A record number of 902 graduates received degrees, diplomas, and certificates today during convocation at the University of Prince Edward Island including the first graduates from the Master of Business Administration and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. UPEI's Class of 2011 gathered in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for two ceremonies, the first beginning at 10:00 am and the second at 2:30 pm.

View Convocation Photo Gallery.

During the morning ceremony, Louis W. MacEachern, entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist, and Danny Williams, QC, former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, received honorary degrees.

In his convocation address, Mr. Williams recounted his many ties with Prince Edward Island, remarking, 'I have had some wonderful times here in Prince Edward Island and, frankly, I was deeply touched and privileged when I learned that I would be a recipient of an honorary degree from this first rate institution of higher learning.'

Williams went on to challenge graduates, 'For some, it may be behind the scenes, quietly contributing to an organization. Or you might be called to the most noble of professions, and that is teaching our children. For others, it may be creating your own business, or you may be destined to serve in public office. Or maybe you will lend your talents to the volunteer sector. Or maybe you will choose the most important job of all, raising a family. But whatever path you choose, know that you can make a difference.'

UPEI also conferred honorary degrees upon Teresa Mellish, the driving force behind the PEI-based, non-governmental organization, Farmers Helping Farmers, and Monique Collette, senior advisor to the Privy Council Office and former president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency during the afternoon ceremony. Mellish delivered the afternoon convocation address to graduates.

Charlotte Coulson, from Kensington, who received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, gave the valedictory address in the morning, and Amanda MacKinnon, from Montague, who was awarded her Bachelor of Science degree, addressed her fellow graduates at the afternoon convocation.

MacKinnon said, 'We're UPEI graduates! Right from the start, from the minute we received that acceptance letter in the mail, we knew we were something different, and that we were destined to be something great. UPEI has prepared us for any obstacle, any challenge, and every success we will have.'

While a number of prizes were awarded at events leading up to Convocation, the Governor-General Medals were presented by Lieutenant-Governor Barbara A. Hagerman to graduate student Robert Déziel (Master of Science) of Charlottetown in the morning, and to undergraduate student Ashley Doyle (Bachelor of Arts) of Cornwall at the afternoon ceremony.

This year's Convocation Day capped a week-long celebration that marked many milestones for students, staff and faculty, and the University community. On May 1, Father Charlie Cheverie officiated at his final Convocation Mass as University Chaplain after 62 years at UPEI and its predecessor institution, St. Dunstan's University, as a student, professor, and campus minister. As well, 2011 will be Wade MacLauchlan's last convocation as UPEI president and vice-chancellor after 12 years at the helm.

The hockey world is abuzz about the performance of Nashville Predators star forward Joel Ward. Ward's stellar performance in the playoffs has sports pundits tracing his path to greatness, and finding it leads straight to UPEI.

Ward played four years on the UPEI Panthers from 2001-2005 before moving 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.

The NHL has featured the former Panther in one of its History Will Be Made spots for TV and YouTube.

May 5, Ward was the subject of an Inside Hockey profile on CBC Television Hockey Night in Canada.

See also:

Former UPEI Panther making big waves in NHL series, Charlottetown Guardian.

Pred's Ward making most of opportunity, Globe and Mail.

Ward hopes to win one for Mom, Fox News.

Resilient Predators stay alive, Sportsnet.ca.

From UPEI to Music City: Ward providing timely offence for Predators, The Tyee.

Ward's NHL road went through CIS-- University stint key to his development: Vancouver Sun.

On May 13, UPEI will wrap up a two-week strategic planning partnership workshop with representatives from Ethiopia, which was designed to demonstrate the University's commitment to enhance and strengthen its contribution to the development of the education sector in the Global South.

Dr. Tirussew Teferra, vice-president academic and Dr. Jeilu Oumer, faculty of Education, from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia arrived on May 2 and have been participating in a number of meetings with UPEI deans, staff, and faculty as well as stakeholders in PEI's research and development and post-secondary education sectors.

Sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency, UPEI's International Office and Lead Dean International and Dean of Education Tim Goddard developed the workshop with partners, the Association of African Universities and Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. It has featured learning opportunities for both universities' representatives through a variety of sessions including those on the strategic planning process and risk management. Dr. Oumer and Dr. Teferra also delivered a public presentation on May 10.

Plans are already underway to continue the collaboration between UPEI and Addis Ababa University into the future.

