The University of Prince Edward Island conferred degrees, diplomas, and certificates on a record 1,006 graduates as they crossed the stage at convocation ceremonies on Saturday, May 10.

The Class of 2014 and their proud families and friends gathered to celebrate in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for two ceremonies-the first beginning at 10:00 am and the second at 2:30 pm.

Newly installed UPEI Chancellor Don McDougall led both events while President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz gave remarks.

'Together-you represent over 60 countries-from all corners of the world,' Abd-El-Aziz told the graduates. 'Each of you is unique-but today you become a greater force. Together, you are UPEI's Class of 2014. And we are so proud of you.'

Four honorary Doctor of Laws degrees were conferred upon well-known Canadian industrialist Robert K. Irving; retired Canadian Armed Forces Major-General Matthew Macdonald; music educator and former Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman; and community visionary and retired educator James C. MacAulay. Irving addressed the morning convocation, while Hagerman addressed the afternoon ceremony.

During Hagerman's address, she asked the graduates to watch for life lessons in all that they do, and with those they interact with, and to find these 'gems of wisdom' that are found sometimes in the most unusual and unexpected circumstances. 'Cherish your family, your friends, your university and your community. Many people have helped you to this point-inspired you, pushed you, supported you, challenged you, and today congratulate you,' she said. 'Think of them now, and remember them in the years to come.'

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate Donald Buchanan of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia addressed the morning convocation as class valedictorian, while Bachelor of Arts graduate and Cornwall native Shannon Moore delivered the afternoon valedictory address. Moore is the third of her siblings to represent a UPEI class as valedictorian.

Moore spoke of the ‘pains and perks' of University life and encouraged her fellow graduates to pursue what they are truly passionate about. 'Among us today is a diverse group of people. The talent and the potential in the gymnasium this afternoon makes for a promising future,' said Moore.

UPEI held its annual Senior Class Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 9 where a number of prizes were awarded. The Governor General's Academic Medals were presented during the convocation ceremonies by the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of PEI. The Governor General's Gold medal (graduate level) was awarded to Master of Education student Thomas Vincent Hilton of Charlottetown during the morning convocation. The Governor General's Silver medal (undergraduate level) was awarded to Bachelor of Science degree recipient Kristen Callaghan of Charlottetown. Callaghan also received The Polyclinic Prize for the student who has achieved the highest aggregate in the four years of an undergraduate program, as well as the Ambrose Kwok-Yau Lee Award for highest standing in fourth year of the Science program.

UPEI sends its best wishes to all graduates!

Join us for the launch of 'Some weather we're having! 2015 PEI Weather Trivia Calendar' written by Don Jardine and Dr. Adam Fenech and published by UPEI's Climate Research Lab. The launch takes place from 7-9 pm, May 20 at the Carriage House Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown.

Prince Edward Island history comes to life in this first-ever PEI weather trivia calendar of 365 stories about Prince Edward Island weather and its impact on Islanders' everyday life. This calendar brings stories from North Cape to East Point, West Point to Murray Head - and all points in-between over the past 150 years. It features:

• PEI weather trivia for every day of the year
• Twelve beautiful full-colour PEI weather photographs
• Stories of Prince Edward Island as told by our weather
• Information about tornadoes on Prince Edward Island: their frequency, location and intensity
• Stories of memorable PEI snowstorms from the past seven decades
• Maritime Electric workers reminiscences about severe weather
• Historical PEI weather stories from Samuel Holland (1765), the War of 1812, the Yankee Gale (1851) and the Ice Boats (1855)

As examples, did you know these interesting PEI weather stories?

• Unable to land at Charlottetown Airport due to thick fog in 1943, an RCAF bomber dropped depth charges (bombs) on Mount Edward Road to save fuel.
• Earl Jay's pigs swam down the street in Mount Stewart after the Kennedy Inaugural Storm of 1961 flooded their barn.
  PEI was deprived of a Harvard-trained doctor who died of exhaustion and exposure when caught in a snowstorm for days taking the ice boats across the Northumberland Strait in 1855.
• 'Stormy Michael David Kennedy' was born in Freetown in 1992 during a severe snowstorm that required a trip to the hospital behind snow plows.
• A tornado in the Albany area in 1935 sent a 12-year-old boy airborne while holding three chickens. The boy landed safely still holding his three chickens.
• The worst railway accident on PEI, which killed four men, occurred during a heavy snowstorm in 1932 when Train #33 ran into Train #211 which was stalled in a four metre snow pile at Handrahan's Cutting near Tignish.

