Dr. Jim Randall, coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies program and UNESCO co-chair in Island Studies and Sustainability, recently gave a keynote address at the 3^rd Annual Growth and Resilience Dialogue on the island of St. Kitts. This one-day symposium, organized and sponsored by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), included the prime minister or finance minister from eight Caribbean island countries, as well as members of the official oppositions, youth, civic society members, and church representatives.

Dr. Randall spoke on the topic of “Building Resilient Islands/Institutions for Growth and Sustainability: The Prince Edward Island and Institute of Island Studies Experience.” As he noted, “It is not often that you have an opportunity to address stakeholders from so many different groups. I commend the ECCB for hosting this event. A dialogue like this is one of the best ways to implement policy in a collaborative rather than an adversarial way.” 

Dr. Randall’s PowerPoint presentation can be found on the UNESCO Chair website.

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 Honourable John Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary and MP for Charlottetown, visited UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College on Wednesday, March 13, as part of the Minister's 2019 Oceans Campus Tour. During this tour, the minister is visiting universities on both Canadian coasts offering programs focusing on issues that are key to Fisheries and Oceans’ mandate. These include marine mammals, climate change, marine protected areas, oceans plastics, marine pollution, conservation, and aquaculture. 

Minister Wilkinson and Mr. Casey toured AVC with Dr. Greg Keefe, Dean of AVC, and Dr. Larry Hammell, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for UPEI and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for AVC. The federal officials also held a town hall meeting with students and faculty to discuss issues including climate change, environmental sciences, and protection of the environment and North Atlantic right whales, and opportunities for students in particular to become involved.
 

Chris Huggan is getting worked up. The Director of Athletics and Recreation at UPEI is clicking through tabs on a spreadsheet on his computer, trying to make a point.

“Look, we have a different minor hockey team from the Island assigned to cheer on each of the eight university teams here for the tournament,” he says. “Imagine what that’s going to sound like in that arena. No matter who is playing, from wherever they come from in Canada, they’ll have a crowd of kids screaming for them, cheering them on. I think that’s exciting. That’s what I think Panthers UN1TE is all about.”

Huggan considers Panthers UN1TE to be the key ingredient to this week’s 2019 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship, hosted at the University of Prince Edward Island. It’s a concept he dreamed up two years ago as a guiding principal of the UPEI Panthers.

“UN1TE is a powerful word for me,” says Huggan. “We want to bring together this Island around the UPEI Panthers. We have a really unique opportunity here, and that’s what we’re trying to capture.”

The “1” is especially important to Huggan.

“One—be the best you can be,” he explains, “be it as a student, athlete, or citizen. It’s also the power of one. One person can make a difference; we’ve all seen it happen. And we have one university for this entire province. No one else can say that in Canada. So we can gather support like no one else.”

With Panthers UN1TE in mind, two years ago, Huggan and his team shot for something big: to host a national championship.

“And we did it with the help of volunteers, organizations, individuals, and businesses from tip to tip,” says Huggan. “It’s no accident that our three honorary chairs come from Souris, Charlottetown, and Alberton. We wanted to reflect the entire Island, but also to tap into the contacts and resources from their respective communities.”

In the last year, the UPEI Women’s Hockey team has played games in arenas across the Island. They’ve built a fan base, and they’ve built relationships.

When the puck drops on the first game of the tournament Thursday, there will be 266 minor hockey players in the stands. Half will be cheering for the University of Guelph. Half will be cheering for the University of Manitoba.

“They’re going to raise the roof,” said Hugan. “As an athlete myself, I know how important that is—to have the crowd cheering me on.”

The organizing team has been working for more than a year building support, and the Island has responded. This tournament will succeed based on the concept of Panthers UN1TE.

Special thanks must go to:

• Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club
• Rotary Club of Hillsborough
• Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty
• Boys & Girls Club of Charlottetown
• PEI Aboriginal Sports Circle
• Sport PEI
• Minor sports teams from across the Island
• Islands from across the Island
• More than 40 members of the Panthers UN1Te $100 club

Go Panthers Go!

Games begin on Thursday, March 14 at 3:00 pm with the championship game on Sunday, March 17. The UPEI Panthers head into the tournament seeded seventh, and will take on the l'Université de Montréal Carabins Thursday at 7 pm. Tournament passes and game tickets are available at the Eastlink Centre or online at www.gopanthersgo.ca/uswhctickets.

-30-

For media wishing to cover the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship, please contact Nicole Phillips to arrange for accreditation.  Only accredited media will be allowed entry into MacLauchlan Arena.

The Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging and Diversity, Saint Mary’s University will host a community forum on “Immigration, Mobility and Economy,” in the UPEI W.A. Murphy Student Centre’s McMillan Hall, on Friday, March 15, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The forum is presented in partnership with the University of Prince Edward Island, the PEI Newcomers Association, and the PEI Immigration Partnership. Attendance is free, and lunch is provided. All are welcome. RSVPS are required. For information or to RSVP, please contact Wimal Rankaduwa at (902) 449-0727 or wrankaduwa@upei.ca

Congratulations to Jessica D’Amico, AVC Class of 2020, for winning a 2019 Jack Walther Leadership Award at the Western Veterinary Conference, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in late February.

This annual award recognizes veterinary students who portray leadership and promote a lifelong service to the profession. This year, the award was bestowed upon 37 DVM students from Canada and the United States for their leadership skills at their schools and service to the veterinary profession.

