Progress shot of construction of the new south wing of the Murray Library. Cars and crane in foreground; North wing of Murray Library at right.

Bio/Historical Note: Though the first recorded withdrawal from the University Library occurred in October 1909, nearly five decades passed before the Library had its own building. The early collection was housed either on the second floor of the College Building (later known as the Administration Building) or was scattered among a number of small departmental libraries. Plans for a new library building in the late 1920s were ended by the start of the Great Depression; but a dramatically reduced acquisitions budget was offset by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation in 1933. In 1943 the University hired its first professional Librarian. A combination of provincial grants and University fundraising financed the construction of the Murray Memorial Library. The library was named after the University’s first President, Walter C. Murray. Designed by noted Regina architect Kioshi Izumi working under H.K. Black, Architect, it marked a change in campus architecture away from the more angular and elaborate Collegiate Gothic style to that of the less expensive cube. Building materials included granite at the entrance and Tyndall stone as a wall cladding and window trim. In addition to the library, the building housed the College of Law, an office of the Provincial Archives and a 105-seat lecture theatre equipped with the latest in audiovisual teaching aids. The most dramatic transformation took place between 1970 and 1976 when a six floor south wing was added along with an extensive renovation of the 1956 structure. Designed by BLM, Regina, the south wing was unlike any other building on campus. Clad in Tyndall stone panels made to look like concrete (through a "bush hammered" finish), the grey almost windowless building is industrial and utilitarian in appearance. The University's master plan required buildings in the core of campus to be clad in stone. However, the "bush hammered" finish was used since the Library addition was built during a period that saw the flowering of "Brutalist" Architecture, so called because of the wide use of exposed concrete. The new (south) wing, originally called the Main Library, was officially opened on 17 May 1974, and also became the home of the Department of Art and Art History, the College of Graduate Studies and the University Archives.

Looking north at the Physics Building and Addition.

Bio/Historical Note: The Physics Building was constructed by Smith Bros. & Wilson General Contractors from 1919 to 1921 for $437,000, and was designed by D. R. Brown and H. Vallance. It was officially opened in 1922. The building originally housed the Departments of Physics, Botany and Zoology, the Plant-pathology section of the Dominion Department of Agriculture, as well as the soils branch of the Canadian Department of the Interior. The Physics Building possessed non-vibratory walls, laboratories for Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Electron Physics, wireless work, a number of smaller research rooms, a dark room and a large lecture theatre, which was quickly put to use by many different colleges. The attic of the building was used as a temporary museum, with meteorological recording equipment situated on the roof. The basement was fitted with offices and classrooms, as well as with two fireproofed rooms containing the Shortt Library of Canadiana. During the 1946-1947 academic term a Physics Annex was "constructed" on campus at a cost of $46,000. Built initially to accommodate the Betatron, the Annex was a World War II air force hut that was reassembled on campus. After the completion of the Betatron Building in 1951 the annex was used to provide “temporary” classroom space for the department. Though scheduled to be demolished after the completion of the Physics Addition in 1967, the annex would remain on campus until it was destroyed in fire on 28 April 1979. A proper addition to the Physics Building was finally completed in 1967 by W.C. Wells Construction for $2,029,876.

View looking southwest of Commerce Building.

Male students at work in the Soil Science Lab

J.W.T. Spinks, University President, stands at podium on the cinder track during the official opening of Griffiths Stadium. Dignitaries standing behind Spinks.

Exterior view of the College of Law in winter.

Bio/Historical Note: The Law and Commerce Buildings were designed and constructed as part of a single project between 1965 and 1967. The architect was John Holliday-Scott of the Saskatoon firm Holliday-Scott & Associates.

Looking southwest at the north wing of the Murray Library; notice board in foreground.

Bio/Historical Note: A combination of provincial grants and University fundraising financed the construction of the Murray Memorial Library. The library was named after the University’s first President, Walter C. Murray. Designed by noted Regina architect Kioshi Izumi working under H.K. Black, Architect, it marked a change in campus architecture away from the more angular and elaborate Collegiate Gothic style to that of the less expensive cube. Building materials included granite at the entrance and Tyndall stone as a wall cladding and window trim. In addition to the library, the building housed the College of Law, an office of the Provincial Archives and a 105-seat lecture theatre equipped with the latest in audio visual teaching aids. The most dramatic transformation took place between 1970 and 1976 when a six floor south wing was added along with an extensive renovation of the 1956 structure. Designed by BLM, Regina, the south wing was unlike any other building on campus. Clad in Tyndall stone panels made to look like concrete (through a "bush hammered" finish), the grey almost windowless building is industrial and utilitarian in appearance. The University's master plan required buildings in the core of campus to be clad in stone. However, the "bush hammered" finish was used since the Library addition was built during a period that saw the flowering of "Brutalist" Architecture, so called because of the wide use of exposed concrete. The new (south) wing, originally called the Main Library, was officially opened on 17 May 1974, and also became the home of the Department of Art and Art History, the College of Graduate Studies and the University Archives.

Empty classroom in Commerce Building. View from back of class looking towards front of classroom.

Construction of the McEown Park complex.

Bio/Historical Note: The McEown Park residence complex, located at Cumberland Avenue and 14th Street East, was opened on 2 October 1970. Three high-rise buildings were initially built: 14-storey Seager Wheeler Hall housed single students living in small groups; 11-storey Assiniboine Hall housed married students without children and single students with shared accommodation; and 9-storey Souris Hall housed married students with children. A fourth tower, Wollaston Hall, was added in 1976.

