It’s a sweet full circle for Emma Weatherbie, a fifth-year science major from Frenchfort, PEI and captain of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team. Next week, she and the Panthers compete on home ice as UPEI hosts the 2019 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship.

“It’s pretty surreal to get to play my last game on the rink I grew up playing in,” said Weatherbie in an interview on CBC Radio’s Island Morning. “I don't get to do it next year, so I’m putting all the eggs in the basket this year and hoping we can make a run.”

The Panthers will have their hands full March 14–17 as the top eight university women’s hockey teams in the country come to compete. Two teams will represent each conference across Canada: Atlantic University Sport (AUS), Réseau du sport étudiant de Québec (RSEQ), Ontario University Athletics (OUA), and Canada West (CW).

In 2018, the University of Prince Edward Island bid on and was awarded the rights to host the U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship for both 2019 and 2020. While 2019 will mark the first time the national women’s hockey tournament will be in Charlottetown, UPEI has a proven track record in successfully hosting three U SPORTS national championships: men’s soccer in 2005 and 2014, and women’s soccer in 2010.

As host, UPEI will be one of the two AUS teams participating in the championship.

The organizing committee for the 2019 championship includes members of the community and university staff. The Honorary Co-chairs are Kathleen Casey, Della Sweet, and Lorna O’Donnell. The Convenor of the event on behalf of UPEI is Chris Huggan, Director of Athletics and Recreation. The committee has secured many local sponsors, and both the Government of Prince Edward Island and the City of Charlottetown are partners.

“We are delighted to have engaged these three women to serve as event co-chairs,” said Huggan. “With their leadership coupled with support from the UPEI administration, the Government of PEI, and the City of Charlottetown, I know we will deliver exciting events that will be centred on student-athletes, fans, and visitors alike.”

Community outreach efforts to engage youth have been successful to date and a number of schools and minor sport organizations will attend games.

Games begin on Thursday, March 14 with UPEI playing its opening game at 7:00 pm. U SPORTS will finalize the eight-team seeding later this week and release the game match-ups on Monday, March 11. Ticket packages for the entire tournament are available for $50. Single game tickets are $10 for regular admission; $5 for under 18, seniors, or UPEI students; free for children under 5. For more information, visit gopanthersgo.ca/uswhctickets, call 902-629-6625, or drop by the Eastlink Centre Box Office (open Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm).

Go Panthers Go!

The University of Prince Edward Island lost a great friend and champion in Dr. Vera E. Dewar, CM OPEI BN LLD RN, who passed away on March 5, 2019 in Charlottetown.

In a message to the campus community, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI said, "I was so inspired by Dr. Dewar's passion for nursing. She truly was one of the pioneers who advocated for university-level education for nurses, and her efforts contributed to the opening of the UPEI School of Nursing in 1992. This resulted in PEI becoming the first province in Canada to set the baccalaureate degree as the entry level for nursing."

He added, "After retiring, she continued to support nursing education on Prince Edward Island through advocacy, mentorship, and philanthropy. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Master of Nursing program at UPEI in 2012 and contributed significantly to the construction of the Health Sciences Building, the home of the Faculty of Nursing, where the Dr. Vera E. Dewar Learning Resource Centre bears her name. She also established the Dr. Vera Elizabeth Dewar Graduate Nursing Scholarship for UPEI graduates pursuing masters’ or doctoral degrees in nursing. On behalf of the entire UPEI community, I pass on my most sincere sympathies to Dr. Dewar’s brothers, Dr. Charles (Frances) Dewar and Preston (Georgina) Dewar, and sister-in-law Flora Dewar."

Dr. Dewar was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws from UPEI in 2003, was named to the Order of Canada (CM) in 2011 and Order of PEI (OPEI) in 2013, and was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2012.

The flags at the University have been lowered to half-mast in Dr. Dewar’s memory. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Maclean’s Funeral Home. Below is excerpt from Dr. Dewar's honorary degree citation.

