The Royal Society of Canada has named Dr. Ian Dowbiggin a fellow in the Humanities Division of the Academy of the Arts and Humanities. Dr. Dowbiggin is a professor of history at the University of Prince Edward Island.

'Your election is a telling recognition of your remarkable accomplishments and an invitation to further the leadership you have already shown in advancing knowledge and scholarship in Canada,' wrote Roderick A. Macdonald, president and fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, in the letter advising Dowbiggin of his nomination and election

Dr. Dowbiggin is the author of several books on the history of science and medicine. His latest, The Quest for Mental Health: A Tale of Science, Medicine, Scandal, Sorrow, and Mass Society, charts the birth and history of the mental health industry in the twentieth century. Cambridge University Press featured it in August as book of the month in its Cambridge Book Club.

'There are few Canadians who can match either Dr. Dowbiggin's scholarly output or the contributions he has made to the social sciences,' wrote Dr. Richard Kurial, past dean of arts at UPEI, in his nominating letter. 'Dr. Dowbiggin's latest book, appearing at this stage in his scholarly career, testifies that he is hardly content to rest on his laurels and fully intends to contribute to the advancement of our knowledge of the past.'

'This fellowship is a true honour,' said Dr. Dowbiggin. 'I'd like to thank UPEI for all the support it's given me during my years here.'

'This fellowship speaks volumes about the quality of Dr. Dowbiggin's leadership in his area of research,' said Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI's vice-president of research and development. 'This is an honour well earned.'

'UPEI is extremely proud of Dr. Dowbiggin. On behalf of the University, I'd like to extend to Ian warmest congratulations,' said UPEI President Abd-El-Aziz.

As Canada's national academy, the Royal Society of Canada recognizes excellence in learning and research, as well as accomplishments in the arts, humanities and sciences. Dr. Dowbiggin is the University of Prince Edward Island's first fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz invites all members of the UPEI and Island communities to take part in any of several ‘Town Hall' meetings being held in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons (285N) at the Atlantic Veterinary College on the following dates:

Wednesday, September 14, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday, September 15, 9:30 to 11:30 am
Tuesday, September 27, 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Join the president, your colleagues, and community members in conversation about the priorities, role, and direction of the University. Your voice is important. All are welcome!

Further information: communications@upei.ca

UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, VP Academic Jim Randall, several deans, faculty and staff, and donors and sponsors joined 300 students at the New Student Orientation (NSO) final banquet, September 8, at the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall, to celebrate what was, according to NSO student coordinator Anastasia Smallwood, 'the most spirited NSO week ever at UPEI.'

After a number of speeches thanking first-year students for their enthusiasm and to NSO student leaders for their dedication, Smallwood called upon Shinerama student coordinator Donald Buchanan to address the group.

Buchanan explained that the NSO committee began to promote online giving for the national university and college fundraiser that supports cystic fibrosis research in June, and that these early efforts paid off in a tremendous way. One first-year student, Kaitlyn Parks, was the top online fundraiser in the country raising $2,247, and UPEI students, collectively known as the UPEI Shiners, led the country in online donations before NSO even officially started on September 3.

Actual ‘Shine Day' took place September 6, and despite rain and cool temperatures, students sang, danced, and shouted throughout the Charlottetown area to solicit donations. Buchanan noted that currency from around the world, from pesos to euros to yen, along with a few Cavendish Beach Music Festival tokens and even washers, were found in the numerous donation boxes.

Buchanan then broke the suspense and said, 'UPEI has broken its record-with online and Shine Day donations combined, the UPEI Shiners have raised a whopping $30,080. I am so proud,' at which time the entire audience stood on their feet and erupted into the recognizable chant, 'shine-a, ram-ma.' Buchanan read several messages of congratulations including those from national Shinerama coordinator and UPEI graduate, Ryan McDermott, and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. He added that the Charlottetown City Police also commended UPEI students for conducting the fundraiser in a safe manner.

Smallwood officially closed NSO 2011 with a few closing remarks, 'I wish this week would never end, but I look forward to NSO 2012 because after witnessing your amazing spirit , I know many of you will return to be NSO student leaders next year!'

UPEI's NSO organizers will find out later this fall how its Shinerama fundraising compared with other universities, after Cystic Fibrosis Canada tallies results from across the country.

The partners of BDO Canada LLP (BDO), the fifth largest single national accounting and advisory partnership in the country, recently announced a $56,000 contribution towards an annual accounting scholarship at the University of Prince Edward Island.

