University of Saskatchewan facts for kids
The University of Saskatchewan (often called U of S or USask) is a big public research university in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was started on March 19, 1907, with a goal to offer great education to everyone, no matter their background. It's located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River.
USask is one of Canada's top universities for research. It's part of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, which means it's one of the 15 most research-focused universities in the country.
The university began as a college for agriculture in 1907. It was one of the first universities in Canada to have a department focused on helping the community. The main campus is huge, covering about 2,425 acres. It also has a special research park called Innovation Place.
USask is home to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) facility, which works on new vaccines for people and animals. It also has the Canadian Light Source, a very important science facility. Big discoveries made here include special cement that resists sulfates and the cobalt-60 unit used for cancer treatment. The university offers more than 200 different study programs.
 |
|
|
Other name
|
USask |
|---|---|
| Motto | Deo et Patriæ (Latin) |
|
Motto in English
|
For God and Country |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1907 |
|
Academic affiliations
|
ACU, CARL, UArctic, UASR, Universities Canada |
| Endowment | CAN$214 million |
| Chancellor | Grit McCreath |
| President | Peter Stoicheff |
| Students | 25,703 23,691 |
| Undergraduates | 19,959 |
| Postgraduates | 3,921 |
| 1,120 | |
| Location |
,
Canada
|
| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | Green and yellow and white |
| Nickname | Huskies |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
U Sports, CWUAA |
| Mascot | Howler (the Huskie) |
Contents
History of USask
How the University Started
The University of Saskatchewan was created with a special law on March 19, 1907. This law made it a public university, meaning it was funded by the province but ran independently. It was designed to be like American state universities, focusing on practical research and helping the community.
The university was set up with two main groups in charge: a senate for academic decisions and a board of governors for money and other important matters. The president was chosen by the board and helped connect these two groups. The plan was for the university to have many different colleges, including arts, science, agriculture, law, medicine, and engineering.
Saskatoon was chosen as the university's home on April 7, 1909. The first building opened its doors to students on October 12, 1912. The university gave out its first degrees in 1912, and two of the three students who graduated with honors were women! This showed the university's commitment to equal opportunity from the start.
The Memorial Gates were built in 1927 to honor the students and teachers from the university who served in World War I. A stone wall lists the names of 67 people who lost their lives. During World War I, 342 students, teachers, and staff joined the war effort.
The University Campus
The university campus was built next to the South Saskatchewan River, right across from downtown Saskatoon. The first buildings were designed in a special style called Collegiate Gothic. The Prime Minister of Canada, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, laid the first stone for the College Building on July 29, 1910. This building, finished in 1913, was later named a National Historic Site of Canada.
Many of the early buildings were made from a local stone called greystone, which became a unique feature of the campus. When the local supply ran out, they started using Tyndall stone from Manitoba. The university officially opened on May 1, 1913.
The original plan for the campus was to build the university buildings around a large green area called The Bowl. Today, many of the older buildings are connected by skywalks and tunnels, making it easy to get around, especially in winter!
New Colleges and Programs
Over the years, many new colleges were added to the university, following the original plan from 1909. These include:
- Arts & Science (1909)
- Agriculture and Bioresources (1912)
- Engineering (1912)
- Law (1913)
- Pharmacy & Nutrition (1914)
- N. Murray Edwards School of Business (1917)
- Medicine (1926)
- Education (1927)
- Nursing (1938)
- Veterinary Medicine (1964)
- Dentistry (1965)
The university also offers programs for master's and doctorate degrees, as well as shorter courses and certificates for professional development.
Several religious colleges also joined the university over time, like Emmanuel College (1909) and St. Thomas More College (1936).
Regina College, which was part of the university for a while, became its own independent university, the University of Regina, in 1974.
Recent Changes
In the late 1990s, USask started a big plan to improve its campus. This included building new facilities and changing how some of its roads were laid out. Many buildings, like the Thorvaldson Building and the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, have been updated.
The university also used to own a lot of land around Saskatoon for farming and future growth. Some of this land has since been used for new neighborhoods and shopping areas, like Preston Crossing.
Academics and Research
University Rankings
The University of Saskatchewan is recognized globally. Here's how it has ranked in recent years:
- In 2022, it was ranked among the top 301–400 universities in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
- The 2023 QS World University Rankings placed it 458th globally.
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings put it in the 501–600 range worldwide for 2023.
- In Canada, Maclean's magazine ranked USask 13th in its Medical-Doctoral university category for 2023.
Study Programs
USask offers a wide range of programs for students. Some of the main areas of study include:
- Agriculture and Bioresources
- Arts and Science
- Edwards School of Business
- Dentistry
- Education
- Engineering
- Kinesiology
- Law
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy and Nutrition
- Veterinary Medicine
Many of the university's partner colleges also offer degree programs and certificates.
Important Research
USask has a strong history of scientific breakthroughs.
- In 1948, the university built the first betatron facility in Canada.
- Three years later, the world's first non-commercial cobalt-60 therapy unit was created here. This unit was important for cancer treatment.
- The university is home to the Canadian Light Source, a huge facility for synchrotron light research. It opened in 2004 and is as big as a football field!
- The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is also at USask, working on vaccines.
- Innovation Place Research Park is a special area where private companies work with the university on science and technology projects.
Partner Universities Around the World
USask works with many universities globally, including:
- Beijing Institute of Technology, China
- University of Greifswald, Germany
- Vellore Institute of Technology, India
- University of Oslo, Norway
- University of Oxford, England
- Stockholm University, Sweden
Campus Life and Facilities
The Sheaf is the university's student newspaper, first published in 1912. It helps keep students informed and connected.
