The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce that it will confer five honorary degrees at two 2006 Convocations to take place on Saturday, May 13. The honorary graduates will be Elaine Campbell, Suzanne Land#233;vesque, David W. Rodd, Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin, and Patterson (Pat) Webster. Pat Webster will deliver Convocation address in the morning and Elaine Campbell will deliver the afternoon address.

"Our 2006 recipients are excellent role models for our graduates. By honouring the outstanding achievements of these five individuals, and their connections to Prince Edward Island and UPEI, we honour our entire community," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan.

Elaine Campbell, lyricist and mother of five, is an exemplary artist and arts patron. Her first glimpse of PEI was from the air while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two. In 1965, she returned as one of the lyricists to attend the world premiere of "Anne of Green Gables, the Musical" written by Donald Harron, with music composed by Norman Campbell. This production has played every summer for forty years on the Confederation Centre stage, has toured across Canada many times, and played in London, New York, and Tokyo. Elaine Campbell has written lyrics for three other musicals as well, which represents one of the highest accomplishments among musical theatre writers in Canada. She was also a writer and lyricist for The Karen Kane Superspecial, Christmas at Rideau Hall, and two royal galas. As Chair of the Coordinated Arts Services in Toronto, she founded an archive program for the five major performing arts groups in Ontario and she served for many years on the board of the National Ballet of Canada. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia.

Suzanne Land#233;vesque has been President of the Fondation J.-Louis Land#233;vesque since 1982. In honour of her parents, the Foundation has established ten Jeanne and J.-Louis Land#233;vesque research chairs in medicine and bursary funds at universities in Quand#233;bec, and a chair in business management at Universitand#233; de Moncton. At UPEI, a $1.5 million gift from the Foundation has supported two research professorships in Nutrisciences and Health. This combines with earlier gifts providing matching funds for CFI grants, and with support from the Land#233;vesque family going back to the construction of the Alumni Gym in 1950. Suzanne Land#233;vesque has served on the boards of governors at Lakefield College School in Ontario and at Universitand#233; de Moncton, among others. She is governor emeritus at Universitand#233; de Montrand#233;al. In 1998, she was granted an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Universitand#233; de Moncton. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2004. Her father, the late J.-Louis Land#233;vesque, was a graduate of St. Dunstan's University. He completed his BA studies in 1934, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by SDU in 1964.

David W. Rodd was born in 1940. From his early days, he assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, PEI in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. David Rodd has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. He has been active in community organizations, including serving as Chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and Honorary Chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been President of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.

Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin was born in Toronto; his grandfather, Frederick Henry Knight was born in Charlottetown. Watkin is a virtuoso pianist and a highly accomplished arranger, conductor and musical director who has been involved in more than 200 original Canadian productions. The Toronto Symphony, CBC variety shows and community theatre projects have all benefited from his talents. He served the Charlottetown Festival for 40 years; 12 years as Associate Music Director and 28 years as Music Director. He worked for 26 years as Music Director for Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions. He has been strongly supportive of musical, artistic, and theatrical initiatives in PEI, including recitals at St. Peter's Cathedral, UPEI, and Indian River Church. Recognizing the wealth of musical talent present in PEI, Fen Watkin worked to ensure that Islanders would have equal opportunity in employment with the Charlottetown Festival orchestra and cast. As a mentor and coach, he has inspired generations of amateur and professional performers. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005.

Patterson (Pat) Webster is a gifted advocate, organizer and enabler. She is an exemplary supporter of education and culture and has been entrusted with large fund-raising projects for educational institutions and ventures because she is persuasively passionate about learning. Pat Webster is the wife of Norman Webster, former Chancellor of UPEI. She was a gracious and powerful part of his highly successful chancellorship of the University and she has proved herself a shining advocate for Canadian university culture and work, literacy and language. She was founding President of Canadian Parents for French, for which she received France's Ordre National du Mand#233;rite, Chair of the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada, a leading spirit of Montreal Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, a board member of the Stratford Festival, and has been active in many other community and philanthropic endeavours.

