Head and shoulders image of W.A. (Bill) Riddell, principal, Regina Campus.

Bio/Historical Note: William Andrew (Bill) Riddell was born on 6 July 1905 in Hamiota, Manitoba. He received a BA (1925) and BSc (1926) from the University of Manitoba, an MSc (1928) from the University of Saskatchewan, and completed his PhD (1931) in chemistry and biology at Stanford University. Riddell taught at Regina College during the 1930s before holding various research positions with the federal and provincial governments. He returned to Saskatchewan in 1938 as an analyst for the Provincial Laboratories and was appointed Director in 1942. In 1950 he returned to Regina College, serving as dean until his appointment as acting principal in 1962. Riddell was instrumental in developing the College’s School of Art and in the expansion of the Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery. Perhaps his greatest contribution was his tireless effort to raise the College to full degree-granting status. In 1959 the Board of Governors did just that and, within two years, design and construction of a new campus in Wascana Park began. Regina Campus, as the College was renamed, was the forerunner of the University of Regina. Riddell was named acting principal of Regina Campus in 1961. He was appointed the first principal the following year and a vice-president of the University in 1967. In 1969 Riddell was appointed assistant to the president. He was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree in 1973, the same year as retirement. Riddell was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1974. He received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1994. An annual lecture was established in his honour at the University of Regina, and later a new building housing the Faculty of Fine Arts and Student Services became the Riddell Centre, in recognition of his long-standing support of the fine arts in the province. Riddell died in Regina on 27 May 2000.