UPEI Magazine Jan. 16-06.indd - University of Prince Edward Island

Transcription

UPEImagazine
www.upei.ca
William E. (Bill) Andrew
New Chancellor
Spring 2005
Nurses Make Their Mark
The Canadian Nurses Foundation selected Erin Coady as the
first recipient of the Dr. Margaret Munro Scholarship, introduced in 2004 and valued at $3,000. Dr. Munro was our first
Dean of Nursing. She has also created two nursing awards
at UPEI, and is a member of the UPEI Visionary Society. At
the Canadian Nursing Students Association national conference, Melanie McCarthy was awarded the Sigma Theta Tau
International Honor Society of Nursing scholarship valued
at $2,000 US. This scholarship recognizes clinical excellence.
The CNSA also recognized the UPEI chapter of the organization with the CNSA Atlantic Region Achievement Award.
Prize-winning nursing students Erin Coady and Melanie McCarthy
Top-Level Millennium Award
Third-year Business student Matthew O’Halloran was recognized recently by the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation. He was awarded a top-level in-course scholarship valued at $10,000. Only 100 Tier 1 awards are given out each year
across the country.
Teaching and Learning Around the World
Education students are teaching and learning in five different countries this semester through the International Education program. This is the seventh year for the program,
which since its inception has sent 96 students to 25 countries on six continents. Thirteen students left UPEI in March
to complete six-week international practice-teaching placements in Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Spain, and Germany.
President Wade MacLauchlan congratulates Matthew O’Halloran
International Education students—Front (l-r): Kim Peters, Krista MacCallum, Melissa Power, Kristy Matthews, and Lindsay Emenau. Back (r-l): Craig Cameron,
Ainsley Congdon, Lisa Metterron, Adam Gauthier, Dr. Graham Pike (Dean of Education), Steve Forbes, Jillian Shea, Jaclyn Reid and Ellen Gillis.
2— UPEI Magazine Spring 2005
On the cover
William “Bill” E. Andrew was installed as
Chancellor on March 6. The Penn West
Petroleum President is photographed here at
his Alberta ranch. The Chancellor has made
it clear that he plans to work hard within
corporate and political circles to maintain and
increase funding for the University. “UPEI is a
great, great place,” he said. “It’s great to be
small but we have to grow a bit, too.” (Photo
by Kim Taylor, Slidin’ U Photography)
Contents
Building a Legacy
President’s Message
Good News
A Wealth of Words
Honours and Awards
Atlantic Veterinary
College Highlights
Campus Expanding in
Every Direction
Research News
Alumni Updates
Sports
Afterwords
2
4
5
8
9
10
12
15
16
23
24
A very special thanks to the following
people for their contributions to this issue:
Alf Blanchard, Laurie Brinklow, Clare Henderson,
Kevin Lewis, Ed MacDonald, Don McEwen,
Lauranne MacNeill, Heather Rossiter.
Editor: Anne McCallum
Photos: John Sylvester
Louise Vessey
Chris Marshall
UPEI Photography
Design: Graphics, Computer Services,
UPEI
UPEI Magazine is a publication of the University of Prince Edward
Island and the UPEI Alumni Association. It is produced for friends
and alumni of UPEI by Advancement Services and the Department
of Audiovisual Services, UPEI. We welcome your comments and
suggestions. Please address all correspondence and advertising
inquiries to: Editor, UPEI Magazine, Advancement Services,
UPEI, 550 University Ave., Charlottetown, PE, Canada,
C1A 4P3. Tel: (902) 566-0615, fax: (902) 566-0782, E-mail:
magazine@upei.ca
Mailed under Canada Post publications agreement no.
1424718.
If undeliverable, Canadian addresses sent to:
Advancement Services, UPEI, 550 University Ave.,
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3.
What have you done to UPEI?
I am an optimist by nature, and, at UPEI, it is very easy to be so. As I write this,
we are on the verge of being able to say that the Building a Legacy Campaign has surpassed its $25 million target. This is cause for abundant optimism about what this
new investment in the future has done and how promising the future truly is.
