Head and shoulders image of Dr. Kay Nasser, Civil Engineering.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Karim Wade (Kay) Nasser was born and raised in Lebanon. He earned his BSc in Engineering at the American University of Beirut, his MSc at the University of Kansas and his PhD at the University of Saskatchewan (1965). Dr. Nasser taught civil engineering at the U of S for 33 years (1961-1994). Dr. Nasser’s research at the U of S included developing the K-Slump Tester, first used in the construction of Toronto’s CN Tower in 1973 to measure the consistency of a batch of poured concrete, with Nasser donating royalties from that invention to the U of S. Among his numerous other achievements, Dr. Nasser also led a U of S research project with graduate students in 1997 that developed technology used in Saskatchewan’s largest concrete batch plant at a northern mine complex.
Dr. Nasser and his family have a long-standing relationship with the U of S through financial gifts to support and continue to improve the experience of students. This includes the building that houses Edwards School of Business K. W. Nasser Center, opening in downtown Saskatoon on 24 September 2009.
The Nassers are also well-known for supporting a wide variety of community institutions, from the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Public Library, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and all four city hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital. The family also continues to contribute to the U of S every year through The Nasser Family Emergency Student Trust and the Nasser Scholarship Fund, which has helped more than 500 students over the years. Dr. Nasser was appointed to the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2011, was awarded an honourary Doctor of Science degree from the U of S in 2016. He spearheaded the $300-million-plus mega project at River Landing in downtown Saskatoon that includes the province’s tallest building, Nutrien Tower. The Landing’s K.W. Nasser Plaza opened in August 2021.