The UPEI men's hockey team will take on StFX at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre in exhibition play, Saturday, October 8, at 3:00 pm. The pre-season game represents one of the few times the Panthers have played a home game off-campus and the first time playing in the new Montague facility.

Proceeds from the game will support the Montague Volunteer Fire Brigade (MVFB)'s multiyear commitment of raising a total of $30,000 towards the wellness centre's capital campaign. In addition to firefighters and local businesses selling tickets, MFVB approached the Montague Minor Hockey Association to help with the sales effort. A third of the value of tickets-either purchased by players at registration or resold-will be contributed back to the association.

'We have used casino nights and a firefighters' ball in the past to raise funds,' said Jeff Nelson, member of the fire department's fundraising committee. 'Partnering with UPEI to bring their 'show' to eastern PEI as well as Montague Minor Hockey, while raising some dollars towards our pledge, was a great opportunity that we couldn't pass up on. We are depending on the community to support our cause and invite them to come out and enjoy some of PEI's best hockey.'

"The opportunity for UPEI men's hockey to play an AUS men's hockey exhibition game in Montague is very exciting,' added Ron Annear, director of UPEI Athletics and Recreation. 'We've always had wonderful support from the Kings County area and it's truly an honour for Panther Hockey to make its debut at the new wellness centre. Eastern PEI residents will see a very highly skilled and fast level of hockey with both team rosters comprised of CHL/MHL graduates along with many NHL draft picks."

After coming off a string of exhibition game wins against St. Thomas, Dalhousie, McGill, and Carleton, the Panthers hope to add another game to their pre-season ‘win' column against their Antigonish rivals. With their only loss coming from a Université de Moncton Blue Eagles match-up on October 2, UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said, 'We have to bring our A-game early every night, and we're excited to get another opportunity to do so before the regular season starts. We've learned that we need to start putting pressure as soon as the puck drops-so Kings County fans will definitely be in for some fast-paced hockey when we take on the X-Men.'

There has been a groundswell of local corporate support for the Montague game, including that from presenting sponsor MRSB. MRSB partner, Everett Roche, a UPEI graduate who grew up in Cardigan and lives in the Montague area, will be dropping the ceremonial puck.

The Panthers' regular season begins with home games at MacLauchlan Arena, October 14 and 15, against the Saint Mary's Huskies and StFX X-Men, respectively.

The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame committee has announced that it will induct men's basketball standout Curtis Robinson on Thursday, October 13, 2011 during the UPEI Sport Legacy Dinner.

Curtis Robinson was a five-year member (1991-1996) with the UPEI men's basketball team. A team leader who captured not only UPEI awards but AUAA and CIAU awards throughout his Panther career, he was named the AUAA Most Valuable Player, UPEI Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year, and a CIAU All-Canadian.

Robinson is only one of three UPEI Panthers to be named a BLG Award Nominee for the awards (formerly the Howard Mackie Awards) presented annually to the CIS Male and Female Athletes of the year. Now living in the Bahamas, Robinson will be in Charlottetown to accept his honour in person.

The 2011 induction will form part of the second annual ‘sport legacy' event where Academic All-Canadians from the last varsity season and named financial award winners are also celebrated. Tickets for this year's event, taking place in McMillan Hall located in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre (reception, 6:30 pm; dinner, 7:00 pm), are available for purchase by the general public for $75 each by contacting UPEI Athletics and Recreation at 902-566-0432.

The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic programs at the University of Prince Edward Island, St. Dunstan's University, or Prince of Wales College. Each year, individual athletes, teams, and builders are inducted to honour their contributions towards the University's athletic success or community leadership. Anyone with an interest in UPEI, SDU, or PWC athletics is invited to submit nominations.

For more information, please contact Lynn Boudreau at (902) 566-0991 or lboudreau@upei.ca.

Molly Peacock, internationally-acclaimed poet, anthologist, and author of the best-selling memoir Paradise, Piece by Piece, will read and discuss her work on Monday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the UPEI Faculty Lounge, Main Building. A reception and book signing will follow. Admission is free.

Peacock has published six books of poetry, in the United States, England, and Canada, and her poems have appeared in such distinguished publications as The New Yorker, The Nation, The New Republic, The Paris Review, and The Best of the Best American Poetry. She is also the author of How To Read A Poem and Start A Poetry Circle, editor of a collection of creative non-fiction, The Private I: Privacy in a Public World, and co-editor of Poetry in Motion: One Hundred Poems from the Subways and Buses.

