Former UPEI Director of Athletics Barb Mullaly, 70, passed away Saturday in Charlottetown after a brief illness.

Her four-decade career as a classroom instructor, coach, and nationally decorated athletic administrator began in 1967 at Prince of Wales College. When UPEI was formed in 1969, she moved on to begin a long career at the University, initially as the first women's basketball and field hockey coach, eventually serving 13 years as Director of Athletics, and then retiring as the first Director of Wellness and Fair Treatment Advocate in 2006.

Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI’s President and Vice-Chancellor said, “The entire University community is saddened by the passing of UPEI Founder Barb Mullaly. I remember meeting her shortly after arriving at UPEI and it was easy to see her passion for the University and its people. That dedication extended to many other community organizations as well.”

“And while respected among her peers in sport, she was equally admired by her UPEI family. Our University has lost a great friend who continued to support UPEI in retirement,” added Abd-El-Aziz.  “On behalf of UPEI faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees, I pass on my most sincere sympathies to Mary Lou, and her family, friends, and colleagues across the country.”

Mullaly served as President of Atlantic University Sport (AUS), and chaired numerous committees and sports. Upon retirement, she was awarded an honorary lifetime membership in the AUS.

She was the long-time chair of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) finance committee and a member of the CIS executive committee. She was awarded the CIS Austin-Matthews Award in 2007 for outstanding service to university sport in Canada over her career.

Mullaly was named a Founder of UPEI in 2010.

She was also the 2013 winner of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty’s Mentor Award which salutes a Prince Edward Islander for mentorship and leadership on the local, regional, and national level.

At the time of her death, Mullaly was president of Seniors College PEI, past-president of Recreation PEI, secretary of the UPEI Retirees’ Association, and a member of the Go PEI advisory committee.

Mullaly is survived by her partner Mary Lou Turner, brothers Sean (Susan) of Halifax and Gregory (Anita) of North Vancouver, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week. Flags at UPEI will be lowered to half mast in Mullaly’s memory.
 

The Government of Canada recently announced more than 200 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 48 postsecondary institutions across the country. Among the honourees was Dr. Sophie St-Hilaire, who begins her second, five-year term as UPEI’s Canada Research Chair in Integrated Health Research for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Dr. St-Hilaire is a professor in the Department of Health Management at UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College. Her research aims to improve the sustainability of aquaculture to provide healthier fish for human consumption and reduce the environmental impact of fish farming.

Infectious disease outbreaks in aquaculture settings create a risk to the industry and the environment. Dr. St-Hilaire is trying to minimize the impacts of these outbreaks on wild and farmed fish populations through innovative prevention and control strategies. Her research is answering critical questions concerning pathogen transmission on fish farms. She is also addressing infectious disease treatment efficacy in fish and shellfish aquaculture.

“We are delighted that Dr. St-Hilaire's outstanding research has been recognized by a renewal of her Canada Research Chair, and we look forward to her future contributions to the prevention and control of diseases in fish,” said Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Research and Academic at the University of Prince Edward Island.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the new and renewed Canada Research Chairs,” said the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science. “The Government of Canada is proud to support talented researchers whose hard work will improve our scientific understanding and strengthen Canada's reputation for research excellence. The Chairs’ efforts will also provide us with the evidence needed to inform decisions that help us build a vibrant society and a strong middle class.”

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.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11. The reception begins at 11:00 am in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Lunch is served at 11:30 am.

The University of Prince Edward Island announced today that four hockey icons, Jack Kane Sr., his son Jack Kane Jr., Billy MacMillan, and Vince Mulligan, will be inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Jack Kane Sr., who will be inducted posthumously, was revered as a head coach in the forties and fifties for UPEI’s founding institution, Saint Dunstan’s University. The younger inductees started playing with the Saint Dunstan Saints and then each went on to coach after their playing careers. Jack Kane Jr. coached the Saints from 1965-69, and counted Mulligan and MacMillan on his roster, while Mulligan and MacMillan also both coached, but by then, they led the UPEI Panthers.

