Starting in January 2009, the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Nursing will offer an accelerated nursing degree program for people who have university degrees and want to enter the nursing profession.

The provincial government announced funding support for the program in the throne speech on Friday, April 4.

Dr. Kim Critchley, dean of the UPEI School of Nursing, is thrilled with the news.

“This program is a great step forward for nursing education on P.E.I. and for nursing as a profession,” she said, “and we thank the provincial government for its support. There is a lot of demand for an accelerated nursing program here.”

Students who are accepted into the 14-seat program could earn their bachelor of science degree in nursing in as little as two years. In six months, they will complete the work normally done in the first two years of a four-year degree, and will then merge into the third year of the four-year program.

To be admitted to the program, students must have completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum average of 75 per cent, as well as credit courses in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, developmental psychology, introductory psychology and nutrition, statistics, English and another three electives.

Students will be admitted to the program this June and will have the opportunity in the fall to complete the required non-nursing courses they need to begin the program in January 2009.

The first class will complete the program in December 2010 and will be eligible to write the Canadian registered nursing exam in February 2011. The school worked with the Association of Nurses of Prince Edward Island to ensure that students who successfully complete the program can write their Canadian registered nursing exams before they actually graduate. They will get their clinical experience at Island health institutions in the summer months, opposite that of students in the four-year program.

Critchley stressed that the accelerated program will give students the same excellent education and training as the four-year program.

“Accelerated does not mean abbreviated,” she said. “Students who take the accelerated program will receive the same high quality of education and training as those in the standard four-year program.”

Accelerated baccalaureate programs have grown in Canada at a rapid rate. In 2004, there were 31 baccalaureate accelerated programs across the country. They are intense, vigorous and compressed programs, with high standards, and tend to attract mature students who have diverse work and educational backgrounds, and who have demonstrated high levels of motivation, enthusiasm, eagerness and ambition.

The University of Prince Edward Island will confer honorary degrees on four outstanding citizens, Wayne D. Gray, Nona Macdonald Heaslip, James Carter and Joe Ng, at two convocations on Saturday, May 10, in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

Carter and Gray will receive their honorary degrees during the morning ceremony, which will start at 10 a.m. Macdonald Heaslip and Ng will be awarded their degrees during the afternoon ceremony, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. Gray will deliver the convocation address in the morning, and Macdonald Heaslip in the afternoon. About 600 undergraduate and graduate students will receive their degrees during the convocation ceremonies.

Wayne D. Gray is the power behind the Vogue Optical chain, with 55 stores in Atlantic Canada, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and over 250 employees. He and his late wife Doreen Gray established Vogue Optical in 1979. Gray’s desire to own the buildings housing the optical stores created the need for a property development and management company. This company's holdings have grown to over 40 properties with more than 100 tenants. Gray and his companies are strong supporters of the Queen Elizabeth, PrinceCounty and IWK hospitals, the Children's Wish Foundation and many other causes. In 2000 he created the Doreen Gray Memorial Endowment Fund in memory of his wife. Wayne and Doreen Gray were inducted into the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame in 2006.

Nona Macdonald Heaslip and her late husband, William Arthurs Heaslip, have been generous supporters of health care, the arts and education. They have established ongoing undergraduate scholarships at 10 Canadian universities, including UPEI. Macdonald Heaslip’s career included journalism, and radio and television production. As PR manager for her alma mater, the University of Toronto, she received awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the UofT Alumni Award. Her volunteer roles included executive positions with the Couchiching Institute of Public Affairs, the Shaw Festival, the Shakespeare Globe Theatre Canada, the Empire Club of Canada, and Theatre Museum Canada. Her P.E.I. links go back to 1772 when 210 Macdonald Clan Ranald émigrés claimed land near Summerside. Her late father, Colonel Ronald Hugh Macdonald, attended St. Dunstan’s University.

