Fall Convocation 2002

Professor John Hubbard of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition is this year's recipient of the Master Teacher Award.

A graduate of the University of London with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) and a PhD, he is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Hubbard was appointed Professor Pharmacy in 1982 after serving twelve years as a professor at the University of Manitoba.

Recently, he has been teaching analytical pharmaceutical chemistry, bioequivalence, statistics, and metabolic transformation of xenobiotics.

For several years, the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition has used student evaluations of their teachers, and Hubbard has consistently received scores above 90% for the instructor component of the evaluation. Student comments point to his commitment to teaching: "Dr. Hubbard has a lecture style unlike any I have experienced. He puts a lot of energy into his class and tries to make the subject material appealing and interesting. Overall, he is the best professor I have had in university."

His students have nominated him for the USSU Teaching Excellence Award four times over his career and he has won it once.

Calling him "a great ambassador for academia," several former students testify to the positive effects of his teaching: "He was … possibly the only professor who could make chemical structures and analytical chemistry interesting to us." "Not only could this professor grab our attention, which was a challenge as we were quite a motley crew, but he could hold us, sometimes spellbound… Indeed he magically translated concepts, bringing us to new levels of understanding ... Who will ever forget the 'Bar-Maid Theory of Acid Base Exchange'?"

Hubbard plays an important part in the undergraduate pharmacy program, advocating for the use of active learning strategies, and is also a key person in the pharmacy graduate program

Also an accomplished researcher with grants totaling over $5.5 million, Hubbard has co-authored over 120 articles and 15 book chapters and has presented papers at over 160 academic conferences.

Professor John Hubbard "surpasses the standards of ardor and inspiration," possessing a unique devotion to teaching and research.

The University of Saskatchewan is fortunate to have such an exemplary teacher on its staff. He is most deserving of this honor.

Barrie Wigmore, a graduate of the U of S and a retired partner from Goldman Sachs, one of the world's preeminent investment banking firms, will be honored with an Honorary Degree at Fall Convocation.

Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Wigmore received his Bachelor of Education (1962) and Bachelor of Arts (1963) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan with concentrated study in history and mathematics.

While a student, he was President of the College of Education and Public Relations Officer on the Student Council. He earned a Master of Arts degree (1964) in history from the University of Oregon and a BA (1966) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Oxford. He was awarded an MA (Oxon.) in 1971.

Wigmore joined Goldman Sachs in New York in 1970 and became a General Partner in 1978.

He oversaw its corporate finance activities in the electric, gas, pipeline, and telecommunications industries around the world and handled some of the largest mergers in U.S. history at the time, as well as the privatizations of British Gas and British Electricity.

He also worked on U.S. financing for the Province of Saskatchewan for many years. He became a Retired Partner in 1988 and still maintains an office at Goldman Sachs.

A man with a wide variety of outside interests, Wigmore has authored many academic articles and two books, both relating to the securities market. He is a director of a number of prominent companies, including the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and was a founding trustee of the Progressive Policy Institute that played an important role in formulating Governor Bill Clinton's policies when he first ran for President in 1992.

Wigmore is also Chairman of the American Friends of Worcester College - his Oxford college - where he is an Honorary Fellow.

A supporter of New York charities, Wigmore and his wife Deedee, have funded the Fred H. Wigmore Professorship in Surgery in the College of Medicine in honor of his father, a Moose Jaw surgeon.

They are the largest supporters of the annual Prairie Festival of Words in Moose Jaw, co-sponsors of the permanent Saskatchewan exhibit at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, and maintain an on-going interest in the province and the University.

This year's J.W. George Ivany Internationalization Award, established to recognize the extraordinary contributions of a member of faculty or administration toward the internationalization of the University of Saskatchewan, will be awarded to Kurt Tischler, Director of International Student Office.

Since 1985, when he became Director of the International Student Office, Tischler has initiated numerous programs in his service to the University and particularly to international students.

Some examples include: The International Friendship Program, conducted in co-operation with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, has grown over the years and currently matches 185 Canadian families with 220 international students; over 130 international students access the Oral English Program, which provides assistance with spoken English; and the Spouses Program supports the spouses of international students with English language development skills and cultural adaptation.

