Leo Kristjanson
Encyclopedia
Leo Friman Kristjanson, (February 28, 1932 – August 21, 2005) was the President of the University of Saskatchewan
from 1980 to 1989.
, he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from United College
(now the University of Winnipeg
) in Winnipeg
in 1954, a Master of Arts
degree from the University of Manitoba
in 1959, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1963.
In 1960, he began teaching at the University of Saskatchewan Department of Economics. From 1975 to 1980, he was Vice-President, Planning and from 1980 to 1989 he was the sixth President of the University of Saskatchewan.
He retired as President in 1989 due to health reasons, a year before the end of his second term.
In 1990, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
, Canada's highest civilian honor. In 1990, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.
After retirement, he moved back to his hometown of Gimli, Manitoba, where he contributed to the culture and heritage of Gimli by spearheading the effort to reconstruct the Gimli Public School (1915) and the development and construction of the Lake Winnipeg Visitor Centre. Leo was a founding member of the Evergreen Band Boosters, which has raised funds for the now successful Gimli High School Band program. He died in Gimli on August 21, 2005.
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
from 1980 to 1989.
Biography
Born in Gimli, ManitobaGimli, Manitoba
Gimli is a a rural municipality located in the Interlake region of south-central Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. It is about north of the provincial capital Winnipeg...
, he received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from United College
United College
United College can refer to:* United College, St Andrews* United College * United College, Winnipeg...
(now the University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is a public university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were Manitoba College and Wesley College, which merged...
) in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
in 1954, a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
in 1959, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1963.
In 1960, he began teaching at the University of Saskatchewan Department of Economics. From 1975 to 1980, he was Vice-President, Planning and from 1980 to 1989 he was the sixth President of the University of Saskatchewan.
He retired as President in 1989 due to health reasons, a year before the end of his second term.
In 1990, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, Canada's highest civilian honor. In 1990, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.
After retirement, he moved back to his hometown of Gimli, Manitoba, where he contributed to the culture and heritage of Gimli by spearheading the effort to reconstruct the Gimli Public School (1915) and the development and construction of the Lake Winnipeg Visitor Centre. Leo was a founding member of the Evergreen Band Boosters, which has raised funds for the now successful Gimli High School Band program. He died in Gimli on August 21, 2005.