A native Islander, James “Jim” Carter, of Fort McMurray, Alberta, is a visionary business and community leader. He attended Prince of Wales College and UPEI, completing his engineering diploma in 1971. He worked for Syncrude Canada Ltd. for 27 years, serving as president and chief operating officer from 1997 to 2007. His work has contributed to improvements in environmental performance, increased workplace safety, and advancements in technical and scientific knowledge. He has also strengthened relations with Aboriginals affected by development of the oil industry, and has increased the industry’s capacity to meet its need for highly skilled workers. Carter has received many prestigious awards, including honorary degrees from the University of Alberta and the Technical University of Nova Scotia. In 2005 he was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Born in Canton, China, Joe Ng moved to Hong Kong as a teenager and then to Canada in 1968. After studying engineering at UPEI in 1969-70, he went on to earn a degree in electrical engineering at UNB. He then settled in Hamilton, Ontario, as a permanent Canadian resident, where he founded JNE Consulting Ltd., which now employs a staff of 300. He supports his community through involvement with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Hamilton Health Sciences Network, research grants at McMaster University, the United Way and children's sports programs. In 2003 he was awarded an honorary degree from McMaster University, and in 2006 the McMaster University Faculty of Engineering Leadership Award. He has also been actively involved in the development of the Chinese Cultural Association in Hamilton.

More information about UPEI Convocation 2008 is available at www.upei.ca/convocation/.

With the recent establishment of the $2,000 George Coles provincial bursary, Prince Edward Island undergraduate students entering first-year full-time studies have more reason than ever to attend UPEI.

The new bursary program was announced in the P.E.I. Throne Speech earlier this month. Premier Robert Ghiz announced more details, including the eligibility criteria, on April 17.

In addition to receiving the $2,000 George Coles Bursary in their first year, P.E.I. students will be eligible for additional provincial awards of $400, $600 and $600 in their second, third and fourth years respectively. Over four years, that adds up to $3,600 in financial support. With first-year tuition at just $4,440 for a full course load, UPEI's tuition is already the most affordable in the Maritimes. Now the financial picture for P.E.I. students is even more positive.

'This is a wonderful strategy to keep our young, bright students on the Island. We are thrilled,' says Vianne Timmons, vice-president of Academic Development at UPEI. 'The financial incentive of the new bursary, combined with our top-quality education and impressive teaching facilities, make for a very enticing package for students.'

Timmons recognized the important role that the UPEI Student Union has played in securing more financial support for students. "This is the announcement we hoped for," she said. "Our student union has also been advocating for it. They had a major role in making this happen."

Students who meet the criteria set by the P.E.I. Department of Innovation and Advanced learning will automatically receive the George Coles bursary in January, starting in 2009. The bursaries will be deposited directly into students' UPEI tuition accounts.

The following eligibility criteria for the George Coles Bursary have been provided by the P.E.I. Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

Students must:

1. be an Island resident, which means:

• the recipient must have graduated from an Island high school,

• the recipient's parent(s) must reside in Prince Edward Island, or

• the recipient has resided in Prince Edward Island for a period of 12 consecutive months while not attending an educational program;

2. be enrolled in a program leading to a post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate;

3. be a first-time student at the educational institution in the first year of a program;

4. be enrolled in a first-degree/diploma/certificate program;

5. be enrolled full-time for a period of at least 12 consecutive weeks;

6. provide their Social Insurance Number;

7. have not previously received the George Coles Bursary; and

8. not be receiving financial support from the Skills Development Program.

For more information, please contact Student Financial Services at (902) 368-4640 or at www.studentloan.pe.ca.

During a recent visit to PEI, Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and to the Minister of International Trade, toured the new School of Business and Centre for Enterprise & Entrepreneurship at UPEI.

Faculty and staff are planning to move into the new building at the end of April. UPEI aims to offer the first classes in the new facility during the spring and summer sessions.

