The first ‘Sport Legacy Celebration' took place Thursday at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to honour Panther Sport - past, present, and future.

The evening combined some traditional events with new components, all to celebrate the legacies that Panther Sport creates and inspire current student-athletes.

RBC Olympian Rowan Barrett was the keynote speaker. The basketball star played internationally for 17 years (12 years at the professional level) and won a gold medal at the 1994 Commonwealth championships with Team Canada. Barrett led the Canadian national basketball team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He now is a team leader and branch manager with RBC in Toronto.

Barrett challenged the audience to identify what inspires them as well as finding what holds them back. He said, 'The only thing that stops us from achieving greatness is that seed of doubt. If you believe in yourself and combine it with what inspires you, you will realize your dreams.' He shared stories about his teammate Steve Nash and cautioned the student-athletes not to expect immediate returns. 'People like Steve, yes, have achieved awards, but have had to be patient and make sacrifices in order to do so.'

Barrett's address was then followed by an acknowledgement of the 2009-10 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Academic All-Canadians. UPEI has 56 Academic All-Canadians from six different sports, representing more than 30 per cent of the student-athlete population. These athletes competed on a CIS varsity sport team while at the same time achieving an over-80 per cent average as a full-time student.

In the past, athletic awards and scholarships were presented at a separate ceremony; this year, these athletes were recognized during this new celebration. It was also the perfect opportunity to thank the many donors and families who support these awards and introduce two new awards - The Andrews Hockey School Scholarship and a mentor/mentee fellowship program supported by Mike and Jenny Moore.

Two new inductees were entered into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame - soccer great, Glen Miller and field hockey star, Tracy McGee. These athletes were outstanding in their respective sports, earning award after award, not only in the Atlantic University Sport conference, but in the CIS as well.

Director of Athletics Ron Annear gave closing remarks, 'UPEI works hard to create an environment that allows students to be successful academically, athletically, and socially, providing memories and impacts that last a lifetime. Tonight has been an opportunity to honour these success stories.'

2009-10 CIS Academic All-Canadians at UPEI

Dual Sport Athletes
Sumara Profit, Rugby/Swimming; Tessa Roche, Soccer/Hockey.

Women's Basketball
Nadine Chomyc, Julia McKenna, Sara Moore, Victoria Walker.

Men's Basketball
Tim Butler, Nick Kaminsky.

Field Hockey
Hilary Buckley, Ellen Dixon, Kathryn Hay, Katherine Lezeu, Lacey MacLauchlan, Carolyn MacLeod, Bethany Nicholson, Erica McQuaid-Ross.

Men's Hockey
Jakub Bundil, Connor Cameron, Jared Gomes, Graham McNabb, Greg O'Brien, Jhase Sniderman, Thomas Styncl, Cory Vitarelli, Thomas Waugh.

Women's Hockey
Cathleen Loughlin, Jenelle MacKenzie, Genna Phelan, Bailey Toupin.

Rugby
Hannah Austin, Monique Bernard, Janelle Carmichael, Isabelle D'Amour, Megan Larkin, Hannah Szwarc, Jaleesa Villard.

Men's Soccer
John Chandler, Peter Connaughton, Andrew MacSwain, Nathan Snowie.

Women's Soccer
Andrea Archibald, Laura Gaudet, Rachel Graham, Carolyn McKenna, Mandy Lise McKenna, Hannah Roche, Sara Stewart, Kalie Symington.

Swimming
Maranda Brown-Grant, Stephanie Landry, Billy MacDonald, Marianne Parent, Kaylynne Parkes.

Curling
Brett Gallant, Christina Hennessey, Courtney Moore.

UPEI Donor-supported Athletic Award and Scholarship Recipients

The Kyle and Kody Men's Hockey Award - Thomas Stryncal
Presented to a student-athlete in the UPEI Men's Hockey program who displays leadership qualities and a positive attitude.

The Dennis Clough Men's Hockey Scholarship - Tyson Gimblett
Presented to a returning UPEI men's varsity hockey player who has demonstrated tremendous character and leadership qualities through his dedicated effort and positive attitude in the classroom, in the community, and on the ice.

The Neil and Lila MacLeod Memorial Scholarship - Sumara Profit
Presented to a full-time UPEI student in his/her second year who has demonstrated academic achievement and participates in a varsity athletic program.