Both government and opposition members celebrated University of Prince Edward Island President Wade MacLauchlan during the sitting of the Legislative Assembly, Thursday, May 12, some calling it ‘Wade MacLauchlan Day at the House.'

Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allan Campbell read a statement at approximately 3:00 pm and Leader of the Opposition Olive Crane tabled a resolution shortly after, both thanking President MacLauchlan for 12 years of service to UPEI and to the Province.

House Statement by Hon. Allan Campbell: "Wade MacLauchlan"
Motion No. 61: "Prince Edward Island thanks Wade MacLauchlan"

Many members of the Legislative Assembly spoke to support the motion, a number of them recounting their days at UPEI as students and how much growth they have since witnessed at the University as a result of President MacLauchlan's leadership. Others commented on specific improvements to both infrastructure and programming during MacLauchlan's tenure. All who spoke commended him for his passion and dedication to the University and, subsequently, the motion was carried unanimously. Leader of the Opposition Olive Crane greets UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan at Province House.

Representatives from the UPEI Board of Governors, Student Union, and staff and faculty joined MacLauchlan in the gallery for the proceedings.

President MacLauchlan finishes his term on June 30 with his successor, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, beginning July 1.

Eighteen students from eight Prince Edward Island high schools had a chance to hone their skills and learn new concepts at a unique camp hosted by the UPEI Department of Mathematics and Statistics, May 13-15.

The UPEI-Canadian Mathematical Society Math Camp 2011 treated students with a penchant for math to a variety of special lectures by faculty as well as problem-solving competitions. Many activities during the three-day camp were based on light-hearted or recreational aspects of math, such as the ‘Math Relays' and ‘Mathematical Card Tricks,' but also introduced students to more serious topics including the ‘History of Mathematics' and ‘Mathematical Finance.'

'Math Camp gives us the opportunity to reach out to some of our high school students who have an interest in math,' said event organizer, Dr. Ken Sulston, professor and an applied mathematics researcher at UPEI. 'We show them some math that they don't see in their regular curriculum, help them develop their problem-solving skills, and hopefully encourage them to study math, or math-related fields, at the post-secondary level.'

Along with co-organizer and colleague, Dr. Shannon Fitzpatrick, Sulston solicited applications to the ninth annual event by approaching high school math teachers-with an attempt to reach the brightest and most enthusiastic math students. The camp is another great example of UPEI's teaching excellence and community service.

Kim Brown and Danae Iatrou commit to the women's soccer program

The University of Prince Edward Island women's soccer Panthers have added talented centre midfielder Kim Brown, from Vancouver, BC, and winger Danae Iatrou, from Halifax, NS, to an already gifted lineup for the 2011-12 season.

'We are very excited about adding players of this exceptional talent to the roster. Danae has had success at every level she's played at, and Kim has been pursued by NCAA division 1 as well as top CIS schools. Their impact will be immediate and we are thrilled to add both of these strong student athletes to our program,' explained head coach Michael Redmond.

Brown grew up on Vancouver Island, in a small town called Lantzville, where she began playing competitive soccer at age 10. From there, she continued playing on various Metro and Super Y teams and also attended the Olympic Development Program. After a couple years in the girls' Metro league, Brown entered the premiere women's league with Nanaimo United.

'A few years back, I went to a soccer camp put together by a local coach,' Brown said. 'He talked about some players he knew who had gone to the east coast to play soccer, and how every single one of them loved it; that really made me think. I knew I wanted to keep on playing soccer when I went to school, but I wasn't sure where. I researched a number of universities and came across great reviews and articles about the Panthers. When I learned about the school's small class sizes, course offerings, etc., I became very interested, and sent an email to Coach Redmond.'

She added, 'I was unbelievably happy when I received a call a few days later. The help and support I have received from Coach and from other faculty at the school have been amazing, and very appreciated-another reason why I chose UPEI.'

Known for her hard midfield play, Brown will be looking to help the Panthers win AUS and CIS championships. 'In my rookie year, I will be striving to bring both intensity and aggression onto the field. I consider myself a good teammate on and off the pitch, and I hope to bring that quality along with my confidence to the team,' stated Brown.

Danae Iatrou from Halifax, NS passed on several other AUS schools as well as institutions in Quebec and the US for an opportunity to study at UPEI. Iatrou has been playing soccer since 2003 in Nova Scotia, and has a wonderful passion for the game.

