It's a big weekend at home for the UPEI Panthers basketball and hockey teams. Basketball starts off the weekend on Friday, February 15, with games against St. FX at 6:00 pm (W) and 8:00 pm (M). The men's hockey team will take to the ice at 7:30 pm as they host St. FX in game two of their quarterfinal match at 7:30 pm.

From 6-7 pm, all UPEI Panther supporters can mingle in the Molson Saloon, located in the third section of the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre gymnasium, where a cash bar will be set-up and the first 100 men's hockey ticket holders to show their tickets will receive a free cowboy hat in support of the men's hockey 'cowboys.'

UPEI will take on St. FX again on Saturday night for their last home games with the women's basketball game at 4:00 pm and the men's basketball game at 6:00 pm. The women's hockey team will host SMU at 7:00 pm.

On Sunday, February 17, the women's hockey team will play their last home game against St. FX at 6:00 pm in the MacLauchlan Arena.

Best of luck to all UPEI Panthers-for more information visit gopanthersgo.ca.

On Thursday, February 14, UPEI joined activists around the world for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Over 200 people took part in the campus event.

ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women around the world will be beaten or raped during their lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than 1 billion women and girls. Today marked V-Day's 15th anniversary where activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men around the world joined together to express their concern, demand change, dance, and rise in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.

The local initiative was spearheaded by UPEI staff member Leo Cheverie and UPEI faculty member Jennifer Taylor, and supported by the UPEI Student Union; UPEI staff, faculty, and student volunteers; and Zumba instructor Anna Lacroix who led and encouraged dancing.

For more information, visit onebillionrising.org

The following was distributed by the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island:

The UPEI Athletics and Recreation department has released the following ticket information for games 3 and 4 (if necessary) of the AUS Men's Hockey Semi-finals, UPEI versus UNB, being played at MacLauchlan Arena on Monday, February 25th and Tuesday, February 26th, respectively. Both games begin at 7:00 pm.

The first two games of the best 3-of-5 series are being played at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton where the number one seeded UNB Varsity Reds will host the fifth-seeded Panthers.

Season Seat Ticket Holders
2012/2013 UPEI Men's Hockey season ticket holders can purchase tickets for their season seats being held for Games 3 and 4* at the CARI Box Office during following times:

Friday, February 22, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm
Saturday, February 23, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm

General Tickets
General tickets go on sale for Games 3 and 4* at the CARI Box Office during the following times:

Sunday, February 24, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm
Monday, February 25, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm

All tickets are $15 each.

* For those purchasing tickets for both games, should a Game 4 not be required, the ticket can either be reimbursed or its value credited towards 2013/2014 season seat tickets.

UPEI's Executive MBA program offers a high-quality learning experience for working business professionals. The program is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work, in a management or leadership position. Classes are offered bi-weekly on Fridays and Saturdays with the option to complete the program in 20 months. Central to the program design is an evidence-based management approach which helps students develop the skills and knowledge to make better-informed and well-supported decisions both in the program and in applied situations in their workplaces.

To learn more about the program and to meet with staff, faculty and students from the School of Business, we invite you to attend the following information sessions:

Tuesday, March 5th
Provinces Lounge, Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Charlottetown
Anytime between 4 and 6 pm

Please call (902) 566-6474 or email mba@upei.ca to reserve a seat. For more information on UPEI's EMBA Program, click here.

The University of Prince Edward Island is saddened to learn of the recent death of the Honourable Eugene Whelan, PC, OC, LLD, PAg. As Minister of Agriculture for Canada (1972-1979 and 1980-1984), Mr. Whelan was instrumental in the establishment of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University in 1983.

'On behalf of the University community, I extend my deep condolences to Mr. Whelan's family,' says Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. 'We are grateful to Mr. Whelan for his leadership and support in bringing the Atlantic Veterinary College to the University of Prince Edward Island.'

Dr. Don Reynolds, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College, joined President Abd-El-Aziz in extending his sympathy to the Whelan family.

'Through Mr. Whelan's leadership, dedication and support, veterinary medical education in Atlantic Canada became a reality, and for this we are grateful,' says Dr. Reynolds.

In 2000, the Atlantic Veterinary College established the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award in honour of Mr. Whelan's contributions to the creation of the College. This award is given annually to a person who has played a direct role in the growth of the College and who has supported its vision, reputation and continued success. The Green Hat Award is the greatest honour bestowed by AVC.

Well-known PEI soccer player and all-round athlete David Snowie will be the subject of some good-natured ‘ribbing' at the third annual UPEI Men's Soccer Dinner and Roast, announced UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman. The event will take place on Friday, March 1 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.

Hosted by the UPEI Friends of Men's Soccer-a group representing alumni, members of the soccer community, and PEI soccer supporters-the dinner is a key fundraiser for the team and supports current and future Panthers through athletic awards.

Originally from Summerside, David Snowie played junior hockey with the Summerside Crystals, alongside Schurman, and was named MVP of the Maritime Junior Hockey League in 1972-73.

'Dave has always been a huge supporter of sport whether it be as a player, coach, or builder. UPEI and the UPEI Friends of Men's Soccer are thrilled to have him as our featured ‘roastee'. We have an excellent lineup of ‘roasters' from his storied sport history that will no doubt entertain the crowd,' said Schurman.

