University of Saskatchewan

Office of the University Secretary

Senate

Intellectual Muscle - University Dialogues for Vancouver 2010

University Chancellor

Vera Pezer (vera.pezer@usask.ca)

Chancellor's Tour - Canada's Great War Tour (12 days, April 2011, Europe)

Visit World War One historic sites.  Includes Vimy Ridge, Menin Gate and the British Imperial War Museum.  This tour is open to all U of S alumni and retirees.  For more information on this tour please contact vera.pezer@usask.ca

University Chancellor Vera Pezer

Dr. Vera Pezer was elected Chancellor effective July 1, 2007. Dr. Pezer has a long association with the University of Saskatchewan, earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University and serving as the Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs and Services) from 1991-2001.  Dr. Pezer first joined the University in 1966 in Student Counselling Services and as a part-time instructor in the Department of Psychology.  She would later become Director of Student Counselling, an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Science.  Under her leadership, student retention and academic success were enhanced and the University’s first offices dedicated to student emergency financial assistance, disability services for students, and Aboriginal student support programs established.

She has held volunteer and leadership roles with the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners, Saskatchewan Centennial Gala, Hope Cancer Race for Recovery, Saskatoon Housing Coalition, Persephone Theatre, the River Landing Destination Centre and the YWCA.  She is a member of the Canadian Association of Police Boards.  Dr. Pezer has also contributed widely to professional and amateur sports organizations.  She is a member and current Chair of the 1989 Jeux Canada Games Foundation, Director of the 1991 Scott Tournament of Hearts and Ceremonies Chair of the 1989 Brier.  As a Sport Psychologist, Dr. Pezer served as an advisor and trainer to Canadian Curling Teams in two Olympic Games. 

An accomplished athlete in her own right, Dr. Pezer is a four-time Canadian Ladies’ Curling Champion, a Canadian Softball Champion, and two-time member of the Saskatchewan Senior Women’s golf team. She has received a place of honour in the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame and in the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.  In 2003, Dr. Pezer completed her first book, The Stone Age:  A Social History of Curling in the Prairies. She has just published her second, titled Smart Curling. Dr. Pezer was honoured with a Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2006, and in 2002, received the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Award of Achievement.

The Chancellor is elected by members of Convocation. He or she presides over Convocation, confers degrees, chairs the Senate and is a member of the Board of Governors.