The Urban McInnis Memorial Award - Mike Hardy and Emily MacEachern
Presented to an Island student on each of the UPEI women's and men's basketball teams, entering third year, who has made significant academic progress.

The Harry and Marjorie MacLauchlan Scholarship - Matt Boyle and Jordan Knox
Presented to two full-time students who are members of a UPEI intercollegiate hockey team, in strong academic standing, with preference given to players from PEI.

The Gerry Gillis Memorial Scholarship - Sara Stewart
Presented to a returning Academic All-Canadian athlete participating in Panther sports who contributes superior athletic sportsmanship combined with high academic achievement.

The Grant Thornton 'Harry MacLauchlan' Scholarship - Chad Locke
Presented to a student on a UPEI intercollegiate hockey team in good academic standing who has been voted by teammates and coaches as contributing most to team spirit through hard work and dedication.

The Michael and Jennifer (Johnston) Moore Mentor/Mentee Fellowship Program for UPEI Basketball - Nadine Chomyc and Aaron Robbins
Presented to two UPEI varsity basketball athletes - a mentor who has displayed strong skills in balancing academics and athletics, and a mentee who wishes to benefit from working closely with the mentor to develop similar skills that will enhance his/her athletic and academic experience.

The Ron McInnis Men's Hockey Award - Thomas Waugh
Presented to a full-time UPEI student who is a member of the UPEI hockey team and currently lives in, or is originally from, Prince Edward Island.

The Keefe Family Hockey Scholarship - Graham McNabb
Presented to a returning Academic All-Canadian athlete on the UPEI Men's Hockey team. The recipient will contribute superior athletic sportsmanship combined with high academic achievement.

Carr Stevenson and MacKay Gift - Carly LaFave
Presented to a full-time student on the Panther Women's Basketball team who has demonstrated strong academic standing.

The Andrews Hockey School Scholarship - Kris MacDonald
Presented to a full-time UPEI student who is a member of a UPEI hockey team and has completed training in an Andrews Hockey Growth Program.

The Colin F. MacDonald Scholarship- Jessica Rosenbaum
Presented to a high school student entering UPEI who will be a member of the Panther Women's Hockey Team, and preferably entering the School of Business.

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) celebrated its extensive history and looked forward to a bright future at its eleventh annual Founders' Day ceremony on Friday, September 24. A special component of the ceremony was when PEI's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, who also serves as Visitor to the University, presented and unveiled UPEI's new Coat of Arms, which has been officially granted by the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

On Founders' Day, UPEI honours its rich heritage and traditions, acknowledges people who have contributed to it in an exceptional way, and shares a sense of heritage and community with incoming and returning students.

'Founders' Day is an opportunity to welcome new colleagues and students, at the same time as we honour those who have made contributions over the years,' said University President Wade MacLauchlan.

Barb Mullaly, Ian MacDonald, and James Hancock were recognized as new UPEI Founders and AVC Founding Dean Reginald Thomson as the 2010 recipient of the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award which pays tribute to individuals who have had a significant and positive impact on the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) and veterinary medicine in Atlantic Canada.

About the Founders

Barb Mullally joined Prince of Wales College in 1967 where she was both a lecturer and coach. 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.

She is well respected among her peers and is past president of Atlantic University Sport and past-chair of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Finance Committee. She is a Master facilitator in Coaching Theory and continues her life-long commitment to the development of student-athletes to this day.

Ian MacDonald was born in Charlottetown and moved into Dalton Hall, then a male residence on the St. Dunstan's University (SDU) campus, in 1956. Studying chemistry, biology and physics and after participating in student government, football and student theatre productions, he graduated in 1960 as class valedictorian.

After graduation, MacDonald taught in Saint John, NB, returning to the Island in 1963 to teach at Colonel Grey High School and SDU. But soon after, and following completion of his Master's of Adult Education, he was lured back to SDU where he was the first Director of Extension and Summer Services. In this role, MacDonald made significant contributions, including creating, in 1983, the Institute of Island Studies, a well-respected centre focusing on research, public policy, and issues facing residents of small Islands around the world.

Jim Hancock was born in Newfoundland and moved to Canada in 1943. Armed with Bachelor of Science and Education from University of Toronto, he joined IBM. After falling in love with PEI, he applied to become the first Computer Centre Director in 1972, later the Computer Services department, and orchestrated many of the networking initiatives on campus that are still in use today.

Hancock led many of the projects with partners such as Maritime Electric and Island Tel, including the laying of fibre optic cable that connects buildings on campus. After joining a committee of peers from Maritime universities, he recognized how the internet would come to play such an important role, and also registered the first .ca domain name in Canada, upei.ca.

Dr. Reg Thomson, Founding Dean of AVC, was recipient of this year's Green Hat Award, posthumously. Born in Woodstock, Ontario, he graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 1959. After working in private practice, he taught at OVC and developed his quiet, intense, but well-focused approach to teaching, research, service, and administration.

In the late seventies, he brought his skill set to Prince Edward Island, where he was pivotal in bringing the dream of the Atlantic Veterinary College to fruition. He was tasked with developing the vision for the College and when funding for the facility was announced in 1982, he guided the team of architects, consultants and members of the veterinary community to construct what is now one of the most highly-regarded veterinary colleges in North America.

All twelve of Innovation PEI's 2010 Graduate and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program winners come from the University of Prince Edward Island and its Atlantic Veterinary College - including ten active students, and two applications to attract graduate and post-doctoral students. Now in its second year, the program is providing multi-year funding to 23 UPEI students in total.

'In training people into researchers, we create new generations of innovators - people who look at the world and know they can make a contribution to our understanding of the world by creating new knowledge; people who know how to use their creativity and intelligence to discover, to advance, to innovate,' said Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI Vice President of Research & Development. 'This program is a real investment in what I believe is the driver of innovation - people.'

'I continue to be impressed with the quality of research being conducted in Prince Edward Island,' said Hon. Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. 'I look forward to the Province's continued support of graduate students through the Island Prosperity Strategy program.'

The 2010 winners of the program include:

Michael Ciarmella

Michael will strive to identify blood biochemical parameters that correlate with the quality and nutritional status of American lobster. Michael is being supervised by Dr. Andrea Battison and Dr. Barb Horney.

Edward Cross

Edward is working to develop catalysts which will be utilized to form biodegradable and controlled release drug delivery systems. Edward is being supervised by Dr. Michael Shaver.

Jessica Willis

Jessica will develop molecular assays for ensuring that Island oysters remain safe for human consumption. Jessica is being supervised by Dr. Spencer Greenwood and Dr. J.T. McClure.

Dr. Michael Shaver & Dr. Brian Wagner

Dr. Shaver and Dr. Wagner have been granted a funding guarantee to recruit a master's student who will re-locate to Prince Edward Island and develop a drug delivery system that will indicate the end of the treatment cycle through fluorescence.

Michelle Patterson

Michelle is investigating optoacoustic imaging, a new medical technology for monitoring prostate cancer. She is able to image tumours using light and sound waves. Michelle is being supervised by Dr. William Whelan and Dr. Chris Riley.

Dr. Priyanka Pundir

Dr. Pundir is evaluating the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of oat extracts on human skin cells. Dr. Pundir is being supervised by Dr. Marianna Kulka.

Dr. Catherine Radtke

Dr. Radtke is conducting a comparison of the stem cells harvested from equine muscle, fat, and bone marrow for use in clinical therapy. Dr. Radtke is being supervised by Dr. Laurie McDuffee.

K. Fraser Clark

Fraser will develop molecular tools to assess the health, immunity and quality of lobster exposed to different pathogens. Fraser is being supervised by Dr. Spencer Greenwood.

Dr. Dante Mateo

Dante will attempt to create a tool to detect multiple finfish viruses using fluidic bead based molecular technology. Dr. Mateo is being supervised by Dr. Ahmed Siah, Dr. David Groman and Dr. Carmencita Yason.

Dr. Nakhyung Lee

Dr. Lee will strive to develop a strategy to control Listeria in ready-to-eat lobster products. Dr. Lee is being supervised by Dr. Byeonghwa Jeon.

Dr. J.T. McClure & Dr. Chris Riley

Dr. McClure and Dr. Riley have been granted conditional funding to recruit a post-doctoral fellow who will assess immunity and antibody production using biomedical technology, with a view to developing commercial opportunities for PEI.