A light lunch will be offered. Registration is required. Register by visiting our website at upei.ca/climate or by calling 620-5221.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Canada's Minister for Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Hon. Ed Holder, Minister of State for Science and Technology, formally announced today the awarding of a new Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Young Lives in Global & Local Contexts at the University of Prince Edward Island. The chair was awarded by the CRC Secretariat and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to Dr. Kate Tilleczek, a Professor in the Faculties of Education and Arts (Sociology/Anthropology) at UPEI. Dr. Tilleczek is also an Adjunct Research Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

'Our government is proud to work with the University of Prince Edward Island in building research excellence,' said Hon. Gail Shea, Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island. 'The Canada Research Chairs are driving innovation, addressing health, environmental and social issues, and spurring economic growth in our community - all of which serve to improve the lives of Canadians.'

Dr. Tilleczek first came to UPEI five years ago to take up a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Child/Youth Cultures and Transitions. This new Tier 1 Chair reflects her expanded research program and portfolio. She is the founding director of UPEI's Young Lives Research Lab, which houses the CFI-funded Qualitative Research Lab. She works with provincial governments and communities across Canada, and beyond, conducting and mobilizing research into practices aimed at enhancing the lives of children and youth.

'I am most privileged to have been awarded this Tier 1 CRC and honoured to work with so many excellent teams of colleagues and students,' said Dr. Kate Tilleczek, Canada Research Chair in Young Lives in Global & Local Context. 'My research aims to bear witness to the ways in which modern societies treat our youngest members, especially those who are made marginal. I focus on three important social systems: public education, technology, and mental health. I seek to describe how they function in young lives over time, place, and context and to share research findings with those who are positioned to better support children and youth.'

'Dr. Tillezcek's work is just outstanding. I'm continuously proud that she's part of the UPEI research community,' said Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies at UPEI. 'From her work with young people's mental health and well-being, to the Wekimun school she is creating for and with the indigenous people of Chile, she is a credit to UPEI.'

'Dr. Tilleczek's work reflects each of UPEI's four strategic priorities-student experience, vibrant communities, exploration and discovery, and long-term sustainability,' said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. 'She is the very best of what we do. I want to congratulate Dr. Tilleczek on behalf of the University of Prince Edward Island.'

The Canada Research Chairs Program was created with an annual budget of $300 million to establish up to 2,000 research professorships across the country and to position Canada as a world leader in post-secondary research. The program currently supports researchers, in more than 70 Canadian post-secondary institutions, who are conducting research in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities disciplines.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117

UPEI's Department of Education would like to extend special congratulations to its 84 Bachelor of Education Kindergarten graduates who crossed the stage on May 10.

In 2010, kindergarten moved from private governance into the PEI public school system. Educators working in kindergarten at that time were given a unique opportunity to pursue a modified Bachelor of Education degree specialized for the early years (Kindergarten to Grade 2) through UPEI's Faculty of Education. These leaders proudly graduated during the May 2014 convocation ceremonies; some expressed their gratitude and experiences through short testimonials (see a few below).

'For somebody that had been in the field of early childhood education for 20 years (including 15 years as a kindergarten teacher in the private sector), the idea of going back to school at the age of 40 was daunting. However, with the knowledge that the majority of kindergarten teachers would be following the same process, and with the wonderful support and guidance given to us by UPEI, I was sure the goal would be attainable. The course was well laid out for us, and although minor adjustments were made throughout the process, we were always well informed and respected as the professionals we were already known to be.' - Anita Smith-LeClair

'For me this was an opportunity of a lifetime. I had taught kindergarten in the public sector for many years. With the support of my husband and family, I entered university in 2011 as a student, a teacher, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a colleague. The Professors were captivated at the experience and knowledge we kindergarten teachers brought forth. The courses were not necessarily overly difficult, just time consuming! Each course focused on engaging students, differentiated instruction and assessment, which our assignments, presentations, and reflections clearly revealed! Completing my degree was an educational dream. As I am, was and always will be, a teacher!' - Marg Dumville

'Before beginning this adventure, I was a kindergarten teacher in the private sector and now I am a member of a team of teachers within the public school system. When the decision was made to put the Kindergarten into the Public School System, I was both shocked and afraid. This was unknown territory for me and I was concerned about how I would fit into this puzzle. However, it has provided me with an opportunity to reach outside my comfort zone and to learn and grow as a professional.' - Isabel Myers

'J'ai vécu une très belle expérience avec le programme du Bac en Éducation pour la maternelle en français à l'Université de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Les professeurs ont su travailler avec moi pour approfondir les connaissances que j'avais déjà acquises en éducation en offrant des activités intéressantes, stimulantes, et pratiques telles que l'apprentissage par projets, la collaboration entre enseignants, et l'utilisation de la technologie en salle de classe.' - Michelle Ledgerwood

Minister Alan McIsaac applauded the UPEI graduates in a recent news release. 'Moving kindergarten into public schools has been one of the largest initiatives undertaken in the history of education in Prince Edward Island,' said Minister McIsaac. 'Kindergarten teachers bring a richness of knowledge and experience to the public school system and have helped ensure that the introduction of kindergarten to the school system has been a positive experience in the best interest of Island children.'

Congratulations to all!

UPEI sends its congratulations to editor Dr. Richard Lemm for the PEI Book Award for Riptides: New Island Fiction. The collection of 23 short stories, published by Acorn Press, took home the honour at the Atlantic Book Awards Gala in Charlottetown on Wednesday, May 21. Dr. Lemm is a professor of English at UPEI.

Among the authors in the collection are several writers from the UPEI community: Orysia Dawydiak (biomedical sciences), Malcolm Murray (philosophy), Alan Harrington (English), and a number of UPEI graduates including Melissa Carroll, Lisa-Marie Brunnen, Hannah Visser, and Dylan Riley.

'This honour recognizes the emergence of talented fiction writers on PEI and that there is fictional life on the Island after L.M. Montgomery,' said Dr. Lemm in a release shortly after the shortlist was announced. 'As well, the inclusion of UPEI faculty and graduates in the anthology is further evidence of this university as a place where excellence is nurtured and achieved.'

The Atlantic Book Awards are run by the Atlantic Book Awards Society: a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and acknowledge excellence in Atlantic Canadian writing and book publishing.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

UPEI's Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute (LMMI)'s 11th biennial conference-'L.M. Montgomery and War'-will take place June 25-29 in Charlottetown. The conference will include open discussions on war, conflict, the Canadian Home Front, gender roles, and more.

Keynote speakers include distinguished historian Jonathan Vance; Montgomery scholar, LMMI founder, and former UPEI President, Elizabeth 'Betsy' Epperly; and Canada Research Chair Irene Gammel. In addition to the full conference program, there will also be a public exhibition at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Public Library entitled 'The Canadian Home Front: L.M. Montgomery's Reflections on The First World War,' curated by Dr. Laura Robinson of the Royal Military College. 'Maud of Leaskdale,' a fantastic one-woman play will also take place at the Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown during the conference, and much more!

This year marks the 50th season for 'Anne of Green Gables - The Musical' for which keynote speaker Epperly is curating an exhibition for the Confederation Centre of the Arts, entitled 'This Anne Place: Anne of Green Gables as Idea, Book and Musical.' The LMMI is also inviting those with stories and/or collectibles related to Montgomery and/or the Canadian Home Front and the First World War to come forward and share them at a special digitization session offered in conjunction with the Public Library exhibition on Saturday, June 28 part of an online digital archive.

For more information on the Conference, please visit http://www.lmmontgomery.ca/ or contact conference coordinator Elizabeth DeBlois at lmmconference@upei.ca

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce this year's Stewart McKelvey Panther Classic Golf Tournament is returning to PEI's beautiful Green Gables Golf Course on July 25. The annual event generates support for student-athletes at UPEI, and last year raised $11,683.

Tournament organizer Brian King comments, 'The support for this event is wonderful and the golf course is beautiful. We look forward to another great event this year. Everyone is welcome to attend.'

The tournament begins at 8:30 am with a shotgun start. Registration fee is $650/team of four paid at once; or $170 per golfer, and includes green fee, power carts, gift, and barbeque afterwards. Entry deadline is July 4.

To register, contact Panther Central at (902) 566-0368 or visit http://ar.upei.ca/panther-golf-classic

For more Panther Sport information, visit www.gopanthersgo.ca

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward Island was deeply saddened to hear the news last month of the passing of honorary degree recipient and highly respected Nunavut Elder Dr. Donald Uluadluak. He passed away on Thursday, April 24 at the age of 81 and is survived by his wife Ruth, 13 children, and large extended family.

Dr. Uluadluak received an honorary degree at last year's special convocation ceremony held in Nunavut in May. His daughter Nancy is a graduate of UPEI's first Master of Education Cohort in 2009. During the 2012-13 semester, Dr. Uluadluak travelled from his community in the Arviat region of Nunavut to spend time with students, and to pass on his wisdom through a course held in Rankin Inlet. He will be remembered for his many years of service to education, and for being a highly respected knowledge-keeper who shared his wisdom in a gentle and generous way.

'I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Uluadluak in Nunavut at last year's special convocation ceremony,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'I know that his passing is a great loss to his community and the Inuit people, as well as to his extended family in the Faculty of Education here at UPEI. On behalf of the University, I extend sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.'

Dr. Uluadluak worked as a cultural instructor and Elder in local schools in Arviat, as well as an Elder advisor with the Nunavut Department of Education in 2000, until his retirement in 2011. He also completed a certificate in teaching to prepare for his work with children and young people. His knowledge has deepened students' understanding of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.

UPEI's annual Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit and 25-Year Service awards were presented to staff and faculty at a special ceremony on Wednesday, May 7. The awards, created by UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, recognize outstanding performance and dedication to students and our community-on-campus, provincially, and globally. Later that evening, the UPEI Faculty Association and the Office of the President sponsored Faculty Recognition Night, which honours recipients of the Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching and the UPEI Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement.

The Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for Faculty and Librarians are awarded based on teaching, scholarly endeavours, service, or combined achievement. Awards for librarians are based on exceptional performance, in one or more of professional practice, scholarly endeavours/professional development, and/or service. This year's award winners included:

Teaching: Dr. Doug Dahn, Science; Dr. Debbie MacLellan, Science; and Dr. Shannon Murray, Arts
Scholarly Endeavours: Dr. Jamie Burr, Science; Dr. Ian Gardner, AVC; and Dr. Edward MacDonald, Arts
Combined Achievement: Dr. Greg Doran, Arts.

UPEI staff were also recognized at the event through the Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit for Staff, which acknowledge staff for exemplary service, campus spirit, volunteer, and community service, and support and student success.

The Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Campus Spirit is presented to a UPEI employee who has fostered a sense of excitement on campus and promoted fellowship, goodwill, and belonging within the University community, by supporting and promoting UPEI, and was awarded to Ms. Angela Marchbank, Athletics and Recreation.

The Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Exemplary Service is presented to a UPEI employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and/or who has made significant contributions to the university community beyond that normally expected for his/her position. Recipients were Ms. Kate Graham, Applied Human Sciences; Ms. Debbie McKie, Human Resources; and Dr. Jerry Wang, International Relations.

The Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Volunteer and Community Service recognizes and honours employees who demonstrate the University of Prince Edward Island's commitment to community service through volunteer work, both on and/or off campus. Recipients were Mr. Doug Burton, Information Technology Systems and Services; and Ms. Sharon Thompson, Facilities Management.

The Presidential Recognition Award of Merit for Support of Student Success is presented to a UPEI employee who has made significant contributions to higher education via supporting student success; it was awarded to Ms. Lori Cummings, Student Affairs.

25-Year Service awards were also presented by the University to Wendy Adams, Marc Beland, Glenda Clements-Smith, Barry Connell, Lisa Cox, Scott Cudmore, Jeffery Davidson, Mike Doiron, Don Doucette, Janos Fedak, Leah French, Debra Gallant, Denise Gaudet-McPhail, Michelle Gauthier, Paul Hanna, Bea Hartinger, Wendy Henderson, Paul Hobbs, Nancy Hogan, Barbara Horney, Stephen Howard, Don Hughes, Daniel Hurnik, Vickie Johnston, Lawrence LeClair, Alfonso Lopez, Lee MacDonald, Carol MacDonald, Neil MacLean, Heather MacSwain, Sharon Martin, Gary McBride, Carole McCarville, Cynthia McKenna, Ellen McMahon, Blain MacDonald, Kaye Rodd, Mark Ward, Stephen Webster, Glenda Wright, and Maciej Zawadzki.

During the Faculty Recognition Night event, the Hessian Award-granted to faculty members whose work has contributed to instructional excellence at UPEI-was awarded to Dr. Gordon MacDonald, Department of Math and Stats; and Ms. Amy MacFarlane, Business. In addition, a Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching by a sessional instructor was presented to Mr. Richard Schneider, Environmental Studies.

The final award of the evening was the Merit Award; intended to honour faculty members in scholarly research/and or artistic creation, and in doing so, inspire others to aspire to such achievement. This year's recipient was Dr. Spencer Greenwood, of the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Congratulations to all award winners!

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz and Ms. Debbie McKie of Human Resources

UPEI's School of Nursing hosted two days of discussion, dialogue, and research about the value of the Registered Nurse in creating transformative change in health care at the Atlantic Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (ARCASN) research conference and the UPEI School of Nursing/Health PEI Nursing Research Day. Dr. Gina Browne, a distinguished researcher and founding director of Ontario's Health and Social Service Utilization Research Unit, gave two keynote presentations outlining her research to transform healthcare through educational preparation and practice.

Dr. Browne advocates for Registered Nurses to identify the 1-5% of patients who use the greatest amount of health resources and to follow their cases over time. She says building proactive relationships outside of the hospital could help take the burden off of other parts of the health care system. 'And we could do so without competing with other health care providers,' explained Dr. Browne. '95% of patients don't need this kind of care because they can be treated in a more generalist atmosphere.'

The ARCASN research conference and the Nursing Research Day wrapped up Friday, May 23. Dr. Rosemary Herbert, Dean of UPEI's School of Nursing, gives special thanks to the conference's organizing committee, including Sherry Arsenault, Angela Carpenter, Kendra Cote, Karen Dunn, Dawn Inman-Flynn, Audrey Fraser, Cheryl Gaudet, Janet MacIntyre, Pat MacPhail-Darrach, Melanie McCarthy, Christina Murray, Keri Thompson, and Jessica Webster.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications, UPEI
(902) 620-5117