As Parliament begins discussing bill C-407, which calls for the legalization of assisted suicide, a provocative new book by an internationally-acclaimed Canadian historian of medicine is bound to inform the coming debate.

In Life, Death, God, and Medicine: A Concise History of Euthanasia (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2005), UPEI history professor Ian Dowbiggin exposes the many disturbing themes that link present and past, and traces the heated international controversy surrounding assisted suicide and other forms of euthanasia. Dowbiggin reminds us that the stakes in the struggle over "the right to die" are enormously high, with the lives of countless vulnerable people hanging in the balance.

Dr. Dowbiggin is Chair of the UPEI History Department. He is the author of four books on the history of medicine, including A Merciful End: The Euthanasia Movement in Modern America (Oxford University Press, 2003). A frequent commentator on current events and medical issues, he has been featured on C-SPAN's Book TV and National Public Radio.

UPEI continues to establish itself as one of the top undergraduate research universities in Canada. Research Infosource Inc., a consulting firm which monitors Canadian universities' success in research development, has released the figures from its Top 50 Research Universities List 2005. The report designates UPEI as one of three "Research Universities of the Year."

"These full-service universities demonstrated superior achievement both in earning research income and in publishing research in leading Canadian and international journals," says the report. UPEI scored third in the primarily undergraduate category, behind only Trent University in Peterborough, and Royal Military College in Kingston. This is the third year in a row that UPEI has enjoyed such success.

"This says we have excellence throughout the institution, excellence that works very hard to create new knowledge, brings new ideas forward, and shares these ideas with the rest of the world," said Katherine Schultz, Vice-President of Research Development at UPEI. "It's not just about money. It's about how many faculty and students are involved in research. It's also about getting our research out, across the world, to the journals that count, the ones that people read."

Dr. Schultz stressed that research growth and excellence are important contributors to provincial and national prosperity. "This excellence translates into our teaching, our training of the next generation, the next set of leaders who will play a key role in all of the industries, all of the sectors across Prince Edward Island and across the country."

The rankings were based on indicators such as total sponsored research income, research income per full-time faculty position, research income per full-time graduate student, and the number of publications per full-time faculty.

The Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island recognized its students, faculty and staff on November 3 at the Annual AVC Recognition Night. More than 200 people gathered to honour the hard work and dedication of those who received awards.

"Our Recognition Night is a chance to acknowledge the hard work our students, staff, and faculty in all that they do here at the College," says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. "It is also a chance to thank our many donors who support and encourage our students to pursue excellence by financially supporting the various awards."

More than 50 awards were presented including the Mark D. H. Lawrence Memorial Award. This award was presented for the first time last night to Ameet Singh, fourth-year doctor of veterinary medicine student, for his demonstrated proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery as well as his leadership in community affairs. Memorial awards like this are a special way to help students and acknowledge their hard work while honouring the work and life of others.

In 2001, the Canadian veterinary community was saddened by the loss of Dr. Mark Lawrence in a skiing accident. A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, Mark was a successful small animal veterinarian and practice owner in Fredericton, New Brunswick who grew up in Amherst, Nova Scotia. His professional interests extended beyond his successful practice. He was a past president of the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association and served on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association National Issues Committee. He was also very dedicated to his family.

"Mark was a passionate practitioner who loved veterinary medicine and he enjoyed handing on his skills. He would be delighted that this award given in his name is to someone who has the same commitment to life," said Dr. Anthony Lawrence, Dr. Mark Lawrence's father, last evening at the AVC Recognition Night.

Also presented was the Pfizer Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award. This award is presented to an outstanding teacher, who, through his or her ability, dedication, character and leadership contributes significantly to the advancement of the veterinary profession. Dr. Etienne Cand#244;tand#233; from AVC's Department of Companion Animals, was recognized this year for his ongoing commitment to the students at the AVC.

Anyone interested in donating to an AVC award such as the Mark D. H. Lawrence Memorial Award should contact the AVC Dean's Office at (902) 566-0801.

The major AUS soccer awards were released on November 3. UPEI players captured three out of six major awards. Male AUS Soccer MVP is Ryan Anstey, Female AUS Soccer MVP is Amy Connolly, and Female AUS Soccer Rookie of the Year is Tessa Roche. See details below:

Women's Soccer Major Awards Announced-Two Panthers

UPEI-Amy Connolly - Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2005 women's soccer major award-winners as selected by the conference's head coaches.

The 2005 Atlantic University Sport Player of the Year is fifth year centre midfielder Amy Connolly of the UPEI Panthers. Amy netted four goals this season for the high scoring Panthers and was directly involved in 75 per cent of her team's scoring. The Panthers scored a league-best 47 goals in 13 games. She is known throughout the conference as a great tackler, passer and considered to be a complete player. "Amy is the best women's player ever to wear the green and white at UPEI," says head coach Mike Redmond. "She has been the heart and soul of the Panthers program for her five years with the team." Connolly is the first UPEI women's soccer player to be named league MVP.

UPEI's Tessa Roche is the 2005 women's soccer Rookie of the Year. Roche, a first year Arts student from Pownal, led the conference and the nation in scoring this season with 15 goals in 13 games. Tessa potted nine of her goals in the final five games of the season and recorded three multiple-goal games, including a five-goal performance in a 5-0 victory over Moncton. Roche becomes the first UPEI player to be named conference Rookie of the Year.

Men's Soccer Major Awards Announced- Panther wins MVP

UPEI-Ryan Anstey(November 3, 2005) HALIFAX, NS - Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2005 Men's Soccer Major Award Winners as selected by the conference's head coaches.

Ryan Anstey of the UPEI Panthers is the 2005 Atlantic University Sport Player of the Year. Ryan led the Atlantic conference and the nation in scoring this season with 15 goals was named a first team conference all-star for the third consecutive year. In five years with the Panthers, Anstey has scored 43 career regular season goals, ranking him 3rd all-time in the conference behind Dalhousie's Jeff Hibberts (47) and SMU's Ross Webb (72). UPEI's Pat O'Connell was the last Panther to be named Atlantic conference MVP. Ryan is the league's nominee for the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy as the CIS Player of the Year. UPEI's Glen Miller (1998) is the only Panther to have received the award.

Today, November 7, the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) confirmed arrangement for an and#145;ultimate gift' from Donna and Richard Hassard. The Hassards, AVC campaign co-chairs presented the College with a generous donation of $12,000 per year, a portion of which will be used for life insurance premiums on a $1-million policy. The proceeds of the policy will be earmarked for the future upgrading of the planned AVC Student Learning Commons.

"We are grateful for the strong support and commitment of Donna and Richard toward AVC," said Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. "They are dedicated members of the AVC community who are leading the way to fulfilling our expansion plans. The "ultimate gift" of a $1 million life insurance policy confirms their inclusion in the UPEI Visionary Society of planned giving to higher education."

The Learning Commons will be equipped with computers, a veterinary resource centre, and small-group and self-study areas, this new space will help students meet the demands of an intensive curriculum.

"Even though we are impressed with all aspects of AVC's infrastructure, it wasn't difficult to decide where our gift should go," said Donna Hassard when she presented the gift to Dr. Ogilvie. "Without dedicated students, there would not be an AVC and we want to ensure students will always have a state- of-the-art Learning Commonsand#151;a place of their own to study, confer and relax."

The Student Learning Commons is part of AVC's $32-million expansion and renovation project. Phase I of the expansion has begun with renovations to the anatomy lab and will continue in the new year with the construction of a 57,000-square-foot Bioresource Research Complex. Future phases of the project are dependent on the fundraising efforts and are expected to include an expansion of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital with upgrades to equipment, an expansion and upgrading of Aquatic Sciences, as well as upgrades to the infrastructure and equipment of Diagnostic and Teaching Laboratories.

With a goal of raising $7.5-million toward the $32-million AVC expansion and renovation project, the AVC Capital Campaign has already raised $1.2 million.

For twenty years, AVC has been Atlantic Canada's college of veterinary medicine. With over 800 graduates, a Veterinary Teaching Hospital caring for over 3,500 large and 5,000 small animals each year, and ongoing world-class research, the College is committed to educate veterinarians, promote animal and human health, and provide services for the management of the health and well-being of animals.

Bill LeClair is a successful Calgary real estate lawyer who has never forgotten his Prince Edward Island roots. Although it is 35 years since he graduated in Business from UPEI, he is still immensely proud of the institution that gave him his first degree. So much so that for the past eight years he has been energetically raising funds to support UPEI students.

"I've been working with Islanders who want to give a little back to the place they came from," Bill explains. "They're not all UPEI alumni, but they are all proud of PEI and proud of what is happening at our University. Two of our biggest supporters have been Lou MacEachern, who is a member of the board of governors of UPEI, and Bill Andrew who is the Chancellor."

The Friends of UPEI, as they are called, have raised over $520,000 so far. The money is invested through the Calgary Foundation, a community foundation that links donors and charitable organizations. The investment will fund UPEI scholarships and bursaries in perpetuity. This year alone, they gave out $33,000 to 23 students, 10 from Calgary and 13 from PEI.

