Formal/Studio portrait of Dr. Roly St. Arnaud, professor, Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology (Soil Science).

A truck delivers cement to the Biology Building construction site.

Bio/Historical Note: The W.P. Thompson Biology Building is named after Walter Palmer Thompson, the University of Saskatchewan's third president and founder of the Biology Department (1913). Designed by Izumi, Arnott and Sugiyama, it was constructed between 1957 and 1959 and officially opened in 1960. Set back from the Bowl, the flat-roofed cube style building was located between the Collegiate Gothic architecture of the Chemistry and Physics Buildings. It originally consisted of a teaching wing and a research wing but a header and greenhouse complex was added in 1962. Unlike many other Canadian universities the Department of Biology remained a single unit, balancing diverse sub-disciplines rather than separating into several distinct departments. Prior to the building's opening in 1960, work in biological sciences was scattered among four campus locations. Perhaps the most striking of the building’s features is the mural of mosaic tiles that adorns the south and west exterior walls. The mural depicts the four main stages of cellular mitosis. The artist, Roy Kiyooka, chose chromosome patterns as a testament to Dr. Thompson's important discoveries regarding the genetics of wheat rust. In 1986, the Geology Building was completed on the south side of Biology, resulting in the transformation of the south façade from an exterior into an interior wall, part of a new atrium.

J.W.T. Spinks, University President, speaks during official opening.

Presentation of key by J.W.T. Spinks, University President, to Dr. D.S. Rawson, head, Department of Biology, during the official opening of the Biology Building.

F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, addresses the audience during the official opening of the Biology Building. J.W.T. Spinks, University President, seated in the background.

View of the crowd seated in the Bowl during the official opening of the Biology Building.

Attendees seated indoors during a convention in Regina; several men with ribbons on coats. Attendees identified are: Raymond K. Baker, Samuel E. Greenway, M. Smith, Walter C. Murray, University President; William J. Rutherford, dean of Agriculture, Alexander M. Shaw and Leslie Quick are identified. Flags hang on wall in background.

Elevated view of the betatron being slid down wood ramps into the basement of the Physics Building.

Bio/Historical Note: In May 1948 Dr. Harold E. Johns, Dr. Newman Haslam and Dr. Leon Katz, professors of Physics at the University of Saskatchewan, travelled to Milwaukee to inspect the betatron that had been built for the U of S. In August of that same year, the U of S installed in the Physics Annex the first betatron in Canada—the world’s first betatron used for a cancer treatment program. Dr. Johns then began the design and construction of one of the first cobalt-60 teletherapy units. Dr. Johns and his graduate students became the first researchers in the world to successfully treat a cancer patient using cobalt-60 radiation therapy. It was also used for research programs in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry, cancer therapy and radiation biology. In 1951 the world’s first calibrated Cobalt-60 cancer therapy unit was installed at University Hospital (G Wing). The calibration work was done by Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk through rigorous depth dose measurements. In early 1952, Maclean's magazine had dubbed the cobalt-source radiotherapy machine the cobalt bomb - a tongue-in-cheek tribute to this peaceful use of nuclear technology. Dr. Johns’ pioneering work in cobalt-60 teletherapy became the gold standard for radiation therapy for many years and thousands of units were installed worldwide. The original treatment device was used in Saskatchewan until 1972. The work Dr. Johns and his team did on the physics of high energy photon beams was fundamental, and still forms the basis of most treatment planning systems in use today (2024).

Image of the betatron.

Bio/Historical Note: In May 1948 Dr. Harold E. Johns, Dr. Newman Haslam and Dr. Leon Katz, professors of Physics at the University of Saskatchewan, travelled to Milwaukee to inspect the betatron that had been built for the U of S. In August of that same year, the U of S installed in the Physics Annex the first betatron in Canada—the world’s first betatron used for a cancer treatment program. Dr. Johns then began the design and construction of one of the first cobalt-60 teletherapy units. Dr. Johns and his graduate students became the first researchers in the world to successfully treat a cancer patient using cobalt-60 radiation therapy. It was also used for research programs in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry, cancer therapy and radiation biology. In 1951 the world’s first calibrated Cobalt-60 cancer therapy unit was installed at University Hospital (G Wing). The calibration work was done by Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk through rigorous depth dose measurements. In early 1952, Maclean's magazine had dubbed the cobalt-source radiotherapy machine the cobalt bomb - a tongue-in-cheek tribute to this peaceful use of nuclear technology. Dr. Johns’ pioneering work in cobalt-60 teletherapy became the gold standard for radiation therapy for many years and thousands of units were installed worldwide. The original treatment device was used in Saskatchewan until 1972. The work Dr. Johns and his team did on the physics of high energy photon beams was fundamental, and still forms the basis of most treatment planning systems in use today (2024).

Dr. Leon Katz (left), director, Linear Accelerator Lab, and Dr. Vasilii Vasilevich Vladimirskii, Russian scientist, observing the Linear Accelerator. From back of photo: "Russian Scientist Dr. Katz".

