The tenth offering of the International Biennial Conference on Lucy Maud Montgomery will be held at UPEI from June 20-24. Anyone interested in attending is reminded that the "Early Bird" deadline for discounted registration is May 1, so visit the Conference Website today to book your spot!

This year's theme is 'Cultural Landscapes' which will draw speakers and delegates from some of the nations touched by Montgomery's global impact, including Canada, the US, Japan, Sweden, and Finland.

The LM Montgomery Institute is pleased to be partnering with UPEI to host this year's Conference. A big factor in the success of past Montgomery conferences has been the efforts made by many members of the campus community to help make Conference attendees welcome.

This Conference wouldn't be possible without our volunteers! If you'd like to volunteer some of your time, between now and the end of June, please contact one of the Conference co-chairs. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a warm and enthusiastic community of Montgomery (and PEI) lovers from around the world.

Second-and-third year engineering students displayed their design skills at the annual UPEI Engineering Design Expo and Awards ceremony held April 19. The students, who formed into groups, were matched up at the beginning of the semester, with industry and government organizations-'clients'-that provided them with specific issues in hopes that they could provide real-life solutions.

The four clients included the PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry (DAF), Ducks Unlimited, PEI Bag Company, and Morning Star Fisheries. The student groups had roughly six months to meet, plan, build, analyze, and present their prototypes to their clients. The Expo then provided a venue to display projects to community members and industry professionals. Engineers PEI judged the projects and presented an award to the team that best demonstrated a high level of professionalism, understanding of the client's problem, and an ability to effectively explain their designs to the general community.

The winner of this year's Engineers PEI Team Design Award was one of two groups that worked with PEI Bag Company with members Jonathan Young, John Thomas McKenna, Alex Hunt, Pam Andrews, and Patrick McKenna. The group was tasked with designing a machine that would partially automate the process of assessing the quality control of the bags produced by the company's Weber 9 machine. Presently, PEI Bag Company has an employee who takes the bags and checks them for quality, before sending them to a second worker. The goal for the design was to automate the tasks completed by the first worker. The group was able to include elements of mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering in the creation of their machine. Their design solution uses a series of air-powered cylinders, rotators, and mechanical pieces, which helps to stack the bags on pallets. A LOGO (logic) controller controls the sequence for these parts.

Andrews noted a lot of time and effort was put into the student projects, and in the organization of the Expo, which made it such a successful event. 'The projects provide a unique way to develop necessary skills, and help prepare us for our future careers as engineers,' she said. 'A lot of great projects were displayed at the Expo, and I'm proud to say that I worked with a great team on one of them. Winning at the Expo was just an added bonus.'

Stephen Champion, Assistant Professor and Chair of UPEI's Department of Engineering, believes the annual Expo is a great opportunity for the students to come together and showcase their skills and commitment to the profession. 'The students really step up after a long grueling year and demonstrate a very high level of technical capability and maturity,' he said. 'From the perspective of faculty, and as members of Engineers PEI, we are very proud of the way they represented the University and the profession.'

Other student groups also came up with innovative prototypes for their clients, including a portable stream crossing that can be deployed in minutes and can be used by woodlot owners and farmers alike; a restoration project on the current infrastructure at Johnson's River freshwater wetland, reducing the overall workforce dependency through a separation machine; a redesign of a halibut grading table with a photographic grader installed to capture a full fish count, the surface area of each fish, and their rate of growth; and a modification to a halibut tank circulation, by introducing circular flow in rectangular tanks.

First- year engineering students also finished up their year-end projects, and were stationed outside the W.A. Murphy Student Centre on the day of the Expo to demonstrate their work for the Mikinduri Children of Hope (MCOH), a local organization that works to relieve the effects of poverty in Kenya. After meeting with representatives from MCOH, Dr. Andrew Trivett, Associate Professor of the first-year class at UPEI challenged the students to come up with a charcoal press that could produce bricks of charcoal for use in the African country. The students came up with drawings and instructions on how to design their presses, keeping in mind what tools would be readily available to their clients to create these presses on their own. Dr. Trivett mentioned that it was interesting to see the students develop innovative ideas, especially the international students, some of whom grew up in Africa. Dr. Trivett was also pleased to note that, this year, the Department of Engineering saw the largest number of international students enrolled in the program.