Jessica has taken on a number of leadership roles at AVC, including vice-president of the Society of Atlantic Veterinary Students; treasurer of her class; president of the AVC Animal Welfare Club; Peer Helper, AVC Wellness Committee; wildlife representative and volunteer for the AVC Wildlife Service; and DVM student representative on the UPEI Animal Care Committee. She has been a piping plover guardian for the Island Nature Trust for several summers, and she has written several animal care articles that have been published in The Guardian’s Animal Talk column.

“In reading about Dr. Walther’s life, I was most impressed about a foundational principle guiding his life: the belief that to better help animals we must not only promote and improve the science of animal care, but we must also empower individuals involved in animal care. Receiving this award is special to me because it confirms that I am on the right path to improving myself and empowering others as we all work together towards helping animals and each other. Thank you to the Western Veterinary Conference and to Dr. Jack Walther and family for this honor. I will take the WVC experience and Dr. Jack Walther’s influence with me throughout my career as I aim to support my colleagues, clients, and the veterinary community with leadership roles and especially by example.”

UPEI’s Faculty of Business will hold an information session for those interested in its Executive MBA program. The event will be Thursday, March 14 at 5:00 pm at The Gallery in The Guild in Charlottetown.

UPEI’s EMBA program offers a high-quality learning experience for working business professionals. The program is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work, in a management or leadership position. Classes are offered bi-weekly on Fridays and Saturdays with the option to complete the program in 20 months.

Learn more about the program and application process, have your questions answered, and meet with staff from the Faculty of Business.

To reserve a seat, contact 902 566-6474 or mba@upei.ca.

For more information about UPEI’s Executive MBA program, please visit upei.ca/business/emba or contact the MBA Coordinator at 902-566-6474.

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.

We are proud to announce Dr. Tim Goddard, a professor in the Faculty of Education, is the 2019 recipient of the UPEI Faculty of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Mentorship. Dr. Goddard has been an active and successful mentor for many graduate students since joining UPEI in 2008.

The nomination letter written by several of his current and past graduate students describe him in glowing terms.

“Dr. Goddard has a natural ability to make his students feel capable and heard while challenging assumptions and providing a different perspective,” wrote one nominator. “Students leave Dr. Goddard’s office and classes feeling focused and prepared, and most importantly, ready to tackle their research projects with confidence.”

As part of this award, Dr. Goddard becomes the UPEI nominee to the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Mentorship. Dr. Goddard will also be featured as a keynote speaker at the UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference in May.

Congratulations, Tim, from all of your colleagues and students on this well-deserved recognition!

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.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their achievements and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Bailey Smith and Damon MacDonald, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for February 18 to 24!

Bailey Smith is a third-year nursing student from Mount Stewart, PEI and a sprinter on the UPEI Track & Field team. Smith won the 60-metre dash at the AUS Track & Field Championship over the weekend, setting a new personal best and breaking the AUS record with a time of 7.58 seconds. “Bailey Smith won her third consecutive AUS 60-metre title, her second consecutive AUS female track athlete of the year, and put an exclamation mark on her season by setting an AUS record in the 60-metre,” said coach Colin MacAdam. “The 60-metre competition was complicated by a timing error, meaning she ran three races in under three hours and managed the record on the final race. Next stop is the U SPORTS championship in Winnipeg, where she enters as the number-two 60-metre runner in the country.”

Damon MacDonald is a fourth-year business student from Stratford, PEI and a sprinter on the UPEI Track & Field team. MacDonald finished fifth in the men’s 60-metre dash at the AUS Track & Field Championship over the weekend with a time of 7.19 seconds. He also finished fifth in the 300-metre race with a time of 37.18 seconds. “Damon MacDonald has had a great season, and he capped it by qualifying for both the 60-metre and 300-metre finals at the AUS championships,” said coach MacAdam. “Damon finished fifth in the 60-metre race, which featured three of the top 15 runners in the country.”

Go Panthers Go!

The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, premier of Prince Edward Island, recently presented Dr. Susan Dawson, professor of anatomy at AVC, with a certificate in recognition of her 2019 3M National Teaching Award. Dr. Dawson is the seventh faculty member at UPEI to be named a 3M National Teaching Fellow. Other 3M National Teaching Fellows are Dr. Shannon Murray and Dr. Brent MacLaine, Department of English; Dr. Brian Wagner, Department of Chemistry; Dr. Philip Smith, Department of Psychology; Dr. Fiona Walton, Faculty of Education; and Dr. Etienne Côté, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 

AVC’s Broad Spectrum Student Chapter has been awarded a 2018 Veterinary Medical Student Leadership Grant from the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC).

PrideVMC, formerly LGVMA, awards $1,000 leadership grants to Broad Spectrum veterinary student chapters for leadership activities and programs that are aligned with its organizational mission and vision.

AVC’s Broad Spectrum Chapter plans to get students and faculty more involved and to bring inclusivity with the LGBTQIA+ members of the AVC community, said chapter president Natalie Tocco, Class of 2020. The chapter plans to use the funding to hold a Colour Run in the fall of this year; have a round-table discussion with faculty and students about being LGBTQIA+ in veterinary medicine; and host a lecture on homosexuality in the animal kingdom.

PrideVMC (formerly LGVMA) is the oldest professional organization that fosters acceptance, inclusivity and leadership for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students, of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and their allies, through community development, professional advocacy, and personal empowerment.