Image of the presentation drawing of the Linear Accelerator Laboratory and addition. Original building at left and addition at right. Architect was Jim C. Akin Architect Ltd., Saskatoon.

Bio/Historical Note: The building of the Linear Accelerator (Linac) was not a random event but rather the result of a series of developments on campus. The Department of Physics had over the previous decades built a reputation for experimentation and innovation. The post-war period saw the University of Saskatchewan in the forefront of nuclear physics in Canada. In 1948, Canada’s first betatron (and the world’s first used in the treatment of cancer) was installed on campus. It was used for research programs in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry, cancer therapy and radiation biology. Next the world’s first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit for the treatment of cancer was officially opened in 1951. With this unit research was undertaken in the areas of radiological physics, radiation chemistry and the effects of high energy radiation on plants and animals. When the construction of the Linear Accelerator was announced in the fall of 1961, it was portrayed as the next logical step on the University’s research path. Varian Associates, Palo Alto, California, designed and built the accelerator with Poole Construction of Saskatoon employed as the general contractor. The 80 foot electron accelerator tube was to create energy six times that of the betatron. The cost of the $1,750,000 facility was split between the National Research Council and the University of Saskatchewan with the NRC meeting the cost of the equipment and the University assuming the costs of the building. The official opening in early November of 1964 was more than just a few speeches and the cutting of a ribbon. It was a physics-fest, with 75 visiting scientist from around the world in attendance presenting papers and giving lectures over the period of several days. Three eminent physicists were granted honorary degrees at the fall convocation and hundreds of people showed up for the public open house. For three decades the Linac has served the campus research community and will continue to do so as it has become incorporated into the Canadian Light Source synchrotron.

Image of site marked off for the new location of the Linear Accelerator Building. Speaker visible on platform in background; audience seated and standing. University buildings and Bessborough in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The building of the Linear Accelerator (Linac) was not a random event but rather the result of a series of developments on campus. The Department of Physics had over the previous decades built a reputation for experimentation and innovation. The post-war period saw the University of Saskatchewan in the forefront of nuclear physics in Canada. In 1948, Canada’s first betatron (and the world’s first used in the treatment of cancer) was installed on campus. It was used for research programs in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry, cancer therapy and radiation biology. Next the world’s first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit for the treatment of cancer was officially opened in 1951. With this unit research was undertaken in the areas of radiological physics, radiation chemistry and the effects of high energy radiation on plants and animals. When the construction of the Linear Accelerator was announced in the fall of 1961, it was portrayed as the next logical step on the University’s research path. Varian Associates, Palo Alto, California, designed and built the accelerator with Poole Construction of Saskatoon employed as the general contractor. The 80 foot electron accelerator tube was to create energy six times that of the betatron. The cost of the $1,750,000 facility was split between the National Research Council and the University of Saskatchewan with the NRC meeting the cost of the equipment and the University assuming the costs of the building. The official opening in early November of 1964 was more than just a few speeches and the cutting of a ribbon. It was a physics-fest, with 75 visiting scientist from around the world in attendance presenting papers and giving lectures over the period of several days. Three eminent physicists were granted honorary degrees at the fall convocation and hundreds of people showed up for the public open house. For three decades the Linac has served the campus research community and will continue to do so as it has become incorporated into the Canadian Light Source synchrotron.

Hallway under construction at the Linear Accelerator Building.

Bio/Historical Note: The building of the Linear Accelerator (Linac) was not a random event but rather the result of a series of developments on campus. The Department of Physics had over the previous decades built a reputation for experimentation and innovation. The post-war period saw the University of Saskatchewan in the forefront of nuclear physics in Canada. In 1948, Canada’s first betatron (and the world’s first used in the treatment of cancer) was installed on campus. It was used for research programs in nuclear physics, radiation chemistry, cancer therapy and radiation biology. Next the world’s first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit for the treatment of cancer was officially opened in 1951. With this unit research was undertaken in the areas of radiological physics, radiation chemistry and the effects of high energy radiation on plants and animals. When the construction of the Linear Accelerator was announced in the fall of 1961, it was portrayed as the next logical step on the University’s research path. Varian Associates, Palo Alto, California, designed and built the accelerator with Poole Construction of Saskatoon employed as the general contractor. The 80 foot electron accelerator tube was to create energy six times that of the betatron. The cost of the $1,750,000 facility was split between the National Research Council and the University of Saskatchewan with the NRC meeting the cost of the equipment and the University assuming the costs of the building. The official opening in early November of 1964 was more than just a few speeches and the cutting of a ribbon. It was a physics-fest, with 75 visiting scientist from around the world in attendance presenting papers and giving lectures over the period of several days. Three eminent physicists were granted honorary degrees at the fall convocation and hundreds of people showed up for the public open house. For three decades the Linac has served the campus research community and will continue to do so as it has become incorporated into the Canadian Light Source synchrotron.