John G. Diefenbaker, University Chancellor, making presentation of an honourary Doctor of Laws degree to William B. Tufts at spring convocation held in Centennial Auditorium. Iain MacLean, University Secretary, prepares to hood Dr. Tufts.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. William Tufts of Outlook, Saskatchewan, saw the potential for irrigation and was aware of the St. Mary, Grand Coulee and Garrison dams in Saskatchewan. The PFRA was actively considering a dam on the South Saskatchewan as early as 1943. Tufts became almost a one man band advocating for a dam in the Outlook area. With others and eventually the entire province he became heavily involved in the organization of the South Saskatchewan River Development Association in 1945 even meeting with Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent in Ottawa to achieve their association’s vision of a dam. It would take another 13 years for the ink to dry on an agreement to actually build it (starting in 1959) and another 8 to finish it (in 1967). Tufts, who also served as mayor of Outlook in the 1960s, died in 1982. Tufts Bay on Lake Diefenbaker is named for him.