This year’s six recipients embody the university’s aspiration to be what the world needs because of their significant accomplishments and contributions since graduating from USask. 

 “The University of Saskatchewan aims to prepare students to be what the world needs,” said Anthony Bidulka (BA’83, BEd’91, BComm’91), chair of USask’s Alumni Advisory Board awards committee. Bildulka is also a winner of a USask Alumni of Influence award from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2020 and an accomplished author of 11 mystery, suspense and thriller novels. “The remarkable achievements of this year’s nominees and award recipients prove this to be true. They are an inspiration to all USask students, past and present.”

Each of the winners have made outstanding contributions and earned recognition for excellence in their respective fields which include law, education, philanthropy, performance art, public policy, Indigenous language revitalization, community building, and engineering.

Each year, Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to notable USask alumni for their accomplishments and impact on their communities and the world. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and chosen for their achievements and innovation, commitment to excellence, community engagement and leadership, as well as contributions to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of society.

“USask is proud to have more than 170,000 graduates in 120 countries,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “This year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipients exemplify the creativity, resilience, generosity and global impact of our alumni community. The accomplishments of these USask graduates are extraordinary and deserving of this prestigious honour.”

This year’s honourees will gather at a special gala in October to receive their award and celebrate their achievements.

Each year, as part of National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Saskatoon Chapter recognizes individuals and organizations for the ways their generosity makes a difference in our lives and communities.  

At this year’s AFP-hosted event, two USask-based nominees were recognized for their impact. 

A long-time supporter of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Cathy Roozen received the Honoured Supporter Award. Roozen’s generosity has helped the college acquire state-of-the-art technology and equipment to advance animal medical innovation. Her interest in the college's research programs led to the establishment of the Allard Research Chair in Oncology. Roozen’s support of clinical oncology made it possible for the college to purchase a LINAC machine and PET-CT scanner, Canada's first PET-CT unit for animals. This new medical imaging technology has the potential to benefit both animals and humans by enabling early detection of cancer, brain disorders, heart disease, and other conditions.  

Libby Epoch was recognized with the Youth in Philanthropy Award. Epoch has been an ambassador for USask’s Be What the World Needs campaign, lending her voice to gift announcements, media interviews, promotional materials and more. Epoch is completing her Bachelor of Science in Engineering and is also earning a Certificate in Professional Communication from the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development, which is part of the College of Engineering. She also served as president of the Huskie Athletic Council, which has supported initiatives like Huskie Home Room, clothing drives for underprivileged children, and raising funds for the Secret Santa program. 

USask is proud to recognize these two outstanding philanthropists and the many alumni and friends who have supported the Campaign for USask. 

It is not every day that your career comes full circle, and you get to return to the place where it all began.

For Marnie Wright, that place is the University of Saskatchewan (USask). Originally from Conquest, Sask., USask’s new associate vice-president of people and chief human resource officer is also a proud alumna.

Wright went on to earn her master’s in organizational development and worked for 14 years in Human Resources (HR) as a Senior HR Advisor at British Columbia Institute of Technology. It was there that she had the opportunity to focus on and perfect her craft.

“Once I found the alignment of my talents and my interests my career really became easy,” said Wright.  

In the following years, Wright continued to build her career as associate superintendent of HR Abbotsford School District, and then associate vice-president of HR at the University of the Fraser Valley.

“I’ve really enjoyed working in the education sector,” said Wright. “Being a sessional faculty member at Thompson Rivers University for 21 years has helped my role in human resources. I have an understanding of how amazing and challenging it can be to teach.”

Understanding the people she works with is one of Wright’s best assets. There are a lot of diverse types of human resource practitioners, but for Wright it is all about the people.

“My focus is about the employees and creating a rich environment for them to succeed in,” she said. “It’s critical that employees want to come to work, that they feel safe and respected, and that they can advance their career,” said Wright. “My favourite part of the job is seeing someone meet their career goals.”  

In her new role, Wright plans to give back.

“I’m just so honoured to serve USask after everything that it has provided for my career. I’m hoping to do an excellent job,” said Wright.

As she gets to know the university again, she knows one thing to be true: all employees seek and deserve clarity.  

“It’s important that people know what they are working towards,” said Wright. “Every position is filled with individuals with aspirations – they have ideas, and listening and working alongside people is the ticket to a highly productive team. Leaders are no longer the sole architects of solutions. Now we look to the whole team for solutions.”

For Wright, it is also critical to not just learn about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, but to do the work.

“There are also lots of really exciting ways that we can incorporate Indigenization into our processes,” Wright explained. “I’m looking forward to getting to know my team and explore some of this.”   

So far, USask is living up to her fond memories.

“It’s exactly as I expected,” said Wright. “Everyone is so warm and welcoming. I’ve never forgotten USask, in fact some of my best friends are fellow alumni.”  

Those connections have been important to Wright throughout her time at USask and career.

When Wright first moved to British Columbia, she connected with the alumni group there and started going to football games. Soon a cohort of Saskatchewan friends was established, and they have been attending Roughrider games ever since. Wright also stayed in touch with many of the friends she made while living in Seager Wheeler Hall residence. 

“I was maybe one of two Canadian students who lived there all the time,” said Wright. “I made so many connections and was exposed to new cultures, it has fueled my love of travel as I went to visit many of my friends in their home countries.”

In addition to travel, Wright’s other passion is taking in the opera.

“My roommate in Seagar Wheeler was a famous Chinese opera singer, and she would sing ballads in my room,” said Wright. “The experiences I had living at Seager Wheeler where just as formative as the classes I was taking.” 

“It’s incredible to see what has changed on campus,” Wright added. “I’m really looking forward to exploring the campus. We are incredibly lucky to work here. It’s a privilege to serve the university.”  

Wright began her role on November 6, 2023, and her partner John, her stepson Nick, and the family dog Sam, a chocolate lab, will be making the trek to join her in Saskatoon in the spring.

Six Protective Services officers received the Van De Vorst award presented annually by MADD Canada.

“This is tremendous recognition for the dedication our officers have to making sure our campus community is safe,” said Brad Niven, manager of Protective Services. “Our team is on campus 24-7 making sure our working, learning and living environments are safe for all members of the campus community, at all times.”

Corporal Amy Huebner, Special Constable Eddie Plostnieks, Corporal Justin Durette and Corporal Jordan Boechler were presented the Platinum award for their commitment to community safety. Corporal Peter Than and Special Constable Caitlinn Gardener were honoured with the Van De Vorst Gold award. The honour highlights the work Protective Services does on campus and in our greater community to keep the areas where we work, learn and live safe.

“It is great to be a part of a team that cares about the safety and well-being of the USask community,” said Huebner. “Getting to work with a group of officers dedicated to keeping our campus and its roads safe is a privilege.”

The Van De Vorst award is named in honour of Jordan, Chandra, Kamryn and Miguire Van De Vorst who lost their lives to an impaired driver in 2016. This is the fifth year the Van De Vorst award has been presented. Fellow award recipients include police departments and RCMP officers throughout Saskatchewan. In total, 69 officers from across the province were honoured on November 15.

If you or someone you know witnesses an impaired driver, call USask Protective Services at 306-966-5555.

Following Delbaere’s undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba, she completed an internship at Hewlett-Packard in Germany, which eventually led to a permanent position in health-care marketing. Upon returning to Winnipeg for contract work, she pivoted to academia after being encouraged to pursue a PhD.

Reflecting on her first day of classes in the PhD program, Delbaere said she vividly remembers attending a graduate seminar on the philosophy of science and thinking “I love this. I love thinking like this. This really is my calling.”

From that moment, Delbaere’s academic pursuits delved into pharmaceutical advertising, guided by supportive professors and interdisciplinary collaboration with the Centre for Knowledge Transfer at the University of Alberta. She had the opportunity to learn more about health care and policy, which continues to fascinate her today.

A Prairie girl at heart, Delbaere said “I was drawn to USask, enticed by the prospect of collaborating with esteemed faculty members within the vibrant community of the then College of Commerce. The connection with colleagues such as Barbara Phillips and Maureen Bourassa played a pivotal role in my decision to make Saskatoon home.”

In the years since Delbaere joined USask, she has made many connections around the USask Bowl leading to several individuals encouraging her to stand for election as a member at large on the university council and now beginning in September 2023 as the 16th University Council Chair.

“University Council is the heart of the institution, and I thought it was essential to understand the underlying reasons and checks and balances in place,” said Delbaere, who is a professor of marketing and associate dean of research, faculty relations, and graduate programs in the Edwards School of Business at USask.