Engineering Expo Award Winners:

Engineers PEI Team Design Award-PEI Bag Company (Jonathan Young, John Thomas McKenna, Alex Hunt, Pam Andrews, Patrick McKenna). This award is presented each year to the student design team that best exemplifies innovation, excellence, and professionalism in a client-oriented community-based design project. The winning team will combine creative design ideas supported by in-depth analysis, detailed design documentation and an effective demonstration of concept.

UPEI's Department of Engineering presents communication and analysis awards annually to individual students in their first, second, or third year, who display contribution and excellence in their team environment.

Communication Award -'Generally recognized as the ‘softer' skills including the ability to ‘formulate' and ‘communicate' the chosen design ‘story' using a broad selection of tools including verbal, textual, and graphical techniques. Recognizes that engineering is really the ART of applying science to make a compelling argument with a high degree of professionalism and consideration for public safety.'

Analysis Award - 'Generally recognized as the ‘harder' skills including the ability to ‘understand' the clients problems and ‘analyze' the problems using a broad selection of scientific, mathematical and engineering knowledge. Recognizes that engineers must be scientifically and mathematically capable, with an ability to translate that knowledge and skill into innovative (new territory) solutions with predictable performance. It is this predictable performance that requires a sound understanding of the problem and an ability to use engineering tools and prototyping, to predict the performance and safety of the systems.'

This year's recipients include:

First-year recipients: Evan Ostridge (Communication) and Patrick Alex Wall (Analysis)

Second-year recipients: Pamela Andrews (Communication) and Matthew Gauthier (Analysis)

Third-year recipients: Mitch Eamer (Communication) and Lyle Gauthier (Analysis)

Joel Ward, right wing for the Washington Capitals, netted the overtime winning goal in Game 7 of the NHL matchup between the Capitals and the Boston Bruins. Having scored just six goals in the season, Ward is known as the Capitals' improbable hero, scoring the most crucial goal in the series, to knock out the defending Stanley Cup champions.

'I've done it this way my whole life,' Ward said. 'I've always been the underdog. I've never been a top guy. But I never doubted myself,' said Ward to a Washington Post reporter after the April 25 OT goal.

Ward's crucial goal within the first three minutes of OT was a backhanded rebound past Bruins goalie Tim Thomas. The goal secured the score at 2-1, an Eastern Conference quarterfinals victory to advance the Capitals.

The former UPEI Panther played four years on the University's hockey roster from 2001-2005 before graduating wtih his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and then moved on to the Houston Aeros in the AHL. It's not a typical route to the NHL, but the hard-working Ward attracted the attention of the Minnesota Wild in a rare open tryout in 2006, eventually moving two years later to the Predators. After the 2010-11 season, Ward became a free agent and signed a four year contract with the Capitals.

UPEI congratulates Joel Ward!

UPEI's Math Camp, organized by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and co-sponsored by the Canadian Mathematical Society will take place May 4-6. The annual event will welcome 20 high school students from 10 local high schools, they are among the best math students in the province.

The camp offers faculty sessions on various mathematical topics, problem-solving competitions including math relays, as well as some recreational activities in the evenings.

Faculty sessions by Dr. Shannon Fitzpatrick, Dr. Sami Khedhiri, Dr. Gordon MacDonald, Dr. Max Burke, Dr. David Horrocks, Dr. Nasser Saad, and Dr. Ken Sulston.

For more information, contact event organizers: Dr. Ken Sulston at sulston@upei.ca or Dr. Shafiqul Islam at sislam@upei.ca

The UPEI women's hockey team received a 2012 RBC Play Hockey grant of $10,000 for their 'Newcomers Play Hockey' program to help keep hockey vibrant in Charlottetown. UPEI kicked off their program this week during the Esso Cup, Canada's National Female Midget Championship being held in Charlottetown.

'Newcomers Play Hockey'-a concept developed by UPEI women's hockey Head Coach, Bruce Donaldson, aims to get youth who are new to Canada involved in the sport through skill sessions put on by the members of the women's team. UPEI will work with the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada, and various government and local agencies that are directly connected to PEI's newest Canadians. With the help of RBC and the RBC Play Hockey grant, this new program offers newcomers on-ice sessions that will focus on skill development, rule interpretation, and of course, having fun playing 'Canada's game.'