While David Snowie did start out his university soccer career at UPEI in 1972, under the tutelage of coach Vince Mulligan, he is best known for his success as a dual soccer and hockey varsity team member at Mount Allison University. It was just after good friend Grafton Cole lured him to New Brunswick that the UPEI soccer team joined the then-AUAA conference, but by then Snowie had committed to Mt. A.

Snowie recalls, 'I was pulling out of the driveway, car all packed when Vince called me at home to let me know UPEI was going to play in the league after all. Mom called out the door that Vince was on the phone, but even with the news, I had already made my decision and needed to stick with my commitment.'

At Mount Allison, Snowie earned rookie of the year and athlete of the year honours in soccer and, for two years, wore the 'C' as captain of the team. A senior athlete of the year at Mt. A, he also played varsity hockey for Jack Drover and to this day they remain close friends.

Snowie has been instrumental in organizing many teams with Soccer PEI, including the Red Oak Boys U14 team with Tom Hayward and has coached minor soccer in both Sherwood and Winsloe. He is also one of the assistant coaches with UPEI Men's Soccer and recently retired from a long career with Parks Canada.

The event, emceed by Lorne Acorn, includes a reception beginning at 6:00 pm, dinner at 6:45 pm, and a silent auction throughout the evening. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at the Soccer Stop, PEI Soccer Association, or by contacting the UPEI Athletics and Recreation department at (902) 566-0432.

The University of Prince Edward Island is offering two great opportunities to learn about and apply to the innovative Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) graduate program. All are welcome to attend the following information sessions:

Tuesday, February 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Jack Blanchard Family Centre, Room 205 (next to Holy Redeemer Parish)
7 Pond Street, Charlottetown

Thursday, February 28, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Holland College Waterfront Campus, Sunroom/Student Lounge (Main Door)
98 Water Street, Summerside

MAIS is a unique, interdisciplinary, and policy-driven graduate program that critiques islands on their own terms. The program welcomes students from around the world from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and diverse degrees, or with professional workplace experience in the public, private, or resource sectors.

For more information, call (902) 620-5013, email mais@upei.ca or click here.

Though they fell victim to Mount Allison 2-1 on Friday night, the UPEI Women's Hockey team still has a chance to advance through to the final when they face St. Francis Xavier on Saturday, February 23 at 6:00 pm at the Subway AUS Women's Hockey Championship. All tournament games are at the Tantramar Civic Centre in Sackville, NB but are being broadcast via the web on AUStv.ca.

In last night's game against the home team, the Panthers were strong offensively but just couldn't find the mesh due to the stellar performance by Mt. A goalie, Meghan Corley-Byrne, who stopped 42 shots. UPEI's lone goal came from Kiersten Visser, also named player of the game for the Panthers. With a win against St. FX, the AUS defending champions will face either SMU or STU in the final, Sunday, February 24 at 4:00 pm.

On the men's side, the Panthers overcame a game 1 loss against UNB to tie up the best three-of-five series Friday night when they beat the Varsity Reds 4-2 at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton.

Games 3 and 4 of the Subway AUS Men's Hockey Semi-Finals will take place back on Island ice at MacLauchlan Arena. General tickets go on sale at the CARI Box Office on Sunday, February 24, 12:00-5:00 pm, and on Monday, February 25, 12:00-5:00 pm. Tickets are $15 each and are limited to 4 per person.

For Panther fans who don't have tickets but want to experience hockey playoff action and some ‘cowboy' spirit, UPEI Athletics and Recreation, in partnership with The Wave, has opened the Molson Saloon. Opening at 5:00 pm and accessible via the CARI Complex lobby for those aged 19 and older, the saloon is located on the third court of the gym and will feature the live AUStv webcast of the games on an eight-foot big screen. Admission to the saloon is $5/per person but is free for game ticket holders who want to join in before game-time or during intermissions.

UPEI students will have two opportunities to win free tickets to game 3. Beginning last Friday, full-time UPEI students who presented a valid student ID at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre front desk had their names entered into a draw for 50 rush tickets. Winning students will be listed on the gopanthersgo.ca website on Saturday, February 23 at 5:00 pm. Another 50 tickets will be available during a special promotion at the Molson Saloon on Monday, February 25 from 5:00-6:45 pm.

Panther fans can jump aboard the Panther Express headed to Halifax for the Subway AUS Men's Basketball Championship, March 1-3. The bus will depart from the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on Friday, March 1 at 1:00 pm and will return on Sunday, March 3 after the championship game.

The UPEI men's basketball team will tip off against Saint Mary's University at 8:15 pm on Friday in the second quarter-final game of the championship weekend at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Tickets are $65 which includes return bus trip and a floor ticket for UPEI's Friday night game. Fans 16 years old and under must be accompanied by a guardian. To reserve your seat, visit the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre front desk-cash, credit, and debit payments are accepted.

A minimum of 48 fans must be signed up and paid by 4 pm on Wednesday, February 27. If there is not enough interest, a cancellation notice will be posted on gopanthersgo.ca on Wednesday by 5 pm.

For fans travelling to Halifax on their own, ticket packages can also be purchased by contacting the Ticket Atlantic Box Office at (902) 451-1221 or by visiting www.ticketatlantic.com. Panther fans are encouraged to purchase seats in section 6, which is the designated UPEI section.

Best of luck to the UPEI men's basketball Panthers. Go Panthers Go!