On tour with the Parliamentary Secretary were business students Susan Frizzell (third year) and Adelee MacNevin (fourth year), and Dean Roberta MacDonald. More information about the new facility is available at http://www.upei.ca/staff_faculty/schoolbusinessqas.

An Atlantic Canada research project called 'Retention of Aboriginal Students in Atlantic Canada's Post-secondary Institutions: An analysis of the supports available to Aboriginal students' has been initiated by the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in partnership with the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

The Canadian Council on Learning will provide $55,000 in funding for this one-year investigation.

UPEI's Dr. Vianne Timmons, vice-president of academic development, is leading the project in partnership with Dr. Fred Wien, Dalhousie University; Dr. Trudy Sable, Saint Mary's University; Lindsay Marshall, Associate Dean of Mi'kmaq College Institute at Cape Breton University; Dr. Laurel Lewey, St. Thomas University; and Bernadette Power, Memorial University, to identify Aboriginal students' perceptions of social and academic supports (or lack thereof) that are available to them at post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada.

"Research indicates that support services specifically for Aboriginal students aid in student success," says Dr. Timmons. 'It is critical that universities have these Aboriginal student supports available for their students to help in student success, and also encourage further postgraduate studies.'

Julie Bull, an Aboriginal master's student at UPEI, is excited about this research.

'A key component of effective and efficient change is giving a voice to those who have been otherwise muted,' she says. 'Aboriginal students face a multitude of challenges when attending post-secondary institutions, which means their concerns and stories need to be told and heard in order to inform future program and service delivery. Engaging the Aboriginal students in this project will yield results that can be used to influence change and implement culturally appropriate services.'

The results of this research will be made accessible and available to the AAU, which is an association of 17 universities in the Atlantic region. Recommendations will also be identified for the AAU, its member institutions, participating indigenous communities and decision-makers in order to improve the nature of social and academic support for indigenous students in the region.

The University of Prince Edward Island and Dr. Timmons have been working with indigenous communities for the past six years. Dr. Timmons has conducted research in partnership with various communities in the area of children's health, knowledge transfer and family literacy.

For further information, contact Dr. Timmons at vtimmons@upei.ca or (902) 566-0405.

The University of Prince Edward Island’s women’s Panthers volleyball team will feature two new up-and-coming athletes in the 2008–2009 season.

Coach Lynn Boudreau is thrilled that she successfully recruited Lena Pitsanuk, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Olivia Dolphin, of Elmwood, Prince Edward Island, for the team.

Pitsanuk plays volleyball for Dakota Collegiate where she is also a scholar-athlete. In the 2006–2007 school year, the Dakota High team reached the provincial quarterfinals, and in 2007–2008, they made it to the semifinals. She is involved in Youth in Philanthropy and Youth in Action, and is a member of her class’s graduation committee. A well-rounded athlete, she has also played basketball, badminton, baseball and team handball, and coached and refereed grade seven and eight volleyball.

Phil Hudson, a teacher and coach at Dakota Collegiate, had this to say: "Lena has been one of the most improved players in Manitoba over the past couple of years. This is directly related to her work ethic and strong determination to always do her best."

Pitsanuk commented, "I am extremely excited to become part of the volleyball family at UPEI. I am really looking forward to working with Coach Boudreau, and I know I will learn so much from her experiences as a player in the AUS. The school is the right size for me, and the Faculty of Science will challenge me academically. I look forward to my upcoming adventures moving from Winnipeg to Charlottetown. Go, Panthers!"

Dolphin plays volleyball for Bluefield, and won gold with her team at the Prince Edward Island Volleyball Provincials the past three years. She played for East Wiltshire and on the Red Mud Spring league. She is a member of the Canada Games training team, the PEI Elite team and the National Training Team which plays in a national tournament each year. Her awards include senior athlete of the year for Volleyball PEI 2007, Prince Edward Island High School MVP in the 2007 provincial championship, and first-team PEISAA Volleyball All-Star in 2006 and 2007.

