Ron Steer and Susan Gibson, children of Jean G. Steer, receive an honourary Doctor of Laws degree on behalf of their mother at spring Convocation held in Centennial Auditorium.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Jean Gesner Battersby was born in Broderick, Saskatchewan in 1912, into a family descended from United Empire Loyalists. In 1918 they moved to Hawarden, Saskatchewan, where she received her elementary, secondary, and music education. In 1932, she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA Honours degree in French and English and in the following year received her BEd degree with distinction. An educator in spirit and by vocation, she held teaching posts at Gull Lake, LIoydminster and Luther College, Regina, and used her talents to revise the curriculum at her church school. Leadership ability had manifest itself early in her life. As a student she was the Class of '32 vice-president, a contributor to the Sheaf, Social and Literary Directorate, and the Student Christian movement. In the summers of 1930 and 1931, she travelled by family car across the rough roads of rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta to publicize and prepare tents for the travelling Chautauqua performances in the fine arts. In 1939 she joined the University Women's Club, Regina branch, and was eventually its treasurer, vice-president, and president. Her commitment to University education led her to hold positions in the Canadian Federation of University Women, culminating in the presidency for the three years from 1976-1979. During this time Steer was responsible for establishing a charitable fund to make secure scholarships, fellowships, and Creative Arts programs. Steer used her ability in French to revitalize the Quebec branch and to consolidate it in the Federation. She pursued the cause of Canadian unity relentlessly, presenting a brief to the Pepin-Robart Task Force. Steer was a member of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, organizing the first Regina branch. Steer was actively involved in the International Federation of University Women, strengthening ties with its American counterpart and led a delegation to the conference in Scotland, and to the council in Geneva, Switzerland. The U of S was dear to Steer and she was very proud of the fact that she, her husband, her daughter, her son, her daughter-in-law, and her son-in-law, each held two degrees from this University, Jean Steer died in 1982, several months after being awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree by the U of S.