May 10, 2019 Volume 26, Issue 9 Publication Mail Agreement #40065156 ON CAMPUS NEWS [email protected] news.usask.ca CONVOCATION NEW LOCATION After 50 years at TCU Place, convocation ceremonies will finally return to campus at the University of Saskatchewan this year, to the new state-of-the-art Merlis Belsher Place complex. We take a look at the changes that are in store for this year, spotlight the award winners and honorary degree recipients, and feature a few of the graduating students who will take part in the Spring Convocation ceremonies from June 3-7. SEE PAGES 6-11 NEW CHANCELLOR 2 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 5 TACKLING TEACHING 1413 USask names McCreath its 16th chancellor KRIS FOSTER The next chapter of Grit McCreath’s and providing the president with ewan Order of Merit, said she looks On Campus News is published 12 times University of Saskatchewan (USask) feedback from the community. forward to showing as many people per year by University of Saskatchewan story is set to begin when she steps “I see this role as an extension of as possible how essential the univer- Marketing and Communications. It is distributed to all USask faculty, staff, into her new role as chancellor. my work as the university’s honorary sity is to the province and beyond. graduate students and members of The three-year appointment— ambassador,” said McCreath, “Two of my strengths that will governing bodies, as well as to others approved by University Senate at its who spent 32 years as a teacher serve me well in this role are relation- in the university community, related April 27 meeting—starts on July 1, and education administrator in ship building and communication,” organizations, some Saskatchewan government officials and news media. when McCreath takes over from Roy Saskatoon, Toronto, Edmonton and said McCreath. “As we continue to Subscriptions are available for $24 Romanow, who was named chan- Calgary. “I am excited to enhance deliver on the promise of our univer- per year. Story and photo ideas cellor in 2016. the university’s reputation, celebrate sity plan to be the university the are welcome. Advertising rates are “This is truly one of the most its history, support the exceptional world needs, I am thrilled to use my available online or on request. significant honours I can think of,” leadership of President Stoicheff, skills to bring USask to centre stage said McCreath, who graduated from and work with students, faculty and and show the world the value our On Campus News aims to provide a USask’s College of Education in 1991. alumni.” institution brings.” forum for the sharing of timely news, “I am so humbled to be able to serve McCreath is very familiar with “Grit McCreath has long been information and opinions about in this role because the university the university—as is her entire family one of our university’s proudest events and issues of interest to the USask community. has been central to my life even as a with more than 20 degrees in total: supporters and to have someone with child.” McCreath her parents were graduates, as are such significant connections to our The views and opinions expressed by writers of letters to the editor and From spending Sundays her three siblings, her husband (and institution step into this role to serve viewpoints do not necessarily reflect on campus with her parents as a named the university’s inaugural many members of his family), and our university is really meaningful,” those of USask or On Campus News. youngster, to being a student and honorary ambassador, a role she one of their two children. This level said Peter Stoicheff, USask president alumna, to being a member of the has held since 2015. Duties for that of connectedness makes McCreath and vice-chancellor. University Senate and the Board of position included meeting with well positioned to share with others “The qualities Grit brings to this We acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Governors, McCreath has held many and hosting alumni and donors, “all the things that make this such an prestigious role will serve our univer- Métis. We pay our respect to the First roles at USask, giving her time and recruiting students, mentoring incredible place.” sity exceptionally well and I could not Nation and Métis ancestors of this energy for the better part of 20 years. individuals and groups, attending McCreath, who was named place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Most recently, McCreath was university events and ceremonies, a 2019 recipient of the Saskatch- SEE McCREATH, PAGE 11 EDITOR James Shewaga WRITER IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Chris Morin A lot happens at the USask during the weeks when On Campus News isn’t published. DESIGNERS Here are a few of the top stories from news.usask.ca: Brian Kachur Pierre Wilkinson EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Research funding Health hub opens USask signs MOU Arts initiative Patrick Hayes Fiona Haynes Two University of Saskatchewan The new Ron and Jane Graham Sport USask President Peter Stoicheff met The University of Saskatchewan