In the three lightning-fast years I have been at UPEI, I have seen so much wonderful progress as a direct result of gifts from alumni, members of the community, and
local, regional, and national business and foundations. Inside this Magazine, and in
our past issues, we have highlighted some of the many things your gifts have done.
Our scholarship and bursary growth, building construction and improvements, library acquisitions, and a host of other advances have been possible only because of
the gifts of many.
Every gift matters. Of our donations to the Building a Legacy Campaign, almost $2
million has come from small gifts. I don’t use the word “small” in the sense of being unimportant. I use it in the same way that we are proud of UPEI as a “GREAT
small University.” Small is very meaningful and it signifies the state of personal relationships between our teachers and students, or UPEI and the community of
friends and alumni. Without “small” we would be less than what we are. Without
small gifts, we would not be so near the success we are about to celebrate.
So here is a chance to make something small into something even bigger. The vast
majority of gifts to UPEI are one-time payments. If your next gift can be a monthly
recurring commitment or include a pledge for several years in advance, the $2 million would become $6 million or $8 million. UPEI can then plan ahead and address
priorities, including more support for students in severe financial need, providing
more opportunities for graduate students, and adding library resources. And it
is never too soon to include a planned gift to UPEI through insurance or in your
Will.
As we have achieved many wonderful successes, we have discovered more opportunities to enhance our greatness. UPEI is gaining some of the attention it deserves
nationally for the accomplishments of our alumni, the dedication of students, and
the growth and quality of our research. What have you done to UPEI? You and others working together have made us better. I am ready to hear from you to discuss
doing something, big or small, for our UPEI.
Kevin Lewis
Chief Development Officer
krlewis@upei.ca
CIBC Supports Student Centre
CIBC pledged $50,000 to the W.
A. Murphy Student Centre and,
recently, Jim McEachern and Paul
Crant, Charlottetown branch
managers, presented a cheque to
the Building a Legacy Campaign as
part of that pledge. Accepting on
behalf of UPEI is Kevin Lewis (r),
Chief Development Officer.
Visit the UPEI Website at
www.upei.a
UPEI Magazine Spring 2005 — 
Give to Education in Many Ways
Alfred Arsenault, General Manager of Evangeline Credit Union; David Burt,
General Manager of Metro Credit Union; President Wade MacLauchlan; and
Nick Wright, CEO of Credit Union Central, unveil a plaque naming the student lounge
Dr. James Lovering and his wife, Frances, have demonstrated
their commitment to education in many valuable ways. They
have established an endowment to support two scholarships
in memory of their daughter: The Janet Lovering Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Nursing and The Janet Lovering
Graduate Scholarship in Science. They have also made gifts
to fund subscriptions to nursing journals for the Robertson
Library, and to purchase lab equipment for the Physics Department. Dr. Lovering volunteers as a tutor in the English
Academic Preparation program. He is pictured here with
business students, Jei Li and Yang Zhang.
Credit Unions Name Student Lounge
One of the most popular meeting places in the student centre
now has a name. The sun-filled lounge on the south end of the
building facing the historic quadrangle will be known as The
Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island Day Lounge. The official dedication ceremony took place during a provincial meeting of Credit Union managers at the University. Bob Gregory,
Manager of Marketing & Business Development for Credit
Union Central of PEI, announced a $200,000 donation to
the Building a Legacy Campaign during the ceremony.
Exceptional Educator Remembered
Donald MacLellan of Indian River, PEI, has donated $65,000
to the University to Build a Legacy with an annual scholarship
for exceptional education students in memory of his wife,
Elinor MacDonald MacLellan (PWC’43). Elinor MacDonald
MacLellan was the first resource/guidance teacher in PEI. She
was a special education consultant to the PEI government,
and played a major role in child development and the education of special needs children. Elinor was held in the highest
esteem within her profession and earned the affection and
respect of two generations of teachers and students. She was
awarded the Order of Canada in 1989. The Elinor (MacDonald) MacLellan Memorial Scholarship will assist future generations of educators to follow in her footsteps.
