Thomas H. McLeod, dean of Commerce, speaking during presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to John H. Wesson at Convocation held in Physical Education gymnasium. Standing (l to r): Norman K. Cram, University Registrar, John Wesson, and F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor.

Bio/Historical Note: John Henry (Jack) Wesson was born near Sheffield, England in 1887. In 1907 the family immigrated to Canada, settling on a homestead near Maidstone, Saskatchewan. Upon arrival, Wesson joined the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association, serving as a board member from 1917-1924. He was a persuasive exponent of the principle of co-operation, and was active in the organization of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevation Company. In 1924 Wesson was elected to the board of directors of Saskatchewan Co-operative Wheat Producers Limited, later to be known as the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. He became Pool president in 1937 and continued in that role until his retirement in 1960. He was active in bringing most of the major farm organizations of Canada together in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in 1937, and became first president of that organization. Following World War II, Wesson worked with leaders of farm movements in other countries to bring about the establishment of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers. In recognition of his contribution in helping to mobilize the full resources of agriculture in the support of Canada's war effort, Wesson was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1946. The University of Saskatchewan in 1961 conferred upon Jack Wesson an honourary Doctor of Laws degree. Wesson died in Regina in 1965. Wesson was posthumously inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1973.