The induction will be part of the daylong 2017 UPEI Sports Legacy Celebration that includes a breakfast at 7:30 am in McMillan Hall at the W. A. Murphy Student Centre that honours the 2015-2016 U Sports (formerly CIS) Academic All-Canadians.

The four inductees will then formally take their place in Panther history later at the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame Gala Reception and Dinner, which will be held in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre The reception begins at 6:45 pm with dinner at 7:30 pm.

UPEI Director of Athletics Chris Huggan said, “This is a great opportunity for all Panthers and Panther fans to recognize and celebrate the achievements of current and past Panthers, show our appreciation to those who support our student-athletes, and showcase many of our varsity teams.”

Tickets for the U Sports Academic All-Canadians Breakfast are $10 each, while tickets for the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame Gala are $50 each. Tickets to both events can be purchased in person at Panther Central at the Sports Centre or by calling 902-566-0368.

The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic programs at the University of Prince Edward Island, Saint Dunstan's University, or Prince of Wales College. Each year, individual athletes, teams, and builders are inducted to honour their contributions towards the University's athletic success or community leadership.

The UPEI Sports Legacy Celebration is a lead-up for the final regular-season home game for the UPEI Men’s Hockey team on February 10 at 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena.

About the inductees

John “Jack” Hurry Kane is remembered with great affection for his coaching style. He would always offer advice, never embarrass anyone, and was always the gentleman. After a storied playing career in the Ontario Hockey Association and the Maritime Big Four League with the Charlottetown Abegweits, Kane Sr. was invited to coach Saint Dunstan’s College. In 1947, he led the Saints to the Maritime Intercollegiate League title for the first time, defeating a strong St. Francis Xavier team in the final. The next year, Saint Dunstan’s won the City League title, and was a finalist for the Maritime Intercollegiate crown. Kane Sr. gave a tremendous amount of time to minor hockey and baseball and was surely missed as a coach, official, and administrator when he passed away after a brief illness at the age of 52 in 1959.

Jack Kane Jr.’s name is, as is his father’s, synonymous with several sports, all of which he played at a high level: hockey, football, track and field, basketball, and baseball. He excelled in both hockey and football at Saint Dunstan’s University and later went on to coach the SDU Men’s Hockey team. Eighteen years after his father coached the team to its first Maritime conference title, Kane Jr. took the Saints on a journey that included a 10-1 season record, the Maritime championship, and runner-up status at the national championship. The only loss in league play for the 1965 squad was to St. Thomas University on the final weekend of the regular season. Hockey PEI recognized him with a life membership in 2007 for his contributions to hockey in the province. He has also been involved in the sport of golf as an administrator.

William “Billy” MacMillan has achieved a level of sport success that few other Islanders have. He was a player on several provincial, regional, and national championship hockey teams, and is the owner of the coveted Olympic scroll and Stanley Cup ring. After being recruited to play at St. Michael’s College and enjoying a highly successful junior “A” career, MacMillan returned to Charlottetown to pursue his academic studies, leading the Saint Dunstan’s Saints to the conference title and winning the scoring crown and the MVP award. After participating in four World Hockey Championships and winning bronze at the 1968 Olympic Winter Games, he was signed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring 22 goals in his rookie season. He later was on the coaching staff of several NHL teams and then returned home to coach the UPEI Panthers, guiding UPEI to its last conference title in 1990-91.

Vince Mulligan was a standout performer in hockey from his earliest years at Queen Square School and throughout his University years at Saint Dunstan’s, where he was both a stalwart and a dependable defenceman and forward. In his five years at SDU, Mulligan was an all-star four times, and captain for three of those years. He led the team to a Maritime championship and a national silver medal in the 1964-65 season. Mulligan really made a name for himself as a coach and builder of new programs at UPEI where, in addition to coaching, he served as intramural director, director of recruiting, and intercollegiate coordinator. As head coach, he led the UPEI Men’s Hockey team to three AUAA conference titles, in 1985-86, 1987-88, and 1988-89. To this day, he continues to serve as coach to the Charlottetown Hockey Mommas, a women’s recreational team that has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.