'This program will enable us to reenergize and focus on promoting female hockey in the province,' said Donaldson. 'Linking varsity players to the program will provide a clear example for young players and newcomers to Canada to see the importance of staying active with the sport, and excelling, for a chance to play for their province, university, and beyond.'

For the past 25 years that Donaldson has been coaching hockey, he noticed a decrease in the number of female hockey players entering the PEI hockey system and introduced skill sessions and hockey clinics to attract female athletes to the sport. He believes the 'Newcomers to Canada' program will accomplish the same-to encourage newcomers to Canada, including girls, to become interested in the game of hockey. 'We are so appreciative to RBC for this opportunity,' added Donaldson.

'The RBC Play Hockey Grant program has allowed us to shine a spotlight on the people and programs that help hockey happen in communities across Canada,' said Lisette Michaud-Carrier, RBC Regional Vice President, Eastern NB and PEI. 'Over the past year, we've awarded more than $1 million to 87 deserving hockey programs and we're proud to support the hard work and dedication of UPEI's 'Newcomers Play Hockey' program that helps make a difference in our community.'

The University of Prince Edward Island graduates and their families and friends are invited to a gathering to celebrate-in prayer and song-the accomplishments of the Class of 2012. The event will take place on Sunday, May 6 at 6:30 pm at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

Mass celebrants will be The Most Reverend Richard J. Grecco, Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown, and University Chaplain Father Andrew MacDonald. A reception will follow after the mass celebration.

Please RSVP to Sister Susan Kidd, Campus Minister, sukidd@upei.ca or 894-2876.

UPEI's first students in the Nurse Practitioner stream of the two-year Master of Nursing program (MN)- Laurie Brehaut, Marion MacDonald, and Kelsey MacPhee- have completed their first year of study. Upon successful completion of their second year, and after writing their national certification, they will be the first NP students to receive didactic and clinical advanced practice nursing education here on the Island. The students bring a diversity of knowledge and experience to their work, and UPEI is being congratulated for introducing the program in September 2011, recognizing the need for this stream of health-care delivery.

This summer, Health PEI has hired the NP students into the Primary Health Care Networks, providing an opportunity for the students to develop their skills, serve as ambassadors of the NP role, and help raise awareness of the importance of the role in our health-care system.

Terri Kean, Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor in UPEI's School of Nursing, believes the willingness of UPEI to undertake the development of such a program speaks to the University's commitment to educating skilled health-care providers as a partial solution to health-care challenges.

'The Nurse Practitioner students are welcomed pioneers and ambassadors of a role that has proven itself time after time in all areas of nursing. This is history in the making... all who are involved in the delivery of patient care understand the planets have aligned, and the time for nurse practitioners is now,' said Kean.

Kean is not the only one to welcome these advanced practice nursing students; Dr. Lana Beth Barkhouse mentored one of the students during a placement this past semester. 'It's a brave step that the first NP students at UPEI have taken. Theirs is a relatively new role in primary health care on the Island and they are showing others how NPs are part of comprehensive health care,' she said. 'I am privileged to have been involved as a preceptor in these first years.'

Kean is currently working to secure fall clinical placements for the NP students. This past semester, the students worked with Central Queens Family Health Centre, Harbourside Health Centre and Dr. Barkhouse. The NP stream of the MN program has been well-received by physicians and nurse practitioners across PEI; there is currently a waiting list of providers hoping to work with a student NP.

Admission to the NP stream occurs every second year, with the next intake of students scheduled for 2013.

Prince of Wales College alumnae and UPEI honorary graduand Sister Mary Olga McKenna passed away on Tuesday, May 1. The well-loved member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, passed peacefully at Caritas Residence in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Born in Charlottetown, Sister McKenna can trace her forebears back to some of the first settlers from Monaghan County who came to PEI. She was educated at Prince of Wales College, Mount Saint Vincent College, Boston College, and the University of London, England.

Though her roots in PEI run deep, she ranks among the Island Irish who have made distinguished contributions elsewhere while maintaining strong ties with their home province.

Sister McKenna joined the Sisters of Charity at a young age and began a long and distinguished teaching career. After graduation from Kensington High School and Prince of Wales College, she earned a BA at Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in Philosophy and a PhD in the history of philosophy of education from Boston College. In 1977, her Canadian and American credentials were supplemented by an Associateship at the Institute of Education, University of London, England. Upon retirement in 1986, she was granted the title of Professor Emeritus at Mount Saint Vincent University.

