About
The Whelen Visiting Lectureship was established in 1986 through a bequest from a distinguished alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Myron Whelen (PhD), of Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A. He grew up in the small farming community of Birch Hills in northeastern Saskatchewan, and graduated from USask with a BSc in Chemistry in 1926 and an MSc in 1927. He then received his PhD from McGill in 1929. He later went on to become a research chemist with Du Pont in Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Dr. Whelen recognized the importance of broadening access to ideas and experiences. His background inspired a strong commitment to ensuring that people in smaller communities could benefit from hearing and learning from internationally respected artists, scientists, public servants, and educators.
Hosted by the University of Saskatchewan, the Whelen Visting Lectureship series creates opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and community members to engage with leading voices and explore the questions that matter most. Its mandate is to bring internationally-recognized authorities in disciplines taught at the university to USask campuses.
Suggest a 2027 speaker
We're searching for a speaker whose ideas span local and global contexts, inspire curiosity and encourage meaningful discussion. We welcome suggestions of individuals from diverse fields and disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Science and innovation
- Technology
- Public policy
- Health and wellness
- Arts and culture
- Sustainability
- Social change and community impact
Deadline: October 31, 2026
All suggestions will be shared with the Whelen Lecture Steering Committee for consideration.
Explore highlights from past Whelen Lectures and learn how the series has helped bring important voices and conversations to the University of Saskatchewan community over the years.
- 1987 Lorin Hollander, American concert pianist
- 1989 Jonathan Miller, director of the Old Vic Theatre in London
- 1991 Germaine Greer, Shakespearean scholar and well-known for her contribution to feminist theory
- 1992 Rosalyn Yalow, Nobel prize-winning medical physicist
- 1994 Stephen Schneider, American scientist in the area of climate and global warming
- 1997 Martyn Symons, inorganic physical chemist and water-colourist
- 1998 John Ralston Saul, author and essayist
- 2000 Mary B. Mahowald, geneticist
- 2003 Michael Ignatieff, award winning author and historian
- 2005 John Borrows, Aboriginal law scholar
- 2006 Brian Dippie, historian of the old West
- 2007 Stephen Shapin, historian and sociologist of science
- 2008 Norman Myers, environmental scholar
- 2010 Margaret Visser, author and anthropologist
- 2011 Raj Patel, economist and sociologist
- 2013 Anthony Atala, physician, biomedical engineer, and regenerative medicine researcher
- 2019 Roberta Bondar, Canadian astronaut and neurologist
Loleen Berdahl, chair, Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic
Lindsey Banco, College of Arts and Science
Douglas Clark, School of Environment and Sustainability
Leah Ferguson, College of Kinesiology
Nicole Fernandez, Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Dev Mishra, Edwards School of Business
Peter Phillips, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
Jaswant Singh, College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
FAQs
The lecture is open to members of the university community and the public.
Registration details will be shared closer to the event date.
Information about livestreaming and recordings will be shared when available.
Check back to this page to be among the first to hear when:
- The speaker is announced
- Registration opens
- New event details are released
- Additional programming is added