'Danae has achieved success at every level-at tourneys in the US, at provincial and national club championships-and that kind of experience is invaluable going forward,' stated Redmond.

'After checking out several schools in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, and Maine, I decided UPEI will be my home for the next four years. The welcome I received and the quality of the academic and soccer programs are second to none. I look so forward to achieving with the Panthers-my expectation as a rookie is to ‘earn my stripes,' improve my game, and make a fine contribution each time I play,' explained Iatrou.

The soccer Panthers open the season on the road in Halifax on September 10 and 11 versus Dalhousie and Saint Mary's, respectively.

The 36th annual APICS-CIC Chemistry Conference (ChemCon 2011) begins Friday, May 20 at UPEI. It brings with it the best and brightest undergraduate chemistry students from across the Atlantic provinces.

This is the first time the conference has been held at the University of Prince Edward Island since 1999. ChemCon 2011 is the result of a year of hard work by two UPEI chemistry students, Nicole MacPhee, who graduated this spring, and Mitch Perry, a master of science student.

'The conference really is a great opportunity for undergraduates to present their research to a large, specialized audience,' said MacPhee. 'If students want to continue to graduate school, it really is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered.'

The conference also has three keynote addresses by respected chemists from across the country. Dr. Laurel Schafer is a professor in the department of chemistry at the University of British Columbia; Dr. Nancy Mathis is a chemical engineer, co-founder of Mathis Instruments, and founding executive director of the Wallace McCain Institute at the University of New Brunswick; and Dr. Russ Kerr is UPEI's Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products.

'There is so much to be learned from our keynotes; it's just part of what makes ChemCon 2011 so valuable,' said Perry. 'There is also a career fair with representatives from companies who need skilled chemists.'

Dr. Jason Pearson, assistant professor of chemistry at UPEI, has been faculty advisor to the project.

'A year ago, when Nicole and Mitch began work on this conference, I figured by the week of the conference I'd be really excited, or terrified,' said Dr. Pearson with a smile. 'These two have worked extremely hard, and I'm happy to say I'm very excited. This is going to be a great conference, and it's because of their hard work.'

For more information, see the conference website.

The University of Prince Edward Island was recognized by the PEI chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA-PEI) at their annual awards and recognition night, May 19, for efforts in making the campus more accessible.

Representatives from UPEI's Accessibility Services department were on hand to accept the ‘Partners in Progress' award.

Jodi LeBlanc, accessibility services coordinator at UPEI, said, 'It is so encouraging to receive this award. Not only does this recognition affirm the progress that the University has been making over the last few years in improving campus accessibility for students, staff and faculty, and the community, but it also drives us to continue this important work.'

'UPEI is entering the sixth year of a seven-year plan to improve accessibility,' said Paul Cudmore, executive director of CPA-PEI. 'We're proud to have partnered with UPEI on a number of their plan initiatives, including an accessible washroom for Main Building and sports equipment for, and access to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. It is fitting that we commend them for their efforts with the ‘Partners in Progress' Award.'

In fact, the Sports Centre at UPEI is the only fitness facility in the province that features accessible fitness equipment. Angela Marchbank, fitness and wellness coordinator at UPEI, said that discussions with Cudmore led to UPEI investing in equipment from the Cybex Total Access product line that people with disabilities can use for their fitness program: chest press, overhead press, rowing, and lat pull down machines. A funding partnership with the CPA-PEI also allowed UPEI to make improvements to the front doors allowing access to the building.

The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and the Confederation Centre of the Arts were also recognized at the event for promoting and improving accessibility. After the awards were presented, Cassie Campbell, two-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time world women's hockey champion, addressed the audience as part of CPA Month. Campbell was born in Ontario and is now a CBC Hockey Night in Canada host based in Alberta; her parents and extended family are from Prince Edward Island.

Brian Wagner, assistant vice-president, Graduate Studies, invites the campus community to attend the second annual Graduate Research Recognition Day on May 25, 2011 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Alex H. MacKinnon Lecture Theatre (Room 242) and Schurman Market Square in McDougall Hall.

This event is being planned and presented by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee, and the Graduate Student Association.

Graduate Research Recognition Day is a showcase of graduate student research and includes oral and poster presentations from graduate students from all programs across campus. A presentation on, and celebration of, graduate student scholarship and award success over the past year will also take place. Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Everyone is encouraged to attend this event, and discover the range, quality and impact of graduate student research at UPEI. For more information, email Colleen Gallant in the Office of Graduate Studies.