In the fall of 1990, UPEI held a special convocation ceremony at the Confederation Centre of the Arts to honour the 160th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers from Ireland's County Monaghan. Sister McKenna was honoured at this ceremony with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Sister McKenna successfully blended teaching, administration, and prayer with an active scholarly life. She is the recipient of ten research awards and the author of articles on education, religion and the history of education.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 3, in Caritas Residence from 3-7 pm and the Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, May 4, in Immaculate Conception Chapel at Caritas Residence at 10 am. For more information, visit Sister McKenna's obtituary

Bonnie Stewart, a PhD student at UPEI, whose thesis explores the trend of online learning, is studying the benefits of Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) in higher education. Her work recently garnered attention in two highly reputable news sources-The Guardian (UK) and Inside Higher Ed.

Stewart believes that online learning will complement traditional learning rather than replace it. In her articles she claims that the education sector will learn from the experiences of students who study both online and in the classroom.

'The Mooc augments my PhD studies by making it possible for me to be a public thinker and learner, by giving me up-to-the-minute access to the conversations shaping and driving my field, and the opportunity to participate in these conversations,' said Stewart in her guardian.uk article. 'Forget the business case, open online courses are about learning.'

Another of Stewart's articles, 'Learning in-and from-the Great Disruption,' was posted on Insider Higher Ed's website as part of GenX Women in Higher Ed, Writing from Across the Globe.

Stewart is also the 2011 recipient of the Joseph Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship valued at $105,000, and granted through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). She is also the recipient of the 2011 PEI Literary Award for creative non-fiction.

Stewart has been involved in higher education since 1997, and has lived and taught on all three coasts of Canada, in Eastern Europe, and Asia. Bonnie blogs her education ideas at http://theory.cribchronicles.com and her experiences on identity and parenthood at http://cribchronicles.com. Find her on Twitter at @bonstewart.

Fiddler's UPEI Dream Team consisting of UPEI men's basketball coaches-Tim Kendrick, Marvin Rhyno, and Patrick Havard-are working to drop a total combined weight loss of 100 pounds from May 4 to September 4, as part of a weight loss challenge to get healthy, and raise funds for their team's upcoming exhibition season.

The whole idea for the challenge arose when local media sports pundit, Fred "The Fiddler" MacDonald, noted the girth of the UPEI basketball coaches on Compass, the CBC supper hour show. The UPEI coaches thought an appropriate response would be to address their weight in a positive way.

The Dream Team won't be doing this on their own, as they have recruited four professionals from the campus community to help with tips on healthy eating and exercising throughout their process. Teri McComber, BSc Foods and Nutrition and registered dietician, and currently completing MSc Human Biology (Nutrition); Sarah Sparks, BSc Dietetics, MSc Human Biology (Nutrition) and personal chef; Brittany Lockwood, BA, currently completing Master of Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR); and Katie Beck, Bachelor of Kinesiology Honours (Co-operative) and certified personal trainer (CSEP-PT), currently completing MSc Human Biology, are looking forward to working with the coaches on their weight loss journey.

As the Dream Team's fitness and conditioning trainer, Baker's role is to consult with each of the coaches and create individualized training programs. 'The ultimate goal is to increase physical activity to aid in weight loss, and to improve physiological function,' said Baker. 'But my mission is also to make the activities creative and fun. There's no doubt this will require a lot of hard work on their part, but I think they have the tenacity and drive to be successful. As coaches, they are used to being in charge, so it will be a change for them to have a group of women calling the shots. This is going to be an adventure!'

'I'm really looking forward to being a part of Fiddler's UPEI Dream Team. It will be a lot of fun, and will obviously have health benefits...and anything we can do that might help the Panthers is worth it,' said Kendrick. 'I want to thank our Athletic Department staff for all of their help, and especially our team of weight loss specialists: Katie, Teri, Brittany, and Sarah, who sure have their work cut out for them!'

The coaches will weigh in on Friday, May 4, and will continue to weigh in every second Monday until the final weigh on September 4.

Pledges to the coaches can be made to the team as a set amount or per pound lost. For pledge information, contact Coach Kendrick at mbball@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0562.