Honorary Degrees to be awarded to Suzanne Land#233;vesque and Patterson (Pat) Webster during the morning Convocation, and will be awarded to Elaine Campbell, David Rodd, and Joseph Fenwick Watkin at the afternoon Convocation.

A Nova Scotia family well known for its commitment to quality and integrity in business has created a new student scholarship at UPEI. A $100,000 endowment from the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation will allow the University to award $2,500 every year to a student entering the Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Degree program.

The two-year renewable award will be known as the David W. Rodd Scholarship in Tourism and Hospitality. It honours PEI businessman David W. Rodd who has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. David Rodd will receive an honorary degree from UPEI on May 13.

"It is great that UPEI is recognizing David Rodd. David is a tremendous entrepreneur. He has provided exceptional leadership to the tourist industry of PEI, as well as being a community leader. On top of this, he has been a true friend to many," says John Bragg.

From his early days, David Rodd assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a BA and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. Rodd has also been active in community organizations, including serving as chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and honorary chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been president of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.

"We are delighted to have this award recognizing business and community leadership established in honour of David Rodd," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "We look forward to students being the beneficiaries of this scholarship, through which the Braggs demonstrate their well-known support for Maritime universities and their lifelong friendship with David Rodd."

The Bragg family is the majority shareholder in all companies operating under the EastLink name. EastLink provides communication services to business and residential customers across the Maritimes. The family also has interests in a variety of Maritime companies in a range of industries, including agri-products such as wild blueberries and frozen vegetables, real estate, and forestry.

The UPEI Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality degree program is a joint program with Holland College. The David W. Rodd Scholarship will be awarded to a student who has performed well academically in the first two years of the program, shows combined qualities of leadership and contribution to the community, and demonstrates capacity to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry. The first award will be made in September 2006.

Applications will be received through the UPEI Registrar's Office in May. The recipients will be determined by the UPEI Admissions, Scholarship, and Degree Committee, with input from the Dean of the School of Business.

Since 2001, the number of named scholarships, bursaries, awards, and prizes at UPEI has increased by almost 50 per cent and many other student awards have increased in value through the generous support of businesses, individuals, and families.

The University of Prince Edward Island held a special ceremony on Thursday, May 4 to celebrate the official reopening and rededication of the Duffy Science Centre. Since November 2004, the centre has undergone a complete $6.9 million renovation.

The Duffy Science Centre is home to the departments of Biology and Physics. The renovations have added first-class research laboratories as well as improved teaching facilities, including the 280-seat lecture theatre. The north lobby has been expanded, all windows have been replaced, and an elevator has been added for improved accessibility.

Honourable Mildred Dover, Minister of Education, opened the event. "The provincial government was pleased to contribute to the renovation. Up-to-date facilities are especially important to teaching and learning science where labs and technology are essential and learning is greatly enhanced by spaces to share ideas and collaborate," said Minister Dover.

"This is a splendid achievement, a complete renewal of our teaching and research facilities in Biology and Physics," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "With generous support from the Province and private donors, the new Duffy Science Centre will be a platform for success by UPEI students and staff for at least a generation."

The open-concept research laboratories group scientists with particular interests together in theme-orientated facilities including Aquatic Ecology, Cell Molecular Biology, Terrestrial Ecology, Computational Physics and Material Science. Improved classrooms and teaching laboratories, as well as computer access and study space provide both undergraduate and graduate students with new learning opportunities not present before the renovations.

"The original building needed substantial remodeling to meet the needs of faculty members with vibrant research programs and to provide students with a study environment that embodies opportunities to be part of the research endeavors. The new Duffy building does precisely that," said Dr. Roger Gordon, Dean of Science and host of the ceremony.

The celebration included acknowledgment of a special leadership gift of $500,000 made in December to the Building a Legacy Campaign by Mrs. Margaret Duffy, widow of Dr. St. Clair Duffy. Dr. Duffy was an alumnus of St. Dunstan's University and an honorary graduate of UPEI (SDU'20, LLD Hon 1963.) He made a substantial leadership gift to UPEI in 1963 to help construct the Duffy Science Building. His nephew, Dr. Regis Duffy, is the current Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors.

