The University of Prince Edward Island and the Georgetown Conference organizing committee have partnered to provide a set of free online learning modules on rural economic change. This learning community will provide background on some of the major issues on rural economic change in Atlantic Canada and set the stage for the conference, and stimulate online dialogue on rural economic change in Atlantic Canada.

Module one (of four) was released today on 'A History of the Rural Economy in Atlantic Canada' which covers the history of Georgetown, defining rural and urban historically in Atlantic Canada, the rural and urban economy of Atlantic Canada before the 21st century, and defining rural and urban today in Atlantic Canada. These interactive modules can be of use to the broader digital community interested in redefining rural.

'These free, interactive learning environment modules on redefining rural that have been prepared for the Georgetown Conference are a way that UPEI and researchers from throughout Atlantic Canada can contribute to a better understanding of the past, present, and future of the region,' said UPEI's Dr. Jim Randall, Coordinator, Master of Arts in Island Studies. 'We encourage everyone to read and watch the modules and participate in the online discussion.'

The second module, 'A Primer on Rural Economic Change in Canada' will focus on some of the statistical economic and demographic changes in the Atlantic (rural and urban) over the past 50 years; leadership development and governance in rural communities, and strategies for rural communities.

The third module entitled 'The Stories of the ‘Doers and Producers' at the Georgetown Conference' will highlight a subset of conference delegates through interviews with a focus on what works and what doesn't work in Atlantic communities and lessons and advice for other rural Canadian communities.

Module four 'Outcomes and Next Steps for the Georgetown Movement' will include messages from Georgetown, reports from the conference break-out groups, and final thoughts on the conference by Dr. Donald Savoie, Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at the Université de Moncton.

'The Georgetown Conference and its theme ‘Rural Redefined' have struck a responsive chord with people throughout Atlantic Canada and well beyond,' said Conference Co-Chair Wade MacLauchlan. 'UPEI's initiative to offer an online learning environment dedicated to rural issues is a much appreciated service to the 250 ‘doers and producers' who have been selected as delegates, and to a much larger interested community here in the region and around the world.'

The Georgetown Conference takes place October 3-5. To access the free online modules, visit http://redefiningrural01.pressbooks.com/

UPEI Athletics and Recreation announces that former Women's Rugby All-Star Jaclyn (Coady) Carr will be recognized at Saturday's UPEI Women's Rugby home opener versus Saint Thomas University on MacAdam Field at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place. The special ceremony begins at 1:50 pm with kickoff at 2:00 pm.

Each year one former rugby Panther is honoured and remembered because of the impact they made on the program.

Carr began her days at UPEI as a basketball player, and then moved to rugby. Over the years, she has coached rugby at the high school and provincial levels, and has represented PEI as a rugby player all through the Maritimes and in Ontario, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Ireland. She played for UPEI from 2000-2003 where she was a team captain and MVP, a three-time AUS All-Star, and CIS All-Canadian-one of only a handful of Panthers to receive this honour.

'Jaclyn was known for her ‘laid back' style of play at the stand off position,' commented UPEI Women's Rugby Coach Shannon Atkins. 'She was always smooth and agile, and would slide through the defense to score many tries. Add to this the many points she put on the board through conversions, and it was easy to see why she was consistently one of the top scorers in the league. Congratulations Jaclyn, and we thank you for the legacy that continues to make UPEI Women's Rugby Panthers proud.'

Carr now resides in Halifax with her husband Mark and three children Riley, Alex, and Shyla, and does term work with the Department of National Defense.

UPEI Panther Rugby season passes are now on sale and are available at Panther Central at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, online at www.gopanthersgo.ca, or by calling 566-0368.

The UPEI women's basketball team will host a fundraising golf tournament on Thursday, September 19 at the Rustico Golf & Tennis Resort. The first annual 'Hoops & Greens' Golf Classic will begin with check-in at 9:00 am and a shotgun start at 10:00 am.

Teams of four can register for $400 per team which includes their green fee, post-round barbecue, on course contests, and awards/door prizes. Registration deadline is Monday, September 16.

To register, contact Panther Central at (902) 566-0368 or panthercentral@upei.ca, or contact Tournament Organizer Adrian Murray at asmasm6655@gmail.com

The fourteenth annual Recognition of Founders Ceremony and the MacLauchlan Plaza Dedication will take place Wednesday, September 25 at 12:30 pm in front of UPEI's Health Sciences Building.

