Two technicians at work in the control room.

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.

A technician stands beside the Linear Accelerator.

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.

Surgical team at work.

Students seated at several rows of tables writing exams in a gym.

Huskies football team on offence in a game at Griffiths Stadium. Fans in bleachers in background.

Head and shoulders of the Saskatchewan Premier Walter Scott.

Dr. Bruce Schnell, Vice President, University of Saskatchewan, speaks to the crowd gathered for the Kenderdine Campus open house.

Blaine Holmlund, acting President, University of Saskatchewan, speaks to the crowd gathered for the Kenderdine Campus open house.

Bio/Historical Note: Artist workshops have been held at Emma Lake, Saskatchewan, since 1935. Augustus F. (Gus) Kenderdine, an artist trained at the Academie Julian in Paris and an instructor in the fledgling Department of Art at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, established a summer art camp on an eleven-acre boreal forest peninsula on the shores of Emma Lake. He convinced Dr. Walter Murray, first president of the University of Saskatchewan, that the art camp could perform a vital role in the offerings of the department, and in 1936 the Murray Point Art School at Emma Lake was officially incorporated as a summer school program. Participants were teachers and artists who came from all over the province to learn how to teach art in Saskatchewan schools. After Kenderdine's death in 1947, a new generation of Saskatchewan artists came of age or moved into the province, including Kenneth Lochhead, Arthur McKay, Ronald Bloore, Ted Godwin, and Douglas Morton— popularly referred to as the Regina Five.

Dr. Denys H. Wilkinson, honourary Doctor of Laws degree recipient, speaks during Convocation ceremony held in Physical Education gymnasium. Dignitaries seated on dais in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Sir Denys Haigh Wilkinson (1922-2016) was a British nuclear physicist.

The University sheep flock grazing cultivated grass near the Chemistry Building. College Building at right. The swamp fever research barn for horses (background left) visible in its original location north of the Engineering Building. The barn was later relocated just north of the new Agriculture Building.

Bio/Historical Note: The swamp fever research barn served as the factory for manufacturing and bottling the vaccine. Dr. J.S Fulton directed the research. When Dr. Fulton obtained a new laboratory largely funded by vaccine revenue, the old barn was used for post-mortem work on dead animals submitted by farmers for diagnosis. By 1950 the eastern half of the barn would become quarters for the Animal Husbandry Department.

A line of people walk on a campus sidewalk passed the Field Husbandry (later Crop Science, Archaeology) during a blizzard. The Engineering Building can be seen in the background but is obscured by blowing snow.

Note that the main building in this photo had been misidentified as the Physics Building, and updated in May 2024.

R.T. Coupland, Director of Matador Project (1966-1976) and professor of plant ecology, examines grain in a field.

Bio/Historical Note: From 1967 to 1972, plant ecologists at the University of Saskatchewan participated in the International Biological Program. As part of this worldwide study of agricultural productivity, ecologists established the Matador field station for grassland research carried out by scientists from thirty-four countries. The field station was located near Kyle, thirty miles north of Swift Current, in an area of natural grassland that was potentially the best wheat growing soil in the brown soil zone of Saskatchewan. The land (three square miles) was originally leased for 21 years from the Government of Saskatchewan; the lease (for $1/year) has since been renewed and currently expires in 2009. The Matador Project involved the study of the total grasslands ecosystem, including the interaction of animals, plants, microorganisms, soils and the atmosphere. Robert T. Coupland, Head of the Department of Plant Ecology, served as Director of the Matador Project.

The Thorvaldson Building at dusk.

COTC cadets at table studying map; indoor scene.