Work being done on Engineering Building; scaffolding and trailer in foreground.

Looking northeast at Thorvaldson Building at centre with scaffolding at left.

View of students standing outside of the Native Law Centre at 420 Cumberland Avenue South.

Bio/Historical Note: The Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan was founded in 1975 by Dr. Roger C. Carter whose commitment to social justice issues convinced the University of the need for a Centre to facilitate access to legal education for Indigenous peoples. This was to promote the development of the law and the legal system in Canada in ways that better accommodate the advancement of Indigenous peoples and communities, and to disseminate information concerning Indigenous peoples and the law. Structured initially as an independent special project within the University of Saskatchewan, the Centre became a department of the College of Law in 1984. From the beginning, the Centre has nurtured innovation in its program areas of teaching, research, and publication. The Indigenous Law Centre continues to build upon that history and remains attentive to the contributions made as well as the challenges confronted by Indigenous peoples in Canada and internationally. Directors of the Centre have included: Roger C. Carter (1975-1981); D.J. Purich (1981-1994); J.Y. Henderson (1994- ) and Larry Chartrand (2017-). In May 2018, the Cree words “Wiyasiwewin Mikiwahp” were added to the Native Law Centre's name, so it will now be called Wiyasiwewin Mikiwahp Native Law Centre.

Gus Jacek (right), area manager (rural) Saskatoon for Gulf Oil Canada Limited presents a cheque in the amount of $2000 as an initial payment on a pledge of $8000 toward construction of the Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker Centre to Jack Pringle, administrative vice-president of the University at a presentation also attended by Frank Lovell, director of Development.

Dr. John Gerrard, president of the Faculty Club, preparing to cut the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the Club's renovated and enlarged premises.

Bio/Historical Note: The Dean of Agriculture’s residence was among the first buildings on campus. Designed by Brown & Vallance of Montreal, the original plan called for a wood-clad structure but this was abandoned when the Board of Governors decided in May 1911 to use local greystone. Unlike several of the larger buildings, the Dean’s residence was built by university employees with the assistance of day labourers. Construction took less than a year and costs ran to nearly $25,000. Sometimes known as the “Grey Gables,” the building’s first resident was W.J. Rutherford, first Dean of Agriculture. The location of the house, on the campus close to the University Farm, reflected the unique relationship of the Agricultural College with the University. In addition to a family residence, the adjourning grounds were used on occasion as the site for outdoor receptions and social gatherings. Talk of starting a Faculty Club at the University of Saskatchewan started in 1921, but a club was not established until 1927. The centre for the club was a reading room in the College (Administration) Building; and the club's major purpose became sponsoring a series of lectures by faculty members. Slowly, over the years, the club was also opened to other than faculty members: in 1937, government researchers were allowed to join; as were senior administrative personnel in 1959; and by 1962, a degree was no longer a requirement of membership.
A controversial issue of the 1940s was to admit women members of faculty to the club. At a 19 November 1943 meeting, J.R. Fraser moved, seconded by J.B. Harrington, that women members of staff be admitted to the Faculty Club.” There was an amendment, moved by J.F. Leddy, seconded by A.P. Arnason “That the name of the club be changed to the Men’s Faculty Club.” The amendment carried. So the club was called the Men’s Faculty Club for four years, until 21 March 1947 when on a motion of Ansten Anstenson, seconded by J.B. Harrington “that the name of the club be changed to the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club and that women members of the faculty be admitted.” Carried. The last Dean to live in the house was V.E. Graham who moved out in 1961 so the building could be converted into a Faculty Club, which opened in 1962. The building underwent two more renovations in 1966 and 1975. The latter was the most extensive, at a cost of $607,961, and established the footprint of the building as it exists today. At 3:00 pm on 19 September 1972, a fire that had been smoldering in the roof insulation for hours became apparent inside the club. The building was evacuated and an alarm called into the City of Saskatoon Fire Department. Six units were eventually dispatched to battle the “stubborn” fire before a crowd of several hundred onlookers. No one was injured and the building was saved from catastrophic damage. By 1974, most administrative officers were permitted to join. The Faculty Club is now known as the University Club (2020).

C.S. Boulter speaking at a reception marking the POS Pilot Plant ground-breaking.

Bio/Historical Note: The POS (Protein, Oil and Starch) Pilot Plant is a research organization that specializes in extraction, fractionation, purification, and modification of biologically derived materials. The company, which was founded in July 1977, is located in the Innovation Place Research Park on the University of Saskatchewan campus. POS Pilot Plant, the largest pilot plant operation of its kind in North America, has grown from eighteen employees in 1977 to over ninety employees in 2003. The company employs people from a wide range of disciplines: scientists, engineers, technicians, operators, tradespeople, logistics and information researchers, and administrative personnel. POS Pilot Plant is dedicated to finding personalized solutions for clients' bioprocessing needs. Services provided include: process and product development, optimization and scale-up; hazard analysis and critical control points; protocols and good manufacturing practice plans; and ingredient sourcing, shelf-life testing and analytical development. There are also consulting services, and support services concerning materials management, maintenance, and information. The Plant serves bioprocessing industries including nutraceuticals and functional foods; cosmetics and fragrances; fats, oils and lipids; food and ingredients; animal feeds; and Biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology. In 2019 the plant was rebranded KeyLeaf Life Sciences.