U of S Receives $1.4 Million Donation From Alumnus

Posted March 09, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 9, 2004 2004-03-15-AR

U of S Receives $1.4 Million Donation From Alumnus

The University of Saskatchewan's department of chemistry has accepted a
donation of $1.4 million from a former student which will be used to enhance
graduate student scholarships and provide undergraduate labs with
leading-edge equipment.

Dr. Vern Wilson, a 1920s graduate, bequeathed the gift in gratitude for the
world-class education he received at the University of Saskatchewan which
helped launch a successful career in the sciences. He directed his gift to
the Harry A., Margaret, and Janet Wilson Memorial Trust Fund which Dr.
Wilson established in 1994 as a memorial to his wife Janet, and his parents,
Harry A. and Margaret Wilson. The broad purpose of the fund is to enhance
the academic experience and opportunities available to students in the
department of chemistry.

Arts and Science dean Ken Coates said: "We are delighted to receive such a
generous gift from Dr. Wilson. His donation will bolster the recruitment
and retention of graduate students and will enable undergraduate students to
develop scientific skills in a first-rate learning environment."

Professor Ron Steer, head of the department of chemistry added: "My
department is extremely excited about what this generous bequest will enable
us to do. We are at the cusp of an important expansion of our research, as
we move into new laboratory space and bring new instrumentation and new
young faculty colleagues on stream. Our most urgent need now is for
additional funds to support graduate students, who are an integral part of
the department's expanding research team. The annual revenues from the
investment of the proceeds of the estate will help make us competitive with
our research-intensive counterparts across Canada. We are extremely grateful
to Dr. Wilson, a distinguished graduate of the department, for this gift."

In 1996, a laboratory in the department of chemistry was named in Dr.
Wilson's honour in recognition of his previous gifts to the University. Dr.
Wilson's bequest brings his giving total to $1.58 million.

Born in Powassan, Ontario in 1906, Vern Wilson moved with his parents to
Birch Hills, Saskatchewan that same year. He attended public school and
high school in Birch Hills before enrolling at the University of
Saskatchewan where he earned both his BSc (1927) and MSc (1929) in
chemistry. After completing a PhD (1933) at McGill University in Montreal
he spent the bulk of his professional career at the Eastman Kodak Co. in
Rochester, New York as a research associate and laboratory head. He has 35
patents to his name. Dr. Wilson passed away in 2001.

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For further information, contact:

Bruce Cory, Development Officer
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4845
Email: bruce.cory@usask.ca