BDO in Canada's national office, along with local PEI partners, Glen Murray, Wayne Beaton, Jennifer Dunn, and Patrick Trainor in Charlottetown, and Patrick McSweeney in Summerside, have contributed towards the endowment that will generate an annual scholarship of $2,000.

‘The BDO Canada Scholarship in Accounting' will be given to a student completing his/her third year of academic study. He/she will have excelled in third-year accounting, demonstrated a high level of involvement in the community through participation in university and community activities, and been seen as a leader among their peers, acting as a positive role model. The award will be available beginning in the 2011-12 academic year.

Of the five PEI partners, Dunn, Trainor, McSweeney, and Beaton are all UPEI graduates. 'It is tremendously rewarding to collaborate with my Island colleagues and BDO's national office to create this unique scholarship at my alma mater,' Jennifer Dunn said. 'What makes this award so special is that it features a guaranteed summer placement for the successful recipient in one of BDO's offices. Not only is the student rewarded financially, but he or she also has an opportunity to gain practical experience in the accounting profession.'

Dean of UPEI's School of Business, Alan Duncan said, 'On behalf of UPEI, and our business students, I thank BDO Canada and in particular the five Island BDO partners for their generosity, and appreciate this targeted scholarship and internship opportunity that supports students who are pursuing a career in accounting.'

The former PEI firm, BFM Chartered Accountants, merged with BDO on January 1, 2011. This merger created a desire to support accounting students in Prince Edward Island, which led to the establishment of the ‘The BDO Canada Scholarship in Accounting.'

Keith Farlinger, CEO of BDO in Canada said, 'BDO Canada is very pleased to contribute to this new scholarship that will recognize top UPEI students with an interest in accounting. We also appreciate the chance to show our partners on Prince Edward Island that we support their interests and causes.'

About BDO Canada LLP

BDO is the fifth largest single national accounting and advisory partnership in Canada with 95 offices nationwide. Our professionals have the expertise to serve owner-managed businesses, large enterprises, mid-market public companies, communities and non-profit organizations in a broad range of industries.

BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms.

BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.

The combined fee income of all the BDO Member Firms, including the members of their exclusive alliances, was $5.28 billion in 2010. The global network provides advisory services in 119 countries, with almost 47,000 people working out of 1,082 offices worldwide.

Global Issues 151 and the Faculty of Education are sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Lloyd Axworthy called "Libya and the Principle of R2P."

The former Canadian politician, prominent statesman, Order of Canada recipient, and international leader in the fight against the use of landmines is currently president at the University of Winnipeg. He is in Charlottetown to attend the installation of his former colleague Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz as UPEI's sixth president and vice-chancellor the next day.

Dr. Axworthy served as minister of Foreign Affairs in the Chrétien government and president of the UN Security Council, and is well-regarded as Canada's authority on global issues.

All are welcome to attend this special event.

Friday, September 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm
MCD 242
Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI

Newfoundland author Wayne Johnston, one of Canada's most popular, critically heralded, and internationally successful novelists, will open the 2011 Pen and Inkling Literary Festival in Charlottetown with a public reading at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on Tuesday, September 27, at 7:30 pm. Admission is free. A reception and book signing will follow.

Johnston will read from his new novel, A World Elsewhere, which takes us to St. John's, Princeton, and North Carolina at the close of the nineteenth century. At the heart of the story is the friendship and perilous entanglement of two men who meet at Princeton University: Landish Druken, a Newfoundlander and failing writer, and Padgett Vanderluyden, disappointing son of the wealthiest man in America's Gilded Age. In this novel of loyalties, enigmas, grandiosities, lies, and betrayal, Johnston once again dazzles with what American author Richard Ford calls his 'rich, irresistibly readable prose…deft intelligence, and a rare sense of what's truly interesting to tell about life.' And, of course, there is Johnston's famous humour.

His earlier best-selling novels include The Custodian of Paradise, The Navigator of New York, and The Colony of Unrequited Dreams with the central character based on Premier Joey Smallwood. Lord Baltimore's Mansion, a compelling memoir of three generations of fathers and sons on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, won the Charles Taylor Prize, Canada's most prestigious award for creative non-fiction. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie adaptation of his novel The Divine Ryans. He is a talented athlete as well, but his path into the writing life was partly determined when his hockey equipment was accidentally thrown out with the trash.

