John G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, speaking at official opening.

Bio/Historical Note: Though the first recorded withdrawal from the University Library occurred in October 1909, nearly five decades passed before the Library had its own building. The early collection was housed either on the second floor of the College Building (later known as the Administration Building) or was scattered among a number of small departmental libraries. Plans for a new library building in the late 1920s were ended by the start of the Great Depression; but a dramatically reduced acquisitions budget was offset by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation in 1933. In 1943 the University hired its first professional Librarian. A combination of provincial grants and University fundraising financed the construction of the Murray Memorial Library. The library was named after the University’s first President, Walter C. Murray. Designed by noted Regina architect Kioshi Izumi working under H.K. Black, Architect, it marked a change in campus architecture away from the more angular and elaborate Collegiate Gothic style to that of the less expensive cube. Building materials included granite at the entrance and Tyndall stone as a wall cladding and window trim. In addition to the library, the building housed the College of Law, an office of the Provincial Archives and a 105-seat lecture theatre equipped with the latest in audiovisual teaching aids. The most dramatic transformation took place between 1970 and 1976 when a six floor south wing was added along with an extensive renovation of the 1956 structure. Designed by BLM, Regina, the south wing was unlike any other building on campus. Clad in Tyndall stone panels made to look like concrete (through a "bush hammered" finish), the grey almost windowless building is industrial and utilitarian in appearance. The University's master plan required buildings in the core of campus to be clad in stone. However, the "bush hammered" finish was used since the Library addition was built during a period that saw the flowering of "Brutalist" Architecture, so called because of the wide use of exposed concrete. The new (south) wing, originally called the Main Library, was officially opened on 17 May 1974, and also became the home of the Department of Art and Art History, the College of Graduate Studies and the University Archives.

John G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Dr. Kenneth F. Wells at Convocation held at Centennial Auditorium.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Kenneth Frank Wells was born at Swan River, Manitoba and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1938 with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgery degrees. After practicing general veterinary medicine at Weston, Ontario, he was appointed to the Faculty at Macdonald College, University of McGill, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. He later abandoned the purely academic life and chose a career with the Health of Animals Division of the Canada Department of Agriculture. Dr. Wells was named associate chief veterinarian in 1949 having responsibility for contagious diseases control. When foot and mouth disease struck the livestock population of Saskatchewan in 1952, Dr. Wells was entrusted with the task of directing the program of eradication. Under his direction the campaign was so successful that Canadian meats and livestock were restored to world markets within 12 months. Dr. Wells was an active force in the establishment of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, representing the federal government throughout the negotiations that resulted in the significant federal contribution to the capital costs.

John G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, speaking from podium during Convocation held at Centennial Auditorium. Visible in background are R.W. Begg, Principal, Saskatoon Campus; and Douglas R. Cherry, Dean of Arts.

John G. Diefenbaker standing a tractor with two men beside him, all wearing caps; at preparation of ground for building the Diefenbaker Canada Centre.

Looking west at construction work on Biology, Arts, and Animal Science buildings. Other campus buildings north of College Drive are visible; Preston Avenue runs along bottom of image.

View facing southeast with Arts Building and University Hospital in foreground; Chemistry Building, the Bowl and Administration Building at centre.

Looking northeast at University Hospital, Emmanuel College Residence and St. Thomas More buildings in foreground; Arts Building and the Bowl at centre. Thorvaldson addition of Chemistry Building under construction at centre. College Drive runs along at bottom right.

View facing north with Saskatchewan Hall, Qu'Appelle Hall and the Bowl and surrounding buildings in foreground. View shows the Thorvaldson addition of the Chemistry Building under construction, and the Prairie Migratory Bird Research Building.

Aerial view facing southwest with the barns and feed (grain) elevator in foreground; the Bowl and surrounding buildings at centre and University Hospital in background. View also shows construction of Thorvaldson Wing of Chemistry Building; Marquis Hall, Physical Education Addition and Qu'Appelle Hall Addition.

Looking east at Arts Building and the Bowl and surrounding buildings; the Canada Agriculture Research Station, Department of Public Works, at foreground left. Thorvaldson addition of Chemistry Building under construction, Marquis Hall, Physical Education Building addition and Qu'Appelle Hall addition visible.

View looking northwest of campus; houses on College Drive running along bottom left of image.Robin Hood Flour Mills elevator at top of image.