In addition, orientation and special programming for international students is conducted under Tischler's guidance.

Tischler's initiatives have impacted positively on the academic environment of the university and have broadened the institution's global perspectives.

He is co-founder of the Forum of Saskatchewan International Education and Development (FOSIED), which started in 1987 as an information exchange regarding international education issues and opportunities.

Through his efforts, Tischler has fostered understanding between the international student body of the University of Saskatchewan and the local community.

He has demonstrated exemplary dedication to international students at the University of Saskatchewan. Along with his regular duties, it is not unusual for Tischler to respond to an early morning call at home from a new student at the train station. Without hesitation, he will be on his way to meet newly arrived students at 4:00 a.m. and then spend time assisting them with their transition to life in Saskatoon.

In being nominated for the Internationalization Award, it was noted that Tischler "understands international students...(and) he tries to ensure that this understanding extends throughout our campus".

His commitment is highly regarded within the University and wider community, and his compassion, sincerity and understanding have made him a counsellor and friend to many.

Acclaimed atmospheric scientist Prof. Ted Llewellyn will receive the Distinguished Researcher Award at the Oct. 26th Convocation ceremony.

Llewellyn's achievements range from co-discovering the Earth's upper ozone layer to developing the standard method for measuring the ozone layer from space.

Last year, he helped launch OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph InfraRed Imager System), a U of S-designed instrument that maps ozone concentration and tracks ozone depletion. He is the principal investigator for OSIRIS which was launched in 2001 on the Swedish-led Odin satellite, a joint project among Canada, Finland, and France. The University of Exeter awarded Llewellyn a Bachelor of Science (Honors) and a PhD before he joined the University of Saskatchewan in 1964. In the late-1970s he served for 18 months as Chair of the U of S Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies and in the early-1990s he served for 18 months as Head of the Physics Department. He is also one of only a few professors to be awarded a D.Sc. degree (1987) by the University.

The OSIRIS instrument, 10 years in the making, will allow detailed mapping of ozone concentrations in the upper atmosphere for the first time, and is a prelude to essential climate change studies. His team's expertise on remote sensing is sought after the world over. As a member of the Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, Llewellyn has promoted Canadian collaboration on a number of international projects.

He has also brought millions of dollars in contracts and federal research grants to the U of S.

A prolific writer, journal referee, and associate editor, Llewellyn reviews many papers and grant applications for federal granting agencies and NASA, and serves on national and international committees.

He has also contributed much to U of S teaching and graduate education. He established the Engineering Physics Internship Program and still serves as sole monitor and student mentor.

His current graduate students, past students and doctoral fellows work with university research projects across the country. Llewellyn was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1994. With a number of landmark discoveries to his name and as a leading player in the national and international aeronomy and space science communities, Llewellyn is a most worthy recipient of this Distinguished Researcher Award.

Donald Kerr, Professor in the Department of English, is the first recipient of the Distinction in Public Service and Extension Award which recognizes a faculty member who has made an outstanding effort to further the University's public service and extension mission.

Kerr earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree (1958) at the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Arts (1960) at the University of Toronto.

He began his career at the U of S in 1960 as an instructor in the Department of English, and has served as Acting Head of both the English and Drama departments.

Not only a fine teacher inspired by a love of the arts and history, he is also a renowned author, editor, historian, poet, and playwright with a keen interest in society and politics, community development and the heritage movement.

Kerr is an 11-year member of the Saskatoon Public Library board and one of its most popular speakers, whether he's reading from his own books, lecturing on literary issues or talking about Saskatoon's history. The Saskatoon Library Trustees Association has selected Kerr to write the history of public libraries in Saskatchewan.

A steward of Saskatoon's heritage, Kerr is helping to save older neighborhoods and documenting the architecture of both the U of S and the city of Saskatoon.

He has helped Saskatoon residents understand their city's past, particularly through his writing. Along with the late Stan Hanson, university archivist, he published Saskatoon: The First Half Century in 1982.

