This fonds contains the records of the University of Alberta chemistry professor Dr. Walter Harris. He was instrumental in the modernization of the University’s successful Analytical Chemistry program. Dr Harris was acclaimed for his work in chemistry education, scientific research, and committee service.
The materials date from 1915 to 2011. The records predominately date after Harris began his career at the University of Alberta in 1946. The collection is rich in teaching materials, including a number of lectures written verbatim, an abundance of lecture slides and audio visual recordings of Walter Harris lecturing, as well as a significant amount of Dr. Harris’ research papers and supporting information. The fonds also incorporates materials related to the history of the Chemistry Department at the University of Alberta. In addition, it provides insight into Harris’ book publications with related correspondence, revisions and notes. The fonds is abundant in records relating to Harris’ work as a committee member including meeting minutes, agendas, committee reports, and correspondence.
This fonds contains an array of document types including such textual materials as notes, correspondence, talks, programs, pamphlets, articles, cards, course materials, announcements, books, and personal history information. It also contains yearbooks, plaques, certificates and newspaper clippings, as well as a variety of media types including photographs, slides, negatives, lantern slides, a 16mm film, reel-to-reel audiotapes, a VHS videocassette, a u-matic video tape, and a CD-ROM disk. The fonds geographically pertains predominantly to Canada with some materials created in the United States, and a few materials generated in countries abroad. The materials related to Europe are from international conferences or committee travels taken by Harris.
Sem títuloImage of the University of Alberta's analytical chemists. Photograph taken for University of Alberta New Trail article "Chain reaction: One man's longtime dedication to the study of analytical chemistry continues to reap awards", regarding the three men from the same faculty each receiving major international scientific awards within seven days. These three men: Harrison, Dovichi and Horlick, all gave credit to Harris' work in Analytical Chemistry education.
President's Advisory Committee on Campus Review Members, steering committee.
Image of Ewing Galen, Walter and Phyllis Harris taken during the "Symposium in Honour of W.E. Harris [50 years of service to analytical chemistry] : Analytical Chemistry- its Role in Socio-Economic Development" that was organized by National Water Quality Laboratory and Research Applications Branch of National Water Research, Burlington, Ontario as well as Water Resources Branch and Ontario Ministry of Environment Toronto, Ontario. It was the third chemical congress of North America combining the meeting of the American Chemical Society, Canadian Chemical Conference and Sociedad Quimica de Mexico held June 5-10, 1988.
Midwestern Universities Analytical Chemistry Conference held at the University of Alberta, August 3-4, 1976. Picture was sent from Jean Cooley to Margaret Harris.
Karen Waldron presenting Harris with the Honorary Fellow plaque at the Canadian Society for Chemistry Conference held June 2005 in Saskatoon.
Certificate recognizing Harris' fifty year membership to the American Chemical Society.
The outstanding achievement award is given to former graduates of the University of Minnesota who have attained distinction in their area of study and demonstrated outstanding leadership. It was earned by Harris for his influential work in teaching analytical chemistry and research work in hot-atom chemistry, chromatography and polarography. This certificate was awarded at the 36th Annual meeting of the Institute of Technology Alumni Association on November 2, 1973.
Harris accepting the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from CT Boyle, May 29, 1987.
Walter Harris' Alumni Honour Award which reads that it "recognizes the significant contributions made over a number of years by University of Alberta alumni in their local communities and beyond".
The University of Alberta's Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science presented to Harris on June 6, 1991 at 81st annual convocation.
Harris wearing his Order of Canada medal surrounded by family and friends on November 7, 1988. The "family show and tell" celebration was organized by Harris' daughter Margaret in honour of him becoming a member of the Order of Canada.
Harris shaking hands with Sargent Christian Coulombe at the Investiture of the Order of Canada.
Letter from Ron Kratochvil on the occasion of Harris's retirement, dated August 15, 1980.
Letter on the occasion of Walter's 90th Birthday celebrations from former Masters student Caurino C Bombardieri, dated April 25, 2005.
Postal Telegraph congratulating Harris from his family, dated May 9. Telegraph mentioned June 14, 1942, his wedding day to Phyllis Pangburn.
Harris's Degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota, dated June 10, 1944.
Harris's "Certified Instructor Gas and Bomb Defense" card. The University of Minnesota required that chemistry graduate students become certified instructors in gas and bomb defense in case the US was attacked.
Physical Science Center at the University of Alberta construction completed to house three departments: Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, October 1960.
President's Advisory Committee on Campus Review Members: Walter Harris, Fred Enns, Henry Kreisel and Bill Jopling.
Chemistry-Physics-Mathematics building under construction, April 1959. The steel frame was erected by C.W. Carry Ltd and Calgary Structural Steel Ltd.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on a field trip to Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan, September 1984. TAC went as part of their efforts to research the Canadian Shield. During WWII, the lake at this site had been drained and iron ore was recovered. It had since been refilling with water. Harris' job was to complete a risk assessment of the area. Slide found in the container labeled Nuclear Waste.
Detroit Convention with: Kolthoff, Laitenen, M Bushey, O'Brein, Thomson, Luyive[?], Stenfers, Harris possibly on the far right with his hand on his chin, Fall 1962.
Physical Science Center at the University of Alberta.
Chemistry building under construction, November 1958. The foundation was contracted out to Poole Construction Co Ltd.
Harris and friends standing in front of a lake in the Rockies. Image found inside card from Audrey and Willard F Allen. Willard Allen was a friend and fellow chemistry teacher at the University of Alberta.
Image of a graduate Inorganic Research Laboratory in the Physical Science Center.
Staff office laboratory in the Physical Science Center, with a Fisher zone refiner in the center of the image. Each staff room was accompanied by a private laboratory.
Liquid nitrogen generator located in the main supply room.
Two technicians at work in the Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory. Machines shown are the Perkin-Elmer 221-G high resolution infrared spectrophotometer to the right and a Cary Model 14 automatic recording spectrometer.
Three Machinists operating tools in the machine shop. The shop was complete with wood and metal-working equipment to create materials for research and undergraduate laboratories. Included in the photograph is a lathes, jig saw, sheet metal bender, grinder, two drill presses, and a welding area. The machine shop was located in the basement of the physics-mathematics wing.
Harris standing in an active undergraduate chemistry lab.
Master of Science graduating photograph of Harris.