Walter Podiluk, honourary Doctor of Laws degree recipient, speaking from podium during Convocation held at Centennial Auditorium.

Bio/Historical Note: Walter Podiluk was born in 1927 in the Orolow district near Krydor, Saskatchewan. He graduated from the Saskatoon Normal School in 1947, then moved to St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, to begin his long career in education. In the early 1950s he began a long association with St. Thomas More College (STM) and received a BEd in 1955, and a BA in 1963. From 1955-1963 he was Principal of St. Mary's School in Saskatoon, after which he became Assistant Superintendent of the Saskatoon Catholic Board of Education (1963), and eventually Director of Education (1967-1982). In 1982 Podiluk accepted a position as Deputy Minister of Social Services and in 1984, Deputy Minister of Health. From 1991-1995 Podiluk served as President and CEO of St. Paul's Hospital. Podiluk received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the U of S in 1987. Podiluk also received the Order of Canada, the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Saskatoon Century Award of Recognition, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the STM Distinguished Alumnus Award, Podiluk was involved in many organizations including: the Knights of Columbus, the Saskatoon Community Service Village at the YWCA, Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage of which he played a key role in its development, among many other honours. Podiluk died in Saskatoon in 2006.