As the first chair of the Saskatoon Heritage Society and the first chair of the Saskatoon Municipal Heritage Committee, Kerr helped change land use bylaws and establish heritage policies in the city.

His passion for this work continues through his current elected position as the Saskatchewan governor for the Heritage Canada Foundation. Kerr is also a past member of the Meewasin Valley Authority Board.

Kerr's achievements as a teacher and scholar are inseparable from his deeply felt commitment to his community. In his half-century association with the U of S, he has played a principal role in the many achievements of the Saskatoon region, and as such, is a very deserving first recipient of this award.

Dr. Vera Pezer's long and distinguished association and career with the University of Saskatchewan has earned her the Alumni Award of Achievement at this year's spring convocation.

From her early schooling in Meskanaw, Sask., Pezer pursued her education at the U of S where she earned a BA in English, MA in Psychology, and her PhD in Psychology. She began her career at the U of S in 1966 in the Student Counselling Service Department as a part-time Instructor in the Dept. of Psychology.

In 1978, she was appointed Director of Counselling Services, and it was in the area of student services that she had a major impact on the welfare of thousands of students who attended the University of Saskatchewan.

For 10 years, she served as the Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services, and she made many contributions in the important area of student relations. She also served as Assistant Dean of Arts and Science on two different occasions between 1978 and 1981.

Aside from her career accomplishments, Pezer made outstanding contributions to the community, particularly through her love for sports. As a professional psychologist, she lent her expertise to the Canadian Curling Teams in two Olympic Games.

An outstanding curler herself, she was a member of four Canadian Ladies Curling Championship teams and as a golfer, she represented Saskatchewan at two Canadian Senior Ladies competitions. Earlier in 1969, Vera was a member of a Canadian Softball Championship team.

Pezer's significant involvement in her community has included positions on a number of boards of directors, including the city's Leisure Services Advisory Committee, Huskie Athletics Endowment Fund, Waskesiu Golf Course, the Saskatoon Housing Coalition and chair of the Jeux Canada Games Foundation.

Upon retiring from the University of Saskatchewan as Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services in December 2001, the U of S Board of Governors appointed Pezer to the status of Associate Vice-President Emerita for Student Affairs and Services.

The U of S Alumni Association is proud to bestow the prestigious honor of the 2002 Alumni Award of Achievement to Dr. Vera Pezer in recognition of her outstanding contributions to her profession, to her community, and to the University of Saskatchewan.

Twenty-nine years of outstanding service to students, colleagues and the U of S has earned Colleen Teague the President's Service Award at this year's Fall Convocation.

According to her nominator and a host of supporters, Teague, Co-ordinator of Personnel and Facilities in the College of Engineering, has been held in high regard within the College and the University since she began working for the U of S in 1973.

With a broad range of responsibilities - including developing and implementing administrative and operational policies, advising on faculty and staff recruitment and development, overseeing the allocation of College offices and facilities, direction of support staff in the Dean of Engineering's Office, and involvement in capital planning - she interacts with a huge number of people across campus. Students, faculty and co-workers describe Teague as a delight to work with, always exhibiting kindness, thoughtfulness, professionalism and an uplifting cheerfulness.

Teague began her U of S career in 1973 in the Registrar's Office, then moved to the College of Engineering in 1975 as a Clerk Stenographer. She moved up the ranks, working in Mechanical Engineering, then in Engineering Shops as an Assistant Manager and Draftsperson. She moved to the Dean's Office in the mid-1980s as an Administrative Assistant, then took on even more responsibilities when she assumed her current job, Co-ordinator of Personnel and Facilities.

Not only dedicated to her work, Teague has also been very involved within the community on campus. She has served on the executive of the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association and has had a part to play on many campus committees dealing with issues like students with disabilities, status of women, employment equity, and Engineering's Wall of Distinction, Research Day, and international projects. In the wider community, she has volunteered with many groups, including: Kinsmen Telemiracle, Santa Claus Parade, Special Needs Shopping, the Festival of Trees, the Canadian Cancer Society, the 24-hr. Relay for Camp Easter Seal, and the Canadian Institute of Management.

The President's Service Award recognizes exceptional contributions by non-academic staff. The award includes a commemorative ring or pin.