"My uncle, Dr. St. Clair Duffy, was very proud of his PEI background and his alma mater, St. Dunstan's University. He and Margaret retained a strong love and attachment to the land of his birth," said Dr. Duffy.

When the building officially opened in May 1967, Dr. St. Clair Duffy's gift was acknowledged by a special plaque. Dr. Regis and Mrs. Joan Duffy unveiled a new plaque on May 4, 2006 that rededicates the Duffy Science Centre to Mrs. Margaret Duffy and the late Dr. St. Clair Duffy.

The PEI chapter of Canadian Parents for French (CPF-PEI) has recognized the University of Prince Edward Island and l'Universitand#233; de Moncton for their support of linguistic duality and Canadian unity. Both universities are recipients of the Lieutenant Governor of PEI Leading the Community Award which was established in 2005 in the name of the Honourable J. Land#233;once Bernard to celebrate success, innovation, and contribution to our community.

UPEI and l'Universitand#233; de Moncton offer a joint Bachelor of Education in French Immersion, which is a two year post-degree program consisting of 20 three-hour credit courses in education, 10 of which are offered on the UPEI campus, and the remaining 10 at land#145;Universitand#233; de Moncton.

The University of Prince Edward Island held its 37th Convocation exercises on Saturday, May 13 in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. Over 780 diplomas, certificates, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees were awarded during two ceremonies.

"Our graduating students have worked hard to arrive at this day, and they have good reason to celebrate, along with their families, friends, and the many members of the UPEI family who have played an integral role in their growth and success," said President Wade MacLauchlan. "There is a very special sense of community between the graduating students and the many dedicated people who have worked with them, as teachers, advisors, mentors, supporters and friends to achieve this great moment in their lives."

The Marshal for both ceremonies was Marva Sweeney-Nixon. The Honorary Marshals in the morning were Gordon Ellis, PWC'69, and Bruce Garrity, SDU'66. The Mace Bearer was Mellissa Yuen, Class of 2006. In the afternoon, the Honorary Marshals were Arleen Harris, PWC'62, and Gordon Whitlock, SDU'66. The Mace Bearer was Shaun Coady, Class of 2006. The Governor General's Medals were awarded to Dianne McFarlane and Trenna Adams.

A record number of postgraduate degrees were conferred this year, reflecting the recent growth in master's programs at UPEI. Ryan Boulter of Victoria and Janice MacKendrick-Muir of Charlottetown were the first graduates of the new Master of Arts in Island Studies program, and Beverly Carol Gerg of Charlottetown received UPEI's first Master of Applied Health Services Research degree. Over 70 students graduated with a Master of Education, 19 of them from Alberta where the UPEI Faculty of Education has delivered innovative new distance programs. Another area that saw a significant increase was the Family and Nutritional Sciences undergraduate program. The number of graduates more than doubled this year.

The University conferred honorary degrees on five individuals whose exceptional professional and community achievements have made them inspiring role models for new graduates. They were: Alice Patterson (Pat) Webster, Suzanne Land#233;vesque, David Wallace Rodd, Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin, and Elaine Campbell. Pat Webster, founding president of Canadian Parents for French, gave the morning convocation address. The afternoon address was delivered by Elaine Campbell, one of the co-creators of "Anne of Green Gables, the Musical."

Norman Webster, former UPEI Chancellor, was honoured during the ceremonies. In recognition of his outstanding service from 1996 to 2005, and his ongoing commitment to the University, he received the distinguished title of Chancellor Emeritus.

The valedictorian for the morning convocation was Cynthia Lynn Collins of Alaska who graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. "In school, we have learned to compare ourselves rigorously to each other, to a bell curve, to a class average, to a national percentile. Today we graduate from this mentality," she told her fellow graduates. "Instead, we will be assessed by the words we choose and the actions we take. Whatever you perceive your achievements and abilities to be, there are people for which your encouragement, your acceptance, and your style of communication will be very valuable. The things you say and do are an important example. We are all leaders. Let's choose to encourage. Let's choose to accept. Let's choose to communicate. Today we leave as equals. Success is now a choice we make every day."

Arts graduate Peter Richard Fraser of Kilmuir, PEI gave the valedictory address at the afternoon ceremony. He challenged students to look inside themselves and ask how they can positively influence society.

"Your actions will help ensure that future generations also have the opportunity to benefit from the type of experience we have enjoyed at UPEI," he said. "Never forget that the most powerful form of human existence is not one that involves material possessions; it is living a life where you genuinely affect the lives of those you meet. Every day we create who we are by what we do, what we think and how we behave. Use the education UPEI has afforded you as the foundation from which you can continue to acquire the knowledge you need to live your best life."

Convocation day represented the end of an era for the Read family of New Haven whose members have been involved with UPEI for over 35 years. Mike Read, as Associate Registrar, has been a popular mentor to many generations of new students. After 25 years on staff, he is now retiring. Mike and his wife Ellen, both UPEI alumni, celebrated the graduation of their son Geordon who received his BBA and their son Tyler who received his BA in Political Studies. Their remaining son Brodie previously of graduated from UPEI in Religious Studies.

As always, it was a day filled with mixed emotions, as graduates celebrated their accomplishments, looked back at the challenges and joys they had experienced as students, and looked forward to their new lives ahead. Valedictorian Cynthia Collins expressed it this way:

"The rigors of our degrees and diplomas are behind us: all of the lectures, the endless hours of studying, and examination after examination. Now, it is our great privilege to begin pursuing rewarding careers," she said. "We all have abilities that we don't yet understand. Trust the choices you have made. Respect what you have accomplished. Be patient and work hard. We will get where we want to go. We will achieve the things we want to achieve. We have already started. To the University of Prince Edward Island, my classmates at the Atlantic Veterinary College, and to the entire Class of 2006: thank you and congratulations."

UPEI is hosting its 14th annual Graduate Studies and Research Days from May 16 to 19. This annual event showcases the work of graduate students from the faculties of Science, Veterinary Medicine, Arts, and Education.

"The University of Prince Edward Island is a very rich research environment, with results making a difference in the lives of Islanders and those around the world," says Dr. James Bellamy, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, AVC at UPEI. "We believe it is important to share and celebrate this remarkable environment. This week will build awareness of how much research is being carried out right here at UPEI."

The first presentations took place on Tuesday, May 16. Students in the Master of Arts Island Studies (MAIS) program presented on research topics that ranged from and#145;The Energy Regime in Small Island Jurisdictions' to and#145;Land and Identity amongst Islanders.'

On Wednesday, May 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., graduate students in the Faculty of Science will present their research in Lecture Theatre 104 of the K.C. Irving building. The Honourable Mildred Dover, Minister of Education will deliver the opening remarks followed by messages from UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan and the Dean of Science, Dr. Roger Gordon. At 9:30 a.m., Dr. Bob Chapman from the National Research Council - Institute for Nutrisciences and Health will deliver the keynote address entitled "Chemical Coatings for Applications in CE-ESI-MS and Drug Delivery". Graduate student research presentations will begin at 10:30 a.m. Research topics will include using wild roses as an alternative crop, looking at compounds containing metals as possible chemotherapy agents, and larval infestations in potatoes. Awards and closing remarks will begin at 3:00 p.m.

The Faculty of Education will host their presentations starting at 3:30 p.m. in the K. C. Irving Lecture Theatre 104. Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies, will give the opening address. Topics will include: 'The Socio-cultural and Socio-political Realities of Teaching French as a Second Language in Canadian Public Schools' and 'Listening to Voices of Children with Disabilities.' The closing discussion will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Atlantic Veterinary College hosts its program of graduate research studies on Thursday, May 18 and Friday, May 19. The opening ceremonies will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and will include greetings from Pat Binns, Premier, Province of Prince Edward Island; UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan; Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean AVC; and Dr. James Bellamy, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, AVC at UPEI. The special guest lecturer presenting the AVC R.G. Thomson lecture is Dr. Wayne Martin, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Guelph. Over the two days, the presentations will be divided into four themes: Biomedical Science, Clinical Research and Animal Welfare, Popular Health, and Aquatic Animal Research. The awards reception will begin in the AVC Cafeteria on Friday afternoon at 2:45 p.m during which the Graduate Student Pfizer Award, the G. Murray and Hazel Hagerman Scholarships, the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence (faculty), the Best Paper Presentation and more will be presented.

The University of Prince Edward Island has 155 full-time and part-time graduate students enrolled in the various graduate studies programs.

Contact:

Sarah Wright, AVC, UPEI - (902) 894-2844 or swright@upei.ca

Heather Hughes, Faculty of Science, UPEI - (902) 566-6022 or

hhughes@upei.ca

Anne McCallum, Communications, UPEI - (902) 566-0760 or aemccallum@upei.ca

The L.M. Montgomery Institute is offering a special condensed version of English 333, The Literature of L.M. Montgomery, in June. "L.M. Montgomery: The Journals, the Novels and the Mystery of Creativity" will be delivered jointly by Dr. Elizabeth Waterston, world-renowned Montgomery researcher and co-editor of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, and Dr. Jennifer Litster, an up-and-coming researcher and popular conference speaker from Edinburgh, Scotland. "Those familiar with the study of Montgomery will recognize these women as scholars at the forefront of the research being done on L.M. Montgomery's life and works," says Institute Director, Elizabeth DeBlois. "To have them both here at UPEI to deliver a course like this is a huge coup."

The course begins on June 15 and is being offered in association with the L.M. Montgomery Institute's 7th international conference, "Storm and Dissonance: L.M. Montgomery and Conflict," which runs from June 21 to 25. Students will have five two-hour classes with Waterston and Litster and will then take part in the conference, having the opportunity to hear speakers from around the globe address the theme of conflict in relation to the life and works of the Island author. "This will truly be an international course in every way," says DeBlois "from the instructors to the conference speakers right through to the participants in the class. We even have a woman traveling from South Africa to take this course."

The class, like the conference, is open to the public and interested individuals are encouraged to visit the LMMI website at http://www.lmmontgomery.ca/ or to contact the L.M. Montgomery Institute directly for more information at (902) 628-4346.

The names of the first four students to benefit from a substantial UPEI scholarship program that was established to honour the memory of one of PEI's best-known community-minded and successful entrepreneurs have been announced. In December, the family of the late Harry W. MacLauchlan created a series of renewable entrance scholarships aimed at exceptional students entering the School of Business Administration who are planning entrepreneurial careers on PEI. The first recipients were acknowledged recently at a special luncheon at the University. They are Matthew Cassidy, Sarah Gillis, and Kathryn Hood from Colonel Gray High School, and Colin MacNevin from Bluefield.

"Our family is proud to establish these scholarships in Harry's memory," said Marjorie MacLauchlan on behalf of the family. "Harry always had a keen eye for talent and took a special interest in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs, in business and in community life. We look forward to seeing the benefits of these scholarships to the recipients and to Prince Edward Island."

The Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership are for students with high academic standing who show the qualities that MacLauchlan himself exhibited and admired: strong entrepreneurial initiative, high levels of accomplishment, and genuine commitment to the PEI community. They were created through a leadership gift from the MacLauchlan family to the UPEI Building a Legacy campaign.

"These scholarships will help us attract high-achieving students who have a commitment to entrepreneurship. The quality of our students ensures that the UPEI School of Business stands out regionally and nationally," says Dean of Business Roberta MacDonald. "This gift is a wonderful example of leadership-giving from the community. Such strong support is critical to our development, especially at this pivotal time when we are constructing our new School of Business."

Four renewable $3,000 Harry W. MacLauchlan scholarships will be awarded to business students entering UPEI each year, for a total of sixteen scholarships valued at $12,000 each over four years of studies.

The final report from a key study to identify the current and future skills and knowledge required by Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) on Prince Edward Island has just been released. Respondents to the study identified a high need for formal and informal continuing education, indicating nurses' commitment to maintaining competence in their profession.

