Head and shoulders image of Dr. Edith C. Rowles, Supervisor of Girls' Work, and Dean of Women.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Edith Child Rowles Simpson was born on 9 April 1905 in Manchester, England, and was raised on a homestead on the Saskatchewan/Alberta border. She attended school at Empress, Alberta, and took her teacher training at the Normal School in Saskatoon. Dr. Simpson taught at a number of Saskatchewan schools in the Abbey and Mantario districts prior to enrolling at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Simpson received her BHSc in 1932 and won the Rutter Prize for most distinguished graduate. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin (MSc in Extension, 1939) and Columbia (EdD, 1956). In 1932 Dr. Simpson joined the faculty of the Department of Women's Work at the U of S and served in a number of positions throughout her career: Supervisor of girls' work (1936); assistant professor in the College of Agriculture (1941); dean of Women (1944); and associate professor in the College of Home Economics (1950). In 1956 Dr. Simpson served as president of the Canadian Federation of University Women, having been a member since 1933. In 1965 she was appointed professor and Dean of Home Economics, serving until 1972. In her extension work she conducted Farm Girls' Camps and Extension Short Courses. Dr. Simpson’s academic specialty was in food science, an area in which she taught, researched and published. In 1964 Dr. Simpson published the book Home Economics In Canada: Prologue To Change. That same year she married Dr. George W. Simpson. historian and fellow professor. After spending her entire professional life at the U of S, she retired in 1972 and was named Dean Emerita. She was further honoured with the establishment of the Edith Rowles Simpson Lectureship, with the inaugural lecture occurring in 1974. In 1993 the U of S honoured her again with a honourary Doctor of Laws degree. Dr. Simpson's professional affiliations included memberships in the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canadian and American Dietetic associations and the Canadian Home Economics Association where she served as president. Among her many awards and honours are inductions into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Order of Canada in 1987. Dr. Simpson died in Saskatoon on 29 December 1997 at age 92.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Ethel B. Rutter, first Head of Household Science, 1929-1940.

Bio/Historical Note: In 1906, Ethel Brittain Rutter (1876-1964), PhB, MA, was widowed with two small children. Rutter received the Gold Medal for proficiency in Household Science from Macdonald College, McGill University, in 1908. She went on to serve on the faculty of Macdonald College. In 1916, Rutter joined the University of Saskatchewan to teach Household Science. Taking summers to study and a year’s leave, she earned the Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago and the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. In 1928, the School of Household Science was established within the College of Arts and Science. Rutter was instrumental in setting up the degree program, and in 1929 was named Head of the School. She taught classes in food and nutrition, family relations and methods of teaching. To quote from the Canadian Home Economics Journal of March 1955: “Students in Mrs. Rutter’s classes recalled her insistence on accuracy, her high standards of workmanship, her apt phrasing and, above all, her enthusiasm for her subject.” Outside of the University, she encouraged the study of home economics in women’s organizations and constantly stressed the need for employing trained dietitians in hospitals. Upon her retirement in 1940, Professor Rutter was named Professor Emerita of the University of Saskatchewan. She was a Charter Member of the Canadian Dietetics Association (now Dietitians of Canada), Honorary Member of the Canadian Home Economics Association and Honorary Life Member of the McGill Graduate Society. The Rutter Prize was established in 1930 to recognize the most distinguished student in the graduating class of the College of Home Economics. The Rutter Medal now honours the most distinguished Bachelor of Science in Nutrition graduate. Rutter died in 1964; 'Rutter Crescent' in Greystone Heights is named in her honour.

Image of entrance of Place Riel Campus Centre, with trees in foreground.