Wayne Johnston's reading is jointly hosted by the UPEI English Department's ‘Winter's Tales Author Series,' Confederation Centre Art Gallery, and the PEI Writers' Guild. Support is generously provided by the Canada Council for the Arts and the City of Charlottetown's Cultural Capital grant for the PEI Writers' Guild's Pen and Inkling Festival.

‘Celebrate' was the theme all across the University of Prince Edward Island campus this weekend with a myriad of varsity games, open houses and community-partnered events, and certainly was the prevailing feeling at the installation of Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz where he became UPEI's sixth president and vice-chancellor.

Open to the public, the installation ceremony took place Saturday afternoon at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre and featured a perfect combination of pomp and ceremony along with spontaneity. Mace bearers, Brett Cheverie and Janessa Hogan, Class of 2015 and recipients of ‘The Most Spirited First Years Award' at New Student Orientation week, led the procession which included Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Frank Lewis; UPEI faculty, staff, and students; honorary degree recipients; and representatives from universities across the country. Well-noted former Canadian politician, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, president of the University of Winnipeg and Abd-El-Aziz' former colleague, was also in attendance.

Abd-El-Aziz was presented to the over 300 people attending by Board of Governors Chair Fred E. Hyndman and was led through his oath of office by Chancellor Bill Andrew. Andrew then gave the accomplished chemist and fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada his robes of office.

In his first address as president, Abd-El-Aziz said, 'We have many strengths to build upon that I believe can shape our identity as a destination university: outstanding facilities and quality programs, an intimate teaching and learning environment that is strongly connected to local and global communities, research excellence, and a supportive community. We will become a destination university-a university of choice for Islanders, and people around the world. I am committed to making this happen!'

The ceremony featured music by the Confederation Centre Youth Chorus, directed by Donald Fraser; the UPEI Wind Symphony conducted by Dr. Karem Simon; and the UPEI Concert Choir, directed by Sung Ha Shin-Bouey.

Following the installation address, the UPEI Wind Symphony performed the fitting Gandalf, from Symphony No. 1 'Lord of the Rings.' This movement is a musical portrait of the noble wizard Gandalf, one of the principal characters of the trilogy. Next, UPEI Theatre Studies students were guided through a dramatic performance by Dr. Greg Doran called Convocation 2020, where they acted as graduates of the 2020 class and read, sequentially, what the valedictorian address might be nine years into the future.

After the performance, President Abd-El-Aziz did some impromptu musing of his own, spending a few moments as if it was 2020 and he was looking back in time. He then performed his first official duty-to recognize the 2011 Founders, Dr. Margaret Munro and Mr. Frank Zakem, and the recipient of the Atlantic Veterinary College's Honourable Eugene F. Whalen Green Hat Award, Mr. Mel Gallant.

The recognition of founders is one way that UPEI honours its rich heritage and traditions by acknowledging people who have contributed to it in an exceptional way. This year was the twelfth annual tribute to founders at UPEI with students Karen Biggar, Emma McPhail, and Sadie Griffin reading citations for each founder.

Abd-El-Aziz said, 'I am so honoured to have my installation included with the recognition of our Founders, Dr. Munro, Mr. Zakem, and Mr. Gallant. Allowing me to pay tribute to them will be the most significant mark on my memories of this day.'

An uplifting performance, which had people clapping along, followed from the UPEI Concert Choir who performed selections from Freedom Trilogy. The event was capped off with O Canada and a reception where President Abd-El-Aziz mingled with the audience.

Former UPEI professor Dr. Lawson Drake summed up the afternoon's festivities, 'The ceremony was a wonderful blend of formality and informality, and recognition of our past while looking ahead to the future. It was lovely to see past, present, and future students as part of the program. I look forward to writing former colleagues who couldn't attend today to let them know what a fantastic day it was for UPEI.''

One way that the University of Prince Edward Island honours its rich heritage and traditions is acknowledging people who have contributed to it in an exceptional way, naming them ‘founders.' Recognizing founders is an opportunity to welcome members of the UPEI community to campus and at the same time honour those who have made contributions over the years.

The 2011 founders are Mr. Frank Zakem, Dr. Margaret Munro, and Mr. Mel Gallant, 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).

To view video interviews with the 2011 Founders, click here.

This year marked the twelfth annual recognition of founders at UPEI, and this special tribute took place during the installation ceremony of Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz as UPEI's sixth president and vice-chancellor on September 24.