Art Sandra Ribeiro (USask) research centres—the Science and Health Centre at USask’s with Prince Albert Grand Council Galleries and Art Collection has been Stephen Urquhart Canadian Light Source (CLS) and Merlis Belsher Place was officially (PAGC) Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte awarded $480,150 to develop a digital David York VIDO-InterVac—will receive a total opened with a ribbon-cutting in Prince Albert on April 24, to sign service to help arts organizations $13.4-million increase in operating ceremony on May 3. The state-of-the- a Memorandum of Understanding in the province better engage with support over two years from the art centre will serve Huskie student- (MOU) between their organizations. their audiences. The Canada Council Canada Foundation for Innovation athletes as well as athletes from the The PAGC represents 12 First Nations for the Arts provided $482,150 (CFI)—one third of the total $39 city and across the province and is and 28 northern communities for the three-year project, with million awarded to seven national designed to be a hub for researchers, under its umbrella. The agreement the investment made through the facilities on April 29. Announced physiotherapists, dieticians, mental establishes networks of diverse Canada Council’s $88.5-million at USask by Canada’s Minister of health professionals, sport expertise needed in the development Digital Strategy Fund. By partnering ISSN: 1195-7654 Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan, the psychologists and trainers. The efforts of PAGC communities, and with digital design experts at USask, PUBLICATIONS MAIL funding is intended to help ensure the Grahams, both former Huskie collaboration on projects and research the project aims to employ user- AGREEMENT NO. 40065156 long-term sustainability of nationally athletes, funded the project with a activities that have mutual benefits centred and service design methods Return undeliverable addresses to: important research facilities by $2.068-million gift. The Grahams for both partners. It assures PAGC’s to make new technologies accessible UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS alleviating budget pressures related also donated $4 million to build dual input into programs and courses to smaller arts organizations in the G16 THORVALDSON BUILDING to challenges in securing partner basketball practice courts at Merlis offered by the university, especially at province. The project will run until 110 SCIENCE PLACE SASKATOON, SK S7N 5C9 funding. Belsher Place that were also unveiled. the USask campus in P.A. February of 2022. Email: [email protected] FOR MORE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS, VISIT: news.usask.ca @usask 2 MAY 10, 2019 PEOPLE OF THE PLAN The University of Saskatchewan’s new seven-year plan through to 2025 is entitledThe University the World Needs and has been gifted Indigenous names nīkānītān manācihitowinihk (Cree) and ni manachīhitoonaan (Michif), which translate to “Let us lead with respect.” In each issue of On Campus News in 2019, we will take a look at the 12 major goals of the new plan by profiling individuals involved in the university’s commitment to Courageous Curiosity, Boundless Collaboration and Inspired Communities. In this issue, we profile Dr. Patti McDougall (PhD), vice-provost of teaching, learning and student experience at USask. COMMITMENT: BOUNDLESS COLLABORATION GOAL: ALIGN STRUCTURES (Invigorate the impact of collaboration and partnership (Ensure that academic, administrative, and physical infrastructure enable in everything we do through strategic goals.) collaborative opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff) Patti McDougall: Supporting student success JAMES SHEWAGA Dr. Patti McDougall (PhD) is said. “It’s a term that we use to passionate about the people and describe all those sorts of things. the programs that are the heart In the last 20 years, it’s amazing of the University of Saskatch- how many of our structures have ewan (USask), but above all she is changed. We have new buildings dedicated to supporting students on campus, we have the Gordon and improving the student expe- Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, rience at USask. we have spaces like the Health As the university continues Sciences Building. to implement its progressive “And we have also changed new seven-year plan, USask’s our perspective and our approach vice-provost of teaching, learning as well as the structures that and student experience wants to we have in place, so that we can ensure that students are always show the value that we place on top of mind. diversity and inclusion. So, our “Students have a strong voice culture has changed over those in this,” said McDougall. “Not last two decades.” only are they good at telling us Moving forward, McDougall what we should be doing and wants to ensure that the priorities knowing about what we should be of the new plan continue to serve doing, but they also have a really the needs of the students, faculty good sense about where the prior- and staff who create a vibrant ities should be.