Louis R. Hantelman, originally from Iowa, moved to the Rouleau district in southern Saskatchewan to farm in 1905. Civically minded and with an interest in politics, he later served as a CCF MLA for 10 years, as board chair of the University Hospital, and as a member of the University's Board of Governors. In 1955, the U of S awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree.
A remarkably selfless man, Hantelman served in World War I reverting from the rank of captain to lieutenant so that he could remain with the men he had trained when they were sent to France. After the war, and for the rest of his life, he anonymously provided financial assistance to scores of students, and in his will left the University $500,000 to be used to support agricultural research, agriculture scholarships, the humanities, and social sciences. The Hantelman Building, built between 1961-1963, was named in his honor.