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History of the Jack Gallagher Visiting Scientist program:

Jack Gallagher established The Visiting Scientist Fund at the University of Manitoba for students in the Faculty of Science (the geology and geophysics programs) and the Faculty of Engineering (the geological engineering program). Students enrolled in other programs and planning a career in mining or petroleum exploration and production will also benefit from the Visiting Scientist Fund. The endowment will add a practical dimension to the classroom program of earth science students. The Department of Geological Sciences will invite at least one visiting scientist each year. It is expected that these visiting specialists will be individuals with outstanding careers in the petroleum or mining industries.

Jack Gallagher:

Jack was born in Winnipeg in 1916. Realizing at an early age that Canada's greatest strengths are in its natural resources, including its abundance of petroleum and mineral resources, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of Manitoba. He graduated with a major in Geology in 1937. During the summers of 1936 and 1937 Jack worked as a field assistant with the Geological Survey of Canada in the Northwest Territories, mapping previously unexplored areas in the Precambrian shield, earning $2.50 a day and living on dried beans, peas, bacon and bannock. It was during this time that he became conscious of the vast mineral wealth in Canada's northern frontier, and decided he wanted to play a role in its development.

As it turned out, he played a great role in the development of Canada's northern petroleum resources. In 1950, Jack had joined a group of investors in a private company (Dome Petroleum) formed to participate in the fledgling western Canadian oil industry. Jack was the sole employee for the first two years. Through his initiative and energy, Dome became one of the largest oil companies in North America, and was a pioneer in oil and natural gas exploration in the Arctic. He is also recognized the importance of combining exploration and production in the Arctic with all of the necessary precautions to protect the fragile environment. He was chief executive officer for Dome until 1981. Before joining Dome Petroleum, Jack saw the need to expand his experience by working abroad so that he could return to Canada and play a more effective role in the industry. Between 1939 and 1950 he worked first for Shell Oil Company as a field geologist in California and Egypt. He then joined Standard Oil (New Jersey), where he began as a field geologist, working in Egypt, the Middle East, Central and South America, and ended up as exploration manager of Standard's major exploration program in the headwaters of the Amazon river of Peru.

In 1983 Jack was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Manitoba. He was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in the same year. In spite of his busy career, Jack found time for community service. This work included membership on the Research Council of Alberta, Science Council of Canada, executive of the United Way, and the Campaign Committee of the Council of Christians and Jews. He established the Gallagher Geological Library at the University of Calgary and, while with Dome, a scholarship program for the children of employees.

By establishing the Jack Gallagher Visiting Scientist Fund, he recognizes the benefit of such a program in helping undergraduate and graduate students focus on their careers. What better way to do this than by having students interact with outstanding men and women in the industry?

The Selection of Visiting Scientists:

A committee of the Department of Geological Sciences will select a visiting scientist annually from names recommended by department staff and industry representatives. Distinguished scientists from universities and government institutions may also be selected as visitors, although preference will be given to visitors with industry experience. Each visiting scientist will spend from two to five days meeting with students and staff. If funds are available, more than one scientist may be invited each year.