“Now I want to move beyond merely hearing about university council activities and actively participate in decision-making processes. I am here to help facilitate all the discussion, questions, and business of council. As chair, I recognize that it is my responsibility to ensure that items are brought forward for discussion and deliberation.”

For her part, Delbaere has been active in contributing to academic governance at the department and college-level, as a member of the Behavioural Research Ethics board, and on the Research Scholarly and Artistic Works (RSAW) committee at USask. With her background in commerce and a penchant for long-term planning, Delbaere believes she can contribute her understanding of strategic planning to the chair role, combining both administrative and faculty perspectives.

This fall, Delbaere introduced a practice allowing council members to submit questions ahead of time, thereby fostering a culture of curiosity and enhancing the comprehensiveness of responses.

“It is my hope that this approach contributes to a more informed and inclusive council discourse by providing members with an opportunity to express themselves more comfortably and receive better-prepared answers,” explained Delbaere.

“My vision is to have an environment that is truly collaborative and engaging, with room for open inquiry. I want to promote an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and constructive discourse and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect. Disagreements are inherent; however, we can express our opinions and concerns and still move forward without hindering progress, working within the framework of majority rules. That means centring on creating a safe space for individuals to freely share opinions, ask questions, and engage in respectful dialogue.”

In addition to her vision for an inclusive environment, Delbaere is also recognized as an engaged educator. She has been acknowledged on several occasions for her teaching at USask, and carries on an active program of research investigating communication and persuasion about complex and controversial topics, primarily in pharmaceutical products and health care. 

The exposure to health-care marketing dates back to Delbaere’s profound experience at Hewlett-Packard, where she underwent a comprehensive training program called the HP medical neophyte training program.

“The program provided foundational knowledge of human physiology, hospital organization, and the intricacies of different medical roles, setting the foundation for my fascination with persuasive communication in the health care industry and how to navigate the challenges of communicating complex products and concepts,” she said. “The exposure to medical procedures, including witnessing open-heart surgery, fuelled my curiosity about the intersection of language, metaphors, and images in health care.”

Delbaere’s ongoing SSHRC project explores the changing landscape of pharmaceutical advertising, notably the increasing focus on social media platforms. She is investigating the intricate dynamics of patient influencers who share health care experiences on platforms like TikTok, emphasizing the organic emergence of these influencers within patient communities.

“What we have found so far, is that there have been two movements. We see pharma companies working with agencies to build connections with patient advocates. But we are also seeing patient advocates or patient influencers building up their own followings independently,” explained Delbaere. “We’ve interviewed 26 patient influencers so far. The next step is to map out the network of followers for a few key influencers in hopes of defining how they're maybe different from other social media influencers based on who is following them.”

Delbaere recognizes the multifaceted challenges of adhering to regulations and the influencers’ dual role as income sources and health care advocates.

“The patient influencers are aware of the tension that exists too, and they do not like to call themselves influencers. In the past you would see messaging only from the brand itself, but now we are seeing it come from the users themselves. There is a need to dissect the intricate relationships between influencers, pharmaceutical companies, and patient communities within the evolving realm of pharmaceutical advertising.”

Shifting from the complexities of pharmaceutical advertising, Delbaere reflects on her 17 years in Saskatoon, where she has discovered more than just an academic home at USask. She has also had the great privilege to nurture a profound sense of belonging alongside her family in Saskatoon.

“The city’s amenities, from the Meewasin Trail to the community centres, have provided us with a true sense of home. The former University Club played a pivotal role in cultivating this feeling for us. We believe Saskatoon is wonderfully set up for a fulfilling lifestyle.”

An exhibition currently on view at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is showcasing the work of Dorothy Knowles, an award-winning USask graduate and one of Canada’s best-known landscape painters.

The show, titled Dorothy Knowles: by the water, celebrates Knowles’ remarkable career and highlights some of the outdoor places and spaces that inspired her during her decades of artistic production. Curated by USask graduate Leah Taylor, the exhibition is on view until Dec. 15, 2023, at the Kenderdine Art Gallery in USask’s Agriculture Building.

Dr. Angela M. Jaime (PhD) has been appointed to the role of vice-provost, Indigenous engagement at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) for a five-year term, effective Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2028.

Dr. Jaime said taking on the senior leadership role at USask is a way to “pay it forward” and honour the people who have supported and lifted her up throughout her career.

“It’s now my responsibility and honour to lift up other Indigenous folks, and to pave the way so that this next generation of Indigenous leaders don’t have to fight the same battles,” she said.

Dr. Jaime’s appointment was approved by the USask Board of Governors on Dec. 12. Reporting to the provost and vice-president academic, the vice-provost, Indigenous engagement works with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders on and off campus to support USask’s academic mission, intersecting with areas such as governance, teaching, learning, and student experience, and research.

The vice-provost, Indigenous engagement also provides guidance and leadership to students, faculty, administrators, and staff as the campus community engages in Indigenization and reconciliation initiatives as identified through the university’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the University Plan 2025, and ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan “Let’s Fly Up Together”—the first Indigenous Strategy solely created by Indigenous people at a Canadian U15 research institution.

Dr. Jaime is already familiar with the role, after previously being appointed interim vice-provost, Indigenous engagement on Sept. 1, 2021. Prior to that, she held the position of vice-dean Indigenous and full professor in USask’s College of Arts and Science, from July 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2021. She teaches and consults in the areas of Indigenous membership/citizenship, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), anti-racism/anti-oppression, and social justice. Her areas of research include Indigenous women and their experiences in higher education, Indigenous education, and the experiences of Indigenous and students of colour in post-secondary education.

“We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Jaime to the role of vice-provost, Indigenous engagement,” said Professor Airini, USask’s provost and vice-president academic. “Dr. Jaime contributed significantly to USask during her time as interim vice-provost, Indigenous engagement. Under her leadership, the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and implementation plan were realized. USask is committed to safeguarding the cultures and integrity of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous values, and Indigenous languages within the university, and the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy provides a framework for the implementation of Indigenous membership/citizenship verification with documentation. Dr. Jaime and her team members engage the campus community through ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan: USask’s Indigenous Strategy.”

Dr. Jaime is an enrolled member of the Pit River Tribe of northern California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at California State University, Sacramento in 1995; her Master of Arts degree at San Francisco State University in 1997; and her PhD in curriculum and instruction at Purdue University in 2005. Her doctoral dissertation was titled Narrated portraits: Native American women in academia. She held several academic and leadership positions at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, before to moving to Canada and coming to USask, including as the director of Native American & Indigenous Studies and as the associate director of the School of Culture, Gender, and Social Justice.

She is the first woman to be dean of medicine at USask, and only the second psychiatrist. In fact, she was a student in the medical doctor program when the last psychiatrist, Dr. Ian McDonald (MD), was dean, and received her degree—as well as the Lindsey gold medal for top of her class—from him onstage at USask convocation in 1993.

Hers is a Saskatchewan story. She grew up on a farm near the Gardiner Dam and Danielson Provincial Park, where life included helping with seeding, harvest, gardening, animals, and other farm chores. She attended school in Strongfield and then Loreburn. 

“Small town community activities were part of growing up. It was certainly a different life. Most kids would have stayed on the farm or left for a couple years and then come back. No one had ever been a doctor from those communities, so it was never even seen as a possibility.”

It was only after completing a Bachelor of Science degree with great distinction at USask and then working as a hospital dietician that Baetz realized she could become a doctor. She completed her medical degree and residency in psychiatry, both also at USask. She made her career as a psychiatrist and academic based in Saskatoon, and is known widely in the province as a leader, dedicated mentor, and strong researcher.

She’s excited for the new opportunity as interim dean and the challenges it presents.

“This is not going to be about maintaining a status quo,” she said. “We’re on a huge trajectory of growth and I want to keep that going. There are research positions to fill. The new physician assistant program is in development. There’s a pressing need to grow in rural Saskatchewan and potential site expansions related to that. So it’s really important to keep moving forward.”

She also identifies the need for the college to keep advancing on its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and sees the college offering opportunities for qualified people from a broad range of backgrounds. She would like to see more women in leadership and more Indigenous and rural learners, graduates, and members of faculty and staff. Workforce wellness is also a priority for Baetz, which she is particularly aware of as a physician.

“We’re over capacity in the health care system. These people are also our teachers, and this is the teaching ground for our learners. All of our faculty and staff are so important for our college. I want to see our staff proud and our faculty engaged.”

