Two members of the UPEI community awarded Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

Two distinguished members of the UPEI community were among the recipients of The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, awarded yesterday by David Johnson, Governor General of Canada. Colleen Bannon, Clinical Nursing Instructor and Continuing Education Program Coordinator for UPEI’s School of Nursing; and, Dr. William Whelan, Professor of Physics, were recognized to their commitment to their communities through volunteering and service.

The citations from the Governor General read:

Colleen Bannon is a strong supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and represents the organization at health fairs across Prince Edward Island. As a volunteer and ambassador, she performs blood pressure checks and educates the public on cardiovascular health throughout the province.

William Whelan has been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 10 years, as well as the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Science Fair and the PEI Home and School Federation. He has promoted dialogue between individuals and expanded community involvement in the province.

“On behalf of the entire UPEI campus, I congratulate Colleen and Bill on this special recognition and thank them for their contributions to our community,” said Jackie Podger, UPEI’s Vice-President of Administration and Finance.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.