The Prince Edward Island community is invited to take part in a ceremony to honour UPEI's rich heritage and traditions by acknowledging people who have contributed to the University in an exceptional way.

The 2013 Founders are Ms. Janice Robertson (posthumous), Mr. Bob MacAulay (posthumous), Mr. Mike Read, and Mr. Verner Smitheram. John and Carol MacLeod will also be recognized as this year's recipients of the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award, which honours those who have had a positive impact on the Atlantic Veterinary College.

A reception will follow the ceremony. Parking will be available at the CARI Complex.

The University of Prince Edward Island will host approximately 750 Canadian Student Leadership Conference (CSLC) delegates and 250 advisors on Friday, September 20 from 12:30-2:00 pm for a campus tour, UPEI's 'Amazing Race,' and an evening concert at 7:00 pm by local musician Tim Chaisson.

'UPEI is thrilled to take part in this event and we look forward to hosting the delegates on our campus during the conference,' said Christian Lacroix, UPEI's interim Vice-President Academic. 'We're excited to meet our future community leaders.'

While at UPEI, these students will get the chance to meet with UPEI Student Union officials, faculty, staff and students, including UPEI athletes, coaches, and mascot Pride.

'The University of Prince Edward Island has partnered with us for this amazing event,' said Bethany MacLeod Co-Chair of the 2013 CSLC. 'Students will be given the opportunity to visit UPEI and partake in leadership activities. We thank UPEI for helping to inspire our nation's future leaders.

The CSLC's mission is to 'promote and develop student leadership within Canadian high schools.' Throughout the conference, students will attend a series of workshops to further develop their leadership skills, build confidence, and discover new ideas to help them make a difference in their schools and communities.

UPEI welcomes all CSLC participants and wishes them luck in their future endeavours!

In a statement issued today to campus, University of Prince Edward Island President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz announced that Dr. Miles Turnbull, Dean of Education has accepted the role of Vice-Principal Academic at Bishop's University, effective January 1, 2014. Turnbull will be the fifth person at the Lennoxville, Quebec university to hold this position. Dean Turnbull has agreed to support the transition until assuming his new role at Bishop's University.

'While the entire UPEI community will miss Dean Turnbull's ongoing contributions,' said President Abd-El-Aziz, 'I am grateful for his instrumental work, especially in expanding graduate programs in the Faculty of Education during difficult budget times.'

Turnbull served as Dean, Associate Dean, Coordinator of Graduate Studies, and Professor in the Faculty of Education. He also founded the UPEI Bachelor of Education-français langue seconde; was a lecturer in the UPEI Department of Modern Languages and Director of the Summer Language Program; and was Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.

President Abd-El-Aziz added, 'UPEI can be proud that it has played a part in developing leaders who go on to have impact on post-secondary education across Canada, and I sincerely congratulate Dean Turnbull on his new role.'

Panther fans are invited to come out this weekend to watch exciting university sport action. In addition to hosting the first Atlantic University Field Hockey Tournament this season on the UPEI Turf Field, the UPEI Panthers are at home for exhibition Women's Hockey play (versus University Ontario Institute of Technology) and regular league action in Women's Rugby (versus St. Francis Xavier University).

Friday
7:00pm (W) Hockey vs UOIT

Saturday
8:30-11:15 am (Field) Hockey 5's
12:00-8:00 pm Atlantic University Field Hockey Tournament #1
2:30 pm (W) Hockey vs UOIT
3:00 pm (W) Rugby vs StFX

Sunday
9:00 am-2:00 pm Atlantic University Field Hockey Tournament #1
1:00 pm (Football) Holland College Hurricanes vs Saint John Bombers

UPEI's Winter's Tales Reading Series has always boasted a fantastic lineup of poets and fiction authors, and this year looks to be no different. To kick off the 2013 season, the talented Susan Glickman and Julie Bruck will give a combined reading on Thursday, September 26, at 7:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, UPEI Main Building. These Montreal-raised poets have been working on and teaching others their craft for years, and that dedication and practice shines through in their works.