Baetz took on the interim dean role from a deep sense of loyalty to the college and university. It was the same reason she stepped into the position of provincial department head in psychiatry in 2010. From there, in 2019, she became the college’s vice-dean of faculty engagement. Here too she demonstrated her loyalty to the college and a deep understanding of faculty issues and perspectives. And in 2023 an interim dean was sought for the college, with the departure of Dr. Preston Smith (MD).

“There was a need, and I think I have the skillset,” she said. “As vice-dean, I’ve worked with faculty across the province. I’ve taught and mentored our learners. I know the issues. I’m rural Saskatchewan, and I’m loyal to the province and college. I feel a really strong commitment to keeping the great progress this college has made during Preston’s time as dean continuing and growing.”

A psychiatrist for 25 years, she has trained numerous undergraduate students and residents in psychiatry. She served on the Senior Leadership Council for the College of Medicine, and contributed to The Way Forward blueprint—an extensive renewal plan for the college—as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee. Her research interests include mood and anxiety disorders, with a special interest in maternal mental health, and she earned an international Templeton Award as one of the first researchers in Canada to examine the role of spirituality in mental health.

Additionally, Baetz is a Canadian Certified Physician Executive and a board member of the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders and the Royal University Hospital Foundation. She served on the Senior Leadership Team for the former Saskatoon Health Region, and the Physician Advisory Transition Team for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Her hopes for the future of the college include seeing every physician in the province join its faculty and  more medical learners trained here staying here. Over many years, Baetz has served as a significant linchpin between the college and the health care system. She has a deep understanding of each based on her extensive experience and involvement in both. It positions her well to lead the continued progress of the College of Medicine.

“There’s such a great need for growth and continuity. I see that I can fill a gap and ensure we don’t have a loss of momentum.”

Growing up in Saskatoon, Rathwell didn’t see very many Indian-Canadian kids that looked like her on her neighbourhood playground. It wasn’t until she began her time at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) studying anthropology that she noticed more Asian representation around her.

Rathwell is currently employed at her alma mater as a project lead with the Urban Public Health Network in the USask Department of Community Health and Epidemiology.

“I’m lucky to work with a diverse research team at USask, and we have quite a bit of Asian representation in our research group and I see a lot of representation in community health and epidemiology in general,” she said, adding that she thinks there’s always room for more representation at all levels of research design and leadership.

She said she’s had a very positive experience being an Asian researcher at USask, but there are times when she’s faced with the stereotype of being a young, timid, and quiet Indian woman.

“There have definitely been times in my career when I haven’t felt like my voice is being heard,” Rathwell said. “Luckily, I have had several bosses, mentors, and teammates that have encouraged me to speak up over the years and value my experience.”

She encourages other Asian students wanting to pursue a career in community health and epidemiology to “reach out and get involved.”

“There’s so much interesting research happening across the university,” she said. “I wish as a student I had expressed my interest in and joined more research teams at USask.”

His visits to campus have spanned for as long as he could remember, beginning in the early 1990s shortly after his father, Dr. Manjula Bandara (PhD), completed his time as a PhD student in the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources all the while raising a young Sri Lankan family.

“I grew up on this campus and the research crop fields surrounding it,” said Bandara. “Some of my earliest memories are of running between the agriculture building and the biology building, eating Sun Chips from the vending machine and gawking at the dinosaurs.”

Bandara said it feels as though he never left.

Exactly 30 years after his father achieved his PhD in Crop Physiology, Bandara was awarded a PhD in Community and Population Health Sciences at USask.

“I knew that going to Saskatoon for university would allow me to see a lot of representation in different areas,” Docabo said.

Coming from a Filipino background, she also wanted to meet and build friendships with other people who shared the same heritage but were from different parts of Saskatchewan. This is what led her to joining the USask Filipino Students Association (FSA), a group that was created in 2012 in support of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines that left numerous communities without a home. The FSA currently works to build connections and to provide community support for all students.

“I sought out a club that would be able to provide me with a sense of community in an unknown environment and help me settle into the university and the new city,” Docabo said, adding that the FSA did just that for her first couple years at USask. 

“Regardless of what year you’re in, I think that joining a club or organization is a great way to connect with people and make friends. For me, FSA events were like a study break, and they definitely helped with maintaining a balance between school and my social life.” 

Next year, Docabo will be part of the FSA executive team.

It was 2018 when Wang, a first-generation Chinese immigrant living and working in Edmonton, decided to attend a law school recruitment event in the city. That’s when he came across a booth for the USask College of Law.

“Before that, I'd never been to Saskatchewan. I didn’t even know how to spell the word Saskatchewan,” Wang laughed, saying it was the school’s recognition of diversification and acceptance of different communities that attracted him to the program.

He applied and was accepted, beginning classes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The program started in 2020 but I didn't come to Saskatoon until 2021. My first year was completely online due to COVID-19 and that was a hard time for everyone and not just me.”

During his years as a law student, Wang also volunteered as the sole USask student committee member of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL), a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Asian Canadian lawyers to build connections with members across the country.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Mike Marsh and Corinna Stevenson as new board members,” said Shelley Brown, chair of the university’s board. “Their diverse talents, perspectives and industry experience will be invaluable assets to our governance team, and we are appreciative of the time and dedication they have committed to USask over the next three years.” 

A USask alum, Stevenson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Stevenson and her husband Jeff grain farm and operate Hi-Lite Custom Feedlot together with their sons and in-laws. She was formerly a consultant with SaskCentral Business Advisory Services providing finance, corporate governance and enterprise risk management expertise to credit unions across Saskatchewan, and has held numerous senior leadership roles in financial institutions throughout her career. She is also an avid volunteer in the advanced education sector and has previously served two terms as District 9 (Melfort, Nipawin, Hudson Bay) Senator for USask. 

In 2022, Stevenson was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her transformational leadership within the regional college system. 

“I have learned so much as an executive and I have a lot to give back,” she said. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting started. I am simply delighted to be on campus more often. I may be biased but it is one of the most beautiful places in Saskatchewan.” 

The USask Board of Governors will also welcome USask alum Mike Marsh to the team. 

Marsh earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from USask in 1979 and later obtained a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University in 1999. With over 40 years of construction, operational and corporate experience, Marsh has worked on corporate governance development, business and planning process improvements, and capital project evaluations together with financial review and reporting processes. He was on the executive leadership team at SaskPower for 15 years, where he served seven years as president and chief executive officer before he retired in December of 2021. Marsh has extensive experience working with boards for industry associations and not-for-profit organizations. 

 In 2018, Marsh was honoured as the Distinguished Lecturer at the USask College of Engineering’s 42nd annual C.J. Mackenzie Gala of Engineering Excellence. 

“The University of Saskatchewan has a long and proud history of graduating exceptional talent year after year,” said Marsh. “Together with the research and academic work done at USask, there will continue to be significant impacts resulting from this university here in Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world. I am confident that we can continue to build on that success well into the future.” 

With the arrival of two new members, current board members Joy Crawford and Louise Simard will be completing their terms. 

“We are grateful for the service and dedication of both Joy and Louise on the Board of Governors during their terms, and we thank them for their contributions to the university,” said Brown. 

The University of Saskatchewan’s Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing and directing all matters respecting the management, administration and control of the university’s property, revenues and financial affairs. 

The board consists of 11 members: the chancellor and the president of the university as ex officio members, five members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, two members elected by the University Senate, the president of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union, and one faculty member elected by the faculty. 

Sweeney, a child of the Great Depression, was born in Blaine Lake, Sask., in 1926. His family moved to nearby Marcelin, Sask., in 1929 before settling in Prince Albert, Sask., in 1935. Despite living near the poverty line and at times, struggling to find enough to eat, Sweeney was able to graduate from high school at the age of 16 before moving to Saskatoon, Sask., to further his education at USask.

After receiving his mechanical engineering degree from the College of Engineering in 1947, Sweeney moved to Walkerville (now Windsor), Ont., where mechanical engineering jobs were in abundance. He began his career with The Percy Alcomb Engineering Company and later moved to Chrysler overseeing parts redesign. It was there that he met his wife, Virginia.

In 1950, Sweeney was hired by Trane Company of Canada, a worldwide heating and air conditioning manufacturer, and was eventually given the opportunity to take over the Toronto franchise, leading to the establishment of D’Arcy Sweeney Ltd. in 1957.