Dr. AKM Ashikur Rahman

Dr. Rahman is planning to work with a medical technology company to create a tele-health system based on wireless sensor networks, which automatically monitors patient vital signs and reports to nurses (or doctors) if an issue arises. Dr. Rahman will be supervised by Dr. Qiang Ye.

UPEI congratulates all of the successful applicants, and looks forward to many years of continued research excellence as a result of this program.

UPEI Nursing students (Kenyan Internship) were recently presented the 2010 Farmers Helping Farmers Youth Award at the organization's annual meeting.

The annual award recognizes individuals and youth groups who have made outstanding contributions to public awareness about Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) and its work in Kenya. The nursing students included: Ashley Caulier, Marley Bruce, Rianne Carragher, Cheryl Edmunds, James Sullivan, Katie Arsenault, Kaela MacKinnon, Lisa MacQuillan, and UPEI Dean of Nursing, Dr. Kim Critchley.

'We are extremely fortunate to have groups working in partnership and raising funds to assist with the challenges faced by many East African farm women and their families,' said Awards Committee chair Sandra MacKinnon.

The first time that student nurses from UPEI traveled to Kenya was in the summer of 2009 as FHF members had recognized health problems and determined that it would be beneficial to have nursing students spend some time working within the region.

After interning at St. Teresa's Hospital, the 2009 group determined that they wanted to share their experiences with friends and family. When they returned to PEI, they decided to raise funds for the hospital and increase awareness about Farmers Helping Farmers. An African meal and a silent auction were organized with all proceeds going to the Kenyan hospital. Two hundred tickets were sold within two days and the group raised over $3,000.

As a result of the successful 2009 experience, four more 4th year nursing students had the opportunity to travel to Kenya in February 2010.

In both years, the students worked in the maternity and surgical sections of the hospital, with the HIV outreach program, and at a children's home. They also coordinated blood pressure clinics for the Muchi Women's Group and the Ruuju Women's Group, and ran two highly successful hand-washing clinics.

Other 2010 FHF award recipients included Gerry McQuaid (Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Individual Award); The Hillsborough Rotary Club (Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers Group Award); and Priscilla Myers (Honourary Life Membership).

The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, presented UPEI's new coat of arms to a well-represented University community at the Founders' Day ceremony, September 24.

'It is with pride that I unveil, on behalf of Her Majesty and the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the coat of arms for the University of Prince Edward Island,' said Her Honour. 'I have seen how UPEI has grown over the decades as the successor institution to St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales College.'

Based on an original concept by David Webber and modified by the Canadian Heraldic Authority in consultation with the University, the images of the coat of arms symbolize UPEI's role as a centre of advanced learning and depict the heritage of the two founding institutions - St. Dunstan's University (SDU) and Prince of Wales College (PWC).

UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan said, 'We stand on tall shoulders, and Founders' Day is a time to remind ourselves of those who worked through many challenges to bring UPEI to where it is today, and recommit to the mission that there are still breakthroughs to be made and upward slopes to climb to make this University great in the fullest possible sense.'

'This beautiful coat of arms embraces our heritage and this mission, and our sense of place, as a University,' he added. 'Together with the UPEI flag, it gives everyone attached to the University a lift, to present ourselves with pride and dignity. It has been really impressive to see how visitors respond to the coat of arms and flag, reminiscent of the wisdom about ‘seeing ourselves as others see us'.'

'The approval of the Coat of Arms, one so steeped in the tradition of our founding institutions, will certainly help with our effort to attract more international students, especially those from Asia,' added Jerry Wang, International Enrolment Specialist at UPEI. 'They see the history and brand of the University as important factors when choosing their destinations of higher learning.'

The presentation was the culmination of a process that began in 2002. The Canadian Heraldic Authority, on behalf of the Queen, approved the armorial bearings, which include the coat of arms, crest, flag, and motto, on March 15, 2010.

The SDU symbols are the hammer and tongs used in St. Dunstan's trade as a blacksmith, and the bishop's ring. PWC is represented by the crown and three ostrich feather plumes of the Prince of Wales. An open book conveys UPEI's educational mission while supporting black panthers represent the varsity sports teams, the UPEI Panthers. The rust and green colours evoke the landscape of Prince Edward Island, and an oak tree and saplings reference the PEI coat of arms.

'This is the most prestigious representation of the University's visual identity,' said director of Integrated Communications at UPEI, Glenda Clements. 'We look forward to displaying it with pride.'

