"I was honoured to win the most outstanding graduate in my class of 71 in the faculty of Education.  After convocation, John Diefenbaker looked me up to congratulate me and we had a short conversation. My parents were with me and they were so excited to visit with former Prime Minister Diefenbaker.  A highlight of my 1971 convocation!"

Darryl Bangsund (BEd'71)

"My name is Murray Tufts and besides having a BA, Bed and Phd from UofS I am a past president of the UofS alumni association. When I was president I was privy to president Leo Kristjansen’s quest to obtain paintings for the Kenderdine gallery. I believe other universities were vying for the paintings so the president made a personal visit to Mrs. Kenderdine which we believe was instrumental in procuring the very valuable paintings for the UofS."

James Murray Tufts (BA’71, BEd’84, PhD’96)

"I remember all the interesting times that we had when I chaired the Exchange Committee between the University of Saskatchewan and the State University of Chernivtsi in Ukraine from 1982-1986. At that time Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union and the professors who came over found it hard to believe the freedoms that we enjoyed in Canada. They were free to travel, visit, speak to whomever they wanted to, and go about their daily affairs without someone watching over them. For them, life in Canada was truly a novel and liberating experience."

Roma Franko (BA’59, BEd’61, MA’71)

“On the first day of the fall term I was reading in the Law library when I felt someone's eyes on me. I looked up and there he was - my forever man. 

I sometimes wondered if there was such a thing as a love that lasts forever; but I became sure of the answer a few days ago when I realized that I am in love with my husband as much today as I was when I married him almost 50 years ago. 

I called him my A & W Man, meaning Always & Wherever. I always will, even though he died 6 years ago. RIP William Russell Stinson (LLB'72).” 

Donna Mae Stinson (BA’68, LLB’71)

“I was a sixteen year old boy, a dunce, struggling in school in Trinidad, in a school founded by Canadian missionaries - missionaries who came from a church which later became The United Church of Canada. 

My parents, as an expedient move versus an act of surrender, sent me to Canada to live with my brother, also a grad (1959) of The University of Saskatchewan. My parents had hoped that a change of environment would spark ‘the boy’ into doing better. 

I continued to do poorly in the Canadian high-school such that the principal said, ‘….this boy has no academic potential.’ 

Surprisingly, I did exceptionally well in the final exams of 1964, and pleading my case to the registrar at Regina College, he took a chance on me and stated, ‘If you fail one course, out you go.’ 

I have always been thankful for this opportunity because I went on to achieve a BA and BEd., and became a biology and chemistry teacher in Saskatchewan and in BC. After four years of teaching, I gained admission to medical school and have recently retired after thirty four years as a family physician. 

I have written two novels in my retirement, my new book, Love Has Two Moons and Other Stories, is available on Amazon.” 

Franklin S.C. Mohan (BA’68, BEd’71), Regina Campus 

“I got involved in many activities throughout my years on campus - in fact too many. I received a “talking to” by the powers that be to reduce activities and involvement and focus on my classes. 

I really enjoyed the lab and field work in archaeology working during the class years and during the summers in between. Anthropology became my focus of studies and I ended up working professionally in two museums after completing three years in the Arts and Science programs. I ended up being able to travel to other countries while working in petroleum exploration and my anthropology studies were major influences on my leisure time in Malta, Libya and China. 

During my years studying at the university I continued with my interests in writing poetry from growing up and ended up becoming the editor and producer of a poetry, prose, art and photography anthology called “Five After Five” supported and paid for by the university. All the contributors of the contents were students of the university. This anthology had originated a couple of years earlier and I was lucky enough to be able to bring it back into publication. I’ve continued to write and have published a book of poetry as well as being included in several anthologies in Edmonton.” 

David Crone (BA'71)

“The Chisholm connection to the University of Saskatchewan started with my father, W.A. Chisholm. He was a veteran of WW1 and Vimy serving with the Eleventh Field Ambulance. He was discharged in 1919, he then enrolled in the College of Pharmacy and graduated with the class of 1920.

The next one was my brother who also was a veteran of WW2 serving in the Navy doing convey duty on the Atlantic. He enlisted when he was 17 years old having completed his grade 12. He was discharged in 1945 and started his University of Saskatchewan studies in chemistry. He received a Master Degree and then went to the university in Laval, QC where he earned his Doctorate in chemistry.

It was then my turn. I graduated in 1971 which makes me a Golden Grad. I did not see that coming. 

Last but not least my granddaughter, Emma Burke, who received her undergraduate degree in 2013 and her Master in Physical Therapy in 2015. 

We must thank the University of Saskatchewan for a first class education and a true Golden Grad with connections to Kindersley Sask. GO Riders GO!” 

Doug Chisholm (CertAdmin'71)

"I was inspired to study nursing by an aunt who was a nurse. Her stories always fascinated me. I had looked at a 3 year hospital program but then U of S shortened their 5 year degree program to 4 years and my mind was made up to attend university.

Meeting new people, trying new things, such as learning judo and being exposed to new ideas made university a positive experience for me.

My favourite part of the academic program was being part of a small group on the wards and going to Yorktown for our public health experience.

I had a fabulous career working as a nurse for 45 years. Nursing allowed me to work in areas such as VON (similar to Home Care today), occupational health (I returned to school to obtain an occupational health nursing certificate) and public health. My last job, working with disadvantaged pregnant women, was my favourite. It was wonderful to end my career on a high note, knowing that I had had a positive impact on many people and had enjoyed going to work every day.

Now that I’m retired I spend my time hiking (did the trek to Machu Picchu when I turned 70), gardening, travelling and doing things with my grandchildren."

Valerie Dennis (BSN'71)