“Like many successful people, he made the most of his opportunities,” said Sweeney’s son, Gary, “but he also worked diligently to maximize those opportunities in a Toronto market that was poised to undergo a boon in construction and development over the next several decades.”

Gary believes that his father’s strong work ethic developed at a very young age. Sweeney witnessed his father, a self-taught electrician, wire the Prince Albert Penitentiary and watched his mother, a midwife, work tirelessly to make ends meet for their family as well as pay for his education at USask.

Gary has continued that tradition of hard work, joining the family business at age 15 and later facilitating the company’s expansion across Canada. Gary worked alongside his father from 1970 until Sweeney’s passing on July 19, 2023, at the age of 97.

The CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 awards are a celebration of young leaders and change-makers across the province. Four members of the USask community were among the ten 2024 recipients. They are being honoured for making a difference in their communities and helping Saskatchewan be a better place to live, work and play:

Tasnim Jaisee:

Tasnim Jaisee (BA’24, BA’24, CQGS’24) graduated from the College of Arts and Science in 2024 with dual undergraduate honours degrees in Political Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, and a certificate in Queer Theory, Gender Diversity, and Sexualities Studies. Previously, she was elected USSU President, as the first woman of colour in the role. She is now the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Project Specialist in USask’s Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic. 

Dr. Linzi Williamson (PhD):
Dr. Linzi Williamson (MA’13, PhD’19) is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Health Studies in USask’s College of Arts and Science, and the co-director of the PAWSitive Connections Lab. Williamson is also a USask alumnus with an MA (2013) and PhD (2019) in Applied Social Psychology.

Madhurja Ghosh:
Madhurja Ghosh (BComm’18) is a USask alumnus who graduated from the Edwards School of Business in 2018 with an undergraduate degree (with distinction) in accounting. He serves as a mentor for the USask’s Connects mentorship program, among his many other talents.

Ishita Mann:
Ishita Mann is an undergraduate student who recently served the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union as the first-ever female Indian president of the USSU.

To learn more about the impact these four trailblazers are having in their communities and to view the full list of the 2024 CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 recipients, click here.

USask alumnus Brooke Klassen, assistant professor in the Edwards School of Business and Sustainability Faculty Fellow 2022-24, recently received an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Recognition Award for her work in sustainability in her courses.

Klassen received the award from the United Nations University-designated Regional Centre of Expertise for Saskatchewan. She also won this year’s Dr. Garth Pickard Award, for Post-Secondary Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development. To honour her achievements and to mark Canadian Environment Week June 2-8, we asked Klassen to expand on her important work in sustainability.

USask: You recently won an award for ESD in MBA 803, as well as the Dr. Garth Pickard Award for Post-Secondary Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development. What does it mean to you to be recognized in these ways?

BK: It gets me so excited when I find others who share my passion for sustainability. Sometimes it can be difficult to reconcile how to approach sustainability from a traditionally capitalist perspective, but I am humbled to be recognized for the work I’ve done to show students that the two concepts are not at odds and instead help to develop stronger, more viable organizations.

USask: What does it mean to ‘embed sustainability’ in the classes you teach?

BK: To me, it means that I have applied the UNESCO Reflect Share Act model that was created in 2020 to assist anyone in acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to promote sustainable development in their community. I wanted students to reflect on issues, share possible solutions, and act towards meaningful change. Many of those actions happen outside the classroom, in their workplaces, social groups and communities. 

USask: Why is embedding sustainability in your classes important to you?

BK: When I became a university instructor, I naturally gravitated towards engaging my business students in discussions around social issues. I remember showing a video where UN representatives from countries that were running out of clean drinking water asked for water to be deemed a human right. This was in 2010, and at that time, there was discussion around how scarce water could become by 2040 if the world didn’t take action. The strong reactions from students, many of whom have never worried about water security in their own lives, confirmed the importance of challenging students to think differently from very early on in their degrees. Our mission at Edwards is to enable learners to become socially conscious professionals, and my contribution comes from including sustainability learning outcomes, activities and assessments in my classes.

USask: What kind of challenges are there in embedding sustainability in business classes?

BK: There are several challenges, which can be connected around a central theme of doubt. Some students doubt that the world can achieve the ambitious targets set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Others doubt their own ability to contribute in a meaningful way. Still others doubt their role in ‘saving the world’ and put it back on the businesses and earlier generations that created the issues in the first place.

However, these aren’t reasons to give up. In fact, I use them as motivation to keep going. It is important to me that students see that they can start up, work in or even run profitable businesses that are also focused on doing what is right for the next generations to come.

USask: I was told you are leading work on Generative AI. Can you explain what that means and why it’s important?

BK: I am a member of the USask Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, which was established to develop comprehensive principles and associated guidelines for the use of AI by the university, aligned with our core areas of research, teaching, and administration. There are many considerations around sustainability in the use of AI, and I’ve really enjoyed contributing to this work by applying the knowledge I developed through my USask Sustainability Faculty Fellowship.

USask: How can people take action?

BK: My hope is that highlighting how to engage students in developing sustainability-related competencies encourages others in our university community to do the same. Every action matters, no matter how large or small it may seem. 

We asked Klassen how people can learn more. She suggested reading the sustainability teaching and learning practices guide written by the inaugural USask Sustainability Faculty Fellows, in which she wrote Chapter 7. She also suggested signing up for a workshop focused on community-engaged learning. People could also read her article for The Conversation titled Can marketing classes teach sustainability?

A total of 359 Canadians were killed in the Juno Beach landings on D-Day, with Major Love one of 44 members of the Regina Rifle Regiment lost that day in the attack on the most heavily defended position along Juno Beach, when his landing craft struck a mine just off shore. Left to mourn Love’s loss back home in Canada were family and friends, including his parents John and Ethel Love of Yorkton, Sask., his brothers and sisters, and his young bride Margaret Fisher Ferguson (later Fallis) and her family from Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.

She received the devastating news while working in the fashion industry in Toronto, where they were married on July 11, 1941, before moving to Nova Scotia where Love was posted. Like so many war-time brides, they had only a brief six weeks together as a married couple, before Love was shipped overseas, to never return again.

As the first Indigenous male and female students in the early years of the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Edward Ahenakew and Annie Maude (Nan) McKay helped show the way for hundreds of First Nations and Métis graduates walking across the stage at Merlis Belsher Place this week to receive their degrees at Spring Convocation.

Ahenakew became part of USask history when he enrolled in university classes as a theology student in 1910 and graduated two years later as a member of the affiliated Emmanuel College, going on to become an ordained Anglican priest and working tirelessly in support of Indigenous causes and communities. Meanwhile, McKay came to campus in 1912 and graduated three years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree as the first Métis student and first female Indigenous scholar, before beginning a remarkable 44-year career in the University Library until her retirement in 1959.

“The stories of Nan McKay and Edward Ahenakew as the first Indigenous students at the University of Saskatchewan are an inspiration to this day, and remind us of the remarkable contributions of Indigenous people at the university dating back more than a century,” said USask Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, Dr. Angela Jaime (PhD). “Their legacy and their journeys more than a hundred years ago provided a path to follow for future Indigenous students.”

As well, USask has chosen Dr. Sarah Donkers (PhD), assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science in USask’s College of Medicine, as the 2024 New Researcher awardee for her sustained and widely acclaimed contributions to neurorehabilitation and multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation. The award will be presented on June 18 at the USask staff and faculty awards ceremony.

The annual awards, announced by USask Vice-President Research Baljit Singh, honour significant contributions to knowledge or artistic creativity by members of the university’s research community.

Twenty-three University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty and staff members from colleges, schools, and units across campus will be honoured with USask teaching awards later this month.

This includes recipients in the following adjudicated categories: Provost’s Outstanding Teacher Award, Provost’s New Teacher Award, Provost’s Graduate Student Teacher Award, Provost’s Support of Teaching and Learning Award, Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Award, Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award, as well as the Provost’s College Awards for Outstanding Teaching.

“Congratulations to colleagues, from across the USask community, who are being recognized with 2024 teaching awards for fostering USask learners to be what the world needs,” said Dr. Airini (PhD), USask’s provost and vice-president academic.

“Thank you for the vitally important work you do to support USask’s teaching and learning mission. Our University Plan 2025 includes the bold ambition to be a university that sets the standard for learning. You inspire us all through your innovation in teaching and learning."

On June 18, the USask community will celebrate this year’s teaching award winners during the USask Staff and Faculty Awards event. A full list of recipients of USask Staff and Faculty Awards is available online.

