R.W. Begg, University President, gives an address at a special Convocation held on 2 June during the Learned Societies Conference, U of S, 22 May-8 June 1979.

Bio/historical note: A special convocation was held 2 June 1979 to celebrate the "Learned Societies Conference". It was 20 years since the last conference was held at the University of Saskatchewan. Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degrees were conferred on four outstanding scholars: Jean Sutherland Boggs, Sir Moses I. Finley, Amartya Kumar Sen, and Arthur G.C. Whalley.

Bio/Historical Note: Learned Societies, a term applied in Canada to the large group of scholarly organizations that hold conferences annually from late May to mid-June at a different university location each year. Society members come not only to hear and discuss scholarly papers on the latest work in their fields, but also to renew contacts and share common concerns. The gathering of these associations in one place over one period is distinctively Canadian and owes more to practical evolution than to planning power. Selecting one site with suitable university accommodation was an answer to Canadian distance that allowed scholars more economical joint arrangements, let them attend meetings of societies besides their own, and encouraged them to visit varied geographical areas. The older Royal Society opened the way by moving from its Ottawa base to annual conferences at Montréal, Kingston or Toronto. Younger, more specialized associations - such as those in history, political science and economics - joined in, holding their own meetings along with, or just following, the senior scholarly society. By the 1930s the practice of holding an annual learned-conference period at a different site each year was well established, though such sites were usually in central Canada, where most larger universities were located. But in 1949 "the Learneds" went to Halifax, and soon afterwards to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. In April 1996, the conference name was changed to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

D.L. Farmer, Associate Professor of History, gives an address at a special Convocation held during the Learned Societies Conference, U of S, 22 May 1979-8 June 1979. Dignitaries are seated behind speaker.

Bio/historical note: A special convocation was held 2 June 1979 to celebrate the "Learned Societies Conference". It was 20 years since the last conference was held at the University of Saskatchewan. Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degrees were conferred on four outstanding scholars: Jean Sutherland Boggs, Sir Moses I. Finley, Amartya Kumar Sen, and Arthur G.C. Whalley.

Bio/Historical Note: Learned Societies, a term applied in Canada to the large group of scholarly organizations that hold conferences annually from late May to mid-June at a different university location each year. Society members come not only to hear and discuss scholarly papers on the latest work in their fields, but also to renew contacts and share common concerns. The gathering of these associations in one place over one period is distinctively Canadian and owes more to practical evolution than to planning power. Selecting one site with suitable university accommodation was an answer to Canadian distance that allowed scholars more economical joint arrangements, let them attend meetings of societies besides their own, and encouraged them to visit varied geographical areas. The older Royal Society opened the way by moving from its Ottawa base to annual conferences at Montréal, Kingston or Toronto. Younger, more specialized associations - such as those in history, political science and economics - joined in, holding their own meetings along with, or just following, the senior scholarly society. By the 1930s the practice of holding an annual learned-conference period at a different site each year was well established, though such sites were usually in central Canada, where most larger universities were located. But in 1949 "the Learneds" went to Halifax, and soon afterwards to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. In April 1996, the conference name was changed to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Overhead view of the special Convocation ceremony during the Learned Societies Conference, U of S, 22 May-8 June 1979. Crowd in the Bowl in foreground; Administration Building prominent in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Learned Societies, a term applied in Canada to the large group of scholarly organizations that hold conferences annually from late May to mid-June at a different university location each year. Society members come not only to hear and discuss scholarly papers on the latest work in their fields, but also to renew contacts and share common concerns. The gathering of these associations in one place over one period is distinctively Canadian and owes more to practical evolution than to planning power. Selecting one site with suitable university accommodation was an answer to Canadian distance that allowed scholars more economical joint arrangements, let them attend meetings of societies besides their own, and encouraged them to visit varied geographical areas. The older Royal Society opened the way by moving from its Ottawa base to annual conferences at Montréal, Kingston or Toronto. Younger, more specialized associations - such as those in history, political science and economics - joined in, holding their own meetings along with, or just following, the senior scholarly society. By the 1930s the practice of holding an annual learned-conference period at a different site each year was well established, though such sites were usually in central Canada, where most larger universities were located. But in 1949 "the Learneds" went to Halifax, and soon afterwards to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. In April 1996, the conference name was changed to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Bio/Historical Note: A special convocation was held 2 June 1979 to celebrate the "Learned Societies Conference." It was 20 years since the last conference was held at the University of Saskatchewan. Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degrees were conferred on four outstanding scholars; Jean Sutherland Boggs, Sir Moses I. Finley, Amartya Kumar Sen, and Arthur Whalley.