A team from UPEI’s School of Business took first place at a recent competition that put their stock-trading skills to the test. The seventh annual Interuniversity Stock Market Simulation at Université de Moncton brought together eight teams from universities across Quebec and Atlantic Canada. It was UPEI’s first ever entry at the competition.

Students were given two fictitious companies with balance sheets and income statements. Each team of four was made up of two traders and two analysts. Teams had ten million fictional dollars to trade with and a limit on the number of shares they could buy and sell. UPEI’s team was made up of students Geoffrey Gaudet, Nick Czinder, Jordan Rose, and Silei Peng.

Professor Yousef Hashmi noted the competition simulated the intense pressure of a real exchange floor—including screaming and yelling! Students saw first hand the role psychology plays in the trading and business worlds.

“Our students had the opportunity to see how financial markets work in the real world as opposed to the classroom,” said Hashmi. “It was an invaluable experience for them, and they rose to the occasion.”

Teams from UPEI’s School of Business have enjoyed great success in recent years in regional, national, and international case competitions. As the Globe and Mail recently reported, the successes have helped raise the profile of the school in the world of academia and with potential international students.

“It gives us some international flair and also gives us confirmation of the quality of education,” said Dr. Juergen Krause, Dean of the School of Business.

Congratulations!

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.

The Nichola K.S. Goddard Foundation has donated a total of $25,000 to the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) for the College’s cardiology service.

Dr. Tim and Sally Goddard, founders of the Nichola K.S. Goddard Foundation, presented Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC, with a cheque during the foundation’s annual dinner in November. A former dean of the UPEI Faculty of Education, Dr. Goddard is currently coordinator of the faculty’s graduate programs. Sally Goddard is an educational consultant at AVC.

“At AVC, our mission is to provide future veterinarians with a high quality education, conduct research for the benefit of animals and people, and give expert and compassionate care to animals and their owners,” says Dr. Keefe. “The support of individuals and organizations like the Nichola Goddard Foundation is very important in helping us to fulfil our mission and to continue to grow in reputation and the services we provide. We are deeply honoured that you have chosen AVC as a recipient for your generosity.”

The donation will be used to purchase equipment for the cardiology service, which provides specialized care for diverse species, including horses, cats, dogs, and birds. The service is led by Dr. Etienne Côté, the only board-certified veterinary cardiologist in Atlantic Canada and one of ten in Canada. This gift brings the total amount donated to UPEI by the foundation to over $100,000 since 2011.

The Goddards established the foundation in memory of their daughter, Captain Nichola Goddard, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 7, 2006. She had numerous pets during her life and had planned to establish a kennel when she had completed her military career.

Captain Goddard’s parents honour her memory through scholarships they have established at UPEI and the University of Calgary, and through a project in Papua New Guinea—where Captain Goddard was born—to install solar-powered LED lighting systems in rural health care facilities. Among other tributes, a Canadian Coastguard Hero class vessel was named in Captain Goddard’s memory; the Calgary Board of Education established the Captain Nichola Goddard School in Calgary; and the Government of Saskatchewan named a lake in her honour.
 

December is one of the busiest months in the academic year and for students it’s filled with final assignments, exams, and presentations. Eating properly, sleeping, and taking care of one’s physical and mental health become secondary as a student’s time is consumed with studying and the need to meet deadlines. December 2016 saw a host of activities, that were employee-led-and-initiated, geared towards supporting UPEI students and relieving end-of-the-semester stress: 

• Meet and Greet with treats and Santa Claus, Student Affairs
• Festive Coffee, Hot Cocoa, and Cookie Break, Office of the President
• Chili luncheons, Chaplaincy Centre
• Stress-Free Zone with board games and  treat breaks, Robertson Library and Chartwells
• Bo the Golden Retriever therapy dog and board games, International Relations Office
• a variety of healthy grab-and-go snacks provided by various departments across campus

“It is clearly a gesture that demonstrates how staff care for these students on a personal level,” said Dr. Christine Hoffman, a parent who was comforted by the kind actions of UPEI employees at the Chili Luncheon, hosted by the Chaplaincy Centre and led by Rocky Paquet and Sister Sue Kidd. “As a parent I was actually emotional to know that a group of staff members felt it was important to prepare a meal to nourish and comfort students just like would happen if they were at home.”