The study was guided by the Nursing Continuing Education Task Group, with representatives from the UPEI School of Nursing, Holland College, PEI Nurses Union, Association of Registered Nurses of PEI, Licensed Practical Nurses Association of PEI, PEI Licensed Practical Nurses Registration Board, the PEI Department of Health and Department of Education. The group mailed questionnaires to the 1541 members of the Association of Registered Nurses of PEI and to the 650 LPNs registered with the PEI Licensed Practical Nurses Registration Board.

Janet Bryanton, an assistant professor at the UPEI School of Nursing and co-principal investigator for the study stated, "We were really pleased with our response rate of 48.7 per cent, with 731 RNs and 326 LPNs completing the survey. Ninety-nine per cent of those who responded, regardless of age or area of work, identified a very strong interest in continuing education across a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge. There was a striking similarity in the continuing education needs of RNs and LPNs."

Keys findings of the study included:

and#149; There are major barriers to addressing current and future knowledge and skills gaps including not being able to get time off from work (no one to backfill shifts); too many work demands; and lack of financial support from professional associations, employers, and post-secondary institutions.

and#149; Nurses in rural areas identified barriers to accessing continuing education resources, such as access to hospital or university library resources, and to high-speed Internet.

and#149; The most commonly identified topics for continuing education included stress management, legal issues, computerized charting, pain management, and assertiveness training. Nurses also require support to improve general computer skills.

While LPNs identified a need for further education in specific areas, many also highlighted the fact that their existing competencies are not always recognized. Forty per cent of LPNs

indicated that they have no opportunity in their work sites to practice to their level of training and education. Sharon Drake of the LPN Association of PEI remarked, "The study confirms that LPNs believe they are not able to practice to the level that they are educated. We informally heard this from our members but now have the evidence to substantiate this belief."

The study's findings gave rise to 22 recommendations that address the barriers to continuing education and building nursing capacity within the health care system, and that reflect the shared responsibility of all stakeholders. The first two recommendations are seen as key to addressing many of the issues identified by the study. They focus on the need for PEI to develop a comprehensive human resources strategy for nurses, and they stress the importance of reinstating a nursing leadership position to coordinate such a strategy. The report notes that in other jurisdictions a Chief Nursing Officer plays such a leadership role.

Helen Flynn, President of the Association Registered Nurses of PEI stated, "This is the most comprehensive study of educational needs of RNs and LPNs ever conducted on PEI. The findings will guide the advancement of continuing education and will assist in retention of nurses in the workplace. Task group members will work together to develop a strategy to address the recommendations."

Funding for the project was provided through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market

Development Agreement, co-managed by Service Canada and the provincial Department of

Development and Technology. More information on the study is available at

http://www.upei.ca/nursing/Executive_Summary.pdf or contact Janet Bryanton, UPEI School of Nursing, at jbryanton@upei.ca. A copy of the final report is available at http://www.upei.ca/nursing/Compressed_repor_app.pdf.

---

Contact Information

Janet Bryanton, UPEI, 902 628-4344 (study methodology and findings)

Sylvia Poirier, ARNPEI and co-chair of the study, 902 566-9517 (concerns of registered nurses)

Margaret Duffy, PEI Nurses Union, 902 892-7152 (nurses' working conditions)

Sharon Drake, LPNAPEI, 902 894-2192 (concerns of licensed practical nurses)

Dr. Kim Critchley, 902 628-4300, UPEI School of Nursing (degree programs)

It all started nearly 20 years ago with a lobster supper that the Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club prepared for over 800 veterinarians. The Lions cleared $5000 from the supper and decided to donate the proceeds to UPEI to create an endowment fund for scholarships. Since then the club has donated enough money to the University each year to substantially increase the size of the endowment. This level of support means that future generations of students will benefit as well as current students. The value of the annual scholarship is now $2000 and the total fund has topped $60,000.

"The way that this Lion's Club has gradually built up a substantial scholarship fund is very impressive and we are grateful," says Tracey Comeau, Stewardship Officer at UPEI. "This is a prime example of how service clubs can support the needs of our students today, while perpetuating their scholarships through an endowment fund."

The Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club Scholarship is awarded during Deans' Honours ceremonies every October. The most recent recipient was Jacques Arsenault.