Note on back: "The Prairie Winds, a Saskatoon woodwind quartet comprising James Mason, oboe; William Egnatoff, flute; Peter Gravlin, bassoon; Margaret Wilson, clarinet; and Toma Staples, French horn, perform in Convocation Hall during the Learned Societies Conference, U of S, 22 May-8 June, 1979".

Bio/Historical Note: Learned Societies, a term applied in Canada to the large group of scholarly organizations that hold conferences annually from late May to mid-June at a different university location each year. Society members come not only to hear and discuss scholarly papers on the latest work in their fields, but also to renew contacts and share common concerns. The gathering of these associations in one place over one period is distinctively Canadian and owes more to practical evolution than to planning power. Selecting one site with suitable university accommodation was an answer to Canadian distance that allowed scholars more economical joint arrangements, let them attend meetings of societies besides their own, and encouraged them to visit varied geographical areas. The older Royal Society opened the way by moving from its Ottawa base to annual conferences at Montréal, Kingston or Toronto. Younger, more specialized associations - such as those in history, political science and economics - joined in, holding their own meetings along with, or just following, the senior scholarly society. By the 1930s the practice of holding an annual learned-conference period at a different site each year was well established, though such sites were usually in central Canada, where most larger universities were located. But in 1949 "the Learneds" went to Halifax, and soon afterwards to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. In April 1996, the conference name was changed to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Group of graduates wearing academic gowns and some with mortarboards, seated and standing. Walter C. Murray, is seated in front row, second from left. Murray earned an MA (first class honours in Philosophy).

Bio/Historical Note: Walter Charles Murray, first president of the University of Saskatchewan, was born in Kings County, New Brunswick, in 1866 and received his BA with honours in 1886 from the University of New Brunswick. Having won the Gilchrist Scholarship for Canada, for continued studies overseas, he attended the University of Berlin and the University of Edinburgh, where he received his MA with first class honours in 1891. Later that year he joined faculty at the University of New Brunswick as Professor of Philosophy and Economics. In 1892 he was appointed Professor of Philosophy and lecturer in Education at Dalhousie, where he remained until joining the University of Saskatchewan as president in 1908. Murray served as president for 26 years, retiring in 1937. Murray was successful in building a progressive university of high standards with a beautiful campus. His own work was in education and education history, but he was also a supporter of art and music. Murray served on numerous councils and commissions, including the National Research Council from 1916-1932. Murray married Christina Cameron (1866-1947), born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1895. They had three daughters: Christina Cameron Murray, Lucy Hunter Murray and Jean Elizabeth Murray. Murray died in Saskatoon in 1945. The city of Saskatoon honours Murray with several landmarks: "Murray Place" in the Dundonald area; Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, opened in 1965 and located near Market Mall; the Murray Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus; and President Murray Park, located in the Varsity View neighbourhood.

Head and shoulders image of Walter C. Murray, likely taken at the beginning of his tenure as professor of Philosophy and lecturer in Education at Dalhousie University.

