UPEI President and Vice Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz echoes the sentiments of Universities Canada by endorsing the federal budget that was tabled by the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on March 22.

“UPEI thanks the federal government for placing a priority on post-secondary education in this budget,” says President Abd-El-Aziz. “The federal government’s investment in infrastructure, research, indigenous education, co-operative education, and student financial aid will help universities across the country provide students with access to innovative discovery spaces where they can develop the skills to be ready for the future and contribute to the long-term prosperity of our country.”

Universities Canada is a membership organization that is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, and represents the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

In a statement issued yesterday, Universities Canada President Paul Davidson said, “Today’s budget shows that this government understands that universities empower Canadians and empower communities.”

Read the Universities Canada news release

President Abd-El-Aziz adds, “UPEI is an economic driver through our research agenda and by providing students with experiential opportunities that allow them to develop to their full potential in the classroom and community. We are so excited to be a part of the federal government’s plan and are ready to respond to a call for proposals and to initiate projects.”

Budget Highlights for Post-Secondary Education

• Two billion dollars invested over three years in a new “Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund” with 50 per cent of eligible costs covered by the federal government

• Additional investments of $95 million per year, starting in 2016–17, made on an ongoing basis to the research granting councils: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Research Support Fund

• $800 million over four years, starting in 2017–18, to support innovation networks and clusters as part of the government’s upcoming Innovation Agenda

• $73 million allocated over four years, beginning in 2016, for the Post-Secondary Industry Partnership and Cooperative Placement Initiative

• All existing Canada Student Grants to increase in value by 50% at a cost of $1.53 billion, eligibility for the Canada Student Grants program expanded to more middle-income students at an additional cost of $790 million, over four years.

A favourite among Island writers and literature lovers, UPEI’s Creative Writing Master Class annual public reading will take place on Monday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Casa Mia Café in Charlottetown (131 Queen Street). The reading will showcase budding and seasoned writers (and some in between!): Lydia Banks, Benton Hartley, Connor Kelly, Allysha Leuschen, Andrew MacIsaac, Lori Mayne, Lee Ellen Pottie, Lorraine Rumson, Kelly Sampson, Lisa Steele, Robin Sutherland, and Ken Williams.

The master class has been fervently writing and revising short stories, flash fiction, novels, creative non-fiction, plays, and poetry—which vary greatly in style and content. Attendees are kindly asked to arrive early if preparatory refreshments—coffee, tea, dessert—are desired. So come one and all (and bring friends!) to witness and enjoy the highlighted products of mentorship and creativity.

The winners of UPEI’s 2015 Co-op Student of the Year Awards in Business, Computer Science, and Physics were celebrated for their achievements at a special event held on March 17 during National Co-operative Education Week.

Fourth-year computer science student Jason Wuertz received the 2015 Co-operative Student of the Year Award for Computer Science. Wuertz was nominated by Deltaware Division MAXIMUS where he worked as a programmer analyst during his final work term in the summer of 2015. He plans to continue his studies in computer science after he graduates in May.

The 2015 Co-operative Student of the Year Award for Physics went to third-year student Deanna Kerry. A top student, Kerry worked as a research assistant in the UPEI Department of Physics. She recently gave presentations at the Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at Dalhousie University and at the Atlantic Physics and Astronomy Conference at Memorial University.

Fourth-year business student Adam Lambe won the 2015 Co-op Student of the Year Award in Business. Lambe was nominated by Health PEI where he completed his final work term during the fall of 2015. In his previous work terms, he was a junior business development officer at Innovation PEI and an assistant economic development officer for the City of Summerside.

The UPEI Co-operative Education Program fosters the next generation’s leaders, and provides students the opportunity to expand their skills and contribute to organizations. Through real-life experience and guidance from employers and co-op coordinators, students gain valuable knowledge and skills that will be used throughout their career upon graduation.

For more information about the UPEI Co-operative Education program, visit upei.ca/co-op or email co-op@upei.ca.
 

In 1997 a group of UPEI alumni and other Prince Edward Islanders in Calgary, Alberta, was asked to host a dinner to raise a “little money” for UPEI. Since then, that group, known as the Friends of UPEI Calgary, has raised $1 million and distributed $427,000 in scholarships to a total of 228 Alberta students attending UPEI to date.

