of the University, which he led through a very active period of development from 1959-1975. His scientific research led to major international achievements in radiation chemistry and his work (including over 200 scientific papers) brought renown to the University and to the City of Saskatoon.

J.W.T. Spinks, newly-installed University President, walking with W.P. Thompson, President Emeritus, during ceremony held in Physical Education gymnasium. Both wearing academic gowns.

Bio/Historical Note: John William Tranter Spinks was born in 1908 at Methwold, England. He received his PhD in Science from the University of London in 1930 and that same year joined the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor of Chemistry. While on leave in Germany in 1933 he worked with Gerhard Herzberg, future Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, and was instrumental in bringing him to Canada. In 1938 Dr. Spinks became a full professor of Chemistry. During WWII Dr. Spinks developed search-and-rescue operations for the RCAF and took part in the early work on atomic energy. His scientific research led to major international achievements in radiation chemistry and his work included over 200 scientific papers. Dr. Spinks was appointed head of the department of Chemistry in 1948; Dean of the College of Graduate Studies in 1949 and was installed as President of the University, which he led through a very active period of development from 1959-1975. Dr. Spinks received many honours: Companion of the Order of Canada (1970); the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (1982), Saskatoon's Citizen of the Year (1985), and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1996). He married Mary Strelioff (1910-1999) on 5 June 1939 in Rugby Chapel on the U of S grounds. Dr. Spinks died in 1997 in Saskatoon at age 89. The north-facing four-storey Spinks Addition is home to the departments of Computer Science and Chemistry. It was completed in 2003. Spinks Drive in College Park honours Dr. Spinks. The University of Saskatchewan open source computer labs were named the Spinks Labs.

Harry Thode, president of McMaster University, addressing guests at a banquet held after the installation of J.W.T. Spinks as University President.

Dignitaries seated on the dais during Regina Campus Convocation; from left to right: Norman K. Cram, University Registrar; T.M. Schudel, Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister of Canada; E.C. Leslie, University Board of Governors; Gordon J. Trapp, Saskatchewan Minister of Education; Robert L. Hanbidge, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan; and E.M. (Ted) Culliton, University Chancellor.

J.W.T. Spinks, University President, and Dr. J. Francis Leddy, Dean of Arts and Science, attend the symposium and are seated on the left. Paintings and plaques on the walls in background.

Attendees at conference held in Montreal, front row (l to r): Hadley Van Vliet, R.S. Miller, J.W.T. Spinks, University President. Back row: J. Howard Richards; W.B. Baker; and W.L. Hutcheon.

J.W.T. Spinks, University President, stands with Mrs. Lois Hardy and L.E. Kirk, member, University Board of Governors, at the unveiling of a plaque in honour of Evan A. Hardy at the Hardy Laboratory for Agricultural Engineering.

Bio/Historical Note: Evan Alan Hardy was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on 1 Oct. 1890. He spent his formative years and completed his early education in Sioux City before enrolling in agricultural engineering at Iowa State College. In 1917 he earned a B.Sc. and accepted a teaching position at the University of Saskatchewan. He returned to Iowa to continue his studies but was back in Saskatoon by 1922 with his MSc. From 1926 to 1951 Hardy was head of the department of Agricultural Engineering. During his career at the U of S, Hardy advocated the growth of mechanized farming and designed many implements for use on the prairies. While on leave in 1951, he went to work for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization in northern Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. He took early retirement from the university and 1952, and remained in Ceylon. In 1956 he moved to Amparai where he founded the Technical Training Institute, now known as the Hardy Institute of Technical Training. He remained there until his death on 4 Dec. 1963. Hardy received an LL.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1957; a Saskatoon school was named Evan Hardy Collegiate in 1963; and in 1964 of the Hardy Laboratory for Agricultural Engineering was posthumously dedicated in his honour.

J.B. Kirkpatrick, dean of Education, speaking at testimonial dinner held in Marquis Hall in honor of Dr. J.W.T. Spinks, retiring University President.

J.B. Kirkpatrick, dean of Education, makes presentation at testimonial dinner held in Marquis Hall in honour of Dr. J.W.T. Spinks, retiring University President.