Looking northeast at Geology Building nearing completion; winter scene.

Bio/Historical Note: The construction of the Geology Building marked a return to the early style of campus architecture. The Department of Geology had been formed in 1927 and for the next six decades was based in the east wing of the Engineering Building. A growing faculty and student population had forced the department to cobble together makeshift accommodation in trailers and remote campus buildings. Designed by the architectural firm Black, McMillan and Larson of Regina, the building was given a neo-Collegiate Gothic exterior to blend harmoniously with the other buildings in the central campus. The two-and-a-half-storey building was erected just south or the Bowl side of the W.P. Thompson Biology Building, providing 8,543 square metres for office, laboratory, library, classroom, and storage space for rock and fossil samples. The exterior was clad with greystone and dressed with tyndal limestone. The dominant feature of the interior was a two-story atrium that featured the mosaics for the former exterior walls of the Thompson Building, a life-size skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and geological and biological displays. The $18.5 million Geology Building was completed in 1988 and fused the space between Physics and Biology and linked, through a walkway, with Chemistry, creating an integrated science complex on campus.

Geology Building under construction; winter scene.

Bio/Historical Note: The construction of the Geology Building marked a return to the early style of campus architecture. The Department of Geology had been formed in 1927 and for the next six decades was based in the east wing of the Engineering Building. A growing faculty and student population had forced the department to cobble together makeshift accommodation in trailers and remote campus buildings. Designed by the architectural firm Black, McMillan and Larson of Regina, the building was given a neo-Collegiate Gothic exterior to blend harmoniously with the other buildings in the central campus. The two-and-a-half-storey building was erected just south or the Bowl side of the W.P. Thompson Biology Building, providing 8,543 square metres for office, laboratory, library, classroom, and storage space for rock and fossil samples. The exterior was clad with greystone and dressed with tyndal limestone. The dominant feature of the interior was a two-story atrium that featured the mosaics for the former exterior walls of the Thompson Building, a life-size skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and geological and biological displays. The $18.5 million Geology Building was completed in 1988 and fused the space between Physics and Biology and linked, through a walkway, with Chemistry, creating an integrated science complex on campus.

Geology Building under construction; winter scene. Trees in foreground; students walking in front of building.

Bio/Historical Note: The construction of the Geology Building marked a return to the early style of campus architecture. The Department of Geology had been formed in 1927 and for the next six decades was based in the east wing of the Engineering Building. A growing faculty and student population had forced the department to cobble together makeshift accommodation in trailers and remote campus buildings. Designed by the architectural firm Black, McMillan and Larson of Regina, the building was given a neo-Collegiate Gothic exterior to blend harmoniously with the other buildings in the central campus. The two-and-a-half-storey building was erected just south or the Bowl side of the W.P. Thompson Biology Building, providing 8,543 square metres for office, laboratory, library, classroom, and storage space for rock and fossil samples. The exterior was clad with greystone and dressed with tyndal limestone. The dominant feature of the interior was a two-story atrium that featured the mosaics for the former exterior walls of the Thompson Building, a life-size skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and geological and biological displays. The $18.5 million Geology Building was completed in 1988 and fused the space between Physics and Biology and linked, through a walkway, with Chemistry, creating an integrated science complex on campus.

[R.D. MacLaurin] standing (left) in front of a vehicle with a large tank attached on top which reads "Straw Gas". Three men sitting inside, possibly [F.H. Edmunds] in passenger seat. Sign on running board reads: "McLaughlin Motor Car Model D45". Engineering Building in background.

Bio/Historical Note: Prof. R.D. MacLaurin, head, Department of Chemistry, was interested in the production of gas from straw as a fuel for heating and for engines. Though he was not alone in the research field, MacLaurin built a small extraction plant in the late 1910s and operate a McLaughlin Motor Car using straw gas. The research was promising but far from a breakthrough. The volume of gas produced was small and the mileage between fill-ups low. The most significant aspect of the research was not scientific but financial. MacLaurin felt cheated when Walter C. Murray, University President, distributed provincial research funds to several campus projects. Though he had the largest share of the grant, MacLaurin felt he deserved it all. He alleged Murray had misappropriated funds. A battle ensued for the control of the University administration. Murray was able to maintain the confidence of the Board of Governors and MacLaurin and three of his supporters - Samuel Greenway, Extension director; Ira MacKay, professor of Law; and John L. Hogg, head, Physics - were dismissed. Research into straw gas was discontinued.

Small building set up in a dirt field to conduct straw gas tests.

Bio/Historical Note: Prof. R.D. MacLaurin, head, Department of Chemistry, was interested in the production of gas from straw as a fuel for heating and for engines. Though he was not alone in the research field, MacLaurin built a small extraction plant in the late 1910s and operate a McLaughlin Motor Car using straw gas. The research was promising but far from a breakthrough. The volume of gas produced was small and the mileage between fill-ups low. The most significant aspect of the research was not scientific but financial. MacLaurin felt cheated when Walter C. Murray, University President, distributed provincial research funds to several campus projects. Though he had the largest share of the grant, MacLaurin felt he deserved it all. He alleged Murray had misappropriated funds. A battle ensued for the control of the University administration. Murray was able to maintain the confidence of the Board of Governors and MacLaurin and three of his supporters - Samuel Greenway, Extension director; Ira MacKay, professor of Law; and John L. Hogg, head, Physics - were dismissed. Research into straw gas was discontinued.

A truck delivers cement to the Biology Building construction site.

Bio/Historical Note: The W.P. Thompson Biology Building is named after Walter Palmer Thompson, the University of Saskatchewan's third president and founder of the Biology Department (1913). Designed by Izumi, Arnott and Sugiyama, it was constructed between 1957 and 1959 and officially opened in 1960. Set back from the Bowl, the flat-roofed cube style building was located between the Collegiate Gothic architecture of the Chemistry and Physics Buildings. It originally consisted of a teaching wing and a research wing but a header and greenhouse complex was added in 1962. Unlike many other Canadian universities the Department of Biology remained a single unit, balancing diverse sub-disciplines rather than separating into several distinct departments. Prior to the building's opening in 1960, work in biological sciences was scattered among four campus locations. Perhaps the most striking of the building’s features is the mural of mosaic tiles that adorns the south and west exterior walls. The mural depicts the four main stages of cellular mitosis. The artist, Roy Kiyooka, chose chromosome patterns as a testament to Dr. Thompson's important discoveries regarding the genetics of wheat rust. In 1986, the Geology Building was completed on the south side of Biology, resulting in the transformation of the south façade from an exterior into an interior wall, part of a new atrium.

View of the crowd seated in the Bowl during the official opening of the Biology Building.

Bio/Historical Note: The W.P. Thompson Biology Building is named after Walter Palmer Thompson, the University of Saskatchewan's third president and founder of the Biology Department (1913). Designed by Izumi, Arnott and Sugiyama, it was constructed between 1957 and 1959 and officially opened in 1960. Set back from the Bowl, the flat-roofed cube style building was located between the Collegiate Gothic architecture of the Chemistry and Physics Buildings. It originally consisted of a teaching wing and a research wing but a header and greenhouse complex was added in 1962. Unlike many other Canadian universities the Department of Biology remained a single unit, balancing diverse sub-disciplines rather than separating into several distinct departments. Prior to the building's opening in 1960, work in biological sciences was scattered among four campus locations. Perhaps the most striking of the building’s features is the mural of mosaic tiles that adorns the south and west exterior walls. The mural depicts the four main stages of cellular mitosis. The artist, Roy Kiyooka, chose chromosome patterns as a testament to Dr. Thompson's important discoveries regarding the genetics of wheat rust. In 1986, the Geology Building was completed on the south side of Biology, resulting in the transformation of the south façade from an exterior into an interior wall, part of a new atrium.

Presentation of key by J.W.T. Spinks, University President, to Dr. D.S. Rawson, head, Department of Biology, during the official opening of the Biology Building.

Bio/Historical Note: The W.P. Thompson Biology Building is named after Walter Palmer Thompson, the University of Saskatchewan's third president and founder of the Biology Department (1913). Designed by Izumi, Arnott and Sugiyama, it was constructed between 1957 and 1959 and officially opened in 1960. Set back from the Bowl, the flat-roofed cube style building was located between the Collegiate Gothic architecture of the Chemistry and Physics Buildings. It originally consisted of a teaching wing and a research wing but a header and greenhouse complex was added in 1962. Unlike many other Canadian universities the Department of Biology remained a single unit, balancing diverse sub-disciplines rather than separating into several distinct departments. Prior to the building's opening in 1960, work in biological sciences was scattered among four campus locations. Perhaps the most striking of the building’s features is the mural of mosaic tiles that adorns the south and west exterior walls. The mural depicts the four main stages of cellular mitosis. The artist, Roy Kiyooka, chose chromosome patterns as a testament to Dr. Thompson's important discoveries regarding the genetics of wheat rust. In 1986, the Geology Building was completed on the south side of Biology, resulting in the transformation of the south façade from an exterior into an interior wall, part of a new atrium.

Looking west along the edge of the Bowl with Physics and Chemistry buildings in background. 46th Battalion C.E.F. Memorial Stone visible at far right.

Bio/Historical Note: A memorial stone and plaque honouring the memory of those who served with the 46th Canadian Infantry Battalion (South Saskatchewan), Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1918, sits under a tree on the northeast corner of the Bowl. Formed in February of 1915, the 46th battalion was filled primarily with Saskatchewan youths, many via USask. Also known as the "suicide battalion,” it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. A particularly costly battle was Passchendaele, where there were 403 casualties from the battalion's strength of 600 men. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. The soldiers became veterans and returned to civilian life. Many re-enrolled or entered the university for the first time. Many others did not return. The Memorial Stone was unveiled 11 November 1933 and was designed by Ms. M.J. Taylor of Winnipeg.

John G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Euphemia Jane Thomson at Cconvocation held at Centennial Auditorium. Visible in background are l to r: Norman K. Cram, University Secretary, and D.G. (Tom) Gauley, chairman, University Board of Governors.

Bio/Historical Note: Euphemia Jane (Douglas) Thomson was born in 1901 at Tantallon, Saskatchewan. Primary training was the one-roomed Holar school, next Tantallon village school, then Moosomin Collegiate. Thomson received her BSc in Home Economics (magna cum laude) from the University of Manitoba in 1924. She taught for one season at the School of Agriculture at Olds, Alberta, before taking Dietician training at a hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1926 Thomson directed a pilot project in Winnipeg as the Visiting Nutritionist with the children from the out-patient department of the Children's Hospital. Euphemia married Wallace A. Thomson (Ag. 1919 Sask) in 1927. He taught physics at the University of Saskatchewan from 1920-1924. He was an instructor in physics at the University of Manitoba when they were married in 1927. The Thomsons operated a farm at Pense, Saskatchewan, and established themselves in the livestock industry - Holsteins, Shorthorns and sheep. Adult education was Thomson's life work and she has always been receptive to new ideas; she pioneered the selection of varieties of vegetables suitable for home freezing; new techniques in sewing and needlework were studied in both formal and informal classes. Thomson served the Homemakers’ Club of Pense (now Women's Institute) since 1927 and held the office of president for ten of those years. Her activities in provincial affairs have gone far beyond the community of Pense. Thomson organized numerous 4-H clubs. Over the years, she judged the Saskatoon and Regina "A" fairs, all of the "B" fairs and many of the "C" fairs in Saskatchewan. Thomson was Past President of the Saskatchewan Home Economics Association and an Honourary Life Member of the Regina Branch. She was a member of the Committee for Revision of the High-School Home Economics Curriculum from 1946-1948. During World War II she was a member of the Regina Regional Wartime Price and Trade Board which monitored prices and rationings. Thomson co-authored the original resolution for the organization of a Canadian Association of Consumers now known as the Consumers Association of Canada. She became President of the Saskatchewan Consumers Association. Thomson died in Regina in 1981.

Head and shoulders image of Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk, ninth and first woman Chancellor, 1986-1989.

Bio/Historical Note: One of Canada’s foremost medical biophysicists, Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk (1927-2012) was the only woman conducting medical-physics research in Canada in the 1950s. Her groundbreaking achievements have earned her worldwide recognition, bringing honour to Saskatchewan, her home province, and to Canada. Working with Dr. Harold Johns, Dr. Fedoruk served on a team of scientists involved in the development of one of the world's first cobalt-60 unit (the “Cobalt Bomb”), and one of the first nuclear medicine scanning machines, which pioneered the curative treatment of cancer using high intensity radioactive cobalt in humans. She became chief medical physicist for the Saskatchewan Cancer Foundation. The world’s first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit went into operation at the University of Saskatchewan in 1951 – the same year Dr. Fedoruk submitted her thesis in physics. Within ten years, cobalt radiation had become the standard of radiation therapists worldwide, and it was estimated that by the end of the century it had helped more than 70 million people. Later in her career, Dr. Fedoruk contributed to the development of the Dosimeter, allowing doctors to control the amount of radiation that each cancer patient received. She also participated in the development of one of the first whole body scanning machines that used radioactive nuclides to help detect cancers of the thyroid and liver. With an academic career that spanned 35 years, Dr. Fedoruk was the first woman member of the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada and served as a consultant on nuclear medicine to the International Atomic Energy Agency, among other advisory boards throughout the 1960s. She was Chancellor at the University of Saskatchewan (1986-1989), and the first female Lieutenant Governor of the province (1988-1994). Dr. Fedoruk was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1986. She was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1986), the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), a Canada 125th Commemorative Medal (1992), five honourary doctorates from Canadian universities, among other honours. Dr. Fedoruk died 26 September 2012 in Saskatoon at age 85. The city of Saskatoon honoured her by naming Fedoruk Drive, located in the northeast sector of the city, after her. Sylvia Fedoruk Public School, located in the Evergreen neighbourhood, opened in 2017. Award-winning author Dr. Merle Massie wrote a biography (2020) of the life and career of Dr. Fedoruk, encompassing some of the most ground-breaking scientific, athletic and public transformations of the twentieth century.

Progress shot of Education Building under construction.

Bio/Historical Note: Upon completion in 1970, the Education Building contained seven standard classrooms as well as a number of special classrooms. The standard classrooms were built to accommodate 30 to 35 students and were designed to convert easily into two seminar rooms, or be combined with adjacent classrooms to form larger ones. The special rooms varied in size and included two large 100 seat classrooms, an intermediate size classroom accommodating 70 students, a social studies classroom for 32 to 36 people, a primary room and two mathematics classrooms of the same size, 16 seminar rooms seating 18 and a lecture theatre seating 325. A Science Instruction Centre in the building provides instruction in Methodology and subject matter in the fields of General Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Included in the unit were two General Science laboratory-classrooms, a Physics and Chemistry laboratory-classroom, and a Biology laboratory-classroom, each with an intended capacity of 30 to 35 students. A Physical Education Centre is also located in the building. It consists of a 120' x 100' gymnasium with bleacher seating for 400 to 500 spectators, a 75' x 44' swimming pool, an equipment room, and men’s and women’s shower and locker rooms. The Instructional Resources Centre contains a Reserve Library initially of 10,000 volumes with study space for 400 students, a curriculum library of 2,000 volumes with study space for 300 students, and an Instructional Resources laboratory. The Education Television Centre in the building includes two small production studios, a conference room, a photographic dark room and laboratory, a large storage room, a graphic arts area and a mobile production unit garage. The Television Centre was initially meant to provide a central facility for the production of University programs “until such time as a separate facility for this purpose can be constructed”. Renovations to the building to accommodate the Music Department were completed prior to 1978 for $730,000. The renovations were designed by architects Forrester, Scott, Bowers, Cooper, and Walls. Tenders for the project were received on April 4, 1975 at which time the contract was awarded to Shoquist Construction. Renovations to the building envelope were completed in 1986 by R & D Construction for $325,918, and were designed by the architectural firm of Scott Bowers. A building envelope is and includes everything that separates the interior of a building from the outdoor environment, including the windows, walls, foundation, basement slab, ceiling, roof, and insulation. In 1990 further renovations to the building were completed by Inter-City Mechanical for $144,686.

Architect's model of proposed Education Building.

Bio/Historical Note: Upon completion in 1970, the Education Building contained seven standard classrooms as well as a number of special classrooms. The standard classrooms were built to accommodate 30 to 35 students and were designed to convert easily into two seminar rooms, or be combined with adjacent classrooms to form larger ones. The special rooms varied in size and included two large 100 seat classrooms, an intermediate size classroom accommodating 70 students, a social studies classroom for 32 to 36 people, a primary room and two mathematics classrooms of the same size, 16 seminar rooms seating 18 and a lecture theatre seating 325. A Science Instruction Centre in the building provides instruction in Methodology and subject matter in the fields of General Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Included in the unit were two General Science laboratory-classrooms, a Physics and Chemistry laboratory-classroom, and a Biology laboratory-classroom, each with an intended capacity of 30 to 35 students. A Physical Education Centre is also located in the building. It consists of a 120' x 100' gymnasium with bleacher seating for 400 to 500 spectators, a 75' x 44' swimming pool, an equipment room, and men’s and women’s shower and locker rooms. The Instructional Resources Centre contains a Reserve Library initially of 10,000 volumes with study space for 400 students, a curriculum library of 2,000 volumes with study space for 300 students, and an Instructional Resources laboratory. The Education Television Centre in the building includes two small production studios, a conference room, a photographic dark room and laboratory, a large storage room, a graphic arts area and a mobile production unit garage. The Television Centre was initially meant to provide a central facility for the production of University programs “until such time as a separate facility for this purpose can be constructed”. Renovations to the building to accommodate the Music Department were completed prior to 1978 for $730,000. The renovations were designed by architects Forrester, Scott, Bowers, Cooper, and Walls. Tenders for the project were received on April 4, 1975 at which time the contract was awarded to Shoquist Construction. Renovations to the building envelope were completed in 1986 by R & D Construction for $325,918, and were designed by the architectural firm of Scott Bowers. A building envelope is and includes everything that separates the interior of a building from the outdoor environment, including the windows, walls, foundation, basement slab, ceiling, roof, and insulation. In 1990 further renovations to the building were completed by Inter-City Mechanical for $144,686.