Calgary lawyer Bill LeClair, founder and chair of the Friends of UPEI Calgary, is one of the UPEI alumni who organized the first dinner, which took place in 1998 and raised more than $25,000. The dinner is now an annual event, held on the first Saturday of November, which includes a silent auction and entertainment from Prince Edward Island.

The funds, which are managed by The Calgary Foundation, are used to provide scholarships for students from Alberta who want to attend UPEI. On average, 20 students from Alberta yearly receive a total of nearly $40,000 in scholarships from funds raised by the group.

One of those students is Jenn Whittingham, of Calgary, who will graduate in May 2016 with her Bachelor of Science in nursing. She says that the support she received from the Friends of UPEI Calgary has been instrumental in her journey toward her nursing degree.

“This scholarship has meant the difference between having to work during the school year and choosing to work when I have time, but it has been much more than that,” says Whittingham. “Every year they fund a dinner in Charlottetown for students from Alberta so that we can meet, make some new friends and get to know the hard-working people behind the scholarships. It has given me a different perspective and allowed me to understand that every dollar we receive is a dollar that someone has graciously fundraised for or donated—private citizens who have a connection to UPEI and want to give back. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the support I have received.”

LeClair is proud of the sustained support that the Friends of UPEI Calgary has provided to Alberta students attending UPEI since that first dinner in 1998.

“It has been a wonderful experience for all of us,” says LeClair. “There are many stories that could be told, but suffice to say, we are very pleased to have been part of the journey for so many students.”

UPEI’s Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2015-16 season at the 47th annual UPEI Athletic Awards Gala on Saturday, April 2, recognizing outstanding student athletes who have excelled in sport, the classroom, and serving the community.

The event, held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, included student-athletes, coaches, staff, along with senior administration, alumni, donors, sponsors, and booster club supporters. The UPEI Panther Celebration and Athletic Awards Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of student-athletes and to thank coaches, team staff, and partners supporters, while reflecting on a great season.

The UPEI Alumni Association’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year awards went to two “co-winners” in each the female and male categories. Women’s rugby’s Alysha Corrigan and women’s basketball’s Katelynn Donahoe shared the top honours while basketball standout, Tyler Scott, and dual-athlete Cole MacMillan (men’s soccer and hockey) were repeat co-winners.

In addition to the Athlete of the Year awards, club and varsity team awards were presented. The MVP and Rookie of the Year award winners from each team include (MVP is listed first, followed by rookie):

Women’s volleyball: Rachel Hughes, Erika Miller
Men’s rugby: Sean Doyle, Kaleb Haque
Women’s rugby: Emily Keen, Anneke Dykerman
Field hockey: Katherine Koughan, Sarah Sear
Men’s soccer: Cole MacMillan, Brett Strba
Women’s soccer: Jenna Jo McDonald, Danielle Younker
Men’s hockey: Marcus Power, Ryan MacKinnon
Women’s hockey: Samantha Sweet, Ashtyn Bartlett
Men’s basketball: Tyler Scott & Bradley States, Amin Suleman
Women’s basketball: Katie Donahoe, Kendra Craswell & Jennifer Newman
Swimming: Rebekah Nitschmann, Callie McAuley; Matthew Smith (both MVP and Rookie)
Cross country: Brandon Higginbotham, Jeremy Thompson
JV women’s hockey: Jill MacIsaac, Brittany Williams

The J.T. “Mickey” Place Awards are presented by the UPEI Student Union to student-athletes who have made a contribution to student leadership on their team and on campus. John Thomas “Mickey” Place was connected not only with Athletics at UPEI, but also with all aspects of campus life. These awards given in his memory were presented to: Lauren Chamberlain (women’s rugby), Emily Ross (field hockey), Harminder Singh (men’s soccer), Kelsie Collier (women’s soccer), Brent Andrews (men’s hockey), Teagan Pringle (women’s hockey), Lorenzo Parker (men’s basketball), Katie Donahoe (women’s basketball), and Katie VanLeeuwen (swimming).

The Gordon and Muriel Bennett Award is given to a student (male or female) who, over four years, best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. Field hockey student-athlete Katherine Koughan was this year’s recipient.

The W.A. Ledwell Award goes to a student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Maggie Grimmer from women’s hockey was the recipient.

One of the evening highlights was the presentation of the Passion for Life Award, originated in memory of Rene Ayangma, a former UPEI soccer player. All nominees were recognized and the overall award winner was Mason Wilgosh from the men’s hockey team.

Congratulations to all of our Panther athletes, the entire UPEI family is very proud of you!

