William S. Kirkpatrick, honourary Doctor of Laws degree recipient, stands at podium during Convocation. Dignitaries seated in background.

Bio/Historical Note: William Stafford Kirkpatrick was born in 1903 in Kingston, Ontario. He received his education at Upper Canada College, the Royal Military College and the University of Toronto. He joined the staff of Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada as a junior engineer in 1926, and played a leading role in the development and operation of many processes important to the growth of the company. Kirkpatrick advanced through positions of increasing responsibility to the post of chairman, president and chief executive officer. In the 1950s Cominco was involved in the expanding Saskatchewan potash industry. Kirkpatrick died in Vancouver in 1984.