Vera Dewar (or Miss Dewar, as she is affectionately known to many former students and colleagues) was raised on the family farm in Brudenell. After high school, Vera was too young to enter the nursing program, so she taught Grade 1–10 in a one-room school for a couple of years. Then she enrolled at the PEI Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1956 and, two years later, she obtained her Diploma in Teaching and Supervision in Schools of Nursing from Dalhousie University. In 1967, Vera obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Dalhousie University. Miss Dewar's impressive career in nursing education on the Island spans more than four decades. She has held positions from clinical instructor to Assistant Director of Administration at the PEI School of Nursing, a post she held until its closure in 1994.

Miss Dewar truly loved her career. For her, nursing was not just a job—it was her life. Over the years, Vera has exemplified leadership in nursing education to hundreds of students and countless nursing colleagues. Vera's expectations of excellence have made a significant impact on nursing education and nursing practice in Prince Edward Island and the many parts of the world where our graduates have lived and worked. Her leadership role also extends to that of mentorship. Over her many years of involvement in nursing education, Vera has encouraged and supported numerous graduates and colleagues—always challenging them to strive for excellence in nursing education and nursing practice.

In addition to her professional career, however, Vera has dedicated much of her adult life to cultural preservation on PEI. In honour of her mother, who had a great love for culture and genealogy, Vera spent many hours with friends working to compile the manuscript for the book called “Perthshire to Three Rivers”, which includes the names of more than 14,000 descendants of the Brudenell River area.

UPEI’s Bailey Smith won the silver medal in the 60-metre dash at the 2019 U SPORTS Track & Field Championships last night in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Smith is a third-year nursing student and a sprinter on the UPEI Track & Field Team. Her time in the final was an impressive 7.498 seconds.

“Bailey had a great run in an extreme situation,” said Colin MacAdam, coach of the UPEI Track & Field team. “She had a shaky start, but an incredible finish. There are more than 500 athletes competing in Winnipeg, but the lone UPEI athlete opened a lot of eyes. A great finish to a great season!”

Smith, who is from Mount Stewart, PEI, was also recently named the AUS women’s track athlete of the year, a feat she has now managed two years in a row. She’s also the three-time winner of the 60-metres in the AUS.

Go Panthers Go!

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre has recently expanded its hours of operation and will be open five days per week on a year-round basis. The Centre is also providing care to faculty, staff, and immediate family (spouse, partner, and children). With this expansion of service there also comes a number of new faces, including the Centre's first Nurse Practitioner (NP), Lynne Fraser, who joined the team in December. 

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre as we expand our services to improve access to quality health care for all UPEI students, staff and faculty,” says Fraser. “I look forward to working with the entire campus community!”

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Fraser moved to Prince Edward Island in the spring of 2001, where she worked in a variety of roles as a registered nurse in hospital settings (medical, surgical, intensive care units; clinical instructor). She returned to university in 2011 to pursue her Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner stream) at Dalhousie University.

As an NP, Fraser is able to diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, prescribe medication, and perform medical procedures. She is also able to provide prenatal care to low risk women up to 34 weeks gestation. Over the last five years, she has worked at the Harbourside Health Centre in Summerside, the Polyclinic Professional Centre in Charlottetown, and has provided a clinic at Holland College, providing health promotion education, addressing acute health concerns, and managing chronic diseases while caring for patients of all ages.

“We are very excited to have Lynne join the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre,” said Director Marilyn Barrett. “Her vast experience in a variety of settings will be a great addition to our team and she will play a vital role as we embark on offering primary health care to students, faculty, and staff.”

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be holding an open house on Friday from 1:00–2:30 pm on Friday, February 8 at the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre on the second floor (north) of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre (above the bookstore). Tea/coffee and finger foods will be served. All are welcome!

A research team at the University of Prince Edward Island is seeking clinical study participants for a study of the effects of sedentary behaviour and moderate exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Participants should be healthy non-smokers between the ages of 18-50. Participants should not be pregnant or diabetic.

This research project has received approval from the UPEI Research Ethics Boards. Contact (902) 620-5104 or reb@upei.ca with questions or concerns. You can also contact the study’s principal investigators, Dr. Travis Saunders at (902) 566-0641 or Dr. Adam Johnston at (902) 620-5225.

For full study details, or to sign-up for this study, please contact Marcellus Campbell at marccampbell@upei.ca or (780) 340-5994.

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.

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) and UPEI will host a special day of events as part of International Development Week 2019. Together Towards Equality will be Wednesday, February 6 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in room 285N of the Atlantic Veterinary College. As part of International Development Week, the ACIC celebrates achievements of Canadians in furthering the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, both within Canada and across the world.

