Honorary degree citation - Aylmer A. Ryan*

By: Magnus Flynn, November 1972

Mr. Chancellor:

I have the honour to present to you Professor Aylmer A. Ryan who has established a national reputation for his written and personal contributions in the area of student life and student services while holding the position of Provost and Executive Assistant to the President at the University of Alberta. Professor Ryan has also had a distinguished academic career specializing in the works of Chaucer.

Professor Ryan graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts in 1939 and took his Master of Arts in 1940. His doctoral studies were interrupted by World War il; he served in England and Italy, returning to the University of Alberta in 1945, he assumed a lecturship in the Department of English. Due to his special understanding of the problems of returning veterans he immediately became involved in student life. He was instrumental in the development of the University Residence Complex, Student Union and the Physical Education Building. He was one ol the first supporters of student representation on university decision making bodies.

His contributions to student life on a national level were recognized by his peers by his election to the Presidency of the Canadian Student Affairs Association in 1966 and by a Distinguished Service Award in 1967.

Professor Ryan is a scholar, teacher and administrator of high repute who has maintained a strong humanitarian interest in the welfare of all students. We cannot help but reflect, as he stands before you tonight, on his first position in educatii during the depression years on the prairies of southern Alberta where he served as janitor, teacher and nursemaid to Indian children in a one room schoolhouse.

Mr. Chancellor, I am honoured to present to you, on behalf of the University Council and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Mr. Aylmer A. Ryan, Provost and Executive Assistant to the President of the University of Alberta, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased