UPEI Magazine, winter 2015

UPEI magazine Winter 2015

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Meet chancellor don McDougall “I am deeply honoured and proud... to serve you as chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.”

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Announcing the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships

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congratulations

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2014 On behalf of the 23,000+ alumni of Prince of Wales College, St. Dunstan’s University, and the University of Prince Edward Island, the UPEI Alumni Association is proud to welcome members of the Class of 2014 to our supportive global network.

See more 2014 Convocation photos at upei.ca/convocationphotos/2014

contents

In this issue ...

2 18 3 22 4 25 10 26 12 27 16 31 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

CLASS OF 2014— RECORD NUMBER OF GRADUATES!

Colleen KEEFE MALONE TERRACE

PEOPLE • EXCELLENCE • IMPACT

AVC’S ARTHUR AND SANDRA IRVING COMMUNITY CARE CLINIC

Much to celebrate, much yet to achieve!

Looking forward to a busy and productive 2015

1,006 students receive credentials during 2014 Convocation ceremonies

Celebrating Student Achievement scholarship program

Eight new UPEI Alumni and Friends chapters, alumni accomplishments, donor appreciation

Gift honouring beloved daughter, sister, and wife, Colleen Keefe Malone

Enhancing facilities for Veterinary Teaching Hospital clients and their animals

Meet CHANCELLOR DON MCDOUGALL

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL RECOGNITION OF FOUNDERS

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

AND MORE… PEOPLE • EXCELLENCE • IMPACT

UPEI’s eighth chancellor honoured to serve his alma mater

Exploring the student experience at UPEI—on- and off-campus

SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ENGINEERING UNDERWAY! Expanding educational options for engineering students

Celebrating the contributions of UPEI’s 2014 Founders

Honouring our past, celebrating our present, building our future

ATHLETICS AND RECREATION Making history in CIS men’s soccer competition

UPEI Magazine is published by the University of Prince Edward Island and is coordinated and produced by Integrated Communications.

Contributors:

Photos:

Dave Atkinson, Rebecca Gass, Sheila Kerry, Anna MacDonald, Nicole Phillips Patrick Callbeck, Shelley Ebbett, Janessa Hogan, Keegan Marr, Mike Needham

visit upei.ca/magazine

All correspondence: Integrated Communications, University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3

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Tel: (902) 566-0947 Email: magazine@upei.ca

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Nexus yearbooks are available from the UPEI Student Union. Contact (902) 566-0530 to arrange for pick-up or delivery. Yearbooks are free to all graduates.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065165

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message from the president

This UPEI Magazine offers a glimpse into the activities and achievements of our University during the past twelve months. There are many interesting stories to celebrate, and I hope you enjoy reading about the successes of our talented students, graduates, colleagues, and friends. The following are a few highlights: » UPEI’s Strategic Plan was endorsed by the University’s Senate and Board of Governors. » The University welcomed our eighth chancellor, Don McDougall, and expressed our gratitude to his predecessor, William E. (Bill) Andrew. » 2014 saw the creation of a four-year Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering degree, and the groundbreaking for the innovative School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships. » The Atlantic provinces demonstrated their commitment to the Atlantic Veterinary College with the recent

signing of a ten-year interprovincial funding agreement. » Although faced with declining numbers of potential students in the region, the University increased total enrolment by 0.4 per cent and full-time international enrolment by 15.1 per cent. » Two Canada Research Chairs were renewed, and a new Tier 1 Canada Research Chair was awarded. » Advisory groups were established to strengthen relationships with community, and a review of the Department of Athletics and Recreation demonstrated the University’s commitment to continue to improve and evolve.

cultural advancement of our province.

The fulfillment of that role would not be possible without the ongoing support of our partners who recognize the value of a healthy and sustainable UPEI: our government funders; our education, research, community, and industry partners; and our donors, alumni, and friends.

Progress and success occurs through the efforts and talents of many. For generations, UPEI’s outstanding faculty and staff have provided exceptional academic experiences to our students.

The University is privileged to be part of an engaged community, and is well recognized for its crucial role in education, research, and service that contributes to the economic, social, and

We look forward to a busy and productive year. On behalf of the University of Prince Edward Island, I wish you the best for a happy and healthy 2015.

Our plan is in place, and our priorities are clear. As the post-secondary education sector continues to evolve, UPEI will work effectively and creatively to achieve excellence and position our graduates for success.

Alaa Abd-El-Aziz President and Vice-Chancellor

The University expressed its appreciation to former Chancellor William E. (Bill) Andrew at a farewell tea held in late March 2014. Andrew received his diploma in engineering from UPEI in 1973 and is highly respected by the University community for his leadership, generosity, and “ down-to-earth” encouragement of faculty, staff, and students. He served two terms as chancellor from 2005–2013.

Pictured at the event: 1. William E. (Bill) Andrew; 2. President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz and Valerie Abd-El-Aziz with Denise and William E. (Bill) Andrew; 3. Tom Cullen, chair, UPEI Board of Governors, with Frederick E. Hyndman, past chair; and 4. Chancellor Don McDougall and William E. (Bill) Andrew, with the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and Visitor to the University.

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convocation 2014

Don McDougall, UPEI’s eighth chancellor, presided over his first Convocation ceremonies on May 10, 2014. He joined President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa AbdEl-Aziz in congratulating a record 1,006 graduates—from over 50 countries—as they received their degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and Visitor to the University, presented the Governor General’s Medals to Master of Education graduate Thomas Vincent Hilton (in absentia) and Bachelor of Science graduate Kristen B. Callaghan.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate Donald Buchanan (left) and Bachelor of Arts graduate Shannon Moore (centre) delivered the morning and afternoon valedictory addresses. Dr. Frances Gray (right), AMus, BMus, MMus, DMus, was conferred with the title of professor emerita during the afternoon ceremony.

Donald Buchanan, DVM

Shannon Moore

Dr. Frances Gray

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Honorary Degree Recipients Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees were conferred on four outstanding individuals at Convocation 2014: (L-R) distinguished Canadian Forces Major-General Matthew Macdonald (retired); businessman and champion of community health and development Robert K. Irving; music educator, community volunteer, and former Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman; and educator and visionary James C. MacAulay.

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Convocation 2014

Governor General’s Medal (Undergraduate) The Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and Visitor to the University, congratulates Kristen B. Callaghan, Bachelor of Science (Physics) graduate, winner of the Governor General’s Silver Medal (undergraduate), the Polyclinic Prize for the student who achieved the highest aggregate in the four years of an undergraduate program, the Ambrose Kwok-Yau Lee Award for standing highest in the fourth year of the science program, and the Physics Department Award.

H. Wade MacLauchlan Raised Expectations Medal The Honourable H. Frank Lewis, congratulates Joshua Derasp, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) graduate, winner of the H. Wade MacLauchlan Raised Expectations Medal for the student whose academic standing has improved greatly during the course of his or her program of study.

To view additional photos from Convocation 2014, visit upei.ca/convocationphotos/2014

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People • Excellence • Impact Celebrating Student Achievement Scholarship Program UPEI has increased its support of student success by restructuring the delivery of its undergraduate academic awards through a new initiative, the Celebrating Student Achievement scholarship program.

The University announced the new program in February 2014 after conducting environmental scans, soliciting input from Assistant Registrar Darcy McCardle with scholarship the UPEI Student Union and high school recipients Kristen Murray administrators, and receiving endorseand Curtis Hall ment from UPEI’s Board of Governors, Senate, and Student Union. The program enhances UPEI’s donor-funded scholarships and awards by offering guaranteed entrance scholarships based on admission averages for students entering UPEI directly from grade 12. In addition, guaranteed academic excellence awards are granted to undergraduate students who meet the grade scale criteria during their second, third, and fourth years. There are four levels of awards, ranging from $500-$3,000 per year, based on a student’s academic average from the previous year.

“UPEI is excited to continue its tradition of recognizing student academic excellence through this program,” says Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor. “The program will reward the academic excellence of students upon entrance to UPEI, as well as throughout their undergraduate studies here. Both incoming and current students will be motivated to do well and continue to do well, as they will know in advance the award amount available at each level of achievement.”

The renewable program includes students entering first year, as well as current students completing their first undergraduate degree, and expands eligibility to those with a minimum average of 80 per cent. In the fall of 2014, this initiative assisted 107 students entering firstyear programs at UPEI and 542 upper-year students who would not have received support under the previous awards system.

Although the full impact of the new program will not be known until the end of the 2014–15 academic year—since some awards are distributed later in the fall semester and in the second semester—numbers to date are encouraging. As of early November of 2014, students received 326 more awards than were presented in the entire previous academic year.

For Island students, the Celebrating Student Achievement awards can be combined with the first-year George Coles Bursary ($2,200), second- and third-year Island Student Award ($400, $600), and Graduate Award ($2,000) available to PEI residents.

Incoming students are encouraged to apply to UPEI prior to March 1 to ensure that they receive full consideration for all available scholarships in addition to the automatic guaranteed entrance scholarships.

To learn more about UPEI’s scholarship program, including eligibility criteria, visit upei.ca/scholarships or email studenthelp@upei.ca

UPEI’s Annual Concert Series has something for everyone!

Whether you like classical or jazz, vocal, or instrumental music, the UPEI Department of Music’s 2014–2015 concert series has a performance to suit your musical taste. In addition to the always popular UPEI Wind Symphony and the UPEI

Jazz Ensemble, the concert series features six alumni who are now well-established musical artists. For information about the performances, visit upei.ca/recital-series or call (902) 566-0507.

UPEI Wind Symphony

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UP SU EI D P o t h PORT nor an k y ED ou

(L-R) Reading a 1914 edition of The Guardian at the launch of IslandNewspapers.ca are UPEI Librarian Mark Leggott; Donald Moses, UPEI Digitization Initiatives and Systems; Simon Lloyd, University Archives and Special Collections; and Gary MacDougall, managing editor of the newspaper. .............................

IslandNewspapers.ca People interested in Prince Edward Island history have an innovative search tool to use in their exploration of the province’s past. And it’s free!

IslandNewspapers.ca, a fully searchable online archive of digitized PEI historic newspapers and newspaper history, was launched in February of 2014. The project is a collaborative partnership between the UPEI Robertson Library, The Guardian, the PEI Public Archives and Records Office, and UPEI’s “Hacker-in-Residence” Peter Rukavina.

The UPEI Robertson Library’s ongoing islandarchives.ca digitization initiative, of which IslandNewspapers.ca is a part, is made possible by the generous support of a number

of individual and institutional donors, including the late James Simpson Palmer, C.M.; the St. Dunstan’s University Board of Governors and alumni; and the Prince of Wales College Alumni Association.

“UPEI is very excited to officially launch this search tool, which is just one example of projects we have been able to offer based partly on this history of giving,” says UPEI Librarian Mark Leggott. “The online tool currently contains The Guardian content from 1890–1957, and as the project continues, additional newspaper titles and content will be added each year.”

The online archive is available at IslandNewspapers.ca

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rewarding Research Excellence at UPEI The Canada Research Chairs program was created by the federal government to position Canada as a world leader in post-secondary research. The program currently supports researchers in more than 70 Canadian post-secondary institutions, who are conducting research in the natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities disciplines.

The Honourable Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, visited the University of Prince Edward Island in January 2014 to announce the renewal of two Canada Research Chairs, and in May to award a new Tier 1 Canada Research Chair.

fessor in the Department of Health Management, as Canada Research Chair in Population Health: Epi-informatics.

Dr. Kate Tilleczek, a professor in the Faculties of Education and Arts (Sociology/Anthropology) at UPEI and an adjunct research scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, was awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Young Lives in Global and Local Contexts. The Tier 1 Chair was awarded by the CRC Secretariat, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Awarded second terms were Dr. Russell Kerr, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, as Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products, and Dr. Crawford Revie, a pro-

“These outstanding researchers demonstrate the community of discovery and innovation at UPEI,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Their research has a very real impact on the world, and offers our students access to the highest level of expertise and instruction.”

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(L-R) Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor; Honourable Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans; Dr. Kate Tilleczek, Canada Research Chair in Young Lives in Global and Local Contexts; and Dr. Robert Gilmour, UPEI’s vice-president of Research and Graduate Studies

(L-R) Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor; Dr. Russell Kerr, Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products; Honourable Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans; Dr. Javier Sanchez accepting on behalf of Dr. Crawford Revie, Canada Research Chair in Population Health: Epi-informatics; and Dr. Robert Gilmour, UPEI’s vice-president of Research and Graduate Studies

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Succeeding in business—before and after graduation UPEI business students and alumni continue to demonstrate the quality of education offered at the School of Business.

(L-R) UPEI’s award-winning Scotiabank Ethics in Action Case Competition team: Trevor White, Malary Schurman, Erin Devine, and Cait Wright. White, Wright, and Devine are specializing in accounting, while Schurman is focusing on entrepreneurship.

In November 2014 UPEI undergraduate business students Trevor White, Malary Schurman, Erin Devine, and Cait Wright placed first in the Scotiabank Ethics in Action Case Competition at Dalhousie University—the second consecutive win by a UPEI team. Ethics in Action is a national competition that draws many of Canada’s top universities. Participating in the 2014 competition were teams from Acadia, University of Alberta, Concordia, Dalhousie, Guelph, Queen’s, Saint Mary’s, UPEI, and North Carolina’s Elon University.

The first place finish is one in a series of successful case competition outcomes for UPEI business students. In March 2014 Parker Baglole, Ryan Cassidy, Rebecca Cole, and Melanie McKenna placed in the top four at the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) 2014 Worldwide Case Competition held in London, UK. Also in March Trevor White, Malary Schurman, Ryan McCarvill, and Luke Gaudet took first place in the Business Case Competition at Crandall University. In September 2014 Cody Dawson and Alex Khan finished third in the Atlantic Schools of Business Case Competition held at Mount Saint Vincent University.

In January 2015, competing at Queen’s University, Trevor White, Luke Gaudet, and Kaitlyn Lord took third place in the Business Policy category in the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition—Canada’s premier undergraduate business case competition. And Luke Gaudet, Kaitlyn Lord, Shanice Sproule, and Jeremy MacAulay placed second in the 2015 NIBS Worldwide Case Competition held at Carleton University in February 2015. Congratulations everyone!

Also, in December 2014, Janell MacDonald (BBA’12) received the Chartered Accountants of Canada’s regional gold medal for the highest standing in eastern Canada on the uniform final evaluation (UFE). She also won the Gerry Gillis Memorial Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of PEI for the highest standing in PEI. While a student at UPEI, she competed on the case team that placed first at the 2011 IIBD Case Competition in Hong Kong, and second at the 2012 Royal Roads University International Undergraduate Case Competition in British Columbia. MacDonald is a junior staff accountant at BDO Canada LLP in Charlottetown.

Janell MacDonald

Dr. Ann Braithwaite Receives Educational Leadership Award Dr. Ann Braithwaite, associate professor in, and coordinator of, Diversity and Social Justice Studies at UPEI, was awarded the 2014 Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award by the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU). The award recognizes Braithwaite’s commitment to the improvement of university teaching.

Dr. Don Desserud, UPEI director of faculty development, nominated Braithwaite for the award. He commended Braithwaite for her leadership skills; passion for students and the faculty; engagement with other departments, programs, and the broader community; and her teaching ability—all of which contribute significantly to the student experience at UPEI and to the advancement of the University’s mission.

Dr. Ann Braithwaite

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Braithwaite is also a recipient of a UPEI Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Janet Pottie Murray Award for Educational Leadership, and a Presidential Recognition Award of Merit.

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Arts faculty produce new publications in 2014 A culture of writing and publishing is alive and well in the Faculty of Arts at UPEI. The following were published in 2014:

Books: » » » »

Dr. Ian Dowbiggin, The Search for Domestic Bliss: Marriage and Family Counseling in 20th-Century America (University Press of Kansas) Dr. Peter Koritansky, Human Nature, Contemplation & the Political Order: Essays Inspired by Jacques Maritain’s Scholasticism and Politics (Catholic University of America Press) Dr. Udo Krautwurst, Culturing Bioscience: A Case Study in the Anthropology of Science (University of Toronto Press) Deirdre Kessler, Born! A Foal, Five Kittens, and Confederation (The Acorn Press) and Mother Country (Oberon Press)

Journal Special Issues: »

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Dr. Michael Arfken, guest co-editor (with Dr. Jeffery Yen), Journal of Theoretical & Philosophical Psychology, Volume 34, No. 1, 2014. “Special Issue: Psychology and Social Justice” (American Psychological Association) Dr. Annabel Cohen, Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, Volume 23, No. 4, 2013.

“Special Issue: Jazz Improvisation: Cognitive Perspectives” (guest co-editors: Dr. Martin Norgaard, Dr. Susan Rogers, Dr. Peter Vuust) (American Psychological Association) Dr. Annabel Cohen, Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, Volume 24, No. 1, 2014. “Special Issue: Interactions Between Emotion and Cognition in Music” (guest co-editors: Renee Timmers, Eduardo Coutinho) (American Psychological Association)

Another publication of note was launched in 2014. H. Wade

MacLauchlan, president emeritus of UPEI, chronicled a critical era of social, economic, and political change in PEI history in his book Alex B. Campbell: The Prince Edward Island Premier Who Rocked the Cradle (Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation), available online at alexbcampbell.ca in print, eBook, or audio book format. Proceeds from sales of the digital and audio books go to the Robertson Library.

PhD student Michel Arsenault wins CIHR silver award Michel Arsenault, a PhD student in biomedical sciences, received a silver award at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) National Student Research Poster Presentation during the 2014 Canadian Student Health Research Forum in Winnipeg in June 2014. Arsenault, who is supervised by Dr. Sunny Hartwig, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, presented a poster that outlined his research examining the factors that lead to the development of a healthy kidney, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to the appearance of kidney disease within specific animal models.

“We’re extremely proud of Michel’s research, and especially that he was recognized with this award,” says

Dr. Robert Gilmour, vice-president, UPEI Research and Graduate Studies. “His nomination to attend this conference recognized that he is within the top five per cent of graduate students within a health-related field in the entire country. That he should distinguish himself even further within that group is a real accomplishment.”

The Canadian Student Health Research Forum provides a venue for health research trainees from across Canada to present their work, meet leaders in science, and be recognized for the excellence of their contributions.

Michel Arsenault

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Dr. Sunny Hartwig honoured by Royal Society of Canada In September 2014 the Royal Society of Canada named 91 emerging scholarly, scientific, and artistic leaders to the inaugural cohort of its College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. Among them is Dr. Sunny Hartwig, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College. Hartwig’s research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control normal and disrupted kidney development. She completed her PhD at the Hospital for Sick Children in 2006, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School in 2009. Her research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and the Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training New Investigator Award. The Royal Society of Canada is Canada’s national academy and the senior national body of distinguished scholars, artists, and scientists. Hartwig was inducted into the College at a ceremony on November 21 in Quebec City. Congratulations, Sunny!

Dr. Sunny Hartwig The Royal Society of Canada’s 2014 Annual General Meeting Copyright 2014 Cosmos Image, All Rights Reserved

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Third Annual MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing UPEI recognized 51 students and two faculty and staff members for excellence in writing at the third annual MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing awards ceremony on November 14, 2014.

Students in UPEI’s University 100 program were well represented at the 2014 MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing awards ceremony. Pictured with Marjorie MacLauchlan and President Emeritus H. Wade MacLauchlan, are student recipients (L-R) Katherine Koughan, Ayodeji Ogunmadeji, Lucas Currie, Brittany Thompson, Katie Fullerton, Brett Roche, Krista Lee Oliver, and Jessica Smith.

UP SUPEI Do n t h a PORT or n k ED you

Created in 2011, the MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing recognize the importance of effective writing as a foundational skill for academic success and lifelong learning. The awards were established to honour H. Wade MacLauchlan’s contributions to the University and his service as president and vice-chancellor from 1999–2011.

“It’s an honour for me to host the MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing again this year,” says Dr. Christian Lacroix, vice-president academic at UPEI, who acted as master of ceremonies. “By celebrating writing excellence, these awards send a powerful message on the collective importance of writing across all disciplines. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients.”

Readers at the event included third-year science student Christian Norton and fourth-year arts student Brittany Thompson.

Norton read his submission about the beginning of his ongoing interest in biology and his plans upon graduation, which include medicine and dermatology. Thompson read an excerpt from her University 203: Introduction to Leadership e-portfolio.

Guest author Dave Atkinson, research communications officer at UPEI, read an excerpt from his new children’s book Wereduck.

The MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing distribute up to $30,000 annually in awards. The family has made previous contributions to the Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership, MacLauchlan Arena, Robertson Library, athletic scholarships, and student prizes in mathematics and entrepreneurship. For information about the awards, please contact the manager of Scholarships, Awards, and Financial Aid at (902) 620-5187.

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Dave Atkinson reads from his book at the awards ceremony.

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one-year Bachelor of education Programs UPEI’s Bachelor of Education programs (English and français langue seconde) are now being delivered in a compressed one-year format. The programs feature improved preparation for diverse teaching environments and enhanced attention to the development of the math and science skills required to successfully address these areas in the K-12 systems in PEI and across the country. The 20-week practicum and relevant courses ensure that graduates are classroom-ready and prepared to succeed. As a result, UPEI’s BEd graduates are sought by principals and employers.

In 2012 the Atlantic Veterinary College established the AVC Summer Academy, an academically based one-week program that gives undergraduates first-hand knowledge of the rigorous DVM degree program. Still relatively new, the program is already having an impact at AVC. Second-year DVM student Emily Clarke, shown here with Robi the horse, was the first Academy alumna to be accepted at AVC. Six students who entered the DVM program in 2014 participated in the AVC Summer Academy!

The programs also offer three specializations. In addition to the already popular international and indigenous areas of focus (where students travel the world for their practicum placements), BEd students may now pursue an adult education option, preparing them for employment outside traditional K-12 classrooms. Experience in the adult education area differentiates UPEI’s BEd graduates and provides them with abilities they can apply in a multitude of educational settings.

Dr. Ron MacDonald, dean

The first students began their studies in May of 2014 and will graduate in May of 2015. The Faculty of Education is now accepting applications for the May 2015 start. For more information, call (902) 620-5155 or visit upei.ca/bed

UPEI’s Climate Research Lab Wins Award CLIVE (Coastal Impact Visualization Environment), the coastal erosion visualization tool created

by UPEI’s Climate Research Lab and the Spatial Interface Lab at Simon Fraser University, took first place in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence contest on Communicating Coastal Risk and Resilience.

Nearly 600 projects were submitted to MIT’s Climate CoLab competition. Through support from the UPEI and PEI communities, CLIVE won the Popular Choice Award, determined by online voting. Learn more about CLIVE at projects.upei.ca/climate

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Some weather we’re having! 2015 PEI Weather Trivia Calendar, written by Dr. Adam Fenech, director, and Don Jardine, climate network manager, of the UPEI Climate Research Lab. This calendar brings PEI history to life with 365 stories about the weather here and its impact on Islanders’ lives over the past 150 years. Copies of the calendar can be ordered online at peiweathercalendar.ca. Proceeds go to UPEI’s Climate Research Lab.

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chancellor Don McDougall

(L-R) Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor; Don McDougall, UPEI’s eighth chancellor; and Tom Cullen, chair, UPEI Board of Governors

island native Don McDougall

I am deeply honoured and proud to be given the opportunity to serve you as chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.

installed as chancellor in 2014 Don McDougall, UPEI’s eighth chancellor, approaches the lectern—his audience, the Charlottetown Rotary Club—his topic, the great potential of the University of Prince Edward Island. He soon has the crowd enthralled, at times mixing politics with baseball analogies, and, at others, describing UPEI’s recent successes and achievements.

McDougall, is a study in contrasts—on the one hand, a gentle, generous man while, on the other, one known for making strategic and often difficult business decisions. While the Rotary appearance gives a glimpse into who McDougall is, his biography reveals more about why he is so inspiring. He has led multi-national companies like Labatt’s, turned lemons (the closure of CFB Summerside) into lemonade (Slemon Park Corporation), and brought major league baseball to Toronto in the form of the Blue Jays. He is also “an Island boy done good” and a family man who treasures his roots in Bloomfield, PEI, and the tenets of our University motto—faith, knowledge, service.

Chancellor McDougall’s first Convocation, May 2014

As chancellor, McDougall confers all certificates, diplomas, and degrees at the University’s Convocation ceremonies each spring. He sits on the UPEI Board of Governors, and he acts as an important liaison between the University and the community.

At an installation ceremony held on March 29, 2014, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz expressed his pleasure at McDougall’s appointment: “Today, we installed a new chancellor who is experienced at championing big and bold ideas. I am so pleased that Chancellor McDougall will provide insight and leadership as we continue to design our future at the University of Prince Edward Island.”

Chancellor McDougall with three of his grandchildren (left) and his wife, Marion (right)

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Chancellor Don McDougall

Don McDougall with SDU classmates in the early 1950s

McDougall is highly regarded for his strong connections to the business community in Canada, exceptional networking skills, and his deep interest in post-secondary education. He has had extensive involvement in the community, including as past chair of the University of Western Ontario Board of Governors and a nine-year term as a member on its Ivey Business School Advisory Board. In 1976 he was elected Canada’s “Baseball Man of the Year” and was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in bringing the Toronto Blue Jays to Canada.

During his installation address, McDougall spoke about his humble beginnings in a small community in western PEI, and how he came into his own at St. Dunstan’s University, reminiscing about the “old days” and the life-long friends and connections he made.

However, his focus quickly turned to his commitment to UPEI and how he plans to help the University move into the future.

“I am deeply honoured and proud to be given the opportunity to serve you as chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island. It’s at times like these that we are motivated to look back at all the good fortune with which we have been blessed, and which has led to this occasion. What excites me about this honour is the opportunity it presents for me to experience up close what this great institution is doing to develop our grandchildren’s generation.”

The McDougalls are no strangers to UPEI. McDougall is a graduate of St. Dunstan’s University (SDU), and his wife, Marion, is an alumna of both Prince of Wales College and SDU. In fact, the McDougalls met at SDU. They are great benefactors to UPEI; the innovative Don and Marion McDougall Hall, home to the School of Business, was named in their honour in 2008.

Currently, McDougall is president and CEO of Rambri Management, a real estate development company, and eJust Systems, a software firm focused on the justice sector, both located in Stratford, Ontario. Prior to these responsibilities, he had a long and illustrious career spanning the public and private sectors and in industries that included technology, aerospace, consumer goods, and entertainment. McDougall holds an MBA from Ivey Business School and an honorary doctorate from UPEI. Abd-El-Aziz appreciates the support and advice McDougall has provided thus far in his four-year term.

“Don has made special trips to PEI to attend meetings and speak at functions, representing UPEI in the most constructive of ways. His wealth of knowledge, deep family roots on PEI, and connections here and across the country are a huge help toward advancing our University mission.”

Don and Marion McDougall live in Stratford, Ontario, and have a summer residence in Ebbsfleet, PEI.

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learn Exp e r i e n t i a l l e a r n i n g

A different way to

exploring

the student experience

at UPEI

Sean Landsman

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ne of UPEI’s four strategic priorities is the “student experience.” UPEI is working to improve student learning and experiences by examining what and how we teach. In many courses, students have a unique opportunity to learn by getting out of the classroom and getting their hands dirty—sometimes literally.

Enhancing the student experience often means involving students in faculty research projects, complementing another UPEI priority, “exploration and discovery.”

Read on to see how UPEI is offering experiential learning opportunities and developing an increasingly integrated research culture that reaches into our classrooms and communities. .............................

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ean Landsman wades through the burbling, rushing waters of a small river in eastern Prince Edward Island. He wears a pair of hip waders and holds a small fishing net in his hand. He stands still eyeing a patch of water, and quickly scoops with his net. When he draws it out, it is filled with dozens of wriggling rainbow smelts.

“Whenever someone dams a river on PEI, they have to make accommodation for the migratory fish that need to get around it,” explains Landsman, a PhD student studying under Dr. Michael van den Heuvel, UPEI’s Canada Research Chair in Watershed Ecology Integrity.

“Ducks Unlimited approached us to do a study of the different types of structures that are built for the passage of these fish.”

Landsman is comparing two styles of structure. The first is a traditional pool and weir fish ladder, where fish swim up a series of pools that ascend in elevation. The speed of the water rushing through is often quite high and can be a challenge for smaller species. The second is called a natural fish way: essentially, a second smaller river built to go around the dam.

“We catch smelts downriver of the different structures and tag them with small electronic chips,” says Landsman. “When these fish swim past our equipment, they’re counted by a computer. We’re comparing data for the two styles of fish passageway and passing that information on to Ducks Unlimited.”

Landsman says it’s gratifying to know that the work he’s doing as part of his studies at UPEI will make a real difference to Prince Edward Island rivers and wildlife.

He says it’s a unique opportunity built on the expertise of UPEI research and good relationships with groups such as Ducks Unlimited.

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Exp e r i e n t i a l l e a r n i n g

(L-R) Adam McLean, Hanna Hameline, Phil Ferraro, and Mike Ogden

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sk Mike Ogden and Hanna Hameline what they got out of their internships as part of their Integrating Environmental Theory and Practice (ENV 301) course, and you’ll get two very different answers.

Both students spent 30 hours volunteering with The Farm Centre Association’s Legacy Garden Project—a community-based demonstration garden on the site of the Charlottetown Experimental Farm.

“For me, as an environmental biology major with an environmental studies minor, this was a fascinating project,” says Ogden. “Part of the Legacy Garden Project includes areas that will be set aside for growing heritage crops that you would have seen on the Island a hundred or more years ago. I spent my time investigating these heritage crops and researching high-yielding diseaseresistant fruit and nut trees and varieties of vegetables that can thrive without the addition of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.”

As part of his internship, Ogden built a list of potential crop species from various sources and brought it to the project’s landscape architects. He also worked closely with the project’s coordinators, Phil Ferraro and Adam McLean. Ogden says he found the work so fascinating that he’s considering pursuing a career in agricultural research.

Hameline’s experience with the project was just as positive. “I’m a sociology major with an environmental studies minor,” she says. “I got involved in the project’s proposed intergenerational garden, where people of different generations can work and learn together. It’s so exciting to imagine the opportunities.”

Dr. Carolyn Peach Brown, who teaches ENV 301, says internships such as Hameline’s and Ogden’s give students opportunities to put theory into practice and to gain valuable skills. Students spend 18 hours in class and 30 in their internships. They’re required to write weekly reflections about their internships and a paper related to their work.

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“It [an internship] also allows them to make contact with people working in environmental sustainability initiatives,” says Peach Brown. “Many of them go on to continue their relationships with these groups, in a volunteer or even work capacity.”

For Hameline, the experience was much greater than just the credit she received toward her degree. It changed her motivation from external—instructions from her teacher—to internal. She wanted to do the work because she enjoyed it.

“To be honest, I realized at one point it doesn’t matter what mark I get,” she says. “I’ve learned so much from this internship, it doesn’t even seem like work.”

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excellent. She was there to give us a nudge in the right direction, but she also made sure this was something we were doing ourselves.”

Glassford says the event was a success, thanks to the complementary skills of Emma and Greg. “It was interesting to see how they worked together,” she explains. “Greg is very outgoing, very social, and he showed a real talent for finding sponsors. Emma dug into the academic portion of the conference and took charge of things such as liaising with presenters. They worked very well together.”

More than forty papers were submitted to the conference from nine universities across the Atlantic provinces.

Glassford says every student who participated gained experience, and those who go on to graduate school or law school will already have an academic conference under their belts. For Trivett and Landry, she says, they now know how these sorts of events work from both sides of the conference table.

Postscript: Greg graduated in May 2014 with his BA. Emma is currently pursuing her honours degree in history. ........................

J Emma Trivett and Greg Landry

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t was like discovering a whole part of the University that I didn’t even know existed,” says Emma Trivett, one of two student chairs of the 2014 Atlantic Undergraduate History and Classics Conference (AUHCC). “It wasn’t an essay. It wasn’t a lecture. It was booking rooms, finding moderators, and arranging for funding. I was learning so much that I will use in the future.”

With assistance from history professor Sarah Glassford, Trivett organized the 2014 AUHCC, along with fellow student Greg Landry. “Emma had been to the conference the year before in Fredericton, so she had a good idea of what was expected,” Landry says. “I thought it was a great opportunity, and the guidance from Dr. Glassford was

ustin Shaw graduated in May 2014 with his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Theatre Studies. He auditioned in February 2014 for the National Theatre School. Earlier in 2014, UPEI Magazine asked Justin to write a first-person account of his audition:

“Waiting for an audition, most actors feel a mix of emotions. As I sat patiently in the waiting room before my audition for the National Theatre School, fear and excitement battled it out for supremacy within my psyche.

I had to take deep breaths to keep my nerves from getting the best of me.

Justin Shaw

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years, and helped me not only improve my performance “The experience of auditioning for a theatre school was skills but also become a well-rounded individual. I completely foreign to me, but the mixed feeling of fear learned about dedication, responsibility, and, perhaps and excitement was actually very familiar. As I waited most importantly, passion. my turn to audition, I was reminded of my first audition for the UPEI Theatre Studies’ production company, “I approached the audition with four Vagabond Productions. I had very years of experience under my belt, and little theatre experience, which left I learned about gave the best performance I could have me worried that I wouldn’t be good given. If I am accepted, my adventure enough to participate. Little did I dedication, is only just beginning. If not, there know that ‘good enough’ in the eyes is nothing in the world that can take of director Greg Doran simply meant responsibility, away all that I’ve gained from working that you were willing to step out of your comfort zone and try something and, perhaps most with such a great company. Memories of past Vagabond shows provide me new. Much to my bewilderment, I was cast in the show. I was given a small importantly, passion. not only with the comfort of nostalgia, but they also remind me of the skills role, allowing me the opportunity and confidence I acquired during my time at UPEI. My to observe my experienced peers as they flourished in time as a Vagabond provided me with memories and their environment. This made me eager to audition for friendships that will last a lifetime, as well as the courage next year’s show. I knew I could be good enough. to step out of my comfort zone, and follow my dreams.”

“I was welcomed back to the company for a second year.

Postscript: Justin wrote to UPEI Magazine to report that The sense of accomplishment I felt from being cast once his audition was successful. He started in the acting again was only matched by the sense of growth I felt as program at the National Theatre School in the fall of an actor, for I was able to hone my creative process and 2014. Congratulations, Justin! product. Vagabond welcomed me back the following two

Nursing students gain clinical experience abroad Ten student nurses enrolled in UPEI’s School of Nursing’s International Clinical Experience course took what they learned at the School and put it into practice in locations around the world. In the spring of 2014, students travelled to Sweden, England, Costa Rica, Honduras, and St. Lucia for three-week placements.

Isabelle D’Amour is one of two students who worked in a placement in Leeds, England. “I was able to observe how the nurse cares for her patients out in the community—in their homes,” says D’Amour. “I also learned a lot about myself. I learned to be more independent, self-directed, and confident, not only as a nursing student but as an individual.”

Isabelle D’Amour

Katherine Gallant

Katherine Gallant worked in Atenas, Costa Rica, in a private clinic run out of the home of a doctor. Gallant says she assisted at the clinic in a number of ways, including providing health-related information to English-speaking clients. “I would like to thank Pat MacPhail-Darrach and Dean Rosemary Herbert for all the work they put into organizing these placements for us. Without them, none of this would have been possible.” Learn more about UPEI’s School of Nursing at upei.ca/nursing

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school of sustainable design engineering

UPEI launches new

SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ENGINEERING

Hon. Gail Shea and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz

The University of Prince Edward Island’s highly anticipated School of Sustainable Design Engineering and Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships is a reality!

A standing-room-only crowd of people from UPEI and the Island community filled McMillan Hall in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on November 28, 2014, to celebrate the new School. The Honourable Allen Roach, minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, on behalf of Premier Robert Ghiz, announced $16 million for the new School, while the Honourable Gail Shea, minister of Fisheries and Oceans, representing the Honourable Rob Moore, minister of state for ACOA, announced $6 million for the new Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships. After a well-attended ground-breaking ceremony on December 4, the diggers moved in, and construction of a new 75,000 square-foot building began.

(L-R) Lucas MacArthur, president, UPEI Student Union; Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor, UPEI; Honourable Robert Ghiz, premier of Prince Edward Island; and Tom Cullen, chair, UPEI Board of Governors

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school of sustainable design engineering

Unique among engineering programs in Canada, the School of Sustainable Design Engineering will focus initially on bioresources, sustainable energy, and mechatronics. Using a team-based, hands-on approach, students and faculty will work alongside industry clients to design and develop sustainable value-added processes, products, and systems optimized to use resources responsibly and efficiently. Students can choose from two educational streams: UPEI’s new four-year Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering, or its existing two-year diploma program that directs them to traditional engineering fields such as mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering.

“Since 1955, the University has been educating talented engineers. We are building upon this strong track record,” says Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI. “Sustainable design engineering is the way of the future, and we will graduate students who will design solutions to help our Island, country, and world.”

In addition, the School will include four centres of excellence, under the umbrella of the Centre of Engineering Design and Industry Partnerships, for food processing, sensory and sortation, sustainable energy, and robotics. In these centres, students and faculty will work on pilot-scale industrial projects.

All of this will take place in a new, leading-edge building that will reflect the program’s focus on “real world” collaboration, problem solving, and innovation. A combination of two and three storeys, the building will feature experimentation labs, design studios, “smart” meeting rooms, seminar rooms, project ideation rooms, a green roof, and more. The heating and ventilation system will be used as a learning tool for students. Construction is expected to be completed by September 2016.

The School of Sustainable Design Engineering will be led by Dr. Nicholas Krouglicof, associate dean of engineering, who will work with the faculty, staff, and an advisory council made up of industry and academic leaders in the engineering field, to establish the School as a centre of engineering excellence and innovation.

Engineering Advisory Council » Co-chairs William E. (Bill) Andrew, chair and CEO of Long Run Exploration, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vicechancellor, UPEI » D. Blair MacLauchlan, president and general manager, Island Coastal Service Ltd. » Kelly Galloway, president, Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. » Stephen D. Smith, president and CEO, Strike Group Inc. » Dr. Manuel Becker, vice-president corporate engineering, J.D. Irving Limited » Steven Stewart, director of strategic sales, Vector Aerospace » Angus S. Orford, vice-president customer service, Maritime Electric » Michael Schurman, past-president, M.F. Schurman Company Limited » Dale Arndt, engineering manager, FANUC Canada Ltd. » Peter Fitzgerald, general manager, FANUC Canada Ltd. » Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr, professor and former dean of engineering, University of British Columbia

School of Sustainable Design Engineering faculty and staff joined President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz and the Honourable Allen Roach on December 4 at the ground-breaking ceremony: (L-R) Jeff Bowser, Elizabeth Osgood, Stephen Champion, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, Honourable Allen Roach, Dr. Wayne Peters, Dr. Sadegh Babaii, Dr. Hossein Ahari, Carol Heartz, and Don MacEwen

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Building relationships with alumni and Friends The Department of Development and Alumni Engagement works with, and on behalf of, UPEI’s alumni and friends. We organize and hold events, offer services and benefits of interest to graduates and members of our extended community, and develop and steward areas of institutional support that address your philanthropic priorities. We are proud of our founding institutions, St. Dunstan’s University and Prince of Wales College, and seek opportunities to recognize their important roles in UPEI’s history and its future. With the participation of our alumni and friends, we celebrate our past, support the present, and build a successful future for our University and our students. We thank you for your interest and generosity!

2014 has been a busy year of departmental development, celebratory events, and alumni activities. One of our most ambitious initiatives was the launching of eight new official alumni chapters—in Hong Kong, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, Boston, St. John’s, Toronto, and Halifax. These chapters provide an opportunity for alumni to connect, network, and share professional and personal experiences in locations where they now live and work. If you know of someone who would enjoy attending a chapter event in your area, please contact us at alumni@upei.ca. We would be pleased to update our invitation lists.

In late July 2014 UPEI celebrated Reunion Weekend. More than 600 alumni—our largest attendance ever—participated in 22 events, including the Panther Golf Classic tournament, the third annual all-years mixer, the naming of SDU Main Building, and the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni and the Young Inspiring Alumni Awards. We are committed to making Reunion Weekend an ever more inspiring event for alumni of all ages.

We look forward to seeing you this summer from July 23–26, 2015. Mark your calendar!

Myrtle Jenkins-Smith

Bruce Donaldson

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In October Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, executive director of the department, welcomed Bruce Donaldson as associate director. Bruce comes to the University following 27 years as a manager at Toronto Dominion Bank; he brings years of networking and community engagement skills to his new role. He is a familiar face on campus, having coached the UPEI women’s hockey team for the past nine seasons.

We encourage alumni, donors, and friends to stay up-to-date on campus happenings and events by subscribing to the Panther Connections e-newsletter at upei.ca/alumni. We also enjoy hearing directly from you! Please contact us at (902) 566-0687, alumni@upei.ca, or visit us in the historic Steel Building.

2014 Alumni Chapter Launches

Hong Kong (L-R) Minister Allen Roach, Innovation and Advanced Learning; Ambrose Lee (SDU’62); Oscar Tam (DipEng’70; BSc, BEd’71); Premier Robert Ghiz; Daniel Mok (DipEng’70); Tony Tam (BA’70); Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz; Deputy Minister Neil Stewart (BBA’94), Innovation and Advanced Learning

calgary (L-R) Jeff Ellis (BBA’06), Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, Jonathan McKearney (BBA’05), and Emily McIver (BBA’05)

Ottawa (L-R) Anthony Gill (BA’13), Timothy Cullen (BA’10), Ellen O’Brien, Anastasia Smallwood (BSc’14), Senator Percy E. Downe (BA’77)

vancouver (L-R) Bob Linegar (SDU’60); Ronald J. Baker, first president of UPEI; Joel Wonnacott (BA’11)

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Moments from Reunion Weekend 2014 2014 Distinguished Alumni and Young Inspiring Alumni Awards

E. Kent Stetson, C.M.; Trent Cousins; and Dr. Ameet Singh

The UPEI Alumni Association was delighted to present the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2014 Young Inspiring Alumni Awards to three recipients during Reunion Weekend.

Celebrated Canadian playwright, author, teacher, director, and mentor E. Kent Stetson, C.M. (BA’70) received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award, which commemorates a graduate for outstanding contributions to knowledge, the arts, the community, humanity, or the University.

Trent Cousins (BBA’09), entrepreneur and community-minded leader, and Dr. Ameet Singh (DVM’06), assistant professor of veterinary surgery, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, received Inspiring Young Alumni Awards. These awards honour a graduate under the age of 40 who has shown outstanding determination in achieving success at a young age. For further details, visit upei.ca/distinguished

onor UPEI DORTED SUPP k you than

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Digital Kiosk In 2003–2004 the SDU Class of 1954 established a legacy project, in partnership with the SDU Board of Governors and alumni of other years, to fund the digitization of SDU-related materials in the Robertson Library’s archival collection. The Library’s first virtual exhibit, The Golden Age of St. Dunstan’s University, 1945–1955, was launched at the 2004 SDU reunion. To mark the 10th anniversary of this partnership, UPEI launched an interactive kiosk in the Library foyer. The first virtual exhibit on the kiosk honours the 60th anniversary reunion of the SDU Class of ’54, and the 50th anniversary reunion of the SDU Class of ’64, celebrating the growth SDU experienced through the mid-1950s and early 1960s. The ongoing support of the SDU community and the leadership of the Class of ’54 has been instrumental in the Library’s success in developing some of the leading expertise and technology in Canada for the digitization and online sharing of library and archival materials.

Mrs. Janet Zakem, wife of the late Frank Zakem (SDU ’53, ’54, ’68), and her son Albert (BBA’93) stand beside a digital display kiosk in the Robertson Library. Frank Zakem was president of the SDU Class of ’54, an honorary degree recipient, and a UPEI Founder.

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Annual Panther Golf Classic A large field of alumni and friends enjoyed friendly competition on a sunny day in July during the annual Panther Golf Classic at Green Gables Golf Club in Cavendish.

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SDU Main Building

George MacDonald, chair of the SDU Board of Governors, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI president and vice-chancellor, stand in front of SDU Main Building’s new sign.

UPEI D SUPPORonor TED thank you

On July 25, 2014, the University held a special dedication ceremony to recognize the longstanding commitment of St. Dunstan’s University, its Board of Governors, and alumni to UPEI’s educational mission. At this celebration, UPEI announced that its most iconic structure—historic Main Building, former home to St. Dunstan’s College, and for many years the heart of St. Dunstan’s University—will now be known as SDU Main Building.

or on TED D EI R UP UPPO y o u k S Class of 1989 helps to launch UPEI’s new Alumni Reunion Giving Program an h t During the 2014 Reunion Weekend, members of the UPEI Class of 1989 celebrated 25 years since their graduation.

To commemorate this occasion, the life executive chose to give back to UPEI by contributing funds remaining from their graduation festivities to purchase equipment for the University.

In addition, they’ve helped to launch UPEI’s new alumni reunion giving program, created to provide support for current and future students. The Class of 1989 has established a fund that will grow through annual gifts made by classmates. Once the fund reaches its goal of $15,000, the Class of 1989 will establish an award for UPEI students that will be granted annually in perpetuity.

If your class is interested in establishing a reunion gift, please contact UPEI’s alumni engagement coordinator at (902) 566-0687 or alumni@upei.ca

Lisa Doyle-MacBain, president, UPEI Class of 1989

Annual PWC Luncheon UPEI was pleased to welcome alumni to the annual PWC luncheon held at Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, on July 27. Many alumni in attendance celebrated milestone years, with good food and great company enjoyed by all! View additional photos of Reunion Weekend events by visiting flickr.com/photos/upei-alumni

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The UPEI Alumni Association

(Seated L-R) Bruce Davison (BA’93), past-president; Ryan Bradley (BBA’94, MBA’11), treasurer; Andrew Bartlett (BBA’92), member-at-large. Bradley and Bartlett are the alumni representatives on the UPEI Board of Governors.

(Standing L-R) Lucas MacArthur, president, UPEI Student Union; Colleen Parker (BIS’14), member-at-large and alumni representative on the UPEI Senate; Alicia Bremner (BBA’09), president; and Claudia DeBlois (PWC’69), secretary. Missing: Lisa Doyle-MacBain (BBA’89), member-at-large, and Curtis Toombs (BBA’00), vice-president.

The UPEI Alumni Association is a network of more than 23,000 graduates of Prince of Wales College, St. Dunstan’s University, and the University of Prince Edward Island who live in over fifty countries and whose graduation years span eight decades. Each year hundreds of new graduates join this impressive network, strengthening our Panther Pride. Shown here is the 2014–2015 board of directors elected at the Association’s annual general meeting in June.

The Association encourages all alumni and friends to stay connected with UPEI by visiting upei.ca/alumni and signing up for its monthly enewsletter Panther Connections. The site also offers information about alumni benefits.

Arts grad powers his way to CEO When Bob Hanf began his studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Prince Edward Island in 1983, he never expected to end up leading Nova Scotia Power, one of the largest companies in his home province of Nova Scotia.

A few years later, the Yarmouth native, armed with his UPEI Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, pursued a law degree at Dalhousie University. He began charting his career path with his next move as he worked in western Canada’s energy sector before returning to Nova Scotia in 2002.

Hanf spent a decade in various senior roles with the Emera group of companies, earning valuable experience and demonstrating a deep commitment to building relationships and enhancing customer service.

Before joining Nova Scotia Power, he served as executive chairman of Light & Power Holdings in Barbados. Prior to his position in the Caribbean, Hanf was chief legal officer for Emera, and president and chief operating officer at Bangor Hydro Electric Company in Maine. He was appointed president and chief executive officer of Nova Scotia Power in January 2013.

Bob Hanf

Hanf serves his community as vice-chair of the IWK Health Centre Board and as a member of the Dalhousie University Board of Governors. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (Atlantic Chapter) and recently completed his master of divinity degree at the Atlantic School of Theology.

In March 2013, Hanf returned to UPEI—his first visit since he graduated—as guest speaker at the University 100 Vern Smitheram and Andy Robb Leadership Development Series on the theme of “Leadership, A Call to Service.” He engaged students and the community in a discussion about the theory and practice of leadership.

He has also been instrumental in helping establish the Halifax chapter of UPEI Alumni and Friends, hosting an initial gathering in November 2013 at Nova Scotia Power’s headquarters. That event led to the establishment of the official chapter, which was launched in November 2014.

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“Come to the Table”

Colleen Keefe Malone Terrace

Attending the naming ceremony were: (1) Dr. Greg Keefe, Leonard Malone, Leonard Keefe, Blair Keefe, Brian Keefe, Janice Keefe, Marion Clorey, Terry Keefe, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz; and (2) Colleen Keefe Malone’s son, Jason Malone with his wife, MaryBeth; her daughter, Leslie Malone; and her husband, Leonard Malone. Shown here in a family photograph (3) is Colleen Keefe Malone (third from right), with her mother, Genevieve Keefe (seated) and her siblings Janice, Greg, Marion, Brian, Terry, Ron, Blair, and Leonard.

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n April 21, 2014, the University of Prince Edward Island officially named the Colleen Keefe Malone Terrace in memory of UPEI alumna, the late Colleen Keefe Malone. Located adjacent to Don and Marion McDougall Hall, home of UPEI’s School of Business, the new terrace features a granite memorial, stonework, a table, and benches.

to human resource management, she was a constant support to her immediate and extended family. She was our core, encouraging each of us, celebrating our successes, and sustaining us through challenges.”

In her memory, the Keefe family, and Colleen’s husband, Leonard Malone, made a leadership gift commitment to UPEI. This gift supports the Colleen Keefe Malone Memorial Scholarship, an annual award recognizing a business student in good academic standing who intends to pursue a career in human resource management. The University is grateful to the Keefe “Colleen provided inspiration to family, friends, and colleagues,” says Dr. and Malone families for memorializing Colleen Greg Keefe, Colleen’s brother and incoming dean of the Faculty of Veteri- through this gift, which will continue to benefit nary Medicine. “In addition to her exceptional professional contribution students into the future.

In 1971 Colleen was the first woman to graduate from the UPEI School of Business. She went on to a noteworthy career in human resources, serving as a director of the PEI Civil Service Commission for many years. She and her eight siblings all attended UPEI, each becoming leaders in their chosen professions. In 2011 the Keefe and Malone families were deeply saddened to lose Colleen to illness at the age of 61. She was the beloved wife of Leonard Malone and devoted mother of Leslie and Jason.

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Throughout the spring and summer—and well into the fall—students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus can be found enjoying fresh air and sunshine at the Colleen Keefe Malone Terrace. The gatherings are often spontaneous, with passers-by stopping to greet each other and chat. This is the kind of interaction that Colleen Keefe Malone would have encouraged, and those who knew her are reminded of this when people gather at the terrace.

Engraved around the circumference of the granite table at the centre of the terrace are the words: “Come to the table. In her career, Colleen Keefe Malone was well respected both at the boardroom and the bargaining table. With family and friends her table was a place of celebration. As a person of faith, breaking bread at the table inspired her to reach out to others. For all who gather here, may this be a place of peace and all that is good.”

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Whe y no In 2013 Rhonda was th named chief mental health

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and addictions officer for PEI. She received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor. She has over twenty years of clinical psychology experience in community mental health, education, and the private sector. Rhonda has been active in provincial and national psychology organizations for many years.

She and her husband, Allan, have three children: Jonathan, Caitlin, and Alex.

After attending PWC for three years, John earned a BSc and an MSc (Dalhousie University) and a PhD (University of Alberta). He was awarded a Medical Research Council of Canada postdoctoral fellowship at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

He joined the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre and Dalhousie University in 1979, and became head of Medical Physics in 1989 and a full professor in 2002. He works part-time at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists.

Todd graduated with his BA (honours) in English. He has worked for CBC TV and Radio on PEI as a commentator on the environmental and entertainment beats. He works as a columnist for The Guardian and as a freelance journalist. He is creator and editor-in-chief of Global Chorus: 365 Voices on the Future of the Planet, which reached number one on Amazon.ca’s list of environmental titles before it was published in the fall of 2014. Todd is also a wellknown musician who plays alto saxophone, piano, and guitar.

Dr. Rhonda Matters (BA’86)

Dr. John Andrew (PWC’65)

todd maclean (BA’00)

Brad joined Timeless Technologies as a junior developer in 2000, following a UPEI Co-op student work term, and worked part-time for the company for the remainder of his time as a student. In 2007 he and his business partner purchased the company. He is now partner and CTO of Timeless Technologies, Timeless Medical Systems, and Timeless Veterinary Systems. Brad also launched a not-for-profit company that builds web products and donates the generated income to medical research charities.

Loretta graduated from UPEI in 1990 and UNB Law School in 1994.

She was admitted as a member of the Law Society of PEI in 1995 and received her Queen’s Counsel designation in 2013. Currently manager of the family law section of the PEI Department of Environment, Labour and Justice, she represents PEI on the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials-Family Justice. Loretta has been active in the Law Society of PEI, having served as president in 2012–2013.

Tracy began her teaching career at Greenfield Elementary in Summerside, PEI. She then taught at Amherst Cove in Borden-Carleton before moving back to Summerside where she served as vice-principal and then principal of Elm Street Elementary. An exemplary instructional leader, Tracy is committed to student and staff achievement. In 2014 she was named one of the Top 40 Outstanding Principals in Canada by the Learning Partnership, a national public education advocacy charity.

Brad Pineau (BSc’03)

Loretta Coady MacAulay, QC (BA’90)

Tracy Beaulieu (BEd’94)

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Enjoying a relaxed moment on one of the park benches The University of Prince Edward Island’s Department purchased through donations to UPEI’s Annual Fund of Music purchased practice chairs and performance are Keefe Deighan, student spokesperson; hall lighting with the assistance of Rose Barbour, annual giving and database UPEI’s Annual Fund. The new seats and UPEI Donor coordinator; and Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, lighting improve the student experience SUPPORTED executive director, Development and for our talented young musicians as they thank you Alumni Engagement. Placed at various prepare for classes and performances. locations on campus, the benches provide Pictured here in rehearsal are second» Annual Fund « welcoming seating areas for students, facyear students Emily Proude (saxophone) A big thank-you ulty, staff, and visitors to campus. and Sean McIntyre (trumpet).

to our generous donors!

Your contributions make a difference every day at UPEI. One gift. Any amount.

Every year! upei.ca/donate

Panther athletes gather in front of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, wearing their coordinated “walk-out gear” purchased through the UPEI Annual Fund. Looking good in the green and white are (back row L-R) Nathan Ford, soccer; Milorad (Miki) Sedlarevic, basketball; Stefan Vujisic, basketball; and Jeff Moore, soccer; (front row L-R) MacKenzie Deighan, field hockey; Samantha Sweet, ice hockey; Lucas Holmes, soccer; Ellis Ffrench, basketball; Kalie MacKinnon, volleyball; and Kennedy Laybolt, rugby.

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The University’s Concussion Injury Research and Evaluation Clinic received assistance from the UPEI Annual Fund to purchase equipment for an exercise program being developed and tested for its effectiveness in facilitating recovery from concussion. The research is led by Dr. William J. Montelpare, the Margaret and Wallace McCain Chair in Human Development and Health, and a professor in Applied Human Sciences. He is pictured here with undergraduate student researchers Michelle Trenholm (left) and Robyn Connors (centre).

onor UPEI DORTED SUPP k you than

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(L-R) Dr. Leigh Lamont, associate dean of AVC’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs; Mila Profit (Class of 2017), Prince Edward Island; Deirdra Johnson (Class of 2016), Newfoundland and Labrador; Nicholas Oakley (Class of 2016), Nova Scotia; Sandra and Arthur Irving; Robin Hampton (Class of 2016), New Brunswick

AVC improves facilities with generous donation

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hanks to a generous gift of $1 million from Arthur and Sandra Irving, the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) has enhanced the facilities it offers to clients and their animals in the newly renovated space, named the Arthur and Sandra Irving Community Care Clinic.

In an April 2011 letter to H. Wade MacLauchlan, president of UPEI from 1999–2011, Arthur and Sandra wrote: “Many thanks for all you have done for us and especially our dogs—Tilley, Winslow, Charlie, Skye, Dinah, Elga, Dottie—if they could say thank you, they would. You have always been there for us when we needed you most. Please accept this donation as an expression of our gratitude to the Atlantic Veterinary College and your wonderful doctors and staff.”

The Arthur and Sandra Irving Community Care Clinic includes new and larger spaces for the AVC Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s cardiology and community practice clinics. And for the first time since the hospital opened in 1988, the reception area has been renovated and redecorated with comfortable bench-style seating upholstered with animal-friendly material, installation of big-screen

televisions, and new flooring. Other improvements include a new consultation room for owners of large animals and improved work space for the hospital’s front-desk staff.

“On behalf of the University, I thank Mr. and Mrs. Irving for their leadership gift in support of AVC,” says Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI. “They are supporting our Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which provides top-quality professional services to clients and their animals, and plays an essential role in the education of future veterinarians.”

Dr. Etienne Côté, veterinary cardiologist, and Dr. Anne Marie Carey, community practice veterinarian, are pleased with the new dedicated spaces for their respective services.

“This gift has allowed us to continue to build on the allimportant relationship between our faculty, staff, and students, and our clients and our community,” says Côté, “and to continue to offer clients and their animals the advanced and compassionate care we are known for.”

“We are very lucky to have this new dedicated space in which to provide care to our patients and their owners,” says Carey, adding her words of thanks to Arthur and Sandra Irving.

Dr. Etienne Côté, Dr. Leigh Lamont, Arthur and Sandra Irving, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz at the plaque unveiling ceremony in the Arthur and Sandra Irving Community Care Clinic

Dr. Megan Robertson (Class of 2014) with canine patient

Standing in a section of the newly renovated space are students Brad Caissie (Class of 2016), Ashley Sheen (Class of 2015), Melissa Gaulton (Class of 2014), and Zong Yang (Robert) Gao (Class of 2017).

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fif t e e n t h a n n u a l r e c o g n i t i o n o f f o u n d e r s

2014 recognition of founders

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Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and unshine set the tone for UPEI’s fifUPEI’s Recognition of vice-chancellor of UPEI. Students Luteenth Recognition of Founders cas MacArthur, Joy Ang, and Leah Inceremony on September 25, 2014. The Founders ceremony man delivered the citations for the 2014 annual ceremony celebrates those who brings us together as a Founders—Dulcinea Andrews, Joy have contributed to the University in a community to honour Ikede, and Dr. Frances Gray. Dr. Ian significant way. A colourful procession, Dohoo was this year’s recipient of the led by macebearer Lucas MacArthur, those who have helped to Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green president of the UPEI Student Union; build the University of Hat Award, which pays tribute to indimarshall Dr. Susan Dawson; and piper Prince Edward Island. viduals for their significant contribuMatthew MacLaine, made its way from tions to the Atlantic Veterinary College Don and Marion McDougall Hall to (AVC). Dr. Larry Hammell, a professor at AVC and a former the steps of historic SDU Main Building. A large crowd of graduate student of Dr. Dohoo, delivered the citation for the colleagues, students, family, and friends was welcomed by Green Hat Award. Congratulations to the recipients!

Tom Cullen, chair of the UPEI Board of Governors, and Dulcinea Andrews has a long and outstanding history of contributing to the University as a student leader, board member, and alumna of PWC and UPEI. Involved in UPEI since its establishment in 1969, she is an active member of our campus community.

As international student advisor, Joy Ikede worked to raise awareness of intercultural education on campus through events such as International Development Week, and assisted international students through the establishment of support systems such as an emergency fund and the Society of International Students.

(L-R) UPEI’s 2014 Founders—Joy Ikede, Dr. Frances Gray, and Dulcinea Andrews

Dr. Frances Gray, award-winning pianist and professor emerita, taught generations of musicians during her 45-year career at UPEI. She has performed around the world and has recorded three solo piano CDs, all of which were nominated for East Coast Music Awards.

Dr. Ian Dohoo has built the global reputation of AVC’s epidemiology program, leading to the creation of the UPEI Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research. With over 200 publications and many graduate students, he has contributed to the international profile enjoyed by UPEI and AVC. His many awards include being named a Fellow of the prestigious Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

(L-R) Dr. Larry Hammell, Dr. Ian Dohoo, and Dr. Dan Hurnik, interim dean of AVC

Prior to the Recognition of Founders ceremony, UPEI held its second annual donor picnic. The event recognizes scholarship donors for their support of student achievement.

Linthia Peltier, fourth-year business student, and Mark Nabuurs, PhD student, spoke at the event and, on behalf of all UPEI students, thanked donors for their generosity. President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz also expressed his appreciation to donors.

e seco e to th Welcom

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UPEI’s Annual Engineering Expo Design your future! UPEI’s annual engineering expo, held in April 2014, provided an interactive opportunity for engineering students to showcase their innovative design projects. More than 200 high school students, community members, and PEI Science Fair students attended the expo to learn about engineering and the vital role the profession plays in improving life at home and around the globe.

Teams of engineering students demonstrated their projects which were designed to provide solutions to address clients’ challenges. The projects were the result of months of collaborative work between students, faculty, and community members, with each project undergoing a rigorous research, analysis, building, and testing process. Project clients ranged from an aerospace partner in PEI to a nonprofit organization in Africa.

UPEI Department of Engineering Leadership, Analysis, and Communication Awards

Thank you to the following UPEI engineering clients for their valuUPE SUPPI Donor able contribution to our students’ OR education and experiences: Farm t h a n TED k you Centre Association, The Mount Continuing Care Community, Country View Farms, Dr. Bill Whelan of the UPEI Department of Physics, Magine Snowboards, Mikinduri Children of Hope, PEI Bag Company, Vector Aerospace, UPEI Student Union, and UPEI Engineering.

Thanks to Engineers PEI for your outstanding commitment to, and mentorship of, our students.

Congratulations to the following award winners who were recognized for their outstanding effort and achievement!

Noel MacAleer Award The Noel MacAleer Award was established by the Engineering Class of 1979 in tribute to their late classmate. Mrs. Blanche MacAleer, Noel’s mother, congratulates 2014 award recipient Joshua Kelly.

Displaying their awards are (L-R) Emma MacKay, leadership; Vuk Stajic, analysis; Emily Dennis, communication; Brent Simmonds, analysis; Keilah Bias, communication. ........................................................................................................

Engineers PEI Team Design Awards

(L-R) Sean Wheeler, PEng, president of Engineers PEI, congratulates first-year team members Marc Thibodeau, Amy Andrews, Brent Simmonds, and Saheed Alatishe for their winning project, A SmallScale Interactive Demonstration of Farming Practices.

(L-R) Second-year team members Keilah Bias, Alex Gamble, Spencer Montgomery, and Daniel Larsen, with their award-winning project, The Mikinduri Children of Hope Charcoal Press. They will present their winning design at the 122nd annual American Society for Engineering Education Conference and Exposition in Seattle, Washington, in June 2015.

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UPEI professor honoured for contribution to island history Dr. Edward MacDonald, associate professor of history, has been honoured by Heritage Canada The National Trust for his contributions to the study and promotion of Island history. He was awarded the 2014 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Heritage Conservation.

Known to many, including his students, as “Dr. Ed,” MacDonald has been an important part of PEI’s heritage community for three decades— as an editor, curator, teacher, policy advisor, heritage advocate, author, poet, and public speaker.

With a BA in History and English from UPEI, and an MA and PhD from Queen’s University, he began his career in 1985 at the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and in 2000 joined the Department of History at UPEI. He has written five books, co-authored two more, edited two anthologies of Island history, and written or co-authored almost 50 articles for publications like Acadiensis, Dalhousie Review, The Dictionary of Canadian Biography, and The Island Magazine.

Honourable H. Frank Lewis and Dr. Edward MacDonald Photo courtesy of Heritage Canada The National Trust

MacDonald’s academic work is grounded in an interest in the community’s interaction with both the natural and built environment. A thorough and meticulous scholar with encyclopedic knowledge and a flair for making it accessible, he has devoted his career—and a great deal of his personal time—to helping his community understand that heritage is something to be treasured.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Award is one of the national awards given by Heritage Canada The National Trust for outstanding contributions to Canadian heritage. MacDonald and other recipients were honoured in October 2014 at a ceremony in Charlottetown with the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island.

r onoED D I T UPEPPOR o u U y S nk a h labour of love: Bill LeClair and the calgary Friends of UPEI t “When I was first approached to organize a dinner for UPEI alumni in the Calgary area, I thought, ‘I need this like I need a hole in my head,’” jokes William (Bill) LeClair from his office at the LeClair Thibeault law firm in Calgary, where he is a senior partner. “But when your hometown alma mater comes looking for help, you just can’t walk away. And I’m glad I didn’t.”

LeClair graduated from UPEI in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He later earned his law degree at Dalhousie Law School Bill LeClair and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1977. In the fall of 1997, UPEI approached LeClair, along with Lou MacEachern, George Rogers, Maureen Lawless (BA’70, BEd’71), Gordon Bell (BA’74, BEd’75), Carl Cheverie (SDU’66), and Rosemary Burns (SDU’67), with the idea of hosting an event for Calgary alumni of UPEI.

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“We thought something for just alumni might limit the event, so we created what’s now known as the Calgary Friends of UPEI,” explains LeClair. “And it’s been running for 17 years.”

The event in 1998 raised more than $25,000 to support Alberta students attending UPEI. The dinner is now an annual event that includes a silent auction and entertainment from the Island. Funds raised by the Friends are managed by The Calgary Foundation: nearly $40,000 in bursaries are distributed annually to UPEI students from Alberta.

“It’s a lot of work, I will say that, for me, and the rest of the hard-working folks who put these dinners together,” says LeClair. “But it is a labour of love. Every year, the energy in the room is overwhelming. I always tell people you don’t understand unless you’ve been there. It’s a nice feeling.”

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Guardians of Confederation Hosted by UPEI with the assistance of Prince Edward Island 2014 Inc., the Guardians of Confederation Youth Conference took place in Charlottetown from November 19–23. Two students from each province and territory, plus 24 Island students between the ages of 14 and 17, met to “re-imagine Canada.” Students attended the prestigious annual Symons Lecture at the Confederation Centre of the Arts and met with human rights activist Stephen Lewis, 2014 speaker and recipient of the Symons Medal. Other conference events included a visit to the PEI Legislature and a tour of UPEI. The students worked with UPEI mentors as they reflected upon the current state, and future, of our country.

University Librarian Mark Leggott (L) and Vice-President Academic Christian Lacroix (R) with two Guardians of Confederation student conference participants at the President’s Welcome Reception held at Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall

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Rewarding excellence Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit

President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz with award recipient, Dr. Jerry Wang

President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz with award recipient, Dr. Debbie MacLellan

UPEI’s annual Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit and 25-year Service Awards were presented to faculty and staff on May 7, 2014. The awards recognize outstanding performance and dedication to students and our community—on-campus, provincially, and globally.

