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

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

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
  1. 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.
  2. Martin, Sandra (May 15, 2011). "Jack Saywell: historian, teacher, builder of York University". Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. Gunderson, Rolli (June 6, 2011). "Locally-born historian Jack Saywell dies at age 82". Lake Cowichan Gazette. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  4. Gibson, Stacey (June 23, 2000). "Appointments to the Order of Canada and other award recognitions". magazine.utoronto.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  5. "OVERVIEW OF ASIA". archives.studentscommission.ca. 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  6. "Hall named for past president". sfu.ca. June 25, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  7. "Ceremony ushers in new era of cooperation" (PDF). library.ubc.ca. October 5, 1983. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  8. "History of Metropolitan Vancouver". vancouverhistory.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  9. "Harbour Centre Yesterday and Today". sfu.ca. May 5, 1999. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  10. "Simon Fraser in the Future". sfu.ca. April 2006. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  11. "ANNUAL REPORT 2003 — 2004" (PDF). asiapacific.ca. p. 11. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  12. "1994 Recipient: William G. Saywell – Vancouver". orderofbc.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  13. "WILLIAM G. SAYWELL, C.M., O.B.C., PH.D., LL.D." gg.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  14. "SFU President Emeritus Dr. William Saywell to Join Palcan Board of Directors". bctechnology.com. July 27, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
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