Spring Convocation - Students - University of Saskatchewan

History of the University of SaskatchewanThe University of Saskatchewan was established bythe University Act on April 3, 1907, only 18months after Saskatchewan became a province.The people of the province, as well as their government,were instrumental in shaping the new University. Theprovincial government requested all residents who weregraduates of a Canadian or British university to form thefirst Convocation and elect the University’s Senate. TheSenate, in turn, elected five members to the first Boardof Governors, while the province appointed three. In1908, the Board selected Professor Walter CharlesMurray, of Dalhousie University, as the first President.Classes in Arts and Science began in September, 1909,in downtown Saskatoon. Construction of the campusbegan in 1910 and the first buildings were occupied inthe fall of 1912. They included the College Building(Administration Building), Saskatchewan Hall(a student residence), residences for the Dean ofAgriculture and the President, a laboratory forEngineering and a number of farm buildings.From the beginning, the University established anemphasis on research and teaching in a context ofcommunity service, and encouraged co-operation amongdepartments and divisions in tackling commonproblems. The development of rust-resistant strains ofwheat, for example, initiated by the University andfederal and provincial research agencies, has been ofuntold value to the prairie economy.In 1909, the University had 70 students and fiveprofessors, including the President. Today there are over19,000 students studying in 13 colleges and one school.This is the only university in Canada with fivehealth-science colleges and a major teaching hospital onthe same campus. The University offers Spring &Summer Session, evening courses, Independent Studiescourses and distance education as well as on-campusdaytime courses.The University of Saskatchewan overlooks the SouthSaskatchewan River from a 755 hectare site. Thecampus itself is 147 hectares; a research park, theUniversity farm and experimental plots make up theremainder.Most early buildings on campus are Collegiate Gothic instyle and are constructed in a local dolomite, popularlyknown as greystone. Subsequently constructed buildingsalso have greystone, as well as Tyndall stone (pre-cutslabs quarried in Tyndall, Manitoba), concrete, brick,glass and aggregate facings.The University offers many points of interest forvisitors: the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, Museum ofNatural Sciences, Museum of Antiquities, BiologyMuseum, Pharmaceutical Museum, the Observatory, theGordon Snelgrove Gallery, the St. Thomas MoreGallery, Rugby Chapel, the Little Stone Schoolhouse,the Memorial Gates, Patterson Garden and theKenderdine Gallery.You are invited to visit our campus at any time!University of Saskatchewan142004 Spring Convocation