"We're aiming some of our scholarships at Calgary students who already recognize the value of attending a smaller university. We want to encourage them to attend UPEI because we know they'll have an excellent experience there," says Bill, whose daughter, Carly, is now in her fourth year at UPEI.

Their main fundraiser is an annual dinner and silent auction held at the Glencoe Club in Calgary on the first Saturday of November. This year it took place November 5. The guest speaker was Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College. When the Friends of UPEI first organized the event, a hundred people showed up. Now the attendance has doubled.

"We raise money for scholarships, we have a really enjoyable time, and we get to renew old friendships and make new ones. What could be better than that?" says Bill. He adds that they are always looking to make new connections with Islanders who have moved out west. "I'm sure there are many more people from PEI in Calgary, especially younger people, who aren't aware of the Friends of UPEI. I'd like them to know that we'd be delighted to hear from them."

Although the organization's main objective is to raise funds, there have been other positive spin-offs from the networking that takes place. Bill cites the example of Dr. Carolanne Nelson, whose parents attend the Friends of UPEI fundraising dinner. As a result of information shared at the dinner, Carolanne learned about opportunities at UPEI, and eventually moved to the Island to become a researcher and professor in the Family and Nutritional Sciences Department. "It's the synergy that's happening that I really get excited about," says Bill. "UPEI is reaching much further afield than a lot of people think."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Friends of UPEI in Calgary should contact Bill Leclair at (403) 245-3500, or leclair@calgarylaw.com.

Amy Connolly and Ryan Anstey were named CIS Soccer Players of the Year this past weekend. Connolly, a fifth-year sociology and English major from Charlottetown, received the Chantal Navert Memorial Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player. She travelled to Edmonton to receive her award.

The Panthers co-captain scored four goals for the second consecutive season in 2005. She was at the starting end of 75 per cent of the team's 47 tallies as the Panthers finished fourth in the AUS in the regular season with a 10-1-2 record, clinching a berth for the conference championship. She is a four-time conference first-team all-star, four-time Panthers MVP, and captained UPEI to its first appearance at the CIS championship in 2004. "Amy is the best player ever to wear the Green and White of the Panthers women's soccer team," said head coach Mike Redmond, CIS Coach of the Year in 2004. "She has been the heart and soul of this team for five years. She has been our Roy Keane, just a tremendous leader on and off the field."

Anstey, a native of Charlottetown, received the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the most valuable player. The fifth-year striker led the CIS with 15 goals in only eight regular-season games this fall, accounting for almost half of the Panthers total production (32) in their 12-match schedule. The tally helped him set a new school career record with 43 regular-season goals, six more than the previous standard set by Scot Neal. Named a first-team AUS all-star for the third consecutive year, Anstey is selected to the first all-Canadian team for the first time in his career. He is the second Panther to be chosen CIS Player of the Year following Glen Miller in 1998. "Ryan is a great one-on-one player, quick and hard for defenders to get a hold of," said head coach Lewis Page. "He's also a striker that will come back and help his midfielders win the ball back. But I think most important he's just a great person, on or off the field." Ryan received his award on Friday, November 11 at the CIS championships held in Charlottetown.

Anne Compton, an alumna of Prince of Wales College (PWC'69), has been awarded the Governor General's Literary Award in Poetry for 2005. The winners were announced in Montreal on November 16. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michand#228;elle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will present the awards at Rideau Hall on Wednesday, November 23.

In describing Anne Compton's award-winning book, Processional, one jurist noted, "Anne Compton's voice is unique - at once passionate and refined. Her poems slip into one's consciousness, a felt presence in a quiet room. Processional is a deft and remarkable achievement."

Compton was born and raised in the farming community of Bangor, PEI. She launched Processional at UPEI on May 20 during a double celebration of literary accomplishment that included the launch of UPEI Professor Emeritus John Smith's book, Maps of Invariance. Professor Smith was Compton's English professor at Prince of Wales. "He was an absolutely wonderful teacher who introduced me to contemporary 21st century poetry. Because of John, I shifted my plan of study from history to literature at university," she said in an interview at the time of the launch.

Dr. Compton is now an assistant professor in UNB Saint John's Department of Humanities and Languages. Her books include A.J.M.Smith: Canadian Metaphysical (1994); Opening the Island (winner of the 6th annual Atlantic Poetry Prize; nominee for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award; 2002); The Edge of Home: Milton Acorn from the Island (editor, 2002); and Coastlines: The Poetry of Atlantic Canada (co-editor, 2002). Her books and numerous published articles contribute to critical discussions on 19th-century and early 20th-century aesthetics; 17th-century Metaphysiacal poetry; Canadian literature and Maritime literature. Her poetry is published nationally and internationally, and her reviews appear in Canadian Literature, Fiddlehead, and other journals.