The celebration event will be held at Marquis Hall Events Centre from 5-8 pm on June 18.

This prestigious award is given annually to staff members who not only achieve excellence but also embody the university’s Mission, Vision, and Values, thereby playing a key role in realizing the goals of the University Plan 2025.

When Raven Saganace was approached to be a mentor at the inception of the program, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse.

“I was hesitant at first, but eventually I put in an application because it looked like such a great program,” said Raven.

The Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship (BIRM) program connects post-secondary students with Indigenous high school students to build relationships through shared experiences, interests, and goals. Weekly sessions focus on academic, cultural, and self-development activities.

“My brother Andrew had just started high school at Bedford Road, and I thought it would be a really good way for him to meet friends and have good community, so I bullied him into joining me,” she joked.

The program allowed them to connect more and to explore their identities separately and together.

“I was a pretty solitary person before BIRM,” said Andrew. “I kept to myself, and I was losing motivation in things, I was anxious. BIRM helped me get out of my shell, it gave me a sense of community which helped a lot.”

Through the program, Indigenous students join together in cultural practices like hide tanning or going to sweat lodges or cultural camps.

“It really helped me feel more connected with my identity and myself as a person. Now I have big aspirations for life. Before BIRM I didn’t really know what I was going to do. I was very lost in my direction educationally, personally, and artistically. After our year-end trip the first year of BIRM something flipped a switch in my brain, and I realized that there are so many things in the world that I can do to not only fulfill myself, but also improve myself.”

Andrew is an artist and plans to get into the animation field after high school. He hopes of one day starting his own indie studio and creating things that contribute his identity as an Indigenous person.

BIRM has had such a meaningful impact on both of their lives they sometimes even look at life as “before” and “after” BIRM.

“Before BIRM I didn’t have much of a community on campus,” said Raven, “but now I know people wherever I go.”

As a mentor, Raven has learned about leadership and communication with other mentors. All of this lends itself to Raven’s desire to pursue medicine after she graduates with a Health Sciences degree this year from USask.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d really like to help my own community, focusing more on family medicine with Indigenous youth,” said Raven.

The siblings credit BIRM with much of their personal development.

“I can’t recommend this program enough,” said Raven.

Watch a video showcasing more of Raven and Andew’s experience.

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If you know someone who would like to participate in BIRM, please visit indigenous.usask.ca/engagement/birm.

Kylen Rioux will mark the end of her undergraduate music studies at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in a way she never dreamed possible.

On June 1, Rioux and about 100 other USask students and alumni will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“I'm very, very excited. It feels a little surreal,” said Rioux, who will graduate from the USask College of Arts and Science with a Bachelor of Music (Music Education) degree three days after the event.

White supremacy. Liberal racism. Meritocracy. Allyship. Intersectionality. These are some of the terms and concepts that USask staff dove into during anti-racism education and skill sessions this year. 

Anti-racism and anti-oppression education on campus began with USask senior leadership in 2022, in a training cohort that included the president, vice-presidents, deans, executive directors, and other senior leaders. As demand for this learning has grown, additional USask faculty and staff have been given the opportunity to embark on developing an anti-racist lens for their work. 

More than 45 USask communications and marketing staff participated in anti-racism education and skill development training delivered through eight modules between fall 2023 and spring 2024.  

Elizabeth (Liz) Duret, a senior diversity and inclusion consultant for USask, has been involved with the development and evolution of anti-racism education at the university since the first sessions with USask’s Senior Leadership Forum and President’s Executive Council, and is happy to see the work expanding beyond senior leadership and into staff and work teams. 

Kwok was part of the planning committee which worked on the design concepts that represent USask’s inaugural Asian Heritage Month celebration, taking place during the month of May. The project presented an opportunity to use some of the new skills learned in anti-racism training to help pilot the visual identity of this new initiative on campus and helps to champion equity, diversity and inclusion. Kwok’s work involved creating a design to represent Asian Heritage Month without being exclusionary to any of the many groups, regions, and cultures present in Asia. 

“For Asian Heritage Month [at USask], we are approaching the imagery and branding with extensive research for all the visual media,” he said. “Rather than just interpreting similar imagery of what others are doing and not understanding the reasons behind them, we will take the time to research the specific meaning and purpose for the imagery and colours that we will use next year and in the future.” 

About his experience participating in anti-racism education, Kwok said, “For anyone who is interested in pursuing [it], it’s not easy. It is taxing both intellectually and emotionally, but it’s worth it. It’s like any kind of education: the more difficult and uncomfortable it is, the more you will learn.” 

When Izumi Adachi left Japan in the late 1990s, her motive was to share the Japanese language beyond her country’s borders.

“For me, it’s important to see our language and culture in Canada,” said the faculty member in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies.

A former high school teacher in Japan, Adachi taught in the United States and Hungary before settling in Canada. She has been teaching in USask’s College of Arts and Science since 2014.

The Japanese community in Saskatoon is small, but interest in Adachi’s Japanese language courses has been consistently strong. At least 200 students take her classes each year—some of them Japanese-Canadians looking to learn their ancestral language, but most of them Canadian and international students with no connection to Japan except a love of its culture. 

At this year’s USask Spring Convocation at Merlis Belsher Place from June 3-7, the university will award honorary degrees to renowned philanthropists and business leaders Gordon and Jill Rawlinson, as well as Man Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel, and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier (PhD).

USask President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff said the university is honoured to be able to shine the spotlight on this year’s esteemed recipients and to pay tribute to their commitment to community and their remarkable career achievements.

“We are proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments and contributions to society that these individuals have made throughout their extraordinary careers,” said Stoicheff. “Their respective achievements span a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields, and we are grateful for the opportunity to express our admiration and appreciation by bestowing the university’s highest honour during this year’s USask Spring Convocation celebration.”

Here is a closer look at each of this year’s recipients:

An honorary degree is the university’s most prestigious award, acknowledging worthy and unique contributions recipients have made to their community and to the world. USask recognizes individuals who have outstanding accomplishments in research, scholarly and artistic works; performed exceptional public service; contributed greatly through their professional or philanthropic activity; and demonstrated extraordinary athletic prowess. To view past recipients, visit: https://library.usask.ca/uasc/campus-history-databases/honorary-degrees

For more information on USask Spring Convocation, visit: https://students.usask.ca/academics/graduation.php

Berdahl, executive director of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School (JSGS) of Public Policy and professor in the USask College of Arts and Science political studies department, leverages her decade of experience in a public policy think tank before transitioning to academia to intentionally design learning experiences that reflect the needs she once identified in her own academic journey. Her innovative approach has transformed educational experiences and prepared students for successful careers across various fields.

“A big part of the 3M award is about educational leadership and that's where I've been trying to make a particular contribution: by getting people to think about the fact that we need to update our programs and reimagine our programs and make sure that they're working for students,” noted Berdahl. “They are why these programs exist." 

Berdahl has been honoured for her efforts: the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada recognized Berdahl and nine others for their exceptional contributions to teaching and learning in Canadian post-secondary education. It is the highest teaching honour a professor can receive in Canada. 

This is not the first noteworthy recognition Berdahl has received. In addition to being the recipient of three USask teaching awards, including the Distinguished Teacher Award (formerly titled Master Teacher Award), she was awarded the Canadian Political Science Association Prize for Teaching Excellence, the American Political Science Association Policy Excellence in Mentoring Award, and most recently, the Lieutenant Governor’s Post-Secondary Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching. 

“Dr. Berdahl exemplifies USask’s bold ambition to set the standard for learning. Her forward-looking commitment to teaching and learning directly and positively impact the lives of undergraduate and graduate students,” said Professor Airini (PhD), USask’s provost and vice-president academic. “She models curiosity, passion and creativity that inspire learners to get engaged and to become leaders the world needs.”  

One of her former students wrote in a nomination letter that Berdahl is unlike any professor she’s had because of her commitment to teaching excellence, educational innovation, and educational leadership. 

“She encourages active participation by all students, ensuring inclusion of diverse voices in classroom discussions. She starts each class session with a description of learning outcomes for the day and ends each session by dedicating two minutes to student reflection. I left each session with a clear understanding of what I had learned and what I needed to review,” wrote Kirsten Samson. 

In Berdahl’s roles as department head of Political Studies and current executive director at JSGS, one of her priorities has been curriculum development and renewal. Her colleague and nominator, Dr. Colleen Bell (PhD), associate professor and graduate program chair in Political Studies, said Berdahl has transformed university education from the bottom up. 

