The top stories of 2024

In 2024, College of Arts and Science students, alumni, faculty and staff were part of extraordinary stories shared within the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community and beyond.

Here are the year’s 10 most-read College of Arts and Science news stories.

10. College of Arts and Science celebrates award-winning graduates

In June, the College of Arts and Science celebrated about 40 of the most outstanding graduates and winners of college and university academic medals.

9. USask student finalist for prestigious global scholarship

Political studies and philosophy student Lauren O’Reilly was a finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarship—Canada's largest leadership-based scholarship for master’s and professional studies.

8. New ‘bioplastic’ pellets clean water then become fertilizer

Chemistry professor and researcher Dr. Lee Wilson (PhD’98) and then-PhD candidate Bernd Steiger (PhD’24) were part of the USask research team that created a plastic-like material that acts as a “closed loop” system to absorb a key agricultural nutrient—phosphate.

7. USask-led satellite mission receives $17 million in funding

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provided $17 million to help support cutting edge climate science satellite instruments for the HAWC (High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds) mission.

6. USask honours 2024 teaching award winners

In June, Arts and Science faculty and staff were recognized with teaching awards at the university level. Arts and Science staff and faculty received nine awards, which recognize outstanding commitment to help USask be the university the world needs.

5. Tsunami on the plains

Department of Geological Sciences researchers Drs. Brian Pratt (PhD) and Colin Sproat (PhD) found the strongest-ever evidence of a tsunami in a shallow inland sea.

4. Trio of USask students receive Vanier Scholarships

Two Arts and Science graduate students Gwen Rose and Krishna Kolen received prestigious Vanier Scholarships to support their research respectively: investigating trans representation in historic literature and air quality issues in Saskatchewan.

3. USask Thorvaldson Building turns 100

The most iconic building on the USask campus in Saskatoon is still a wonder 100 years later.

2. New USask graduate set out to do the impossible

Dylan Haussecker was told he couldn’t learn middle school math. He graduated at the 2024 USask Spring Convocation with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. He also helped send a rocket into space.

1. For water in Western Canada, forget the old normal

One of the world’s most accomplished snow hydrologists, Dr. John Pomeroy (PhD), said the ways we’re managing water resources will no longer cut it.