Paradise, Piece by Piece has been one of the most popular memoirs in North America since its publication in 1998. Her newest book, The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life's Work at 72, lovingly tells the remarkable story of British artist Mary Granville Pendarves Delany (1700-1788), who became famous for her exquisitely detailed, botanically precise flower collages set against dramatic black backgrounds.

She has received awards from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. She was Poet-in-Residence at the American Poets' Corner (Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York) and former President of the Poetry Society of America. Peacock also wrote and performed a one-woman monologue in poems, The Shimmering Verge, produced by Femme Fatale Productions, in theatres throughout North America. Born and raised in New York state, she is now a dual Canadian-American citizen and lives in Toronto.

Her reading is part of The Winter's Tales Author Series sponsored by the UPEI English Department, with generous support from The Canada Council for the Arts.

For further information, please contact Tracy Johnston at 566-0389.

The second annual ‘Sport Legacy Celebration' took place Thursday at the University of Prince Edward Island honouring Panther Sport - past, present, and future. Former UPEI basketball Panther, Curtis Robinson (1991-96) was inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame while Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Academic All-Canadians from the last varsity season and named financial award winners for this year were also celebrated.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Ron Annear welcomed approximately 150 student-athletes, coaches, donors, sponsors, family, and friends to McMillan Hall at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre for the dinner event.

'This is an evening to honour and celebrate Panther Sport, and the legacies it creates,' said Annear. '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.' Annear also thanked the many award donors and event sponsors.

UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, 'Athletics are important to our University as it develops pride in our athletes who represent UPEI, as well as in our other students. I am so proud that we are honouring our past athletic achievements tonight, but I also congratulate our current students who are achieving success in their sport and academically. We are recognizing a record number of CIS Academic All-Canadians tonight-54-it is wonderful that so many students come to UPEI to play, have fun, and, at the same time, excel in their studies.'

In addition to the recognition of the Academic All-Canadians (student-athletes who have maintained a grade point average of 80 per cent over the previous year), and the presentation of many annual scholarships, new 'Alumni Engagement Awards' were given out. These awards were created from proceeds generated at the Alumni Golf Tournament held in July and presented to UPEI student-athletes in each varsity sport who furthered public and alumni interest in their respective teams.

Annear then described the concept for a proposed UPEI Sport Hall of Fame installation in the lobby at the CARI Complex, indicating that it would visually and interactively honour achievements of Panther athletes from the past, including this year's inductee.

Robinson was introduced and inducted into the hall by Brett Wood, a former Panther and UPEI men's basketball assistant coach, who said, 'Curtis Robinson is an honourable and generous man who would help anyone, and who still works tirelessly for UPEI men's basketball, recruiting new and supporting current players.'

Robinson then stepped to the podium to accept his honour, thanking his friends, family, and former teammates-many, including his wife and parents, who were in the audience. He made particular mention of former UPEI Athletic Director Barb Mullaly, and his mentor, former men's basketball coach George Morrison, who both served in their positions when Robinson played at UPEI and supported him throughout his standout career.

'It is always great to come back to campus to see that former Panther athletes, who played when I did, are still heavily involved in the varsity programs,' said Robinson. 'I hope that many of you here tonight stay involved after your playing days are over. I also thank the many donors and sponsors who help our athletes have the special opportunity that I did-to come here, to UPEI, to play sports.'

Robinson, who now lives in the Bahamas, captured numerous awards during his Panther career, including AUAA Most Valuable Player (twice) and UPEI Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year(twice), and was a two-time CIAU 1st Team All-Canadian. He still holds the AUS record for Most Points Scored for an Individual, Career (regular season), scoring 2,069 points in 100 games over five years.

