2016 Duff Spafford Award

Kurt received three degrees from the U of S—B.A., B.Ed. & M.A. He served the University in two areas— first as a Student Adviser at the College of Arts and Science and later as the International Student Adviser (1985- 2007) for the University.

After his retirement, he served on the executive of the USRA for several years. As a student adviser, Kurt was aware that students came from a variety of backgrounds and had the usual array of problems, especially foreign students. With his own background as a German student in rural Saskatchewan and later as a volunteer in Africa, he understood their unique needs and helped them, always with a very personal touch. The U of S recognized him with two awards: President’s Service Award and J.W.G. Ivany Internationalization Award. Other honours included: Living in Harmony Award of the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Kurt continues to use the Retirees Lounge on Wednesday afternoons to notarize documents for international students. Kurt’s selection for the Duff Spafford Award is for his service to students that went well beyond the job description. For him, it was personal—one person in the university community helping others.