Bio/Historical Note: While construction on the Place Riel Student Centre complex was not begun until well into the 1970s, planning for the structure actually began a decade earlier. During the 1964-1965 academic year the Students’ Union recognized the need for facilities much more extensive than could be offered in the MUB. While the MUB had only been completed in 1955 an expanding student population had already made it obsolete as a central location for student activities and leisure on campus. A Commission was established to investigate the matter and in 1964 student questionnaires and several studies were carried out. In a referendum in February 1966, 69.4% of students voted to increase a mandatory building tuition fee to $12. In 1967 the University and the Students’ Union jointly established a Project Building Committee to plan the required facilities. The University recognized its financial commitment to the project in late 1967 and included its anticipated share in the capital program request for 1968/69 and subsequent years. During the 1973-1974 academic year the student body voted in favour of another increase in the annual building fee to $20. The Place Riel Student Centre was constructed in three phases from 1976 to 1980 for a combined cost of $5,794,315. The original concept for the project had been the construction of a large freestanding building which incorporated all of the needs of the Student Centre. This plan was eventually adapted to include the use of space in the Arts Building and the Memorial Union Building (MUB) for student facilities primarily to offset construction costs. The first phase of the project involved the renovation of the Theatre Wing of the Arts Building. This was completed in 1976 for $178,080 by Smith Bros. and Wilson. It was designed by D. H. Stock and Partners. The second phase of construction involved the building of Place Riel itself. Place Riel was completed in 1979 for $3,916,235. It was designed by the architectural firm of Ferguson Folstad Friggstad and was built by Ellis Don Construction. The final phase of construction involved the renovation of the MUB, which was again designed by Ferguson Folstad Friggstad. The renovations were completed by Bennett and White Construction in 1980. They included the demolition and removal of portions of the building, structural alterations, interior renovations, improvements to the elevator, and alterations and renovations to the Tunnel. Originally estimated at $902,688, this final phase of the project would eventually cost $1.7 million. The completed building provided space for the Students’ Union Business Office, Sheaf Offices, commercial space for kiosks, meeting and seminar rooms, several general lounge areas, a theatre in the Arts Building, a discotheque (Louis’ Pub) in the MUB, a music listening room, a television lounge, a grad student lounge and a billiard and arcade room. Space in the building was also leased to campus radio station CJUS-FM, the Alumni Office, Student Counselling Services, a Canada Manpower Centre, the campus bookstore and food and vending services. The Centre officially opened in September 1980. Until 1998, when the students’ union assumed complete control, Place Riel was managed by the Place Riel Society, a board with representation from the university, students, and alumni. The use of the building has evolved over the years, particularly following numerous renovations over the years, with lower Place Riel now being dominated by a food court.

Unidentified Army Officer on campus, between 1919-1945.

Group photo of members of the Pharmacy track team, winners at the University of Saskatchewan track meet.

Image of a colorful College of Pharmacy display on view at a medical convention held in Saskatoon. Sign over display reads "College of Pharmacy - University of Saskatchewan".

Head and shoulders image of Bertha G. Oxner, director of Women's Work and professor in the College of Agriculture.

Bio/Historical Note: Bertha Georgina Oxner was small of stature but the organizational skills she brought to Saskatchewan loomed large in the difficult years of the 1930s and 1940s. Born in 1885 at Chester Basin, Nova Scotia, she obtained her schooling at Chester Basin, Chester, and Truro and taught school for a period before moving to Saskatchewan in 1908. Oxner taught school in Saskatoon, Brock and Saltcoats. At Brock she is remembered for having instituted hot school lunches which proved valuable for the children of homesteaders in the 1920s. She also set up a basketball league. After serving as principal at Saltcoats, Saskatchewan, Oxner left the school teaching profession to study household science at the University of Saskatchewan, obtaining a BA. At Chicago University she earned an MA and did post-graduate work in textiles and clothing. In 1925 Oxner came to the University of Saskatchewan as assistant professor in household science. With Ethel B. Rutter she helped plan the Bachelor of Household degree, which resulted in a School of Household Science at the university in 1928. In 1930 Oxner was appointed director of women’s extension work. In this role she introduced a broad educational program for rural women and members of Saskatchewan Homemakers' Clubs. Through Oxner’s guidance women were encouraged to expand their knowledge of agriculture, arts and letters, family law, public health and international affairs. Through a weekly column in The Western Producer she passed along program ideas and advice to the 350 Homemakers' Clubs. Oxner began short courses for rural girls in 1933 and helped launch Homecraft Clubs in 1938. In the first year, 124 Homecraft Clubs were organized. Oxner helped start Farm Women’s Week on the university campus. She organized the first Homemakers' Club on a First Nation and these spread across the province and initiated short courses for Métis women. Oxner served on the boards of the Canadian Association for Adult Education, the National Vocational Training advisory council, Canadian Association of Consumers, National Farm Radio Forum, Canadian Home Economics Association, Saskatchewan Physical Fitness Council, Saskatchewan Technical Education Committee and the Saskatchewan Farm Housing Committee. Oxner retired in 1949 and moved back to Chester, Nova Scotia. Oxner died in Chester on 7 December 1960 and is buried there.

View looking northeast of the Observatory and grounds; Murray Library in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The Observatory was designed by Gentil J.K. Verbeke and constructed in two phases using local limestone from 1928-1930 for about $23,000. The R. J. Arrand Contracting Co. was contracted to build the Observatory Tower in 1928 for a cost of $6625. The firm completed the tower $353 under budget on 14 April 1929, for $6,272. On 20 June 1929 R. J. Arrand was again awarded a contract by the University, this time to build the small classroom wing of the Observatory for $15,640. Work on the classroom wing was completed on 23 January 1930 for $15,034.50. University funding for the construction of the building was supplemented by private donations. Along with the Field Husbandry Building, the Observatory would be among the last free-standing buildings constructed on campus until after World War II. A plaque with the names of many donors still hangs inside the dome of the observatory. Saskatoon residents will find many of the names highly recognizable even today. A sundial was added to the exterior of the Observatory during the 1940s. It reads:
I am a Shadow
So art thou
The observatory facilities are available for use by both university students and visitors to the campus. The telescopes and other scientific equipment are used by students during the laboratory component of their courses. University personnel regularly offer tours of the observatory to elementary and high school classes, youth groups and other community associations. The Observatory is staffed year-round on Saturday nights so that any visitor may view celestial objects through the telescope.

View of entrance to Louis' Bar in the Memorial Union Building; students standing on steps.

Bio/Historical Note: The Memorial Union Building (MUB) has the distinction of being the last building in the centre of campus designed in the collegiate gothic style and completely clad in greystone. It was designed to serve as a memorial to the students, faculty and staff of the University of Saskatchewan who perished overseas in the First and Second World Wars. The Upper MUB has been transformed several times since its formal opening on 11 Nov. 1955. It has been used as a student lounge, concert venue, pub, bookstore and coffee shop. It has hosted receptions, fashion shows, beauty and air guitar contests, club meetings, dances and political debates. During the 1945-1946 academic year a Students’ Union Building Committee was formed. The Committee outlined proposals for the new building, which included an auditorium, a ballroom, lounge rooms, a tuck shop and student offices, all for a cost of $600,000. A brief on the Committee’s findings and proposals was later presented to the Board of Governors of the University, which created a $100,000 sinking fund for construction of the building and student fees were raised $4 to raise an additional $200,000. The MUB formally opened on 11 November 1955. It was used primarily for student functions including dancing, card-playing, chess, and studying, though it never became the hub of student activities it was originally intended to be. Included in the original furnishings was a generous supply of ashtrays. In 1957 a Board of Directors was established to operate the MUB, and to promote social, cultural and recreational activities and programs for the students, faculty and alumni of the University of Saskatchewan. Due to the surge in enrolment at the University of Saskatchewan during the 1960s the student body quickly outgrew the building. Though the MUB had been designed to accommodate expansion to the south, by the 1964-1965 academic year the Students’ Union recognized the need for facilities much more extensive than even expansion could provide. As a result plans for what would eventually be the Place Riel Student Centre were born. In 1980 renovations to the MUB were completed as part of Phase III of the Place Riel Project. The renovations were designed by Ferguson Folstad Friggstad, and were completed by Bennett and White Construction. They included the demolition and removal of portions of the building, structural alterations, interior renovations including the refitting of Louis’ Pub, improvements to the elevator, and alterations and renovations to the pedestrian tunnel connected to the residences. The renovations cost $1.7 million. In 1983 an elevator was installed in the MUB for $143,600 and ramps for disabled access were constructed by Cana Construction. These improvements were designed by the Friggstad architectural firm. A 1985 renovation to the building was also designed by Friggstad. The renovations were performed by Haig Construction for $124,725. In March 2001 the Upper MUB was renovated as part of a planned relocation of the Browsers used bookstore. Included in the renovations was a snack and beverage bar as well as public access computers for Internet usage. The entire store is centred around the original war memorial, and the renovations have returned the space to its original purpose as a comfortable lounge for students.” The new Browsers opened its doors in late August 2001. During the summer of 2002 Louis’ Pub, located in the basement of the MUB, was also renovated, by contractors PCL Maxam. The renovations were designed by the architectural firm of Saunders Evans, and were performed by PCL Maxam for $5.25 million. The newly renovated Louis’ was opened in October 2002.5.

Image of the Memorial Tablet at the Memorial Gates. Wreaths visible on ground in front of tablet.

Head and shoulders image of Thomas H. McLeod, dean, College of Commerce, from 1953-1964.

Bio/Historical Note: Thomas Hector McLeod was born 11 August 1918 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and took his schooling there, graduating from Weyburn Collegiate with honours. It was in Weyburn that Tommy McLeod met T.C. Douglas, the young Baptist minister who would play such an important role in his life. During the Depression, Douglas organized a boys' group which devoted its time to sports and boxing, and to debating and drama. Douglas was a graduate of Brandon College, and persuaded several of his 'boys' to attend that venerable institution. There McLeod received a BA with distinction. After earned a MA from Indiana University, he was urged by President Evans to come back to Brandon to teach economics, where he stayed for three years. In 1944, when T.C. Douglas led the CCF party to a landslide election victory in Saskatchewan, Premier Douglas asked McLeod to work for the new government. He began as advisor to the premier and general troubleshooter, taking on assignments as Secretary of Health Services Planning, Secretary of the Economic Planning Board, Chair of the new Budget Bureau, and ending as Deputy Provincial Treasurer. Together with Dr. Mindel Sheps in the Health Service Planning Commission, Dr. McLeod helped plan the introduction of hospitalization in 1947. In between jobs, he earned two degrees from Harvard University, an MA in Public Administration and a PhD in Economics. In 1952 McLeod was appointed dean of Commerce. During this period he served on several boards and commissions, chairing the Saskatchewan Commission on Taxation. In 1964 McLeod returned to Regina as dean of Arts and Vice-Principal at the new university. In 1971 the Canadian International Development Agency offered a broader mandate, where McLeod joined the senior ranks of CIDA travellers, attempting to sort out administrative problems in several countries, including Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, and Botswana. So the family moved to Ottawa, where they stayed for 26 years. McLeod moved from CIDA to the Federal Management Institute, acted as administrator of the Anti-Inflation Board, and held other management positions. McLeod was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of S in 1972. He was awarded the Vanier Medal from the Institute of Public Administration in 1971 and the Order of Canada in 2003. He co-wrote a popular biography of T.C. Douglas with his son Ian; Tommy Douglas, Road to Jerusalem was published in 1987. In 1997 Tommy McLeod moved to Victoria, where he died New Years' Day, 2008.

Dr. Reuben J. Mapletoft, Professor of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, sitting beside a microscope in a laboratory.

Bio/Historical Note: Reuben Mapletoft was born on the Little Pipestone Ranch near Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. His father, Edgar Mapletoft, was among the earliest importers of Simmental cattle in Canada. Reuben received his DVM from the University of Guelph before interning at the University of Saskatchewan in 1967-1968 ---the first student to intern at the college. In 1970 Mapletoft accepted a position in Reproduction at the Veterinary School at Onderstepoort in Pretoria, South Africa, where he worked for three years. He went on to obtain his MS (1975) and PhD (1977) at the University of Wisconsin, and returned to the WCVM as a professor in the Department of Clinical Studies. He became head of the Department of Herd Medicine and Theriogeneology in 1998, and in 2002 he became a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry (Bioniche). Mapletoft was awarded an earned Doctor of Science degree in Large Animal Clinical Sciences in 2005.

View of entrance to the Reference Room/Serials Reading Room in the new south wing.

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.

Library staff transferring library materials to the new north wing of Murray Library.

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.