William G. Saywell
William George Gabriel Saywell (born 1936) is a Canadian historian. He is the former president and Vice-Chancellor of Simon Fraser University
Early life and education
[edit]Saywell was born in 1936 in Regina, Saskatchewan[1] to parents John Ferdinand Tupper Saywell and Vera Marguerite Saywell, alongside his elder brother John Saywell.[2] In 1937, the family moved to British Columbia as his father had received a job position to become Lake Cowichan first high school principal.[3] He attended the University of Toronto (U of T) for his Bachelor of Arts, Master's degree, and PhD.[4] While in his second year at U of T, Saywell enrolled in a course called "the Far East" which sparked his interest China and Japan.[5]
In 1970, once Canada and China established diplomatic relations, Saywell became the first "resident Sinologist" at Canada's embassy in Beijing.[6]
Career
[edit]After earning his PhD, he joined the faculty of the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto.[1] In 1983, Saywell was offered a position as president of Simon Fraser University.[7][8] During his tenure as SFU's longest-serving president, he helped initiate the development of SFU's downtown Vancouver campus[9] and increased gender equality in SFU's hiring practices.[10] Upon the end of his term as president in 1993, Saywell was named president and chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Foundation.[11] The next year, he was named a Member of the Order of British Columbia.[12]
In 1999, Saywell was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.[13] A few years later, he joined the Board of Directors of Palcan Fuel Cells Ltd.[14] In 2009, Simon Fraser University formally named their new arts and social sciences complex Saywell Hall.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Gillian K. Holmes; Evelyn Davidson (March 1, 2001). Who's Who in Canadian Business 2001. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780920966600. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ Martin, Sandra (May 15, 2011). "Jack Saywell: historian, teacher, builder of York University". Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ Gunderson, Rolli (June 6, 2011). "Locally-born historian Jack Saywell dies at age 82". Lake Cowichan Gazette. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ Gibson, Stacey (June 23, 2000). "Appointments to the Order of Canada and other award recognitions". magazine.utoronto.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "OVERVIEW OF ASIA". archives.studentscommission.ca. 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hall named for past president". sfu.ca. June 25, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "Ceremony ushers in new era of cooperation" (PDF). library.ubc.ca. October 5, 1983. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "History of Metropolitan Vancouver". vancouverhistory.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "Harbour Centre Yesterday and Today". sfu.ca. May 5, 1999. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "Simon Fraser in the Future". sfu.ca. April 2006. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "ANNUAL REPORT 2003 — 2004" (PDF). asiapacific.ca. p. 11. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "1994 Recipient: William G. Saywell – Vancouver". orderofbc.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "WILLIAM G. SAYWELL, C.M., O.B.C., PH.D., LL.D." gg.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "SFU President Emeritus Dr. William Saywell to Join Palcan Board of Directors". bctechnology.com. July 27, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- Living people
- 1936 births
- People from Regina, Saskatchewan
- 20th-century Canadian historians
- University of Toronto alumni
- Academic staff of the University of Toronto
- Simon Fraser University people
- Academic staff of Simon Fraser University
- Members of the Order of Canada
- Members of the Order of British Columbia
- Businesspeople from Saskatchewan