The University's motto, rendered in latin, is Fides Scientia Beneficium, meaning Faith Knowledge Service.

Soccer goalkeeper Chanelle Roy of the UPEI Panthers is the BlackBerry Canadian Interuniversity Sport female athlete of the week for the period ending Sept. 26, 2010.

Roy is a third-year science student from Bathurst, N.B., and recorded back-to-back shutouts over the weekend as the Panthers (3-0-3) remained undefeated in conference play with a 1-0 win over UNB (1-2-1) and a scoreless draw with the AUS-leading and nationally ninth-ranked Dalhousie Tigers (4-0-2). The junior keeper, who leads the AUS with five shutouts and only one goal allowed in six outings (0.17 GAA), hopes to resume her stellar play when UPEI visits Mount Allison (0-2-3) on Saturday and Acadia (2-1-2) on Sunday.

Click here to see full CIS news release.

The UPEI Men's Hockey team will play its only Island pre-season game on Saturday when they take on the defending national champions Saint Mary's Huskies at Credit Union Place. Game time is 7 pm.

It is the first game in Summerside for UPEI in a number of years. The Atlantic University Sport (AUS) hockey conference is the best in the country and there will be a number of familiar faces in both line-ups.

'This is a great opportunity for the folks in Summerside and surrounding areas to get a first-hand look at the 2010/11 UPEI Panthers,' says UPEI Panthers head coach, Forbie MacPherson. 'UPEI's roster has a lot of Islanders, especially from Prince County, who formerly played with the Summerside Western Capitals.'

UPEI captain Thomas Waugh, forwards Mike McIsaac, Chad Locke and Kris MacDonald all played for the Summerside junior team. Assistant coach Kris MacPhee is also a former Capital.

'The game will also be a chance to watch the defending national champions, which include a couple of Summerside players, Colby Pridham and Bradley Smith, and of course, former NHL'er Mike Danton,' adds MacPherson. 'I would imagine that both Pridham and Smith will be accepting a larger role this season. These are two impact players in the league.'

UPEI played SMU (SMU won 6-4) and beat Guelph 6-5 last weekend in a pre-season tournament hosted by Gardiner MacDougall's UNB Varsity Reds in Fredericton. UPEI is at Moncton on October 1.

UPEI has a nucleus of returning players from last year including Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year, Jared Gomes; Matt Carter; Dylan Quaile; and fifth-year players, Tyson Gimblett and Cory Vitarelli.

New to the Panthers this year are Charlottetown native Matt Boyle, Mathew Maione, former Truro Bearcat Dana Fraser, and goaltender Marc Guggenberger.

'For the most part, SMU is full of experience and very well coached. Obviously, being the defending national champions, this team knows how to get to the next level. This game will be a great measuring stick for our team to gauge where we are at early in the season,' MacPherson says.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. UPEI students are admitted for free with their UPEI student ID and UPEI season ticket holders are admitted free showing season pass.

Many students at UPEI will see a five per cent increase in their pay cheques this month. UPEI recently approved a new basic hourly rate of $9.52 for student employees, effective October 1.

UPEI employs students in a variety of roles - from dog walkers to lab assistants to graduate student researchers working on projects that help them develop new skills related to their studies. Students have the opportunity to arrange their work hours to fit their class schedules, supplement their incomes, and gain valuable employment experience. Last year, UPEI spent $1.9 million on graduate and undergraduate student employment.

The UPEI Men's Hockey team will help a family with long-time connections to the program when the current Panthers play a benefit game against the alumni Panthers on Tuesday, October 5 at MacLauchlan Arena. Game time is 5:30 pm.

The Kristen Cameron Benefit Hockey Game is a fundraiser to assist the 25-year-old Islander as she recovers from a spinal cord injury suffered in early September in Pennsylvania. Kristen had been working in Erie, PA as an assistant coach of the women's hockey team at Mercyhurst College.

Cameron, whose father Brian, uncles Dave and Rick, and cousin Connor, all played for the Panthers, was seriously injured when she was struck from behind by an alleged drunk driver while bicycling. Kristen was in hospital in Erie's Hamot Medical Centre until recently when she was transferred to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

'She has no sensation from the chest down. Kristen can move her arms and thumbs but does not have fine motor coordination in her fingers,' said Rick Cameron. 'She has been at St. Mike's Hospital since Sunday (September 26) and the plan is to move her to Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Centre soon.' Brian, and Kristen's mother, Joanne, are with her in Toronto.