As a Governor General Award winner, Dr. Compton will receive a cheque for $15,000 and a specially-crafted copy of Processional bound by Montreal bookbinder Lise Dubois. The Governor General will present a certificate to Fitzhenry and Whiteside, the publishers of Processional, and the Canada Council will provide a $3,000 grant to support promotional activities. Copies of Processional are available for sale in the UPEI Bookstore.

John and Barbara Poole, an Edmonton couple with PEI roots, have generously donated $50,000 to the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), for a new graduate research scholarship. The Ernest E. and Gertrude Annear Poole Memorial Scholarship will assist UPEI research graduate students studying watershed integrity. This year's recipient of the $2,000 scholarship is Pamela MacDonald.

Watershed Integrity is a part of the Faculty of Science's MSc programs in Biology and Chemistry. A high proportion of the graduate students choose to study topics within the general area of ecosystem integrity and many investigate the integrity of watersheds, both on and off PEI. "This award is very much appreciated," comments Dean of Science, Roger Gordon. "A scholarship in Watershed Integrity will enable a graduate student to receive advanced training in an area of both provincial and international relevance."

This endowed scholarship commemorates John Poole's parents, Ernest E. and Gertrude Annear Poole in their native province. Ernest Edward Poole was born in PEI in 1883. He was educated on the Island and attended Business College in Charlottetown. Later he studied architecture and reinforced concrete engineering and was associated with his father in the milling industry. In 1913 he incorporated Poole Construction Limited, and moved the company to Regina.

The same year Ernest Poole married Gertrude Inez Annear who was born in PEI and was educated at Prince of Wales College. Ernest and Gertrude raised a family of four: John, Ruth, George, and Inez. "My parents were proud of their PEI roots and returned frequently, taking their young family to visit relatives and eat lobster and oysters. They would be delighted with the objective established for this scholarship," says John Poole.

Supporting research opportunities for graduate students is among the university's top priorities. Research facilities have been recently modernized in the Duffy Science building and are being expanded at the Atlantic Veterinary College to ensure students continue to receive high quality education with up-to-date technology in well-configured laboratories.

For further information contact:

Tracey Comeau

Stewardship Officer, UPEI

(902) 566-0354

tcomeau@upei.ca

Ron Annear has worked at every level of the UPEI athletics program, from student-athlete to Acting Director. Now the UPEI Board of Governors has appointed him to the position of full-time Director of Athletics. The appointment takes effect immediately and will last until April 2009.

The announcement comes at the end of an exciting fall season for the soccer Panthers that saw UPEI carry off three of six major Atlantic University Sport (AUS) awards, as well as both male and female Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Player of the Year awards. The fall season also saw the opening of a $1.3 million artificial turf field on the campus and the construction of a new fitness centre.

Says soccer Panther Amy Connolly who received the coveted Chantal Navert Memorial Award from the CIS earlier this month: "Ron is a former athlete and a graduate of UPEI. He has played a major role in all the new facilities. I congratulate him and wish him continued success."

"Over the last 18 months Ron Annear has shown tremendous leadership," says Vianne Timmons, Vice President of Academic Development. "He has been doing an excellent job of repositioning our athletics programs. I look forward to continuing our working relationship over the next three and a half years."

Ray Murphy of Murphy's Pharmacies echoes that sentiment. He has worked with Annear in his role as a volunteer fundraiser for the UPEI Hockey Miracle program. "I've certainly had a very positive relationship with Ron over the years and I'm confident that things will be just as rewarding in the future. I look forward to working with him to continue to grow the program."

Annear is a native of Montague, PEI. His family is well known in the local sports community, particularly his father Ralph who is a successful horseman. Annear's sports career began in 1982 when he was drafted by the Verdun Junior Canadians (QMJHL). He spent a year on a full hockey scholarship at the US International University in San Diego before being drafted by the Montreal Canadians in 1984. Two years later he returned to his home province to become a full-time student-athlete at UPEI. During his time with the hockey Panthers the team won the AUAA championship two years in a row. He graduated in 1988 with Bachelor of Business Administration.

For over fifteen years Annear has worked in all areas of the Department of Athletics, Recreation, and Physical Education. Before taking on the role of Acting Athletics Director in March 2004, he was in charge of marketing and promotion. He sees his new position as "a tremendous opportunity" to build on his past experience.

"I look forward to continuing our work with the community to support programs to compete at the highest level possible, and to creating fitness and healthy-living programs for the campus and community," he says. "With the high level of support we have out there, and the first-class facilities we have developed, this is a fantastic time for UPEI athletics to move ahead."