Welcome to the University of Saskatchewan, the centre of higher learning and research in Saskatchewan for 112 years. It is the largest educational institution in Saskatchewan and is home to 25,000 students from around the globe. Exploring the 1000 ha campus, and its adjacent 200 ha Innovation Place Research Park in its totality would take some time. Following this Virtual Cache will take you to only a few of the many highlights around the "Bowl" area. The round-trip walk is just under one kilometer and can be completed in less than thirty minutes. The area has excellent public transit access, and it can also be easily accessed from the Meewasin Trail. All stages of the Virtual are along wheelchair-accessible, paved pathways with the exception of the building's front steps at Stage #4. If you cannot access that answer, a photo of your gps in front of that building will suffice.
Many of the buildings on the University of Saskatchewan,campus are connected by tunnels and skywalks; however, the outdoor walkways provide you with the opportunity to appreciate at least some of the architecture of these hallowed halls of higher learning. They have been described as "the finest grouping of university buildings in Canada designed in the Collegiate Gothic style." Now a National Historic Site of Canada, construction of the College Building started in 1910. Designed by architects Brown and Vallance in the classic Elizabethan E shape, it was the first College of Agriculture at a Canadian university, and one of the first of six buildings of this style that they initially set out around the "Bowl." The original buildings were built using native limestone which was mined just north of the campus. When the local supply of limestone was depleted, the University turned to Tyndall Stone, so called because it is quarried at Tyndall, Manitoba
What are the two birds (crests) that sit atop each of the coat of arms gracing either side of the wooden front doors of the College Building?
It is important to have ways of remembering good people and the many contributions that they have made to society. When walking throughout the grounds, you often come across benches tucked into quiet nooks of peace and tranquility that have been set aside for personal reflection and conversation.
At N 52° 7.895' W 106° 38.212', one such meditative nook is the Lesya Ukrainka Garden; there stands a sculpture of the celebrated Ukrainian poet. Ukrainka vividly developed the themes of patriotism, human dignity, and personal integrity with her lyrical works and dramatic poems. She was also known as an activist for the advancement of political, civil, and women's rights. Her work is timeless in its powerful assertion of human rights and freedoms.
While Architect Anatoliy Ihnashchenko was instrumental in the design of the sculpture, from the last line on the plaque to the north, what was the name of the sculptor who added the final details to this work?
Not far off at N 52° 7.905' W 106° 38.195' is another favourite space, "created for visual enjoyment and as a place for contemplation and discussion." Amidst an island of mature spruce, it features a sculpture of renowned author, Farley Mowat and his beloved companion, Chester.
Farley Mowat was a gifted writer. His famous books about nature have captivated readers for decades. He remained active in campaigns to protect the Canadian landscape up until his passing, and his work as an environmentalist will be one of his lasting legacies. Mowat himself suggested that, "Saskatoon would be a wonderful place to spend the rest of my days." Many students can be inspired by Farley Mowat and appreciate the impact of his work on their own fields of study.
A memorial plaque has been mounted on the west/opposite side of this island "oasis." What is the name of the architect, who served in the development of the campus, and for whom this memorial island of trees was created?
Continue west to N 52° 7.922' W 106° 38.184' and the most prestigious architectural design of them all, the Chemistry or Thorvaldson Building. Opened in 1924, it was one of the last of the original stone collegiate gothic buildings designed by the architect David Brown. It was the most elaborate of the early campus buildings and reflected the confidence of the 1920s. It faced not inward toward the bowl and the original buildings, but outward to what was expected to be an expanding future. Originally it was to have a second identical north wing but, depression and war brought a halt to all thoughts of capital expansion. Still clad in stone, but of a different design, a second wing was finally opened in 1966 and the entire complex was renamed to honour chemist Thorbergur Thorvaldson. Echoing the campus’s original architectural style, a recent north-facing "Spinks" addition has also been given a neo-Collegiate Gothic façade.
What are the two words on the brass plaques above the wooden front doors in the archway of the Thorvaldson Building?
Thanks for visiting and I hope you have enjoyed this Virtual Cache. The remainder of the campus, and the many other geocaches therein, are yours to explore and discover.
Logging Requirements
You must message or email me the correct answers to the four questions repeated below; PLUS, attach a picture of yourself, your group, or your gps, visiting one of the above four stages, to your log.
1. What are the two birds (crests) that sit atop of the coats of arms that grace either side of the wooden front doors of the College Building?
2. While Architect Anatoliy Ihnashchenko was instrumental in the design of the Lesya Ukrainka sculpture, from the last line on the plaque to the north, what was the name of the sculptor who added the final details to this work?
3. What is the name of the architect, who served in the development of the campus, and in whose memory the island refuge of trees containing the Farley Mowat sculpture was created?
4. What are the two words on the brass plaques above the wooden front doors in the archway of the Thorvaldson Building?
Note: "Found It" logs without a corresponding email/message with the correct answers may result in deletion of the log without notice.
References
University of Saskatchewan, www.usask.ca
Campus Map - Campus Map
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.