John.G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to Alexander M. Runciman at Convocation held in Centennial Auditorium to celebrate the Jubilee year of the College of Education. Iain MacLean, University Secretary, stands at far left.

Bio/Historical Note: Alexander McInnes (Mac) Runciman was born in Scotland in 1914. He came to Canada in 1928 with his family and farmed in the Balcarres, Saskatchewan district until 1940. After serving overseas with the Royal Canadian Army from January 1940 to 1945, Runciman farmed in the Abernethy district of Saskatchewan from 1946-1961. In 1961 his family moved to Winnipeg when he was elected President of United Grain Growers Limited, living there until 1999, when they moved to Red Deer and made it home. During 20 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of UGG, in addition to responsibility for the affairs of the company, Runciman was involved in numerous agriculturally related organizations as well as Canadian business in general and many community activities. He was director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture from 1961-1968; member of the Canadian Wheat Board Advisory Committee from 1961-1975; the founding president of the Canola Council of Canada and the Canada Grains Council; and a member of the Agricultural Economics Research Council of Canada. Runciman was an advisor to the Canadian delegation to the International Wheat Agreement negotiations in Geneva in 1962 and 1978 and a member of the Canadian delegation to the GATT Cereals negotiations in Geneva in 1967, as well as a delegate to four conferences of the International Federation of Agriculture Producers. Following his retirement from UGG in 1981, Runciman actively pursued many other interests. He was a member of the board of Governors of the University of Manitoba from 1982 to 1988 and chaired the board from 1983 to 1988. He was the Honourary Colonel of The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada from 1979-1993. Runciman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1983, was recipient of the Centennial Medal and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manitoba in 1974 and from the University of Saskatchewan in 1977. He was a member of the Saskatchewan and Canadian Agricultural Halls of Fame. Runciman died in Red Deer, Alberta in 2000.