Hoffman wished to thank everyone who kindly spent hours preparing, planning, and serving students at the many activities and events hosted by UPEI staff during the exam period. “All of your efforts and thoughtfulness are truly appreciated.” 

UPEI is proud of the kind and caring faculty and staff that take time “out from behind their desk” to serve students during this typically stressful time of year.

Two teams from UPEI’s School of Business made an impressive showing in the ninth edition of the Options Trading Simulation. More than 3,000 undergraduate and MBA students from 38 Canadian universities competed over the course of eight weeks. Go Panthers Go, a team made up of Jeremy Heartz and Quentin Ng, took sixteenth place overall. Darcy Norton, competing as a one-man team, took twentieth place.

Ng and Heartz ended the competition with a balance of $148,391, on an initial “investment” of $100,000. Norton’s final balance was $141,762. The teams’ returns were impressive, at 48.4 per cent and 41.8 per cent respectively.

Heartz explains one of the successful trades his team made: Suncor Energy Inc. “We had a good idea that the stock could only perform better than expected due to it being in the oil and natural gas sector—where expectations were low because of the current price of oil—as well as Suncor having lost facilities in the Fort McMurray wildfire. The stock rose by about 7 per cent, and our options responded by increasing by 500-600 per cent; on a total investment of $9,000 we made $55,000.”

“The teams deserve all the credit,” said faculty supervisor Dr. Andrew Carrothers. “I simply explained the basic concepts and demonstrated how to trade. These two teams made 340 transactions over the eight weeks of competition. Clearly the phenomenal performance was a result of their decision-making. It is very satisfying when UPEI punches well above its weight class.”

Teams from UPEI’s School of Business have enjoyed great success in recent years in regional, national, and international case competitions. As the Globe and Mail recently reported, the successes have helped raise the profile of the school in the world of academia and with potential international students.

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.

UPEI’s administrative offices will be closed Saturday, December 24 through Monday, January 2, 2017, inclusive. Office and regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

For on-campus assistance during this period, please contact Security Services at security@upei.ca or 902-566-0384.

The Department of Development and Alumni Engagement at 618 University Avenue will be open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on December 28, 29, and 30.

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Atlantic Veterinary College will be available for emergency services only through the holiday period.

The UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sport Centre will be open December 24 from 8:00 am to noon. It will close Christmas Day and reopen Boxing Day at reduced hours.

December 26, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
December 27, 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
December 28, 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
December 29, 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
December 30, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
December 31, 8:00 am to noon
January 1, closed

The Sports Centre resumes regular hours on January 2, 2017.

Happy Holidays!

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.

UPEI’s annual New Year’s Day Levee at the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering proved to be a popular stop for members of the community who were carrying on the tradition of spreading good cheer across the province.

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz and Valerie Abd-El-Aziz, along with UPEI Student Union President Nathan Hood, UPEI Board of Governors Chair Pat Sinnott and Darlene Sinnott, and UPEI Alumni Association President Curtis Toombs, greeted close to 500 guests at the 2017 edition of the University’s time-honoured event.

A group of international students provided a helpful hand as they welcomed attendees, wrote out presentation cards, and helped to collect and hang up coats.

Once again, UPEI alumni and friends were highly visible on the levee circuit as they sported the latest version of the highly sought-after, argyle-knit UPEI alumni scarf. This year’s fashion accessory was black in colour and accented in UPEI rust.