F. Hedley Auld, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to James R. MacKay at Convocation held in Physical Education gymnasium. Norman K. Cram, University Registrar, prepares to hood recipient.

Bio/Historical Note: James Roy MacKay was born near Pipestone, about 20 miles from what is now the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, where his family homesteaded in l885. MacKay was educated at the “Little Red Schoolhouse” about a mile from home, high school in Pipestone, Normal School at Winnipeg, and acquired an arts degree from Brandon College. He came to Saskatchewan to teach, first in 1909 and returning permanently in 1914. 1916 saw him join the staff of Nutana Collegiate Institute and begin 38 years of service in Saskatoon. MacKay was active in furthering the professional status of teachers, serving as president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Alliance in 1929 and 1931. In 1933 he was instrumental in the merger of the S.T.A and the Rural Teachers’ Association. The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation resulted from that merger and he was its first president. In 1934-1935 MacKay was president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation and from 1936 until his retirement in 1954 he was a member of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Superannuation Commission.