Bio/Historical Note: Walter Charles Murray, first president of the University of Saskatchewan, was born in Kings County, New Brunswick, in 1866 and received his BA with honours in 1886 from the University of New Brunswick. Having won the Gilchrist Scholarship for Canada, for continued studies overseas, he attended the University of Berlin and the University of Edinburgh, where he received his MA with first class honours in 1891. Later that year he joined faculty at the University of New Brunswick as Professor of Philosophy and Economics. In 1892 he was appointed Professor of Philosophy and lecturer in Education at Dalhousie, where he remained until joining the University of Saskatchewan as president in 1908. Murray served as president for 26 years, retiring in 1937. Murray was successful in building a progressive university of high standards with a beautiful campus. His own work was in education and education history, but he was also a supporter of art and music. Murray served on numerous councils and commissions, including the National Research Council from 1916-1932. Murray married Christina Cameron (1866-1947), born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1895. They had three daughters: Christina Cameron Murray, Lucy Hunter Murray and Jean Elizabeth Murray. Murray died in Saskatoon in 1945. The city of Saskatoon honours Murray with several landmarks: "Murray Place" in the Dundonald area; Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, opened in 1965 and located near Market Mall; the Murray Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus; and President Murray Park, located in the Varsity View neighbourhood.

Head and shoulders image of Lloyd I. Barber, Dean of Commerce, with a pipe.

Bio/Historical Note: Lloyd Ingram Barber, C.C., S.O.M., B.A., B.Comm., M.B.A., Ph.D, L.L.D., Hon. CA, was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on 8 Mar. 1932. He grew up in Regina Beach and attended high school at Luther College in Regina. In 1950 he moved to Saskatoon to study at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1953 and a Bachelor of Commerce in Administration the following year. He received a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of California in 1955 and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1964. Dr. Barber joined the faculty of the University of Saskatchewan as an instructor in 1955, and rose to become Dean of Commerce in 1966. From 1968 to 1974 he served as vice-president of the University, moving to Regina to become President of the newly autonomous University of Regina in 1976, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1990. Outside the academic sphere, Lloyd Barber was noted for his appointment by the Privy Council of Canada as Canada's Indian Claims Commissioner. He held this appointment from 1969 until 1977. Barber also helped to establish the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College where he served as Chief Negotiator. He held numerous appointments to boards and directorships of such organizations as the Bank of Nova Scotia, Husky Oil of Canada, and Canadian Pacific. Barber was a Companion of the Order of Canada. He became Honorary Saskatchewan Indian Chief Little Eagle in 1980 and in 1985 received the Aboriginal Order of Canada. Other awards received include the Centennial medal, the Vanier medal, honorary professor at Shandong University in China, and honorary degrees from the University of Alberta (1983) and Concordia University (1984). In 1995 he was invested as a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Barber died in Regina on 16 Sept. 2011.

Head and shoulders image of Lloyd Ingram Barber, Vice-President, with a pipe.

Bio/Historical Note: Lloyd Ingram Barber, C.C., S.O.M., B.A., B.Comm., M.B.A., Ph.D, L.L.D., Hon. CA, was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on 8 Mar. 1932. He grew up in Regina Beach and attended high school at Luther College in Regina. In 1950 he moved to Saskatoon to study at the University of Saskatchewan, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1953 and a Bachelor of Commerce in Administration the following year. He received a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of California in 1955 and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1964. Dr. Barber joined the faculty of the University of Saskatchewan as an instructor in 1955, and rose to become Dean of Commerce in 1966. From 1968 to 1974 he served as vice-president of the University, moving to Regina to become President of the newly autonomous University of Regina in 1976, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1990. Outside the academic sphere, Lloyd Barber was noted for his appointment by the Privy Council of Canada as Canada's Indian Claims Commissioner. He held this appointment from 1969 until 1977. Barber also helped to establish the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College where he served as Chief Negotiator. He held numerous appointments to boards and directorships of such organizations as the Bank of Nova Scotia, Husky Oil of Canada, and Canadian Pacific. Barber was a Companion of the Order of Canada. He became Honorary Saskatchewan Indian Chief Little Eagle in 1980 and in 1985 received the Aboriginal Order of Canada. Other awards received include the Centennial medal, the Vanier medal, honorary professor at Shandong University in China, and honorary degrees from the University of Alberta (1983) and Concordia University (1984). In 1995 he was invested as a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Barber died in Regina on 16 Sept. 2011.