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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. ^ 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.
  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. ^ a b "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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