“Her approach begins from a place of empathy that meets students where they are ‘at’ to help them discover where they want to go,” Bell wrote. “From this simple but powerful idea, Loleen has built a pedagogical enterprise, supporting educators to foster student empowerment, skill development, and respect for diversity.” 

Through her popular Academia Made Easier newsletter/blog and University Affairs' Skills Agenda column, Berdahl reaches over 4,500 subscribers across 95 countries. Berdahl reaches across the academic career spectrum, while identifying the unique challenges faced by women, LGBTQ2+, BIPOC, junior, and precariously employed educators.  

Berdahl has also recently co-authored a book, For the Public Good: Reimagining Arts Graduate Education in Canada, which provides a vision for social science and humanities graduate education to prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. 

Berdahl is the 11th USask professor to receive this award since its inception in 1986. 

“I am so honored to be to be joining the ranks because I know their commitment to teaching and learning and educational leadership is exceptional. To be in that cohort is thrilling.” 

Berdahl joins previous USask winners: Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD), Interim Associate Provost: Strategic Priorities, USask, and Associate Professor, Management and Marketing, Edwards School of Business in 2022; Dr. Jay Wilson (EdD), professor of curriculum studies in 2017; Dr. Fred Phillips (PhD), professor of accounting in 2011; Dr. Baljit Singh (MVSc, PhD), professor of veterinary biomedical sciences in 2009; Dr. Ernie Walker (PhD), professor of archaeology in 2007; Dr. John Thompson (PhD), professor of sociology in 2005; Dr. Rick Schwier (EdD), professor of curriculum studies in 2005; Dr. Len Gusthart (PhD), professor of kinesiology in 2002; Dr. Mel Hosain (PhD), professor of civil engineering in 1994; and Dr. Ron Marken (PhD), professor of English in 1987. In addition, Dr. Colin Laroque (PhD), professor of soil science, joined the Fellowship in 2013 and joined USask in 2014. 

On May 3, 2024, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community came together to mark the day of observance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people across Canada.  

“Our role as a post-secondary institution is to educate and encourage dialogue around historical and current events in an effort to broaden people’s understanding,” said Dr. Angela Jaime (PhD), Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement. “We want to create safe and accountable spaces so that we can have conversations about hard things. If we don’t do this people live in isolation without fully understanding what’s going on.”  

USask’s Red Dress Day activities were hosted by the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) and saw students, staff and faculty gathered in the Bowl. Many participants had the opportunity to try their hand at traditional beading by making red dress pins with the help of Beading with Aunties – Jusinda Rosenkerr, Indigenous Wellness Counsellor and Indigenous artist and Implementation Coordinator for OVPIE, Vanessa Hyggen who regularly host beading events on campus for Indigenous students, staff and faculty. These activities offered an opportunity to learn, share, and build community. 

“Having people learn how to bead creates a space to dialogue,” said Jaime. “If we’re sitting in a circle beading we’re able to share and gain a better understanding of the atrocities that have happened and the prevention that needs to continue. Hands busy, mind free to engage in the conversation.”  

A strong community is one built by many hands, Jim Hopson firmly believed.

There are many reasons why he will be missed, but Hopson’s ability to create community is one that will be admired and emulated for years to come.

It is that importance of community that Hopson, as a leader, a supporter, and a friend of the University of Saskatchewan (USask), will leave a lasting impression on Huskie Athletics for years to come.

Hopson died April 2 in Regina after a long battle with colon cancer. He was 73. Always the fighter, Hopson underwent more than 40 chemotherapy treatments and two surgeries.

A celebration of Hopson’s life is scheduled for Friday at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina. Flags on the USask campus will fly at half-mast in his honour.

His leadership skills were on full display in 2005 when he took over a struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders organization as team president and CEO and quickly turned it into one of Canada’s most recognizable brands in a decade.

It was that combination of a savvy business and work ethic and his football experience that spurred USask President Peter Stoicheff to ask him in 2019 to become a valued member of the Huskie Athletics Board of Trustees, comprised of key community and university leaders to engage community expertise to ensure Huskie Athletics maximizes its potential and capitalizes on its long history of success.

“Jim Hopson was an icon of the community and brought a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion for sports to our Huskie Athletics program and we were honoured to have his help in elevating our program and expanding our connection to our supporters and our community, something he was known for throughout his career,” said Stoicheff. “There are not enough accolades or superlatives to encapsulate exactly what his presence meant to our Huskie Athletics organization and its teams, coaches, and student-athletes. His guidance and leadership left a lasting impact that continues to this day.”

The Board of Trustees is tasked with shepherding Huskie Athletics into being the best sports program on Canada’s U SPORTS landscape, with many post-secondary institutions adopting similar growth strategies.

Shannon Chinn, USask’s chief athletic officer, knew Hopson from her time working previously with the Riders and said Hopson’s presence was invaluable.

“Huskie Athletics was so fortunate to have Jim as the chair of our Board of Trustees. He was the unicorn for us with the perfect combination of expertise between high performance athletics, the business of sport, and education,” said Chinn. “I am grateful to have learned under Jim’s leadership when I worked for the Riders early in my career. It was a full circle moment to have him here with the Huskies when I started at USask. What I’m going to miss most is his weekly texts about how our Huskie teams were doing. It just reminded me that he was always watching and that meant a lot.”

Hopson was born and raised in Regina and graduated from the University of Regina with an education degree and went on to the University of Oregon to earn his master’s degree. His commitment to youth development was evident as he spent many years as a teacher, principal, and school administrator in Regina.

Hopson cut an imposing figure, but his kindness and gentle manner with those on and off the field were his hallmarks that belied his stature.

His list of honours and plaudits is long. Hopson was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 2019 and added to the Roughriders Plaza of Honour in 2018.

The U of R alumni association presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He also received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal.

He served 10 years as president/CEO of the Riders from 2005-15, overseeing the Canadian Football League (CFL) club’s rise to national prominence while setting a high bar for other franchises in merchandise and ticket sales. His efforts with the Riders are seen as a template for other CFL franchises to emulate.

Despite those many successes, Hopson was always quick to divert praise or accolades for himself and leave it at the feet of the communities that he built.

He will be missed.

A professor at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus, her research takes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating theories and methods from various disciplines. For Mou, academia felt like a natural choice, driven by her intrigue in political economy from a young age. Mou was born in Shandong Province, China, and moved from Beijing to Toronto to pursue a master’s degree in economics in 2002, joining JSGS at USask in 2009 after completing her PhD.

We caught up with her to ask about her latest book, research interests, and experiences as an Asian researcher.

Tell us a little about your ongoing research.

With SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) Insight grant support, my latest book, Fiscal Choices: Canada After the Pandemic, co-authored with Dr. Michael Atkinson (PhD), JSGS professor emeritus, explores Canada’s fiscal health post-pandemic, revealing the strengths and limitations of traditional economic tools. 

During the research for this book, we collected quantitative data, organized a nation-wide survey, and interviewed more than 70 politicians, bureaucrats, and representatives of academia, think tanks, and international organizations. We discussed problems such as economic growth, income and wealth inequality, government budgeting, monetary policy, fiscal federalism, and accountability in the management of public funds. A snapshot of the book can be found in an article published in The Conversation. For this research, we integrated theories of economics, political science, and public administration, and created a fiscal policy roadmap for the Canadian federal and provincial governments after the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are your research plans for the next few years?

I recently received two SSHRC grants and a SHRF (Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation) Align Grant. In my SSHRC Partnership Engagement Grant, I will collaborate with the Canadian Mental Health Association and assess the implementation and outcomes of the 2017 federal conditional transfer on mental health and addiction.

Through the SSHRC Insight Grant, I will examine the barriers that immigrant women face when using the national childcare program. I will study the effects of a universal childcare program and gender norms on immigrant women’s labour decisions, map their geographic accessibility to a childcare centre in their communities, and understand the other barriers by interviewing immigrant women in Saskatoon.

In the SHRF Align Grant, my post-doctoral fellow and I will study the implementation and outcomes of a team-based primary care model in a rural clinic.

What challenges did you face as a visible minority in academia?

As a short Asian woman, I, just like millions of other visible minority immigrants, had to work harder to gain recognition. The same level of accomplishments could be discounted and we often had to seek and fight for opportunities. One particular challenge is navigating the stark contrast between cultures. Many Asian cultures emphasize hardworking and modesty, whereas in Canada, there’s a need to advocate for oneself. This is a real, everyday challenge.