In 1965, a student-run radio station, CJUS-FM, started broadcasting. While it stopped for a while, it was brought back as an internet radio station in 2005.
Place Riel, the student center, opened in 1980. It has shops, places to eat, and meeting areas for student groups. It's named after Louis Riel, an important historical figure.
The University of Saskatchewan Students' Union represents all full-time undergraduate students. Graduate students have their own organization, the University of Saskatchewan Graduate Student's Association (GSA-uSask), which offers services and events.
The university's sports teams are called the Saskatchewan Huskies. They compete in many sports like football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. The Huskies Track and Field team has won national championships 12 times! The men's football team has won the Vanier Cup (the national championship) three times.
Museums and Galleries
USask has several interesting museums and galleries:
- The Agricultural Displays and Kloppenburg Collection show agricultural history and art by Saskatchewan artists.
- The Athletic Wall of Fame celebrates the achievements of Huskie athletes and teams.
- The College Building is a National Historic Site of Canada.
- The Diefenbaker Canada Centre holds papers and exhibits about former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. His grave is also nearby.
- The Gordon Snelgrove Gallery and Kenderdine Art Gallery showcase art from students, local artists, and the university's own collection.
- The MacAulay Pharmaceutical Collection displays old pharmacy items and traditional First Nations remedies.
- The Memorial Gates honor students who died in World War I.
- The Museum of Antiquities has a collection of ancient art and sculptures.
- The Museum of Natural Sciences features a plant-filled atrium, animal exhibits, and dinosaur skeletons, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex replica.
- The University of Saskatchewan Observatory offers public viewing of the stars.
- The Rugby Chapel, built in 1912, is a historic building on campus.
- The St. Thomas More College Art Gallery shows work by local artists.
- The Victoria School House, also known as the Little Stone School House, was the first school in Nutana (now part of Saskatoon) built in 1888. It was moved to campus and is a historic site.
University Songs
The university's fight song, "Saskatchewan, Our University," was written in 1939. It's often played at sports events. There's also an Alma Mater hymn called "University Hymn," performed at graduation ceremonies.
Student Housing
USask offers several places for students to live on campus:
- Voyageur Place includes four halls: Saskatchewan Hall (the first residence, built in 1912), Qu'Appelle Hall, and Athabasca Hall. These halls are named after rivers in Saskatchewan.
- McEown Park is a complex of high-rise buildings south of campus. It includes Souris Hall, Assiniboine Hall, Wollaston Hall, and Seager Wheeler Hall. These are also named after rivers or important figures.
- Graduate House is the newest residence, opened in 2013, for graduate students.
Indigenous Engagement
The University of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting Indigenous students and communities. In 2017, Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann was appointed to lead Indigenous engagement efforts.
The university offers programs like the Summer University Transition Course, which helps first-year Indigenous students get ready for university life. There are also academic counselors, tutors, and elders on campus to provide support.
Science Outreach Kamskénow Program
The Science outreach Kamskénow program helps bring science to life for kids in Saskatoon classrooms. University students lead hands-on activities in biology, chemistry, computer science, and other science fields. The program runs for 12 weeks and ends with a trip to the university's labs. It has won awards for its great work in science education.
Students and Alumni
Since 1907, over 132,200 people have graduated from the University of Saskatchewan. Many of them have gone on to do amazing things!
Notable Alumni
Many USask graduates have become leaders in various fields:
- John Diefenbaker: 13th Prime Minister of Canada. He was also the university's chancellor, and he and his wife are buried on campus.
- Grant Devine and Roy Romanow: Former Premiers of Saskatchewan.
- Scott Moe: The current Premier of Saskatchewan.
- Alison Redford: Former Premier of Alberta.
- Ray Hnatyshyn: Former Governor General of Canada.
- Henry Taube: Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1983.
- Emmett Matthew Hall: A Supreme Court judge known as a "father" of Canada's healthcare system (Medicare).
- Kim Coates: A well-known actor.
- Guy Vanderhaeghe: A famous novelist who has won the Governor General's Award.
- Rylan Wiens: An Olympic Diver.
Rhodes Scholars
The Rhodes Scholarship is a very prestigious award that allows students to study at the University of Oxford in England. A remarkable 69 graduates from the University of Saskatchewan have received this scholarship.
Images for kids
-
Lilium "University of Saskatchewan" – the University of Saskatchewan centennial lily.
-
The eastern façade of the Academic Health Sciences Building prior to the construction of the D Wing
-
Plaque commemorating World War I veterans: "1914–1918 In Memory of All Ranks of the 46th Battalion C.E.F. They are too near to be great, but our children shall understand when and how our fate was changed, and by whose hand."
-
Nobel Plaza, University of Saskatchewan
-
The Bowl, a green space on the University of Saskatchewan main campus, as seen today
-
Entrance to Thorvaldson Building located on the Main campus of the University of Saskatchewan
-
Entrance to the Anthropology & Archaeology Building of the University of Saskatchewan
-
Entrance to the Engineering Building located on the Main campus of the University of Saskatchewan
-
The Royal University Hospital (1955 Wing)
-
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team
-
The Memorial Gates at the University of Saskatchewan
-
Rugby Chapel
-
Victoria One Room Schoolhouse
-
The Saskatchewan Hall student residence
-
McEown Park student residence highrises
-
Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre
-
Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Saskatchewan para niños