President Abd-El-Aziz said, 'I am so honoured to have my installation included with the recognition of our Founders, Dr. Munro, Mr. Zakem, and Mr. Gallant. Allowing me to pay tribute to them along with their family, friends, and colleagues will be a significant mark on my memories of this day.'
Dr. Munro was involved with the creation of the UPEI School of Nursing beginning in 1990 when she was seconded from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary to develop the nursing program at UPEI. In 1991, Munro was invited to become the founding dean of UPEI's new school and remained in that position until July 1997 when she retired.

UPEI nursing student Karen Biggar counts Munro as one of her mentors. She said, 'Dr. Munro admits her fondest memories from her time as dean included getting to know the students and mentoring them. Her views on learning continue today, placing high value in education. Throughout almost forty years of teaching nursing, Dr. Margaret Munro has always been an advocate for students, encouraging them to be critical thinkers and thoughtful practitioners.'

Zakem's life has always been about service, as evidenced by his long career in post-secondary education, including serving as principal at Holland College's Charlottetown campus, teaching select classes at St. Dunstan's University, helping with the organization of SDU Class of 1954 Reunions, his high-profile tenure as Charlottetown city councilor and mayor, and his long involvement with a host of charitable organizations.

UPEI business student Emma McPhail met with Zakem earlier in September, and said in the citation she prepared from that meeting, 'For Frank Zakem, such involvements are as natural as breathing. There are three types of people, Frank is fond of saying, ‘Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who don't know what happened.' Mr. Frank Zakem rightly categorizes himself in category number one. This penchant for ‘making things happen' has earned him our recognition today as a ‘Founder' of UPEI.'

Gallant made his mark ‘managing the funds' at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, becoming the longest serving employee. He balanced the books on an annual operating budget that grew from about $1 million to roughly $30 million today, as well as putting pencil to paper for initial construction of the AVC facility tagged at $38.4 million and current expansion expected to run to $32 million. He was there 'from the ground up' and well-respected not only for his management skills but for his ability to deal well with people and his great pride for the College.

AVC student Sadie Griffin added, 'He joined AVC in 1984-shortly after construction of the College began-as assistant to the founding dean, Dr. Reg Thomson, and retired in 2007 as Assistant Dean, Administration and Finance. During his tenure at the College, he took great pride in AVC, a feeling he retains to this day. He continues to be a very strong advocate for the College, its people, and its growth and service to the Atlantic region and beyond.'

More about the Founders

Dr. Margaret F. Munro received her basic nursing preparation in Peterborough, Ontario, and has devoted all of her professional career to nursing education. Throughout almost forty years of teaching nursing she has always been an advocate for students, and has given leadership to several innovative projects in nursing education across Canada and in England, promoting meaningful and non-traditional learning opportunities.

It was through Munro's vision that the curriculum of the UPEI School of Nursing was the first in Canada to be developed based directly on the principles of primary health care. She led the work with her faculty team developing the PEI Conceptual Model for Nursing: A Nursing Prospective of Primary Health Care. Dr. Munro's ground work paved the way for a school rich in leadership, research, and partnership. Her vast knowledge in evaluation methods continues to benefit the faculty and students by way of annual course review and course evaluation.
Dr. Munro also wrote the book Forward in Faith: Establishing the School of Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island telling the story of the School's beginnings and is a strong supporter of numerous awards and scholarships in support of UPEI Nursing students.

Mr. Frank Zakem was born on August 30, 1931, the fourth of six children born to Albert and Ann (Marji) Zakem, of Charlottetown. He attended Prince of Wales College for grades eleven, twelve, and university freshman year; SDU to complete his university studies, and from there received a BComm in 1954, a BA in 1955, and a BEd in 1968.

After studying theology at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Zakem returned to PEI in 1956 and worked in the family business until 1970. Following this, he spent 26 years in administration, serving for ten years as Principal at Holland College. He was seconded to Premier Joseph Ghiz's office, and worked in various departments in government.

Zakem's involvement in city and provincial affairs reflects his ongoing commitment to his province and country. Spanning the years from his return to PEI to the present, he has served his community well: city councilor; mayor; and member of Charlottetown's Finance Committee, provincial task forces (health care, provincial assessment), Steering Committee on Municipal Reform, and numerous other provincial and municipal committees. He continues to be involved in community affairs, and has contributed significantly to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Boy Scouts of Canada, and numerous other organizations and committees. Frank travelled widely across Canada, particularly in his connection with Multicultural and Intercultural Affairs, and Canada World Youth.