2010-11 CIS Academic All-Canadians at UPEI

Women's Basketball
Nadine Chomyc, Julia McKenna, Kelcy McNally, Marie-Christine Parent

Men's Basketball
Nick Kaminsky

Field Hockey
Michelle Clow, Ellen Dixon, Leanne Doiron, Lydia Ellis, Kathryn Hay, Marina MacAulay, Lacey MacLauchlan, Jenna MacLellan, Erica Ross, Kristy Wu

Men's Hockey
Jared Gomes, Jordon Knox, Kris MacDonald, Graham McNabb, Jhase Sniderman, Thomas Styncl, Thomas Waugh

Women's Hockey
Amanda Armstrong, Kristy Dobson, Christina Kelly, Kristin Nash, Bailey Toupin

Rugby
Hannah Austin, Juliet Bernard, Isabelle D'Amour, Rachel Earl, Megan Larkin, Ashley Macintyre, Shannon Moore, Sumara Profit, Kaitlyn Richard

Men's Soccer
Daniel Hill, Conor McAleer, Jared Murphy, Colby O'Donnell

Women's Soccer
Andrea Archibald, Kayla Balderston, Chelsie McInnis, Carolyn McKenna, Katie O'Brien, Hannah Roche, Tessa Roche, Allyson Seviour, Sara Stewart, Kalie Symington, Lynn Symington

Swimming
Eric Beaton, Mikhala Brinklow-McKnight, Kaylynne Parkes.

UPEI Donor-supported Athletic Award and Scholarship Recipients

The Kyle and Kody Men's Hockey Award - Matt Maione
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 - Spencer Metcalfe
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 - Janet Gamble (swimming)
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 - Terrence Brown and Julia McKenna
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 Travis MacIsaac
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 - Sumara Profit (rugby)
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 - Julie McKenna and Ollen Smith
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 Keefe Family Hockey Scholarship - Jhase Sniderman
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 & MacKay Gift - Katie Moore
Presented to a full-time student on the Panther Women's Basketball team who has demonstrated strong academic standing.

The Andrews Hockey School Scholarship - Mike MacIsaac
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- Jaclyn Sanderson
Presented to a high school student entering UPEI who will be a member of the Panther Women's Field Hockey Team, and preferably entering the School of Business.

Alumni Engagement Awards -Given to UPEI student-athletes who demonstrate an interest in furthering public and alumni interest in their respective teams through an ongoing commitment to their sport and the promotion thereof to the larger community. Recipients must be entering a year of study beyond their first and be in good academic standing. Women's Soccer - Allyson Seviour; Men's Soccer - Logan Dawson; Women's Rugby - Bailey Harper; Field Hockey - Leanne Doiron; Women's Hockey - Jaimelynn Donaldson; Men's Hockey - Dylan Quaile; Women's Basketball - Julia McKenna; Men's Basketball - John Cooper; Swimming - Sydney Morley.

The University of Prince Edward Island is offering a free, five-week course called ‘Experience U' to introduce students to the university experience - and to answer some of the questions often asked by new students.

Designed to be a primer that will give students an overview of university and a context for the preparations and decisions they will need to make, the course is offered over a MOOC (massive open online course) platform and starts Wednesday, October 19. Students can sign up at http://xpu.ca/join.

Hon. Doug Currie, minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, heard about the web-based offering, appropriately, over Twitter, and was quick to endorse the idea, 'It is so important engage our youth in the way they like to connect. Experience U is a fantastic initiative from UPEI to provide students with some of the basic information they need- especially those who might be the first ones in their family to consider university-over a technologically current platform.' After learning more about the program, Minister Currie has arranged for information to be sent to high school principals and guidance counsellors so they will encourage their students to register for the course.

For each week of the course, there is an introductory video that gives an overview of the topics to be covered, a live online event that features discussions with current university students and professors, and an assignment that will engage participants. The course is approximately a 10-15 hour commitment (2-3 hours a week) over five weeks, ending Sunday, November 20.

Themes over the five weeks include: week 1, what's a student; week 2, what's a professor; week 3, what's a syllabus; week 4, what's research; and week 5, how do I succeed at university?

Dave Cormier, manager of Web Communications and Innovations at UPEI, who is leading the delivery of the course, said, 'Not only does Experience U give an overview to prospective university students, it also provides a glimpse of how university courses may be delivered in the future. The course uses new ways of connecting online as the method by which to actually deliver the learning.'

In the case of Experience U, students can choose to work in the online space if they like or they can put their work in their own space at their school or on the web.

UPEI Vice-President Academic Jim Randall added, 'At Experience U, students have the chance to work with professionals and peers in an online environment, but are responsible for their own work-which is likely the most important aspect of university life that new university students face. Students that take the Experience U course will be equipped with this skill before they head off to university.'

