University of Regina community mourns passing of President Emeritus Dr. Lloyd Barber

News Release Release Date: September 18, 2011 12:00 p.m.

University of Regina President Emeritus Dr. Lloyd Barber, CC, SOM, died on Friday, September 16, 2011 in (Regina, Saskatchewan) at the age of 79.

Barber became the second president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina in 1976, holding the office until 1990. He provided leadership during the University's critical formative period.

"We deeply mourn the passing of Dr. Barber," said University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons.

"We have lost a valued visionary, founder, leader, colleague and dear friend of this campus. We will continue to honour his contributions throughout our lifetime."

Barber is remembered for producing, in 1977, his Future Directions paper, which identified niche opportunities for the University to expand its programs and services to tackle the challenges of the day - dropping enrolment and budget crises.

By the time he left office in 1990, enrolment had nearly tripled and the University was making itself known and useful to a broader national and international community.

Two other initiatives during Barber's leadership had profound and lasting effects on the University.

In 1976 the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) - now the First Nations University of Canada - entered into a joint venture with the University.

Barber is credited for leading the University of Regina, in partnership with SIFC, to become a pioneer in Aboriginal education, a relationship that continues today.

The second initiative was a U of R delegation to China in 1981, led by Barber. The trip became the basis for agreements, visits and exchanges between the University and Chinese institutions over the past 30 years.

Barber's community involvement has included many areas of service such as the Canadian Red Cross, the Regina United Way and Honorary Lt. Colonel in 16 Service Battalion in Regina. He has held positions as professor of commerce with the University of Saskatchewan from 1955 to 1976, was a member of the Northwest Territories Council from 1967 to 1970, was federal Indian Claims Commissioner from1969 to1977, and was negotiator for treaty land entitlement in Saskatchewan on behalf of 27 Indian bands.

His economic and financial knowledge have made him a respected and sought-after advisor to governments and a board member for a wide variety of national corporations.

Barber's leadership and contributions to society have been widely recognized at the highest levels. He was made an honorary Saskatchewan Indian Chief in 1980 and received the Aboriginal Order of Canada in 1985. Barber was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978 and received the Vanier Medal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada in 1979. In 1993, he was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour. That same year, he received an honorary degree from the University of Regina and in 1995 he was invested as a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Saskatchewan's highest honour.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan on March 8, 1932, Barber was educated at the University of Saskatchewan (BA/BComm), the University of California in Berkeley (MBA), and the University of Washington (PhD).

Several University of Regina scholarships have been named in his honour including the Dr. Lloyd Barber Cougar Men's Hockey Athletic Award and the Dr. Lloyd Barber Scholarships for Aboriginal students studying business administration.

Barber was married to Duna for 55 years, and had six children, 27 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 22 at 2 p.m. in the University of Regina Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport main gymnasium. A reception will follow in the foyer.