During his term as mayor, Zakem oversaw the creation of the Charlottetown Development Corporation, which resulted in major developments of the waterfront and downtown Charlottetown areas. He marks this high in importance of his achievements during his term as mayor.

Zakem's contribution has been recognized and, among others, he has been awarded a certificate for involvement and contribution in municipal training, the Boy Scouts Medal of Merit, and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was a founding member and charter president of the Hillsborough Rotary Club.

Zakem is married to Janet (Kousaie) and they have four sons: Steven, Kenneth, Bruce, and Albert.

Mr. Mel Gallant (recipient of the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award) is the longest serving employee of the Atlantic Veterinary College; however, the native of Summerside and third of nine children took an interesting career path to eventually land at AVC.

He went to boarding school in Edmundston, NB, at age 16, where he learned French-the native tongue of his Acadian parents, Ted and Julia Gallant, from Egmont Bay. He then moved to Montreal and took a job with Gulf Canada after earning his MBA at McGill University in Montreal. He held three different positions over a four-year period with Gulf Canada.

Gallant then went into business in Montreal with a partner who had been teaching photography-a passion and talent he developed as an adult. But Gallant longed to return to PEI and did so in 1980. In 1984, he was hired as assistant to the dean of AVC, becoming assistant dean for administration and finance in the mid-90s. Gallant was accustomed to managing large sums on a daily basis-in his almost 25 years at AVC, he managed $800 million of the college's funds.

Colleagues speak highly of Gallant's work not only for his management skills, but also in his ability to deal well with people. He is credited with playing a key role in the leadership of the AVC, working side-by-side with the college's former deans: Dr. Reg Thomson, Dr. Brian Hill, Dr. Larry Heider, and Dr. Tim Ogilvie, to establish a veterinary college that has gained an international reputation in only 20 years.

The City of Charlottetown and the PEI Writers' Guild are pleased to offer the Pen & Inkling festival to celebrate the literary arts on Prince Edward Island and throughout Canada.

Two of the festival's guests are made possible through partnerships with UPEI. Co-presented by UPEI's English Department, Wayne Johnston will read at the Confederation Centre on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30 pm.

Celebrated Native playwright, film maker, comedian, and novelist Drew Hayden Taylor of Curve-Lake First Nations will be the festival's guest of honour. He will deliver an entertaining, educational, and laughter-filled presentation at UPEI on September 30, as well as to schools and the general public. Taylor's recent novel 'Motorcycles and Sweetgrass' was shortlisted for the 2010 Governor General's Award.

The UPEI presentation takes place Friday, September 30 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm at the Faculty Lounge, Main Building and is supported in part by the Webster Centre and Mawi'Omi Centre.

For more information on Taylor's presentation at UPEI, contact Sherri Russell, Aboriginal Academic Advisor, (902) 620-5125.

ProfitLearn PEI, in association with the RCMP, is hosting a forum called 'Fraud Prevention: Tips, Trends & Tactics' on Thursday, October 6 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Small businesses and not-for profit groups are encouraged to attend this half-day session that will assist owner-managers to minimize the risk of becoming victims of internal crime, and increase their understanding of appropriate internal protection practices to have in place.

ProfitLearn connected with two certified fraud examiners, Corporal Troy MacLean, 'L' Division Commercial Crime with the RCMP in Charlottetown and Mary H. Best, a chartered accountant with Arsenault, Best, Cameron, Ellis to assist in developing and delivering the content for the morning.
The RCMP has arranged for Inspector Kerry Petryshyn from Ottawa, to deliver the morning's keynote address. Petryshyn is currently working in the Commercial Crime Branch at the RCMP National Headquarters and is responsible for National Policy related to Major Frauds and Bankruptcy.
Through a panel of experts from law enforcement and professional organizations (accounting, law, human resources and insurance) the session will provide advice on how to minimize the risk of internal crime in organizations large or small.

'Over the past five years there have a considerable number of suspected fraud cases investigated on PEI by police,' says Corporal MacLean. 'And these are only the cases that are brought to the attention of police. In reality, many cases of fraud go unreported.' He adds, 'The best way to address fraud is to set up controls that will prevent attempts in the first place.'

The cost to attend the forum is $25 per person (including GST) and includes all materials and refreshments. Seats are limited. Online registration is available by visiting http://profitlearn.upei.ca.

ProfitLearn PEI, a provider of business learning for owner managers across Prince Edward Island, is supported through a partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA), Innovation PEI and the University of Prince Edward Island. For more information, contact Marg Weeks at 1-800-270-4795.