The Experience U project is supported by the Office of the Vice President Academic at UPEI through a Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF) that encourages creative student engagement ideas.

More information is available at http://xpu.ca.

Åsa Warnqvist, a post-doctoral scholar at Stockholm University, is the 2011 Visiting Scholar for the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island, announced institute chair, Mark Leggott.

'We are pleased to have Åsa join us as our Visiting Scholar,' said Leggott. 'It is encouraging to see the number of young, international researchers who continue to select Lucy Maud Montgomery as their subject of interest. We look forward to seeing what exciting initiatives Åsa will launch over the next year. Her work shows the influence of Montgomery on generations of Swedish readers.'

During her year-long position, Warnqvist will work on her present research project 'L.M. Montgomery in Sweden' which aims to investigate the importance of Montgomery's work, especially Anne of Green Gables, in her home country. She will work closely with the organizing committee of, and present her research, at the international L.M. Montgomery Conference which focuses on the theme of 'Montgomery and Cultural Memory', slated for June 2012. Warnqvist has already co-hosted a major international conference on Montgomery in Sweden in 2009.

Warnqvist notes, 'Anne of Green Gables was first translated and published in Sweden as Anne på Grönkulla in 1909, the year after its original publication, making it the very first foreign-language translation. The novel has celebrated a century of success in the Swedish publishing industry and has long been established as a classic.' It is now the only classic girl's story that continuously has been in print in Sweden for 100 years making it interesting to study within the fields of sociology of literature and gender studies.

'Some of the questions that inform my research on the success and impact of L.M. Montgomery's work in Sweden. What are the key factors in the novel's long-lasting fame in Sweden? How has Anne been regarded by publishers, critics, and readers during these one-hundred years? What impact has the story had on Swedish readers and writers during the twentieth century, and how do contemporary Swedish readers relate to the story of Anne?'

Warnqvist's project includes reception studies as well as book market studies and focuses on three different aspects: Montgomery's success in the Swedish book market, the reception of her work among Swedish readers and critics, and her influence on Swedish authors, above all Astrid Lindgren, author of international classic, Pippi Longstocking. One of the aims of her research trip to UPEI is to study the Swedish covers of Montgomery's novels in an international context and she will do so by drawing on the extensive Ryrie-Campbell collection of international editions in the Robertson Library's archives which continues to draw international attention.

Warnqvist arrived on Prince Edward Island on October 17.

Students in two EAP classes held a potluck lunch fundraiser last week to support their entries in this year's Wheel & Win event, taking place on October 20at 4:00 pm at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre at UPEI.

Wheel & Win, formerly the Rick Hansen Wheelchair Challenge, is a fundraising team relay event for the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) that raises awareness about people with disabilities.

Cathy Gillan, UPEI's EAP Coordinator and volunteer with CPA PEI, said, 'In addition to supporting this good cause, our goal is for students to learn valuable cultural lessons and feel engaged in their new community through this event. We want to value their participation and allow them to see themselves as leaders on campus - or as Rick Hansen would say, as "difference makers".

A difference maker herself, Gillan recently ran in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay as UPEI's nominee. She encourages all members of the campus community to participate in the Wheel & Win event on October 20 and collect pledges, 'It would be wonderful to match or improve upon last year's amount raised.'

Teams of five are invited to register by visiting the CPA PEI website at cpapei.org, or on event day at 3:30 pm at the Sports Centre. Teams will compete against the clock and each other through an exciting obstacle course using a wheelchair. Click here for a registration/pledge sheet.

One hundred per cent of the money raised through this event will remain in PEI and used to assist people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities to purchase equipment that has no other funding source.

New anti-inflammatory compound shows promise to be more than the sum of its parts

The University of Prince Edward Island today licensed a promising piece of medical technology to Carmel Biosciences, a biomedical company based in Tucker, Georgia. The technology is a 'co-drug' with powerful anti-inflammatory activity.

'This novel compound is derived from naturally occurring products with proven safety and efficacy in humans,' said Dr. Tarek Saleh, chair of Biomedical Sciences at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College. 'We've bonded them chemically and created a unique compound. This new compound shows great potential as an anti-inflammatory for use in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and stroke.'

Dr. Saleh developed the new compound, patent-pending under the name UPEI-100, with Dr. Bobby Khan, a physician and investigator at the Atlanta Vascular Research Foundation and a past visiting Fulbright Scholar to UPEI.

'The Fulbright Scholarship allowed me to meet and build this collaboration with Dr. Saleh,' said Dr. Khan. 'This new technology is one of several exciting yields from this successful collaboration. I'm thankful to John and Judy Bragg, the Fulbright Commission, and Dr. Katherine Schultz for making it possible.'

UPEI-100 is fully owned by the university. Today's agreement licenses the technology to Carmel Biosciences, which will guide it through pre-clinical drug testing.

'We think this compound has an exciting future as a drug for people with neurological disorders,' said Dr. Khan. 'But there are numerous regulatory hoops to jump through before then. I think this partnership is a great step.'

Frank Kelly, a director of Carmel Biosciences and past vice-president of the Coca-Cola Company, said he's impressed by how collaborations around UPEI-100 are helping to streamline pre-clinical research.

'It often takes two years, and more than four-million dollars, to take a drug just through the pre-clinical phases of regulatory approval,' said Kelly. 'Carmel Biosciences has partnered with a well-established contract research organization in India who will be able to do it in half the time, and at a fraction of the cost.'

The licensing deal between UPEI and Carmel Biosciences was negotiated and executed by Three Oaks Innovations Inc., an independent company, and the bridge between UPEI and industry.

'This is another exciting piece of UPEI technology with the potential to make a real difference in people's lives,' said Sophie Theriault, director of Three Oaks Innovations Inc. 'UPEI, through commercialization partnerships such as this one, is a key player in the province's economic development and sustainability. The potential of this agreement is really limitless.'

'Research at UPEI is a driving force behind innovation on Prince Edward Island. This is where creativity and knowledge come together to create exciting new opportunities such as UPEI-100,' said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president of UPEI. 'I want to congratulate Dr. Saleh and Dr. Khan on this exciting day, and I want to thank Sophie and her team at Three Oaks Innovations Inc. for helping to make it happen.'

UPEI-100 is the first of what is expected to be several new compounds from the collaboration between Dr. Saleh and Dr. Khan, and begins a presence on Prince Edward Island for Carmel Bioscience.

UPEI's Relay for life will take place October 28 at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, giving students, faculty and staff an opportunity to celebrate life and remember those who have survived or died from cancer. The first campus Relay for Life took place in October 2008.

The 12-hour overnight event will get underway at 6 pm and run overnight until 6 am, Saturday, October 29. Everyone on campus is encouraged to attend and contribute-- an especially poignant moment will be the lighting of the luminaries and survivors' walk.

To donate, or for more information, click here.

Dr. Shannon Murray, professor of English and 3M Teaching Fellow at UPEI will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, tonight to attend the Association of Atlantic Universities' (AAU) annual meeting and dinner, held in conjunction with the AAU Teaching Showcase. Dr. Murray is the recipient of this year's ‘AAU Coordinating Committee on Faculty Development's Distinguished Service Award.'

UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, 'On behalf of UPEI faculty, staff, students and alumni, I extend our congratulations as well as our thanks to Shannon for her dedication to teaching, to the student experience, and to supporting her colleagues through a long commitment to faculty development. We're so pleased the example of high standards in teaching that Shannon has set here on our campus and around the region is being recognized by her peers in this way.'

The ‘Distinguished Service Award' was established to recognize former AAU committee members who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to faculty development through service. Murray proved her commitment to excellence in teaching by dedicating more than six years to the AAU Committee but has also served as assistant director, presenter, and facilitator for UPEI's Faculty Development Office for many years. In 1996-97, she received the UPEI Annual Award for Excellence in Teaching and, in 2001, was presented with a 3M National Teaching Fellowship.

Murray was nominated for the award by Sue Dawson and Jane Magrath, both UPEI colleagues, and received notice of her recognition from AAU Coordinating Committee on Faculty Development chair, Eileen Herteis. 'Having served with Shannon for some of her time on the AAU Committee, and having witnessed her far-reaching commitment to excellence, I'm delighted she was selected to receive the award,' said Herteis.

An expert in Renaissance literature: Shakespeare, John Bunyan, John Milton and children's literature, especially Early Modern English children's literature, Murray also has research interests in learning communities; active learning; and the senior-year experience. On Saturday, she will share insight into effective learning portfolios at the teaching showcase. This year's AAU event takes place October 28-29 at Mount Saint Vincent University.