Glickman studied and travelled in Europe, Asia, and America, and has made a home for herself in Toronto. She has published poetry books since the early 80's, and in 2006, published her first novel, The Violin Lover, which won the Stan and Helen Vine Award for Fiction at the Canadian Jewish Book Awards and was named one of the year's best novels by The National Post. This success adds to her Gabrielle Roy prize and Raymond Klibansky prize, for her work of literary criticism The Picturesque & the Sublime: A Poetics of the Canadian Landscape.

In 2008, she made the foray into writing juvenile fiction and has put out a trilogy. The first book garnered a starred selection in the annual Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens list. Glickman has received Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council Awards for her work.

Joining Glickman is Julie Bruck, whose work has appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and anthologies as well as her three books of poetry: The Woman Downstairs, The End of Travel, and Monkey Ranch, winner of the 2012 Governor General's Award for Poetry. The book was a contender in The Globe and Mail 100 Best Books of 2012, a finalist for the 2013 Canadian Authors' Association Award for Poetry, and the 2013 Pat Lowther Memorial Prize.

Bruck's work has been described as poetically powerful, with a pitch-perfect elegance, and as stories-in-poetry. Her conversational voice is refreshing and inviting to readers. Her witty and intimate ability to weave moments into words has contributed to her A.M. Klein Award for Poetry, two Pushcart Prize nominations, and two Gold Canadian National Magazine Awards.

The reading by these exciting and vibrant authors is sponsored by the UPEI English Department with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. A reception and book signing will follow. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

The University of Prince Edward Island held its fourteenth annual Recognition of Founders ceremony today to acknowledge those who have contributed to the University in an exceptional way. This year's ceremony also featured a dedication and unveiling of the MacLauchlan Plaza to honour UPEI's fifth president from 1999-2011, President Emeritus H. Wade MacLauchlan.

The 2013 founders are Mr. Mike Read, Mr. Verner Smitheram, Mrs. Janice Robertson (posthumous), and Mr. Bob MacAulay (posthumous). Mr. John and Mrs. Carol MacLeod are this year's recipients of The Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award, which pays tribute to individuals who have had a significant impact on the Atlantic Veterinary College.

The recognition event was led by macebearer Anastasia Smallwood, President of the UPEI Student Union; marshall Dr. Susan Dawson, and piper Mr. Matthew MacLaine. Tom Cullen, Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors acted as the event's master of ceremonies, while Sister Sue Kidd, University Chaplain provided the invocation, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor delivered welcome remarks.

'This is one of UPEI's most exciting events as we take the time to honour tradition and recognize the pioneers who have helped shape the University,' said Abd-El-Aziz. 'Each Founder recognized today was dedicated to achieving goals that fulfilled our institutional mission in their own way, offering their wisdom to help prepare us for the future. On behalf of the entire University community, I congratulate our 2013 Founders and thank them for their contributions to UPEI.'

Travis Gordon, UPEI Student Union Executive Vice-President delivered the citation for Read; UPEI students Parker Baglole and Emilie Sullivan read Smitheram and Robertson's citations. Stephanie Andrews, UPEI alumnae from the Class of 2008 delivered MacAulay's citation, and current AVC student Mary Claire Sanderson presented the Green Hat Award to the MacLeods.

Immediately following the Recognition of Founders ceremony, an unveiling of MacLauchlan's plaza took place outside of the UPEI's Health Sciences Building.

'It is especially fitting that we officially dedicate the plaza in Wade's name, on Founders Day, an event he actually developed to honour those who have contributed significantly to the University,' said Abd-El-Aziz during the unveil.

Earlier today, another recognition event was held-UPEI's first annual Donor Picnic-to celebrate and thanks its many donors who have significantly contributed to the University.

About the Founders

At the first Research on Tap of the season, join us for a discussion about where our concepts of good and bad come from. The discussion, 'Morality is a Myth,' begins at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, October 1 in The Pourhouse, above The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Charlottetown. The discussion will be led by Dr. Malcolm Murray, professor of philosophy at UPEI.

'Morality is an evolutionary trait,' argues Murray. 'It's useful to the extent that it enables us as social creatures to live together in peace. But it is not something out there in the world that we discover. It is not innate. It's something, like a sense of humour, we develop and value. The concept of morality as an objective fact in the world is a myth.'

Research on Tap is a series of public discussion led by UPEI researchers. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson at 620-5117 or datkinson@upei.ca.