'Kristen's rehabilitation will be a long haul; we are looking at months of rehab. Hopefully, it will start soon and we'll see how she progresses. Kristen is a remarkable young woman with a determined personality,' Rick added.

The benefit hockey game was something that current Panther captain Thomas Waugh and teammate Kris MacDonald spearheaded.

MacDonald, who knows Kristen's younger brother, Craig, experienced a similar situation when his younger brother, Kyle, was in an accident last year in Summerside. 'I realized after Kyle's accident how much Islanders help out and everything that people did for my family. When I heard about what happened to Kristen, I thought that this game would be the least I could do,' MacDonald said. He has created the Kristen Cameron Benefit Hockey Game on facebook. 'I sent it out to a few hundred people and it was shared with over 2,000 people in no time.'

Waugh played for the St. Mike's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League with Connor Cameron and was coached by Connor's father, Dave before both players suited up with the Panthers.

'The Cameron family has been involved with UPEI hockey for years and we (hockey Panthers) wanted to do something to support them. The idea of the fundraising game is something the whole team came up with and we thought it would raise some money to help Kristen and the Cameron family during this difficult time,' Waugh said.

'We are truly grateful for all the thoughts and prayers that people have been sending, and the community outpouring of support is remarkable,' Rick said. 'Something like what has happened to Kristen is a parent's worst nightmare and it hits deeper when it's family. We are all praying for Kristen and can't wait to see her again,' her uncle added.

Admission to the game is $5 and donations will be also accepted; a fundraising social will be held at The Wave following the game.

The Kristen Cameron Trust Fund has also been set up and donations can be made to any TD Canada Trust branch across Canada. (Information required: Transit 56803, 192 Queen St. Charlottetown; Bruce Donaldson, Branch Manager.)

First instalment of Winter's Tales Authors' Reading Series goes October 5

Steve McOrmond, winner of the 2007 Atlantic Poetry Award, and David Zieroth, the 2009 winner of the Governor General's Award for Poetry, will give a public reading on Tuesday, October 5, at 7:30 pm in the UPEI Faculty Lounge, Main Building. The evening will include the PEI launch of McOrmond's new book.

McOrmond grew up in Prince Edward Island, graduated from UPEI in English, and received his M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of New Brunswick. His first poetry collection, Lean Days, was published in 2004. Primer for the Hereafter appeared in 2006, and The Good News About Armageddon was published this spring.

Michael DeBeyer writes, in Atlantic Books Today, '…there's both small-town genuineness and urban polish in his work…' Another reviewer says that he 'writes with precision and rich, rich language, about gizmos and lobsters and-with compassion-about the tininess of our lives in this big universe.' For a teaser, 'The Tooth Fairy's Lament' in his new book begins, 'None of the cachet of the fat man / in the red suit. I am soon forgotten / obsolete....' When he's not visiting P.E.I., Steve lives in Toronto with his wife, Janet.

David Zieroth was born in Neepawa, and raised on a Manitoba farm. Rather than follow in his parents' footsteps, he became a naturalist in Kootenay National Park in B.C. He then taught creative writing for many years at Kwantlen College in Vancouver, where he edited the distinguished literary magazine, Event. He was also a resident instructor in the summer creative writing program at The Banff Centre for the Arts. Zieroth has published eight books of poetry, four chapbooks, and a memoir, The Education of Mr. Whippoorwill: A Country Boyhood. David Zieroth

The official citation for his Governor General's Award, granted for his collection The Fly in Autumn, states: 'Risking unease, using language both tender and ironic, Zieroth's poems range from the cockiness of flight, from Dick and Jane readers to insurance clerks and blind nurses, and to the inevitability of decline. Still, the poet remains alert to the re-emergence of ‘his boyhood hope: to be brave, to ship out, to learn to sleep on waves.''

Zieroth's and McOrmond's reading is sponsored by the UPEI English Department, with generous support from The Canada Council for the Arts and the League of Canadian Poets. A reception and book signing will follow. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Dr. Richard Lemm, UPEI Department of English, at (902) 566-0592 or rlemm@upei.ca. Authors' websites are: www.stevemcormond.com and www.davidzieroth.com.