Personally, I’ve been fortunate to come across numerous friends, professors, and neighbours who went all the way to understand and help me. As an international student in Canada, my professors and classmates introduced me to skiing, skating, hiking, Canadian authors, and traditions that helped me acclimatize and feel home. At USask, many colleagues offered advice and support without even being asked. Some of them were trying their best to help international students and newcomers, and they were my role models.

If you could flip a switch, what would you change in your field?

I would add interdisciplinary training to every field. To solve public policy problems, we need economics, political science, sociology, philosophy, history, psychology, geography, and many other disciplines to work together.  

In what ways does the area of your research align with University of Saskatchewan’s Signature Areas?

My research on government budgeting and public finance, primary care organizations, and public childcare programs helps enhance the well-being and sustainability of communities.

If you had a blank cheque, how would you fund your research?

If I had a blank cheque, I wish it was a cheque (for) research time. I have a lot of research grants now and I just need to roll my sleeves and get the research done!

“When I was young, the grasslands of Inner Mongolia were extremely productive, and there was no environmental concern. However, 10 years of drought has changed many things,” he said. “I have seen a dramatic change in my hometown, especially on the land degradation side. There were frequent sandstorms every spring, no grasses to graze, and over-grazing became an issue.” 

After completing his master’s degree in grassland management at the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University in China, Biligetu came to USask to pursue a PhD. In 2014, Biligetu joined the USask Crop Development Centre (CDC) as a forage breeder.

“USask is well-known for its agriculture research and teaching. World-class crop breeding research is also well-known, and I came here to learn more about plant breeding,” said Biligetu, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at USask.

Forage crops are a nutritional food source for livestock animals. They also play a vital role in sustainable agricultural land management. Perennial forage crops have important environmental benefits, contributing to soil health, carbon sequestration, and land degradation prevention. 

“Perennial forages also reduce the use of chemicals (herbicide, insecticide, and fertilizer), provide wildlife habitat and promote sustainable agriculture systems, especially if we look at it from a long-term perspective,” said Biligetu.

On April 19, 2024, the fifth bi-annual ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan symposium was held on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus at Marquis Hall, with more than 250 people in attendance.

Dr. Keith Willoughby (PhD), dean of Edwards School of Business at USask and member of the mistatimok  committee spoke to the meaning of mistatimok which translates to “horses” and the concept of “working together in Saulteaux.” The meaning behind this refers to when horses are harnessed together to a wagon, and they must work together in concert with each other.  “It’s important that we help one another to work together, but not just with our heads but with our hearts,” said Willoughby.

In summer 2021, the university was gifted ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan the Indigenous Strategy and over the past two years considerable consultation and growth has taken place in colleges and units across campus. Dr. Angela Jaime (PhD) and her team at the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement have been sharing the plan and guiding the USask community towards the fulfilment of the seven commitments – safety, wellness, stewardship, representation, right relations, creation, and renewal.

The focus of this year’s symposium was stewardship, looking at how the university has made strides in shepherding the plan, and explaining that all members of the USask community must look to themselves and bring ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan to the forefront of their own work.

There are a number of policies and projects that demonstrate good stewardship, and were discussed in the symposium, such as deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin and the oyateki project. One of the important initiatives that was discussed was the adoption of the smudge and ceremony policy.

“We passed the smudge and ceremony policy in June 2023,” said Carson Magnuson, strategic officer, Indigenous Engagement. “So now all spaces on campus are smudge and ceremony safe. It is something that went through a lot of careful consideration and consultation through the Indigenous Advisory Circle. By increasing physical spaces for Indigenous culture practices, this policy speaks to transformative decolonization.

“As stewards we need to be asking, how do we create a community that supports all people on campus? Ensuring that USask is a smudge and ceremony safe space removes barriers to Indigenous students, staff and faculty from practicing their culture.”

In a meteoric rise in just his second year of competing in the sport of para rowing, the 24-year-old University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Education student is on the verge of competing in this summer’s Paris Paralympics. One of the 13 survivors of the horrific Humboldt Broncos bus crash six years ago that took 16 lives, Wassermann was left paralyzed from the waist down, as the former goaltender began the long process of healing from the physical and mental effects of his devastating injuries and the loss of his junior hockey teammates and close friends.

Through it all, Wassermann has found comfort and peace through his lifelong passion for competition and his quest to be an elite athlete at the highest level.

“The crash put me in a wheelchair, but I am still the same person and I still have the same desire and drive to be a competitive athlete and that never really changed for me,” said Wassermann. “I have been an athlete my whole life and it just comes so naturally to me that this is what I want to be doing with my life, is to compete. So I have kept competing, and kept training. It focuses me. I love the competition and I don’t think that is something that will ever go away, that competitive drive. And rowing is the sport that has filled that drive for me.”

Wassermann’s rapid rise in the sport sent ripples throughout the rowing community after he won the gold medal in the men’s PR1 2,000-metre race at the 2023 Canadian Para Rowing Championships in Victoria, and followed it up by earning a silver medal at the 2024 World Rowing Americas Paralympic Qualification Regatta in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 16. His remarkable performance secured another boat (qualifying place) in the Paris Paralympics for Team Canada, a spot that Wassermann is now the leading candidate to fill when the Paralympic rowing team for Paris is officially announced in June.

Rubin, a faculty member at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Sask., and Madalagama, principal scientist at the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, first connected online in 2012. One year later, Madalagama made the move from Sri Lanka to Saskatoon to pursue his PhD at the WCVM as Rubin’s first ever graduate student.

“There was a very special relationship that formed,” said Rubin. “We really developed well together as a new faculty member and a grad student.”

The two were working together studying antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an issue deemed a major global threat by the World Health Organization. AMR is caused when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites stop responding to antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics. The issue is driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs in both humans and animals.

While AMR affects countries in all regions and economic states, the rates are especially high in low- and middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka.

“As we were working together more and more, [Roshan] started to share his experiences in Sri Lanka and some of the challenges they face,” said Rubin. “It was kind of obvious from the very beginning that we wanted to do something together in the future.”

These challenges range from lack of resources to inhibited laboratory capacity—two major factors that hinder diagnostic efforts and ultimately reduce researchers’ ability to combat AMR.

“Laboratory resources and instruments are lacking here,” said Madalagama. “I always tell my students, if I work six months in Sri Lanka, I would be able to complete the same amount [of work] in two weeks in Canada.”

Thanks to funding from the USask Global Community Service Fund, the two colleagues are now responding to these challenges through a global collaboration. The university’s fund offers a maximum of $20,000 to support new collaborations and engage with communities to improve welfare and quality of life.

The two-year project, which began in summer 2023, is aimed at improving laboratory capacity, building research capacity and providing continuing education to the veterinary community in Sri Lanka through guest lectures and sharing of teaching materials and resources.

The first endeavour to come out of the partnership was a lab manual, which is accessible online from anywhere in the world.

“The idea there was just to start with really simple things,” said Rubin “If people are doing the basics correctly, that actually goes a long, long, long way.”

Madalagama said this resource, launched in March, has already helped make improvements in Sri Lankan labs.

“Now the regional lab, they do follow the right protocol,” said Madalagama. “Now they have a guideline and they do the right testing.”

Nine University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members have been awarded the title of distinguished professor, a designation that honours and celebrates outstanding achievements in research, scholarly, and artistic work.

“On behalf of the University of Saskatchewan, I congratulate our esteemed colleagues who have been awarded the distinguished professor designation during the 2023/24 academic year,” said Professor Airini, USask’s provost and vice-president academic.

“In the University Plan 2025, USask has articulated the bold ambition to be the university the world needs. These nine distinguished professors now join those recognized previously for having made a significant impact locally, nationally, and internationally through their outstanding research, scholarly, and artistic work.”

Professors emeriti and current USask faculty members who hold academic qualifications corresponding with an appointment at the rank of full professor are eligible for appointment to the distinguished professor position. Recipients of this lifetime award become distinguished professors emeriti upon retirement.

“On the selection committee, I was joined by senior leaders, faculty, and members of the community. We examined submissions for evidence of meaningful impact on and off campus,” said Dr. Scott Walsworth (PhD), vice-provost, faculty relations. “The nine new distinguished professors represent the best qualities of faculty at our leading university.”