“I'm looking forward to attending UPEI in September and am enthusiastic about becoming a Panther,” says Dolphin. “I can't wait to begin playing with the UPEI volleyball team in the fall and am excited by the fact that I will be staying in my home province.”

Coach Boudreau is pleased with both players making UPEI their destination next fall.

“Pitsanuk is a big middle block with loads of experience at a high level. She will step into our program and make an instant impact. This past spring she travelled to the US with her team to compete against the top teams in the mid-west,” said Boudreau.

“The key to being competitive in the AUS is keeping the best players in your province at home, and with Dolphin coming to UPEI next year, it is a step in the right direction,” she said. “Olivia knows what it takes to win after pursuing gold the last three years in the PEI High School League. She has a great vertical and court awareness. Olivia will be a building block in our program.”

With returning key players, including fifth-year power Rebecca Gallant, and the new players, Boudreau is excited about the year to come.

For information, contact Boudreau at (902) 566-0991 or lboudreau@upei.ca. Visit http://upei.ca/athletics for all your updates on Panther Sport.

The University of Prince Edward Island has appointed Dr. Donald L. Reynolds (DVM, PhD, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists) to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for the Atlantic Veterinary College. Dr. Reynolds' six-year term will begin in August 2008.

"The UPEI community is very pleased to welcome Dr. Reynolds to our campus and province," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "As one of only 33 Deans of Veterinary Medicine in North America, Dr. Reynolds is a member of a distinct group whose expertise and vision play a key role in veterinary medicine education, the development of this much-respected profession and its role in relation to public health, food safety, and animal health and welfare."

Reynolds is currently the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Iowa StateUniversity's College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also the school's Associate Director of the Veterinary Medical Research Institute, and Assistant Director of Iowa State University's Agricultural Experiment Station. He also holds the position of Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine.

"UPEI has an impressive track record of growth and a remarkable commitment to quality education," says Reynolds. "I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the Atlantic Veterinary College and the University as a whole throughout my term as Dean."

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Reynolds completed his Bachelor of Science (1977), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (1981) and PhD (1986) at The Ohio State University. His past research interests have focussed on avian medicine and food safety.

Reynolds will succeed Dr. Timothy H. Ogilvie who will complete two successful terms as Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College this summer.

"Dr. Tim Ogilvie's leadership and vision have contributed significantly to the development of the Atlantic Veterinary College and our Atlantic region," says MacLauchlan. "Dr. Ogilvie's spirit of collaboration and ability to move forward the priorities of the Atlantic VeterinaryCollege at UPEI have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a well-respected, effective leader."

The Tourism Research Centre (TRC) at UPEI's School of Business today announced the release of a report profiling Quebec visitors to P.E.I. during the summer of 2007.

Results show Quebec providing the third-highest volume of visitors after Ontario and the Maritime provinces. According to the data, visitors from Quebec tend to take shorter holidays than other non-Maritime visitors, but spend an impressive 64.5 per cent of nights on P.E.I. In fact, P.E.I. is the primary destination for 76 per cent of Quebecois visitors.

'This report gives us an excellent profile of our visitors from Quebec and allows us to compare and contrast them with visitors from other markets,' says Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. 'There are really two types of Quebec visitors: one is the touring visitor, and the other is the camping family. Although camping is occasionally associated with a budget holiday, Quebec visitors have a high per-person per-night expenditure level, second only after our international visitors. These visitors are wonderful for many industries on the Island as they spend money on a variety of things and don't necessarily stick to the traditional ‘touristy' activities.

'Quebec visitors are interesting in that they tend to ‘make their own fun,'' he adds. 'Participation in outdoor sports and activities that are individual or family in nature is far above average. It's important to the tourist industry to have these types of visitors. Like our previously studied Maritime and Ontario visitors, the Quebecois are quite happy with their experiences on Prince Edward Island These visitors are the most likely to visit all regions on the Island. It is refreshing to see that visitors do want to explore the whole Island and feel it is a worthwhile activity.'

Some highlights of the Quebec report include:

• Quebec visitors accounted for 13.5 per cent of the Island's total visitors during the study period in 2007. This was the Island's third-largest market of origin after the Maritimes and Ontario. The Quebec market provides 27.2 per cent of the visitors who came to P.E.I. from outside the Maritimes.

• Similar to the 60 per cent return visitation rate for visitors from other Canadian provinces, 56 per cent of Quebec visitors are return visitors. In terms of party composition, 32 per cent of Quebec visitors were travelling as a family with children, similar to the ratio from the rest of Canada (34 per cent), and 23 per cent visit the Island mainly to visit friends or relatives, identical to the ratio for the rest of Canada.

• Compared to other visitors, Quebec visitors are travelling on relatively short trips (9.3 nights versus 12.2 nights for Canadian visitors from outside the Maritimes). However, P.E.I. is the main destination for 76 per cent of these visitors with stays of 6.0 nights (64.5 per cent of nights away from home). Both figures are the highest from any market, with the exception of the Maritimes.

• In total, 35 per cent of visitors from Quebec spend at least one night in the region known as 'Anne's Land.' In contrast, only 22 per cent of travel parties from Quebec spent a night in Charlottetown, the lowest level recorded of all visitors when analyzed by place of origin. In terms of total nights spent in the regions, 45 per cent of Quebec visitors' total nights are spent in Anne's Land, the highest of any origin market; and 15 per cent are in Charlottetown, the lowest of any origin market.

• Quebec visitors are more likely to spend at least one night in most tourist regions than visitors from any other North American origin market.

• Quebec visitors like to camp; they have, by far, the highest percentage of campers of any of the origin markets. In total, 37 per cent of Quebec visitors spend at least one night at a campground compared to 9 to 22 per cent for other markets. As for total nights, 35 per cent of them are spent staying at a campground. Again, this is by far the highest of the various origin markets.

• Sightseeing and driving tours are the leading activity for Quebec visitors, although the participation rate is much lower when compared to other non-regional visitors.

• Quebecois visited national and provincial parks, shopped for antiques and souvenirs, visited historic and cultural attractions, and visited Anne of Green Gables attractions at average rates.

• Quebec visitors participated in outdoor sports and activities at above average rates (20 per cent). They attended fairs and festivals, played golf, and attended lobster dinners at below average rates. In addition, they attended live theatre (only 23 per cent attended) and visited bars and pubs (10 per cent versus 26 per cent for visitors from outside the Maritimes) at well below average rates.

• In terms of demographics, a leading 36 per cent of Quebec travel parties are headed by someone aged 35 to 54. This is very similar to the average for other Canadian visitors (34 per cent). However, household incomes of Quebec visitors tend to lag; only 19 per cent of Quebec visitors have annual household incomes of $125,000 or more, compared to 30 per cent of visitors from other Canadian provinces outside the Maritimes.

• Quebec visitors appeared to be very satisfied with their vacation on the Island. Their trip ratings were very similar to the ratings provided by other visitors in all categories, but they gave P.E.I. the highest ratings (3.8 out of 5) for the prices of goods and services.

The report is the fourth in a series of in-depth profiles based on comprehensive data previously released in the report 'Overall Results of the 2007 Exit Survey.' The data is for the main tourism season of June 27 to September 30, 2007, and was collected as visitors departed P.E.I. at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport, and Wood Islands Ferry (seasonally).

Data is being collected for a full year, and the survey is being managed by the TRC on behalf of Tourism PEI. The Exit Survey gathers information on main purpose of the trip, length of stay, areas visited, accommodation used, size and composition of travel party, holiday activities, visitor spending, customer satisfaction, visitation data, place of origin, and traveller demographics. This report specifically compares the similarities and differences between visitors from Ontario and visitors from other areas. The results are based on 3,173 completed surveys collected from June 27 to September 30, 2007.

Over the next seven weeks a series of reports profiling different segments of P.E.I. visitors based on origin, travel party type, repeat visitation, and other characteristics will be released. All reports are or will be available on the TRC's website at trc.upei.ca/exitsurvey.

Further information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, UPEI's vice-president of academic development, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen Kielly, from the University of Northern British Columbia, to the position of registrar effective July 1, 2008.

'We are thrilled that Ms. Kielly is taking on this very important position,' says Timmons, who is currently acting registrar. 'Our focus is on making sure that our students receive the best possible experience at UPEI. Ms. Kielly's extensive experience as registrar at UNBC, strong leadership skills and passion for students ensure that she is the right person for the job.'

Kielly is very pleased about her new position.

'The opportunity to work with the University of Prince Edward Island is very exciting for me,' she says, 'The student-centred environment nestled within a strong sense of community makes for a very inviting and receptive place to be. I look forward to working with the dedicated team of professionals at the University and supporting the University's vision for access and excellence.'

A native of Newfoundland, Kielly has worked in the support of education throughout her entire working career. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta and attended the University of Manitoba Centre for Higher Education Research and Development University Manager's Course. She has worked at Memorial University, the Alberta Teachers' Association and the provincial Department of Education in Alberta. She is currently the registrar and secretary to the senate at the University of Northern British Columbia.

She is active in provincial, regional, national and international organizations relevant to her work, and has been involved as an organizer or a presenter in a number of educational conferences, most recently the 2006 Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the 2007 BC Council on Admissions and Transfer Degree Partnering Symposium, and the 2007 Canadian Banner User's Conference.

Three UPEI faculty members were recently recognized for their outstanding teaching and research achievements at a reception and awards banquet sponsored by the UPEI Faculty Association and the Office of the President.

Dr. June Countryman, Department of Music, won the Hessian Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Dr. Donna Giberson, Faculty of Science, and Dr. Malcolm Murray, Faculty of Arts, received UPEI Merit Awards for Scholarly Achievement for their exceptional accomplishments as researchers.

The Hessian award is given to a faculty member who has shown outstanding competence in teaching, and the merit awards to faculty members who have made significant and continuing contributions to scholarly research.

Countryman has been with the music department for only two years, but she has already made an indelible mark upon the program and her students. Since arriving on campus, she has been responsible for new courses such as elementary music education methods, philosophy of music education and aural skills. Last year, she introduced a new course in global music, which exposed students to ethnic musical traditions beyond western music. This year, she pioneered a musicianship course to help students develop crucial skills in structured and unstructured musical improvisation. Her students describe her as extremely compassionate, and she is a mentor to other faculty members.

A full professor in the biology department, Giberson received her BSc in Environmental Biology from the University of Calgary, and MSc in Aquatic Entomology and PhD in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Manitoba. She researches aquatic entomology, focusing on biodiversity in Canadian ecosystems. Her research is well published in peer-reviewed journals, books and conference proceedings. In 2007 alone she published five peer-reviewed articles. She supervises MSc graduate students and BSc honours undergraduate students, and is active in several professional organizations. She has worked with the P.E.I. Department of Health to identify mosquito species and their breeding areas on the Island. This is her second Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement award; the first was in 1996.

Dr. Malcolm Murray, associate professor of philosophy, received his honours BA in Philosophy and Psychology, MA in Philosophy and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo. He specializes in social and political philosophy, game theory, contractarianism, and 20th-century ethics. Murray has published four scholarly books within five years, as well as chapters in books and articles in refereed philosophical journals. He currently serves as chair of the UPEI Research Ethics Board and is a member of the Scholarly Publications Programme Committee of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences Aid. He is a regular reviewer for the Journal of Value Inquiry and the Ethical Theory and Moral Practice journal.

Photo (left to right): Dr. Malcolm Murray, Dr. Donna Giberson and Dr. June Countryman