Head and shoulders image of Taylor A. Steeves, professor, Biology.

Bio/Historical Note: Born in 1926 in Quincy, Massachusetts, Taylor Steeves obtained his B.Sc. at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and in 1951 was awarded his Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University. As part of his graduate training he had spent a year as a Sheldon Travelling Fellow at the University of Manchester, and in 1953, while still a Harvard Fellow, he was a Visiting Investigator at the Institut National de Recherches Agronomiques in Versailles, France. In 1954 he returned to Cambridge to join the faculty of Harvard University as an Assistant Professor. He remained at Harvard for five more years, and in 1959 was recruited by Professor Donald Rawson to the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan as an Associate Professor. He was promoted to full Professor in 1964. He served as Head of his department from 1976 to 1981 and returned to serve as Acting Head in 1987-1988. For his distinguished service, he was named the Rawson Professor of Biology in 1985, and he retired from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994 as Professor Emeritus. His early research focused on several aspects of plant development, with particular emphasis on the application to this study of tissue culture techniques he had acquired in France and introduced to Canada. In the latter stages of his research career his focus shifted to the then somewhat unfashionable study of native plants of the prairies, and in this vein he supervised a number of graduate student projects on the prairie lands surrounding the wheat and hay fields of his farm on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. Throughout his career he was active as an author and published many papers, some with his wife, Margaret Wolfe Steeves, also a professor of Biology. In 1992 the University of Saskatchewan awarded him the earned degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of his research, and in 1998 he received an honourary Doctor of Science from the University of Guelph. Of his many honors and awards, he stated that the most meaningful to him was the Master Teacher Award granted to him by the University of Saskatchewan in 1990. Steeves was an active member of the Anglican Church, which he joined only as a young man on his arrival at Harvard. He served as Deacon in his local parish in Saskatoon and for many years participated at the national level in the organization of his Church. In 1991 the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad of the University of Saskatchewan awarded him an honourary Doctor of Canon Law in recognition of his services to the College. Steeves died in Saskatoon in 2011.

Profile image of John Leicester, professor of Physical Education. Provincial crests of Manitoba and Ontario on wall in background.

Bio/Historical Note: John Leicester, a graduate of Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon, enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan (BA 1948; BEd 1951) in 1946 after serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. Prior to joining the Huskies, he played two years for the Junior Quakers hockey club and had won several provincial and Western Canadian tennis titles. Leicester played three years on both the Huskies hockey and tennis teams, two years on the badminton team and one year on the football team. He also served on the Men's Athletic Board. Leicester went on to coach the Huskies hockey team for two years - 1949-1950 and 1950-1951, and was professor of Physical Education from 1951-1988. Leicester helped found the Young Athletes of Saskatchewan sports schools in 1970s and was also a founding member of both the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and the Canadian Association of Sports Sciences. Leicester was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1984 and the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

Technician demonstrates the Cobalt-60 Beam Therapy Unit to a group of children in foreground; male [teacher] at far left.

Bio/Historical Note: This Cobalt-60 unit was constructed for the Saskatchewan Cancer Commission and was installed at University Hospital in August 1951. It was the first Cobalt-60 Unit placed in operation anywhere in the world. The unit was designed by Dr. Harold Johns of the U of S Physics Department in collaboration with Dr. T.A. Watson of the Cancer Clinic. The unit was constructed by J.A. MacKay of the Acme Machine and Electric Co., Saskatoon. A number of graduate students in physics and chemistry have carried on important research projects with the unit. The source contains 1,100 curies of cobalt and was produced in Canada's atomic pile in Chalk River, Ontario. This source is equivalent in power in about 1,500 grams of radium. This is about 1,500 times as much activity as is presently in use for other medical purposes in Saskatchewan. The radiation from the Cobalt-60 Unit, because of its great penetrating power, must be shielded by about ten inches of lead. This penetrating power makes it ideal for reaching tumours beneath the surface of the skin.
From The Green and White, fall 1953, pg. 1.

View of exhibit titled "Laboratory Synthesis of Sulfanilamide" showing beakers and test tubes with hoses are set up on a table over bunsen burners. A student in a lab coat uses a stick to point to the display.

A student in a lab coat talks with a woman with back to camera. all around are various medicines in jars on shelves.

Bio/Historical Note: Following passage of the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Act in 1911, the newly incorporated Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Association requested the University of Saskatchewan undertake the training and examination of pharmacists. A School within the College of Arts and Science was established in 1913 and the following year, 22 students enrolled in a one-year certificate program following a three-year apprenticeship. In 1921 the School became a College offering a four-year course leading to a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Three years later the certificate program was extended to two years. In 1946 the four-year BSP was a requirement for license in Saskatchewan. In 1987 a Division of Nutrition and Dietetics was established in the College of Pharmacy. Prior to this, Nutrition and Dietetics had been offered in the College of Home Economics. In 1994 the College was renamed the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.

A man examining an ore sample while standing by a shelf full of ore samples.

Two [instructors] stand at left around a table with four students at right; table is laid out with tableware.

Image shows a female technician operating a brain scanner in which a patient is lying.

Bio/Historical Note: "U of S Photo. The Brain Scanner This is an automatic brain scanning device for the localization of brain lesions, especially tumours. It was developed and built in the University of Saskatchewan..."

Elevated view of attendees singing in a hall-like setting. From back of photo: "The whole group attending the summer course in "School Music Methods" at Ft. Qu'appelle join their voices in song under the leadership of RJ Staples."

Bio/Historical Note: The University Summer School emerged in 1914; for the first three years (1914-1917), the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the direction and support of the school. Only school teachers took the courses; these were designed to improve instruction in agriculture, household science, nature study, art, and elementary science. In 1917, at the request of the Department, the University took over management of the school, and classes were offered leading to a degree. Classes were given in English, Latin, Chemistry, Physics, and Field Husbandry. From 1919 to 1937, George H. Ling was Director; during his tenure it grew into one of the largest and best known university summer schools in Canada.

Students with joined hands doing the "Snake Dance" through a [campus] building.

Bio/Historical Note: Originating in the early 1920s, the snake dance consisted of a lengthy chain of students that would wind down College Drive and the University (25th) Bridge, stalling traffic and attracting onlookers as it proceeded toward downtown. The snake dance was a raucous event associated with an annual parade of college floats, and was held on Hallowe'en. The custom was terminated by the Students' Representative Council following a near-fatal accident involving a student and a car in 1929. The snake dance became a relatively tame part of Frosh Week. The annual chain would enter and exit businesses, theatres and pubs, and after a few hours would wind down either downtown or on campus. By 1960, the snake dance again had youthful rowdies causing considerable damage to cars and private property. The last dance was held in 1962.

A group of students sitting in a field or expanse of grass roasting hot dogs on a campfire.

Anthony Ahle is seen holding a pullet; chickens were kept at the Research Farm during the 1950’s. There was also a poultry plant at the farm.

Frank Holroyd, professor, Department of Drama, poses with a stage display.

Bio/Historical Note: Frank Holroyd was appointed instructor of Drama at the University of Saskatchewan in 1948. One year later he was promoted to assistant professor, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. Holroyd performed the technical work and was a set designer. He returned to the Drama Department as a part-time instructor after his retirement. He eventually moved to Tangiers in 1962 and died there in 1971. The workshop in the Hangar Building was named the Frank Holroyd workshop.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Eric M. Nanson, Professor and Head, Department of Surgery, University Hospital, 1954-1969.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Eric Musard Nanson was born 4 January 1915 in Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand, and took his early education in Christchurch. He was awarded the University National Scholarship of New Zealand in 1934 and in that year went to Canterbury University College before proceeding to Otago University in Dunedin the following year for medical studies. In 1937 he was awarded the senior university scholarship of New Zealand and he qualified in 1939. Dr. Nanson’s early appointment was as house surgeon at Christchurch Hospital from 1939-1941. During part of this time he also served as demonstrator in anatomy in the University of Otago. Dr. Nanson then joined the New Zealand Medical Corps as a captain from 1941-1945, serving with the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy as Officer Commanding an ambulance train and medical officer in both a field ambulance and a base hospital. After demobilisation in 1945 he was initially surgical registrar at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, and later surgeon superintendent at Buller Hospital, Westport before deciding to come to England. Within a few months of arriving he had passed the FRCS and was surgical registrar at St. James' Hospital, Balham, and later assistant in the surgical professorial unit at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Dr. Nanson spent a year as senior surgical registrar at St Peter's Hospital, Henrietta Street, before going to work as Rockefeller Foundation Fellow in the department of surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, for nine months. He returned to England in 1951 and worked in Bristol as lecturer in surgery at the university for just over a year before being invited to return to Johns Hopkins as Associate Professor of Surgery. Dr. Nanson was elected Hunterian Professor on two occasions. In 1954 he was appointed as the Foundation Professor of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and served as consultant surgeon to City Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital and Saskatoon Sanatorium. He remained in this post for fifteen years and played an important role in the development of the undergraduate medical curriculum. Dr. Nanson also pursued a policy of continuing medical education and postgraduate education which enabled Saskatchewan to rely on its own graduates rather than immigrant doctors from other provinces and countries. Dr. Nanson was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in 1954 and of the American College of Surgeons in 1956. In 1970 he was appointed Foundation Professor of Surgery in the School of Medicine at the University of Auckland and held this post for ten years. His enthusiasm persisted and in addition to introducing the concept of a trainee internship to the department of surgery, he was co-author of the Handbook for Clinical Students which is a constant companion to undergraduate medical students. Dr. Nanson continued to perform administrative duties in addition to his clinical and teaching commitments. He carried out a prodigious amount of research work throughout his life which was published in over 100 papers in Canadian, British, American and New Zealand journals. These covered a wide range of subjects and reflected his extensive knowledge and experience in surgery. After retiring in 1979 from the Chair of Surgery at Auckland, he was awarded the Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) award. His interest in academic work was such that after retiring from clinical work he taught anatomy at the Auckland Medical School. His enthusiasm for clinical work persisted and he continued to attend surgical meetings until shortly before his death. Dr. Nanson died 27 September 1988 in Auckland.

Image of Frank Holroyd at a control panel for stage lighting in the Greystone Theatre.

Bio/Historical Note: Frank Holroyd was appointed instructor of Drama at the University of Saskatchewan in 1948. One year later he was promoted to assistant professor, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. Holroyd performed the technical work and was a set designer. He returned to the Drama Department as a part-time instructor after his retirement. He eventually moved to Tangiers in 1962 and died there in 1971. The workshop in the Hangar Building was named the Frank Holroyd workshop.