This year’s distinguished professors are Dr. Gregg Adams (DVM, PhD), Dr. Barry Blakley (DVM, PhD), Dr. John Gordon (PhD), Dr. Jim Handy (PhD), Dr. Jill E. Hobbs (PhD), Dr. Vikram Misra (PhD), Dr. Vivian R. Ramsden (PhD), Professor Susan Shantz, and Dr. Terry Wotherspoon (PhD).

“In the whole village there was only one black-and-white TV with very limited channels. So for the big events, almost the whole village went to that one home to watch TV,” Zhang recalled recently from his office in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Engineering.

A weekly drama produced in Hong Kong was a big draw for the 500 or so villagers, but they could watch only if there was power available that evening in their remote countryside. “People would just wait to see. ‘Oh, there’s the light, OK let’s go!’ It was a very unique experience, very fun.”

With time, more modern amenities were available in the village – beyond the one TV and intermittent power – and the advances influenced Zhang’s career choice.

“Obviously, it was because of technology, because with engineering we can build things and make things better,” he said. “I started to think I could become an engineer too, to make some contributions, to change the world.”

At 18, he was one of 200,000 students in his province who wrote the high-stakes tests that determined what he would study in university and where. Decisions were based on the scores students achieved. The more desirable the program, the higher the grade needed.

“It’s very, very competitive,” said Zhang. “You prepare for the exam but if things don’t go your way you might end up in a completely different university and completely different program (than you wanted). I was lucky and I met the line.”

Zhang attended Zhejiang University, a public university ranked third in China and 44th in the world in the 2024 QS rankings. There he earned his Bachelor of Engineering and his Master of Science.

During this time, he began to consider a career that would take him beyond China.

“When I was little, my dream was to go to a big city and live in a high-rise building,” he said, smiling. “But obviously, when you get to university, you learn more and you have a sense that outside of China there is a lot of things you can explore.”

Ultimately, he chose to study in Canada and earned his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo, followed by post-doctoral work at the University of British Columbia.

He then spent three years as a project engineer at a research and development firm before joining the faculty of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at USask in 2013, becoming a full professor in 2023.

At USask, his research has transitioned to focusing on particles: bubbles and droplets, with applications to energy and sustainable processing for agriculture and food, and the potash industry as well. A specific example is seeking novel engineering solutions to process plant-based proteins using less energy or less water, to lessen the environmental footprint.

Outside the lab, Zhang is a dedicated teacher of both graduate and undergraduate students.

“We have a few responsibilities here as an engineer, especially in the academic setting. Obviously, there’s research, providing an engineering solution for different challenges. More importantly for us, we’re also training grad students. You pass along your experience and your expertise to the future generation on the research side.”

Zhang is also committed to the success of his undergraduate students. This was recognized with a 2023 Provost’s College Award for Outstanding Teaching. Core courses he’s taught include Fluid Mechanics, Process Engineering and Design, and Capstone Design class.

“He clearly enjoys teaching and takes an interest in every one of his students and continually comes up with way to make a fairly dry class become a fun, enjoyable lecture ... He genuinely wants his students to succeed,” wrote one undergrad in a recent evaluation.

Zhang is very aware that students are facing challenges outside the classroom – whether it’s their overall workload, illness, or struggling to grasp difficult material – so he makes an effort to reach out individually to them, to show an interest in them beyond the schoolwork.

“Teaching students and conveying your knowledge, your experience, requires a lot of effort, not just simply going and presenting things in the classroom. It’s much more than that. For myself, I want to connect with them, to show the best of myself as a teacher.

“When you deal with a real person and you feel connected with an undergrad student, you feel alive. Yes, that is definitely the feeling.”

During Asian Heritage Month and throughout the year, members of the USask community are invited to recognize the wide-ranging contributions of Asian-identifying students, staff and faculty members. The month also provides an opportunity to explore the complexities and differences as well as the unique contributions of Asian communities at the university coming from a variety of backgrounds, settlement and community experiences, and differing racial attachments.  

For Dr. Hyunjung Shin (PhD), the month is an opportunity to learn about and acknowledge the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage, and how this shared history benefits us all. 

“It is a time to reflect on, continue to learn, and recognize the rich history of and various contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage have made and continue to make to every aspect of Canada, as well as struggles and challenges faced by them and their resilience,” said Shin. “Even though diversity represents Canada’s key strength, there is still room for more learning and further action for us all to grow and prosper together.” 

Born in South Korea, Shin, an assistant professor in curriculum studies in the USask College of Education, acknowledges that there is a marked challenge in presenting the history and traditions of diverse Asian experiences. Shin said it is important to note that Asian Canadian Cultures in Canada include: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia and Central Asia.  

She added that the month is a reminder for all Canadians to come together to take time to learn and reflect on our shared history, and to be a part of a thriving campus community that is dedicated to creating a more equitable world for all.  

“Immigrants have long played a critical role in shaping Canada’s culture, economy, and society,” said Shin. “Without the contributions of Canadians of Asian descent, Canada wouldn’t be the country that it is now.” 

Dr. Jerome Cranston (PhD), vice-provost, students and learning, hopes that the initiatives throughout the month will help shine a light on the work collectively needed to find solutions that lead to greater equity and racial justice for those all too often denied them. 
 
“As we collectively become more knowledgeable about the various facets of human diversity that exist among the students, staff, faculty, and alumni of USask – including the diversity of those of Asian descent – the more we can learn to appreciate how different histories, cultures and traditions have contributed to build a more inclusive province and nation,” said Cranston, who traces some of his ancestral roots to tribal communities located in the areas of Nepal and Burma (now Myanmar), as well as other communities within the large geography of South Asia. 

Asian Heritage Month first became an official designation after the Government of Canada signed the declaration in 2002. Although the university has a storied history of honouring the legacy, contributions, and stories of members of the Asian community in our province and our country, this is the inaugural convergence of a planning committee designed to highlight and share the stories of the wide-ranging Asian communities on campus. 
 
For Shin, the month also offers a chance to have conversations regarding various manifestations of anti-Asian racism experienced by Asian and Asian Canadian communities. 

Shin said that having lived in larger cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, where Asian communities are bigger, she has noticed how challenges differ for Asians in smaller communities like Saskatoon, and in turn USask, such as how to navigate different social spaces, and subtle microaggressions. She believes USask highlighting Asian Heritage Month is a step towards supporting the university’s Asian community. 
 
Leading off this year’s Asian Heritage Month initiatives on campus is a panel event, which presents an exciting opportunity to explore the complexities and differences as well as the unique contributions of the Asian communities at the university coming from a variety of backgrounds, settlement and community experiences, and differing racial attachments.  
 
Panelists have been invited to share their lived experiences related to unconscious bias that may hinder leadership, economic/social/career opportunities for Asians, along with their contributions, and discuss the opportunities/challenges the university community has, according to Shin.  
 
“This opening panel is an opportunity to create a social space where panelists from diverse Asian Heritage communities share their stories so the campus communities can recognize their contributions and collectively work to turn any remaining challenges into opportunities so USask will ‘be the university the world needs’ in its true sense,” said Shin.  
 
The panel discussion, entitled Locating “Asian” communities at USask: Complexities, challenges, and opportunities, takes place on Wednesday, May 1, from 3-4:30pm in the North Concourse in Upper Place Riel at the Saskatoon campus. All members of the USask community are invited to take part, including attending and learning from the panel event, as well as other initiatives undertaken on campus during the month of May. 
 
This year’s Asian Heritage Month festivities will also include extensive learning resources which can be found at the University Library, in addition to a film screening hosted by the College of Education on May 16. The event will feature a screening of Riceboy Sleeps Film in Quance Theatre, along with a post-movie debrief in which audience members can share what resonated with them from the theme of the movie. 
 
“I am so grateful that the university communities, including amazing members of our planning committee, all come together to make this new history happen,” said Shin. 
 
To find information about important initiatives, events and featured stories from across campus about Asian Heritage Month and other topics, visit spotlight.usask.ca throughout the year. 

University of Saskatchewan (USask) graduate Dr. Idowu Mogaji (GPSC’21, PhD’23) has travelled around the world throughout her learning journey.

Mogaji, who is originally from Nigeria, was living and working in Timmins, Ontario, when she saw a YouTube video that showcased USask and its Saskatoon campus. She was instantly interested in the university.

“That just attracted me. Before that, I knew there was a province called Saskatchewan—but I didn’t really pay attention to it,” she said. “That ad really attracted me, and immediately I stopped the YouTube (video) and I went to Google and I searched for ‘University of Saskatchewan’ and found the website. I went to the website, and I just felt it was the right place.”