Recipients of Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for Faculty and Librarians were Dr. Doug Dahn, Science; Dr. Debbie MacLellan, Science; Dr. Shannon Murray, Arts; Dr. Jamie Burr, Science; Dr. Ian Gardner, Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Edward MacDonald, Arts; and Dr. Greg Doran, Arts.

Hessian Awards for Excellence in Teaching and the UPEI Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement

(L-R) Amy MacFarlane, Richard Schneider, Dr. Gordon MacDonald, Dr. Spencer Greenwood

Staff were recognized with Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for exemplary service (Kate Graham, Applied Human Sciences; Debbie McKie, Human Resources; Dr. Jerry Wang, International Relations); campus spirit (Angela Marchbank, Athletics and Recreation); volunteer and community service (Doug Burton, Information Technology Systems and Services; Sharon Thompson, Facilities Management); and support and student success (Lori Cummings, Student Affairs).

At the annual Faculty Recognition Night event held later that evening, Hessian Awards for Excellence in Teaching were presented to Amy MacFarlane, School of Business, and Dr. Gordon MacDonald, Mathematics and Statistics. A Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching by a sessional instructor was presented to Richard Schneider, Environmental Studies. The UPEI Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement was awarded to Dr. Spencer Greenwood, Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

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‘Can you please help my puppy?’

Youngsters fill The McCain Foundation Learning Commons at AVC, eager to have their favourite stuffed toys checked over by veterinary students. The teddy bear clinic is one of the most popular features of AVC Open House, held each September since 1988. AVC Open House has become a traditional yearly event for many people from PEI and beyond.

Young visitors to the 2014 AVC Open House attend the teddy bear clinic held in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons, seeking veterinary assistance for their stuffed toys.

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Mentoring the next generation of scientists Harini Balasundaram’s face is a picture of concentration as she peers through a microscope under the guidance of Dr. Sunny Hartwig, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College.

From February to late April of 2014, Balasundaram, then a grade 12 student at Charlottetown Rural High School, worked with Hartwig and her team at AVC as part of the 2014 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada competition. During this annual competition, Canadian high school students put their scientific knowledge and research skills to work as they investigate some difficult problems—from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease to issues with crops and the environment.

For the competition, Balasundaram was looking for a mentor, and a friend suggested Hartwig who is passionate about science—and about involving young people in science.

The Sox4 transcription factor plays an essential role in the proliferation of cells in the development of kidneys at the embroyonic stage. If it is not present, not many cells proliferate, and the Dr. Sunny Hartwig with kidney will not form properly.

Harini Balasundaram As well, Sox4 inhibits cell death in kidneys. Cells multiply and die as part of a natural process. But if Sox4 is not present, more cell death occurs than should, resulting in kidneys that do not function properly.

“Failure of the kidneys to develop properly because of the lack of Sox4 can lead to end-stage renal failure,” says Hartwig, “and the only treatment options at present are dialysis or transplant.”

“Students like Harini represent the future of science in Canada,” says Hartwig. “I consider it a great responsibility and honour to contribute to the success of the next generation of scientific research in Canada.”

In addition to her high school studies, Balasundaram spent about 12–15 hours per week in Hartwig’s lab during the project, counting cells on slides under an immunofluoroscope. Her hours in the lab—on Fridays and on weekends— proved to her that scientific research is what she wants to do.

Balasundaram worked with Hartwig to investigate the role that a transcription factor called Sox4 plays in the development of human kidneys—and the problems that arise when it is not present. A transcription factor is a protein that binds to a specific DNA sequence, controlling the flow of genetic information from mRNA—or messenger RNA.

“I absolutely loved it,” she says, adding that her main interest is medicine. “I have always loved biology and research.”

Balasundaram’s hard work and Hartwig’s mentorship paid off for the young student. She is now studying biomedical sciences at the University of Ottawa, with the ultimate goal of entering the medical profession.

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Island Girls are wise WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) held a day-long engineering, math, and technology camp at UPEI on May 2, 2014, for 52 girls in grades 7 to 9 from across Prince Edward Island.

engineering project, practising programming skills, building a solar panel, and performing chemical experiments.

They also spoke with female mentors currently working in the science, engineering, and technology fields. An Engineers Without Borders project called Water for the World provided context for the students to discuss global issues and how they impact science and engineering.

WISE

The camp exposed participants to hands-on science activities and career information with the aim of attracting female students to science, engineering, and technology fields. Campers learned about engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer programming through a variety of activities that included participating in an international development

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“Girls Get WISE” is an initiative of WISE Atlantic, IslandWISE (Women in Science and Engineering), Engineers PEI, and ITAP (Innovation and Technology Association of PEI), in conjunction with faculty from UPEI’s Departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering.

athletics and recreation

ATHLETICS AND RECREATION Welcome, Chris Huggan!

UPEI’s new Director of Athletics and Recreation no stranger to Panther Sport Chris Huggan, director of Athletics and Recreation at UPEI, grew up at the Charlottetown Forum, and the University’s athletic facilities, cheering on the Panthers.

Now, Huggan is leading the Department of Athletics and Recreation, also known as “Panther Sport,” which comprises nine varsity teams, numerous club teams, and intramural Chris Huggan and fitness programming. His role also includes the management of the University’s state-of-the-art sport facilities—UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place, the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, and the artificial turf field. UPEI has almost 200 student-athletes competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) system.

Huggan acquired experience working in an educational environment over the last nine years, teaching physical education and managing the athletics department at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown.

“I see a bright future for UPEI Athletics and Recreation, one that will connect not only student-athletes with other university students, but with youth and adults across our province,” says Huggan. “I know the impact the Panthers have on kids in our community because, at one time, I was one of them.” Huggan began his five-year position on November 10, 2014, after a community-based search process. ........................................................................................................

Rugby player Shanda Mosher-Gallant honoured by CIS Shanda Mosher-Gallant is the first UPEI athlete to be honoured with a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Student-Athlete Community Service Award since the inception of the awards in 2009. Mosher-Gallant accepted her award at the All-Canadian Rugby Gala in Guelph, Ontario, in October 2014. The fourth-year science student and rugby player also received an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Student-Athlete Community Service Award earlier in the same month.

In the summer of 2014, Mosher-Gallant, originally from Wellington, PEI, spearheaded the creation of a rookie rugby program in the western part of the province. Rookie rugby is Rugby Canada’s non-contact introduction to the game for youth of all ages. Mosher-Gallant secured funding, managed the bulk of advertising and marketing tasks, and contributed financially to purchase equipment for U10 and U12 rugby participants. Thanks to her community-minded efforts, PEI hosted its first-ever mini rugby game in late August.

Shanda Mosher-Gallant Photo by Karyn Stepien

Mosher-Gallant has her level one coaching certification and attended Rugby Canada’s rookie rugby training session in Halifax in October 2014.

Support your Panther teams!

Visit gopanthersgo.ca to view the schedule of upcoming games.

To contact Athletics and Recreation, call (902) 566-0715 or email panthers@upei.ca facebook.com/upeiathletics

@UPEIPanthers

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athletics and recreation

UPEI Men’s Soccer Panthers make history in CIS soccer play UPEI Men’s Soccer Panthers made history on November 9, 2014, as the first Panther soccer team to win a national CIS competition medal. Playing on their home turf, the UPEI team defeated the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) Citadins 2–1 in the bronze medal game. Earlier in the tournament, UPEI’s 1984–85 men’s soccer team was named the honorary chair of the CIS championships, with team members recognized at half-time during a hard-fought quarter-final game between UPEI and the Saskatchewan Huskies. UPEI won the game by a score of 2-0 in overtime play, advancing to the semi-finals. The ry honora te am , r recognition of the 1984–85 team marked an emotional moment of e t c n c e o r en’s s -R) T PEI m die ips: (L UPEI Panther Pride when an outstanding alumni team and a current 4–85 U Championsh cKenzie, Gor 8 9 1 e h a t r f e M c o c s n o r S championship team came together in support of each other, Panther , Do e mb e Men’s a cL e a n Some m he 2014 CIS ay n e M d a m t W Sport, and UPEI. Congratulations! f , y o h A ac ur p hair c M M n d re w , Mitch Hayes oach), and A (c Wil son

The 1984–85 UPEI men’s soccer team won the AUAA title after an undefeated season and reached the semi-finals of the CIAU championship that year.

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mark your calendar

MARK YOUR

2015

CALENDAR!

Panther Academy!

book your camps now!

UPEI offers camps throughout the year for children of all ages. Book your summer camps now. Visit pantheracademy.ca

Convocation Join with the UPEI community as we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2015 and wish them well with the next stage of their lives.

2015 Panther Golf Classic

May 9

The tournament begins at 12:30 pm at the Belvedere Golf Club in Charlottetown. Register your team at gopanthersgo.ca

June 11

Reunion weekend Connect with your friends and former classmates for a fun-filled weekend. For information, visit upei.ca/reunionweekend

July 23–26

Welcome Day New and returning students and their families are invited to Don and Marion McDougall Hall for an introduction to the UPEI campus.

September 5

Panther Varsity Sport Another exciting season of varsity sport action gets underway! Visit gopanthersgo.ca for season tickets and schedules.

Recognition of Founders Ceremony

Underway in September

This annual ceremony celebrates those who have contributed to the University and the Atlantic Veterinary College in a significant way.

September 24

AVC Open House The Atlantic Veterinary College hosts one of the largest and most successful open houses in Atlantic Canada. Everyone is welcome to attend!

New Year’s Levee

September 26

UPEI welcomes all members of the community to campus to celebrate the start of 2016. Don and Marion McDougall Hall, 11:30 am–1:00 pm.

January 1

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Projet : Annonce MMI 2015 Client : TD Assurance

Province : PEI Publication : UPEI Magazine

Épreuve # : 3 Date de tombée : 11/05/2014