Presenters will discuss complex issues that require holistic approaches informed by diverse voices working together across sectors, disciplines, and borders.

In the face of social and political divisiveness, how do we overcome barriers to walk together on a journey that will lead us towards more sustainable and resilient societies? How do we work within our own communities to address local issues within a global framework? And what are the transformative steps we need to take that will allow us to travel the distance on this collective journey?

The event begins with a prayer by Dr. Judy Clark, UPEI’s Elder-in-Residence. Jennifer Sloot, executive director of the ACIC-CACI, will give a welcome address. The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, will give opening remarks.

Speakers for the event include:

• Dr. Jennifer Taylor (Professor, Faculty of Science, UPEI)
• Dr. Ali Ahmadi (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, UPEI)
• Dr. Josh MacFadyen (Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Faculty of Arts, UPEI)
• Ted Grant (President of Board of Directors, Mikinduri Children of Hope and Shirley Case Leadership Award for Lifetime Achievement winner, 2018)
• Jane Ledwell (Executive Director, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women)
• Jillian Kilfoil (Executive Director, Women’s Network, PEI)
• Ouma Cuniah (Secretary, Rotary International)
• Erin Mahar (Settlement Programs Coordinator, PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada)
• Dr. Olive Bryanton (Researcher, UPEI)
• Cassidy McKellop (International Indigenous Internship Youth Program Awardee, 2018, Returning from Kenya)

All are welcome to attend this free event, but registration is encouraged. Contact selvi@acic-caci.org to register by February 1. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

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.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their achievements and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Jenna Mae Ellsworth and Owen Headrick, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for January 21 to 27!

Jenna May Ellsworth is a third-year science student from Charlottetown and a guard on the UPEI Women’s Basketball team. The Panthers split a tough pair of games over the weekend in Newfoundland, where Memorial put an end to UPEI’s spectacular ten-game-win streak. Ellsworth scored 18 points in the win and grabbed seven rebounds. Sunday, she scored 20 points, shooting 7/12, with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. “Jenna Mae was very solid for us all weekend,” said coach Matt Gamblin. “She competed hard and showed a lot of toughness leading the charge to get us back into the game on Sunday.”

Owen Headrick is a third-year arts student from Garden River, Ontario who plays defence on the UPEI Men’s Hockey team. The Panthers dropped a game to St. Francis Xavier University over the weekend, but picked up a win against Dalhousie University. Headrick notched a pair of goals and a pair of assists. “Owen had a great weekend for us,” said coach Forbes MacPherson. “He was a factor on every goal and a key part in our come-back win against Dal. Owen has been a top rookie in our league and a big part of our program!”

Panthers at Home

UPEI Women’s Hockey plays a rescheduled game Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm against Mount Allison University in MacLauchlan Arena. The game is UPEI’s Bell Let’s Talk Night, in support of mental health.

Saturday, both UPEI Basketball teams defend the home court against the University of New Brunswick. The women tip off at 6:00 pm. The men play at 8:00 pm. Both games are worth four points in the race for the playoffs. The women will be wearing pink for Saturday’s game for Shoot for the Cure, the annual game in support of breast cancer research.

Go Panthers Go!

The Panthers give back this week with a pair of important games in support of mental health and breast cancer research with Bell Let’s Talk Night and Shoot for the Cure events.

Wednesday

UPEI Women’s Hockey plays a make-up game at 7:00 pm against Mount Allison University in MacLauchlan Arena.

“Mount A is playing very well these days,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “They are a hard-working team that is clearly building for the future. We have been fortunate so far, but really need to figure out how to score some goals, so it will be a great challenge for our team. We look forward to our supporters coming out and cheering us on for Bell Let’s Talk Night.”

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions on Bell Let’s Talk Day, at no extra cost to participants:

• Talk: Every mobile and every long distance call made by Bell wireless and phone customers*
• Text: Every text message sent by Bell wireless customers*
• Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring the special Bell Let’s Talk emoji, and Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Twitter.com/Bell_LetsTalk
• Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk and use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
• Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at Instagram.com/bell_letstalk
• Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and video view

Saturday

The annual Shoot for the Cure game sees UPEI Women’s Basketball host the University of New Brunswick at 6:00 pm in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

“Saturday is a big game for the team not only in the scope of the AUS, but also because it is our Shoot for the Cure game,” said coach Matt Gamblin. “We hope everyone can throw on something pink and come out to cheer and support!”

