Dr. Cora Gilroy, associate professor of clinical pathology at AVC, was presented with UPEI’s 2018 Janet Pottie Murray Award for Educational Leadership on December 13, 2018. This prestigious award was established in honor of Janet Pottie Murray, mother of Dr. Shannon Murray, an English professor at UPEI. Dr. Murray noted that her mother, while not a teacher herself, celebrates and supports excellence and leadership in teaching. The purpose of the Janet Pottie Murray Award is to encourage excellence in teaching at UPEI by acknowledging those teachers who exemplify such excellence and those who contribute more generally to the improvement of the quality of university teaching. Among her accomplishments in teaching, including being honored with previous awards, Dr. Gilroy guided significant revisions to second-year and fourth-year teaching and student assessment. Congratulations, Dr. Gilroy!

The UPEI Department of Music presents the finals of the annual Dr. Frances Gray Music Competition on Friday, February 1 at 7:30 pm in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall (snow date is Saturday, February 2, 7:30 pm). A highlight of the academic year, this performance features those who are among this year’s finest emerging artists. Performers include soprano Taylor Donald (fourth-year Bachelor of Music Education student in the studio of Dr. Sung Ha Shin-Bouey), percussionist Ryan Drew (fourth-year Bachelor of Music student in the studio of professor David Shephard), soprano Tara Llewellyn (third-year year Bachelor of Music Education student also in the studio of Dr. Sung Ha Shin-Bouey), saxophonist Joana McKearney (fourth-year year Bachelor of Music student in the studio of Dr. Karem J. Simon), and tenor, Ian Soloman (third-year Bachelor of Music student in the studio of professor Stephen Bouey).

The distinguished adjudicating panel for this year's finals recital includes Jeffery Bassett-Jones, Steve Bellamy, Donald Fraser, Valerie MacKenzie, and Shannon Scales.

Admission is Adults $15/students $10. Tickets are available at the door.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Come to the Atlantic Veterinary College this summer for an interactive, fun, and engaging venture into the world of veterinary medicine! At the College’s annual Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp, participants will learn about animals, meet others who share their love of animals, and take part in fun, educational activities. Get a taste of what being a veterinarian is really like! Junior camps (grades 7–9) are scheduled for July 8-12 and July 15–19; senior camps (grades 10–12) take place from July 22–26 and July 29–August 2. For more information and to apply, visit upei.ca/avc/camp, or call 902-566-0589. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 15, 2019.

Representatives from Grant Thornton’s PEI office, Kathy O’Rourke, Managing Partner; Chris Gallant, Partner; and Ryan Innis, Principal, joined UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, Dean of Business Jurgen Krause, faculty, and several students recently to officially open the Grant Thornton Entrepreneurial Playground.

Housed within the Hostetter Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, which aims to advance entrepreneurship education and research, especially in industries of relevance to PEI, the Grant Thornton Entrepreneurial Playground is a collaborative space that encourages creative discussions, presentations, and meetings.

“Grant Thornton’s generous support is a testimony to their belief in the quality of our programs and education we are delivering at UPEI,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Their contribution is more than just a financial one to upgrade space; this initiative has given us the opportunity to create an environment for students to succeed as entrepreneurs. And most importantly, members of Grant Thornton’s PEI office will serve as mentors to our students. I am so very thankful to Kathy, Chris, and Ryan at Grant Thornton for championing this initiative.”

Grant Thornton has contributed financially to develop the physical space, but members of the PEI office will also participate in activities such as mentoring students who have a business idea and need support in bringing their idea to fruition. In particular, Grant Thornton will offer expertise in accounting, financial services, and tax planning.

Matthew Pauley, Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship with the Faculty of Business and Director of the Hostetter Centre indicated that the Playground concept has already begun to take off.

Pauley said, “We have already met with over a dozen students from several faculties. I’ll first be working one-on-one with them to develop business plans around their idea. Then, along with a network of mentors and experts, we will assist them after they begin their business and are in the early, vital stages of being entrepreneurs.”

Two students who have started working with Pauley at the Centre, and who attended the Playground opening, are Rudolph Al Aswad (Faculty of Business, Finance major) and Iker Zulbaran (Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering). They are looking to convert what started as an idea in the Engineering club into a business.

Zulbaran said, “We knew we needed support to help us launch our concept into the marketplace. The Grant Thornton Entrepreneurial Playground and Hostetter Centre will provide the assistance we need to develop a strategic business and financial plan. We are very thankful for their help.”

Grant Thornton has a long association with UPEI and each year hires 4-5 students into its CPA program. 

Gallant said, “Grant Thornton is proud that many of our employees in the PEI office, as well as many clients, are UPEI graduates. We are equally pleased to be associated with the Playground, which will help develop future entrepreneurs. We look forward to being on-campus to help students grow their ideas into businesses.”

UPEI’s Mental Health Week Committee has unveiled its jam-packed, five-day schedule for UPEI Mental Health Week 2019, January 28 to February 1.

Based on feedback from the community, the Committee moved the weeklong program, themed ‘relationships matter’, from March into January, which also aligns with Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 30.

“We’re excited about the change in dates for Mental Health Week as we know that the beginning of a New Year and new semester can be a source of stress. Our hope is to build a culture of care that nurtures and celebrates mental health and wellness of everyone in our UPEI community,” says MHW committee co-chair Anne Bartlett. “The events and sessions encourage students, staff and faculty to help themselves and each other by connecting and building relationships with others.”

Adds MHW committee co-chair Keith Lawlor, “We hope to instill the idea that at UPEI, no one is alone—there is always someone who can help.”

The week will begin with a Kick-off and Keynote Address by Jeremie Saunders on Monday, January 28 from 12:00–1:30 pm in McMillan Hall at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

Saunders, whose “Sickboy” podcast has garnered international attention, draws on his experience living with cystic fibrosis for over 31 years and brings real people with life-altering illnesses to a growing audience. In an unparalleled combination of what he calls “bro-science,” humour, and compassion, Saunders inspires us to move beyond euphemism and platitude to speak directly of the things that matter most.

In his presentation at UPEI, “Open Up Wide. No, Wider. Cultivating Happiness Through Vulnerability”, Saunders will break down the importance of building community when striving for happiness and the vital role vulnerability plays in building the trust needed to strengthen the foundation of support we need as we strive to live our lives to the fullest.

Light snacks and refreshments for the Kick-off event have been kindly provided by UPEI’s Healthy Campus Committee.

The full schedule for UPEI Mental Health Week 2019 can be found at upei.ca/mentalhealthweek.

In a message to the campus community, Vice-President Administration and Finance Jackie Podger announced the University of Prince Edward Island’s latest sustainability initiative—“Back to Tap”.  Read the message

Vice-President Podger wrote, “As a University we are always open to suggestions to reduce our carbon footprint. It is my pleasure to introduce our newest initiative—“Back to Tap”—intended to support a greener campus.”

UPEI has demonstrated its commitment to fiscal, environmental, and cultural sustainability over the years. Environmental sustainability initiatives have been weaved into UPEI’s teaching and research platforms. From the creation of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, to the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Climate Change and Adaptation, UPEI continues to put sustainability at the forefront of its plans.

UPEI’s newest initiative is “Back to Tap”, which promotes the use of reusable water bottles and containers, and filling them at water fountains or fill stations.

Aside from the money being spent when clean drinking water of comparable quality is available from the tap, there are also many environmental issues associated with bottled water cooler dispensers, such as emissions and energy consumption associated with extraction, transportation, distribution, and storage—all of which have a significant impact on the University’s carbon footprint.

“Our goal, through education and behaviour change, is to eliminate the use of bottled water cooler dispensers on campus and reduce the associated costs, energy use, and greenhouse-gas emissions,” added Vice-President Podger.

Effective December 31, 2018, all bottled water cooler dispensers on campus will be removed. Instead the campus community will be encouraged to use reusable water bottles and containers at one of the 59 water fountains/fill stations currently located on campus. These are available on most floors of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre; Cass Science Hall; Central Utility Building; Dalton Hall; Don and Marion McDougall Hall; Duffy Science Centre; Health Sciences Building; K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre; Kelley Memorial Building; Memorial Hall; Regis and Joan Duffy Research Centre; Robertson Library; Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building; SDU Main Building; Steel Building; W.A. Murphy Student Centre; Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall; Atlantic Veterinary College and the Clubhouse adjacent to the artificial turf sports field.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 14 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of UPEI’s SDU Main Building for a symposium presented by the students of MUS 4220—Global Musics.

Students will present their research-in-progress on a diverse range of topics, from South Indian classical music, to Mexican punk rock, to the relationship between bagpiping and Scottish identity on Prince Edward Island. This symposium is part of a major research project that students in MUS 4220 are undertaking this semester, and they would greatly appreciate support and feedback.

Students from other courses are welcome to present their own work at the symposium, but there is limited space in the schedule. Please contact music@upei.ca.

All are welcome!

UPEI Men’s and Women’s Basketball kicks off the 2018–2019 season with a pair of games each against Memorial University, and UPEI Men’s Hockey looks to pick up a win at home against the Université de Moncton.

UPEI Men’s Hockey kicks off the weekend Friday at 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena. Coach Forbes MacPherson said this is a big game for the Panthers.

“We have a split of home and away games this weekend, so we have to take care of our home-ice opportunities,” said MacPherson. “U de M is coming off of a huge win against UNB, so they will be confident and on a high. It will be important for us to have a great start.”

UPEI Basketball’s two-day home stand against Memorial University begins Saturday. The women’s game against MUN begins at 6:00 pm in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

“The team has been working hard for the past two months as a group,” said Coach Matt Gamblin. “We are excited and ready to kick off the regular season this weekend.”

The men tip off Saturday evening at 8:00 pm. Coach Darrell Glenn said he and his staff are thrilled about the young team and its potential for growth.

“Fifteen players make up our active roster and ten of those players are either in their first or second season with the Panthers,” said Glenn. “The most notable returnees are fifth-year small forward Milorad Sedlarevic and fourth-year point guard Amin Suleman. Also returning home via transfer from Cape Breton University is Jack MacAulay, who will bring some much-needed shooting from the three-point line. AUS All-Rookie team member Moshe Wadley will lead a talented group of sophomores, and Dawson College CEGEP graduates Nudy and Judy Georges will headline our talented freshmen class.”

Women’s and Men’s Basketball will get a second shot against MUN on Sunday. The women’s game begins at 1:00 pm. The men begin at 3:00 pm.

Be sure to pick up your season pass for UPEI Basketball! Your pass gives you entry to ten double headers during the regular home season for $90, or $81 for seniors. Visit gopanthersgo.ca/tickets for details, or drop by Panther Central.

As usual, all UPEI students get into home games for free! Come on our and cheer on your Panthers!

Go Panthers Go! 

The next Theology on Tap will commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Dr. Mark McGowan, a professor of history at the University of Toronto, will discuss “the Roman Catholic Church and the Great War: Ideas of Peace, Patriotism, and the Paschal Mystery” on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm in the Pourhouse above The Old Triangle Ale House at 189 Great George Street, Charlottetown. All are welcome.

Dr. Mark G. McGowan is professor and deputy chair of history at the University of Toronto. He served as principal of St. Michael’s College from 2002 to 2011 and in several university administrative posts since. He is the author of numerous award-winning books on religion, culture, and migration, with a special focus on the Irish. His latest book is The Imperial Irish: Canada's Irish Catholics Fight the Great War, 1914–1918 (MQUP, 2017). His current research is on Irish Famine orphan children and their reception and settlement in British North America and the United States. Dr. McGowan is also the recipient of four university teaching awards. He is known in Catholic education circles for his work on the history of Catholic schools in Ontario, his duties as a trustee for the DCDSB in 2014, and his advisory work for the Institute for Catholic Education. In the Spring of 2019, Novalis will be publishing his new book It’s Our Turn: Carrying on the Work of the Pioneers of Catholic Education in Ontario. He lives in Whitby, Ontario with his wife Eileen. Their five children have fled to careers in teaching, archaeology, study, management, and ownership of the only board game pub in the Durham region. They have two grandchildren, which they spend much time and energy spoiling.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

South Shore resident JoDee Samuelson will launch her new book The Cove Journal on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 pm in Beaconsfield Carriage House. Samuelson will be joined by fiddler Roy Johnstone, accompanied by Margie Carmichael on guitar.

For the last eight years, Samuelson has been publishing a column in The Buzz called “The Cove Journal”. This monthly column captures the soft edges of rural life on Prince Edward Island. Published by Island Studies Press, The Cove Journal gathers seven years of her writing and original illustrations into a collection that celebrates the passing of the seasons, the rise and fall of gardens, the friendship with neighbours, and simple daily life in “the Cove.”

If “The Cove Journal” is the first thing you turn to when you open a copy of the latest Buzz, now you can experience Samuelson’s insights, imagination, and humour all over again,” says Peter Richards, Managing Editor of The Buzz. “If you are new to PEI, or Samuelson’s column, you will enjoy her reflections and how she captures the essence of rural life on PEI.”

Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, filmmaker, and artist JoDee Samuelson has lived on the beautiful South Shore of Prince Edward Island for the past thirty years. Her animated films have been shown at festivals around the world, winning numerous awards for this Island filmmaker. She is a member of the Canoe Cove Women’s Institute, a wood carver, painter, gardener, and a baker of delicious bread.

Please join Island Studies Press and JoDee Samuelson in celebrating this new book. For more information about the book or the launch, please contact Bren at ispstaff@upei.ca or call (902) 566-0386.