About the UPEI Athletes of the Year

Alysha Corrigan, a 5’4” fullback on the women’s rugby team, is a second-year business student from Charlottetown, PEI. She was named an AUS All-Star, CIS Second Team All-Canadian and is a national team prospect. She is also a talented ringette player.

Katelynn Donahoe, a 5’6 guard on the women’s basketball team, is a fifth-year kinesiology student from Riverview, NB. She was named an AUS Second Team All-Star and led the AUS and CIS in several important statistical categories.

Tyler Scott is a 6’2” guard from Halifax, NS who was a strong performer for the men’s basketball team all season. The fourth-year arts student was an AUS First Team All-Star, CIS Second Team All-Canadian and finished third in the CIS in scoring.

Cole MacMillan, from Stanhope, PEI, is a fifth-year Arts student who plays both varsity soccer and hockey. In men’s soccer, the 5’11” fullback was an AUS First Team All-Star.  In men’s hockey, the forward was key player in the Panthers reaching the playoffs and reaching the AUS semi-finals.
 

On Monday April 11 at 7:30 pm join saxophonist Emily Proude and clarinettist Johanna Vessey for their Junior Recital in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall at UPEI. Pianist Frances McBurnie will collaborate with them as they perform works by Bach, Heiden, Pascal, Messager, Copland,and Semchyshyn. Dr. Richard Covey will also be assisting as a collaborative pianist for one of his own compositions.

Emily and Johanna are both completing their third year in the UPEI Department of Music in Dr. Karem Simon's Woodwind Studio. Both were also two of the top three performers in the 2016 Dr. Frances Gray Performance Competition. Following this academic year, Johanna will be traveling to Saskatoon to participate in the 2016 National Youth Band of Canada, and Emily will be going to Zambia with the Poetice organization.

Admission is free and it is sure to be an evening of exciting music. All are welcome to attend.

The Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is celebrating National Wildlife Week, April 10-16, 2016!

On Wednesday, April 13, Fiep de Bie, AVC Wildlife Technician, will present “Giving Wings to Wildlife: Wildlife Care at AVC” in Lecture Theatre A at 12:30 pm. Falconer Jamie Stride will bring in two of his raptors and share information on falconry.

Raffle tickets will be available outside Lecture Theatre A from 9 am to 12:30 pm, featuring fabulous wildlife items and artwork (donated by Dr. Spencer Greenwood, Jamie Linthorne, and Jordi Seger). Wildlife cupcakes will also be available for sale. Monies raised will support renovations to the outdoor flight cage.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Atlantic Veterinary College's community workshop about pet first aid has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m., in Lecture Theatre A. The workshop was originally scheduled to take place in March but had to be cancelled due to bad weather. 

Dr. Kathy Ling, AVC Community Practice Clinic, will provide basic information about recognizing and caring for emergencies and injuries in dogs and cats. Topics will include primary assessment, handling an injured pet, bleeding, shock, common toxins, and recognizing signs of pain and distress. 

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome! For information, contact (902) 566-0589.

UPEI students from around the world celebrated the Global Village and Gala on Saturday, April 2 in McMillan Hall of UPEI’s W.A. Murphy Student Centre. Students were encouraged to “discover and experience the world” at an event attended by students from the Caribbean, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. The event was hosted by the volunteer Global Village group and the Society of International Students (SIS).

The event featured a scavenger hunt, taking participants to displays and foods from around the world. The evening included performances, including a Lion dance from China, a group dance by students from Nigeria, a fashion show, and musical presentations. Students spoke often during the evening about unity, fellowship, friendship, and the power of students working together to promote peace and harmony.

UPEI’s Senate Committee on the Enhancement of Teaching (SCENT), the Faculty Development Office (FDO), and the UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA) have invited Dr. Len Findlay to give a presentation Wednesday, April 27 at 11 am in room 243 of Don and Marion McDougall Hall. Dr. Findlay is a distinguished professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His talk is entitled “Pedagogical Authority or Consumer Sovereignty? Academic Freedom and the Academic Mission.”

Dr. Findlay is past head of the academic freedom and tenure committee of Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). He is a staunch advocate for radical humanities, a strong critic of the contemporary university, and a steadfast defender of academic freedom.

Dr. Findlay’s talk is the culmination of SCENT and FDO’s semester-long focus on academic freedom, pedagogy, and curriculum.