The game will feature a bake sale, raffle draw, and Shoot for the Cure t-shirts.

The Shoot for the Cure campaign has proven an overwhelming success since it was launched in the fall of 2007, with over $1.25 million in donations to date. All 47 U SPORTS women’s basketball schools will once again participate in the program for the eighth year in a row.

“I as well as so many others have been touched by the stories and the strength of people affected by breast cancer,” said Kimeshia Henry with UPEI Women’s Basketball. “On January 20⁼, we are able to bring the community together to educate, raise funds and bring awareness in hopes of aiding in the fight to combat breast cancer. My team and I are so lucky to be part of this battle and we won’t let up until the fight is won.”

The men host UNB at 8:00 pm.

“After a couple of really tough losses on the road, this past weekend we are happy to be back in our familiar environment at home,” said coach Darrell Glenn. “I am hopeful that our team will play with the urgency that the situation demands.”

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

Go Panthers Go!

Forty-nine UPEI students were recognized for their effective writing skills at the seventh annual MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing celebration held in Don and Marion McDougall Hall on Friday, January 25.

The MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing were established in 2011 by the MacLauchlan family to honour Premier Wade MacLauchlan for his contributions to UPEI as president and vice-chancellor from 1999–2011. The prizes recognize the importance of effective writing as a foundational skill for academic success and lifelong learning.

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz congratulated the award winners and thanked the MacLauchlan family for their generosity, and Premier MacLauchlan, an accomplished writer and author, for his commitment to encouraging excellence in writing among students.

Award-winning author and teacher Dr. Laurie Brinklow, co-ordinator of the Institute of Island Studies, addressed the gathering, saying “…words have power. And brilliantly strung-together words that tell the truth have even more power. They get people’s attention. They can change the world. Dare to wield your pen. Keep doing what you are doing and maybe we have a chance.”

Business student Damilola Emmanuel and Arts student Lorelei Kenny read from their award-winning submissions. The prizes were then presented by Premier MacLauchlan.

2018 MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing recipients

Faculty of Arts: Matthew Edmond Arsenault, Kate Bartlett, Ryan Boulter, Robyn Dann, Conor Dever, Mariah Rose Donnelly, Emma Drake, Rachel Hamilton, Julia Erin Henderson, Lorelei Kenny, Tristan Malcolm Lewis, Megan Lane MacDonald, Fallon Anne Mawhinney, Tanner McCabe, Luo Qiang, Taylor Quinn, Nick Scott, Wanyi Shangguan, Brianna Squires, Karina Terentiev, Michaela Wipond

Faculty of Business: Damilola Emmanuel, Brian Young

Faculty of Education: Lois Barnett, Hailey Hennessey, Katherine Murray, Hannah Roberts, Marianne Tremblay-Abel

Faculty of Nursing: Jonelyn Dehaan, Brad Halman, Jaime Leigh Macdonald, Marie Antoinette Gue Pangan

Faculty of Science: Kerri Ballum, Stephanie Cairns, Emma Campbell, Madison Faith Clarke, Alycia Maribeth Cooper, Jasmine Grace Frizzell, Marlee Gregory, Hillary Isleifson, William McQuaid, Precious Oluwabukunm Ojo, Mark Saunders, Maeve Studley, Emma Taylor, Zachary Theriault, Mangyu Zang

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Jessica D’Amico, Jihyun Kelly Yoo

Faculty/staff: Dr. Sean Weibe, Faculty of Education

The MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing distribute up to $30,000 annually in awards. The family has made previous contributions to the Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership, MacLauchlan Arena, Robertson Library, athletic scholarships, and student prizes in mathematics and entrepreneurship.

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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.

Congratulations to Jessica D’Amico, Class of 2020, and Kelly Yoo, Class of 2021, on winning 2018 MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing! They were among 49 UPEI students who were presented with the awards by the Hon. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of PEI, on Friday, January 25. Click here to read more about the MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing.