Photo of a painting of Jean E. Murray wearing a dark coloured dress with a white collar. Artist unknown.

Bio/Historical Note: Jean Elizabeth Murray was born on 29 April 1901 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the second of three daughters of Walter Charles and Christina (Cameron) Murray. In September 1909, Murray, her sisters, and her mother moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to join her father who had been made president of the University of Saskatchewan a year earlier. She completed her primary and secondary education at King Edward and Victoria schools and Nutana Collegiate and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (1922) and a Master of Arts (1923) from the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently received a second MA from the University of Toronto (1924) and a PhD from the University of Chicago (1936). After working as an instructor at the University of Alberta between 1928 and 1930 and at Regina College from 1930 to 1931, Murray joined the University of Saskatchewan as an instructor in history in 1931. She became an assistant professor in 1937 and a full professor in 1966. Upon her retirement in 1968, the University of Saskatchewan awarded Murray the rank of Professor Emeritus of History. After retirement she continued to work at the university, first as a sessional lecturer, then as chairman of the library committee of the history department. She was made acting archivist for the university in 1936, and was a leading member of several women's interest groups. Murray died at Saskatoon in 1981.

Head and shoulders of W.P. Thompson, third University President, wearing an academic gown.

Bio/Historical Note: Walter Palmer Thompson was born 3 April 1889 near Decewsville, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA (1910), and from Harvard with an AM (1912) and PhD (1914). Thompson came to the University of Saskatchewan as professor and head of the Biology Department in 1913. He was an important figure at the university for the next fifty years. Thompson served in a variety of administrative positions: dean of Junior Colleges (1934); dean of Arts and Sciences (1938); acting president (1942); director of Summer School (1948); and president of the University (1949). Dr. Thompson retired in 1959 and became President Emeritus. During his academic career Thompson gained international recognition for his work as a geneticist, particularly for the development of rust resistant wheat hybrids. The W.P. Thompson Biology Building, opened in 1960, was named in his honour. Upon his retirement as president Thompson was appointed chairman of the Advisory Committee on Medical Care. The recommendations of this committee were an important foundation for the provincial Medicare system. In 1967 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, one of the first to receive this award. He was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree in 1960 by the U of S. Walter Thompson died in Toronto in 1970.

Head and shoulders image of C.J. Mackenzie, first dean of Engineering, 1915-1922.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Chalmers Jack (CJ) Mackenzie was born in 1888 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and earned a BEng at Dalhousie University in 1909. In 1912 he was hired to develop an engineering program at the University of Saskatchewan. During World War I Dr. Mackenzie served with the 54th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (1915-1918). After the war he continued at the U of S until 1932, when he took a leave of absence to supervise public works projects. In 1939 he left Saskatchewan for Ottawa to become president of the National Research Council. Dr. Mackenzie served as president of the National Research Council, first president of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, first president of Atomic Energy Control Board and instrumental in the development of science and engineering education in Canada. In 1949 he sat on the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences, the so-called "Massey Commission", one objective of which was developing Canada's system of publicly funded research. Among many honours Dr. Mackenzie received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of S in 1945. In 1967 Mackenzie was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. CJ Mackenzie died in Ottawa in 1984 at age 95. The U of S College of Engineering’s annual Distinguished Lecture Series was started in 1976 to honour alumni who have achieved positions of eminence in the profession. On its 10th anniversary the event was renamed for Dr. Mackenzie, to recognize the contribution he made to the college, the university and the engineering profession. By 2022 the series was named the C.J. Mackenzie Gala of Engineering Excellence.

Head and shoulders image of Samuel R. Laycock, dean, College of Education, 1947-1953.

Bio/Historical Note: Samuel Ralph Laycock, ’16 MA, ’20 BDiv, ’23, BEd, was born in Marmora, Ontario, in 1891. He received his BA from the University of Toronto before moving to Edmonton, where he taught math and Latin for five years while earning a MA from the University of Alberta. During the First World War Dr. Laycock enlisted in the Canadian Signals Corps and served in France. After demobilization he joined the staff of the University of Alberta and earned a master’s degree in education. He attended summer sessions at Columbia and Harvard before enrolling at the University of London, from which he received a PhD in 1927. Two years later Dr. Laycock was appointed assistant professor of educational psychology and became one of the two original members of the staff of the School of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. For the next 26 years, in the last six of which he served as Dean of the College, Dr. Laycock enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher and administrator. Upon retirement Dr. Laycock continued to teach summer session courses at a number of Canadian and American universities and in 1958 accepted a University of British Columbia appointment as special lecturer. He was the author of 14 books and published more than 700 articles, as well as conducting the CBC’s School for Parents for 18 years. Dr. Laycock also pioneered the Canadian Home and School and Parent-Teacher movement and served on a number of boards, councils, committees and commissions. Among the many honours bestowed upon Dr. Laycock were an honourary degree from the University of Saskatchewan and the Medal of Service of the Order of Canada. Laycock died in Vancouver on 5 September 1971.

Head and shoulders image of F.C. Cronkite, Dean of Law, 1924-1961.

Bio/Historical Note: Born on a New Brunswick farm on 22 December 1894, Frederick Clinton Cronkite received his early education locally, including a BA from the University of New Brunswick. Upon graduation he studied at Harvard, obtaining both an MA in economics and government and an LLB. Cronkite returned to New Brunswick were he practiced law until 1924, when he joined the faculty of Law at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1930 he succeeded Dr. Arthur S. Moxon as Dean. During his tenure enrollment in the College of Law increased and the College broadened its curriculum, providing classes in both labour and administrative law. Cronkite was active in civic politics, serving as an alderman for ten years. He was also active provincially and nationally, aiding in the presentation of the Saskatchewan case to the Rowell-Sirois Royal Commission on Dominion-Provincial Relations, serving on the Royal Commission on Transportation, corresponding on various other royal commissions, and serving on the Saskatchewan Reconstruction Council, the Committee on Urban Assessments, and on the Saskatchewan Health Services Planning Commission. Between 1945-1961 he was asked to hear several labour arbitration cases. Upon Cronkite's retirement in 1961 he was named Dean Emeritus; and in 1967 the U of S awarded him an honourary Doctor of Laws degree. Dr. Cronkite died in April 1973.

Group standing out of doors, showing their accomplishments in dressmaking, "Achievement Day". Building in the background with an open door. [Farm Girls Homecraft Club]?

J.B. O'Neil and Dr. Wilf Rae, Poultry Science, holding a chicken and writing some data.

Harold C. Moss and Mrs. Moss pick up refreshments at buffet table; other guests standing in background.

Cattle lined up for inspection in Livestock Pavilion; observers in foreground.

Dr. Doug Knott of Field Husbandry inspecting a field crop inside a laboratory.

Bio/Historical Note: Field Husbandry changed its name to Crop Science in 1962.

Small shed which was the facility used in the rammed earth construction research project; sign over window.

Two people dressed in scrubs, face masks, and caps. One is holding a notebook and a pencil while looking at a machine.

View of Field Husbandry Building in winter.

Bio/Historical Note: Field Husbandry changed its name to Crop Science in 1962.

Looking northwest at the Memorial Gates.