President Wade MacLauchlan discusses campus renewal plans with Terry
Shea, General Manager of Prince Edward Island Mutual Insurance Company
PEI Mutual Supports UPEI Priorities
A company with a long Island history showed its support
recently for an Island institution that has just celebrated 200
years of higher education on PEI. The General Manager of
Prince Edward Island Mutual Insurance Company, Terry Shea,
made a special visit UPEI to learn more about the major renovations and expansion under way on the historic campus, and
to provide a $37,500 boost to the Building a Legacy Campaign.
The areas for support identified as most important by the
University are expansion or strengthening of campus facilities
and programs, great teaching and research, and deserving students. The $37,500 gift will be applied to these priority areas.
AVC Reputation for Excellence
Attracts $1 Million in Bequests
The Atlantic Veterinary
College’s commitment to
excellence in teaching, research, and service is attracting significant support from
animal-lovers in the region.
In the past few months, over
$1 million has been donated
to the College from the estates of three generous individuals. Their gifts are being
recognized as part of the
University’s Building a Legacy
Campaign.
Norma May Phelan
The Estate of Norma May
Phelan will provide AVC’s
first-ever entrance bursaries
for veterinary students in
financial need. Ms. Phelan
grew up on a farm in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. She was married to Bill
Phelan, who passed away in
1995. She had a tremendous
love for cats, particularly
Siamese cats. She left a residual bequest to AVC of approximately $550,000. The
first Norma and Bill Phelan
Bursaries will be awarded in
2006.
A bequest of $200,000 was
made by the Estate of George
Wakeling. Mr. Wakeling was
a strong believer in providing
quality care to animals, and
he wanted his assets to be
used for that purpose. He and
his wife, Clarice, lived in Crapaud, PEI, for 15 years before
moving to Oromocto, New
Brunswick. Mr. Wakeling
passed away in 2004, his wife
having predeceased him.
A third bequest of $305,000
was made recently from the
Estate of a Rothesay, New
Brunswick, resident who was
very fond of animals. She decided to make the bequest
when she became aware of
AVC’s commitment to animal health and well-being
through a friend who graduated from AVC in the Class
of ’89.
Over 40 New Scholarships
and Awards Created
When the annual UPEI donor report is published in May it will
provide details of more than 40 new student scholarships, bursaries, and awards created by supporters of the Building a Legacy
Campaign. Generous families, individuals, and organizations
have given close to $1 million to the University to assist academically gifted students and those who are in financial need.
In addition to these new awards, a growing number of existing
scholarships are being strengthened and increased through the
commitment of donors from all walks of life. The Rhynes family
of Charlottetown recently did just that. The family has endowed
the Susanah “Irene” Rhynes Memorial Scholarship. Established in
memory of Irene Rhynes by her nephew, and UPEI alumnus, John
R. Rhynes, it is open to full-time BA students who have an interest
in history, poetry, or international studies. Thanks to additional
support from John and his parents, Alex and Agnes Rhynes, UPEI
has been able to increase the award to $1,000 per year, and ensure that it will be available to deserving students in perpetuity.
The Atlantic Veterinary College is in the final planning
stages of a major expansion
and renovation program.
A priority for the new construction is expanded examination and ICU facilities
for companion animals. Mr.
Wakeling and the donor of
the unnamed estate will be
permanently recognized in
the new area within AVC.
The 2004 winner of The Irene Rhynes Memorial Scholarship, with
members of the Rhynes family (l-r): Kathryn Morrell and Lyndsey,
Alex, Becca, and Agnes Rhynes
Visionary Society Welcomes
New Member
Vera Dewar
Honorary graduate Vera Dewar is the latest member of an expanding group of UPEI supporters called the Visionary Society. The Visionary Society celebrates generous individuals and
families who have chosen to make a powerful impact on the
quality of education by arranging a planned gift of $100,000
or more, bequeathing 10 per cent of their estate to UPEI,
or designating the residual of their estate to UPEI. In addition to her commitment to the Visionary Society, Vera Dewar
has established a new postgraduate nursing scholarship to be
awarded annually.
UPEI Magazine Spring 2005 — 3
President’s Message
Readers of the UPEI Magazine regularly
tell me how much you enjoy sharing
in the achievements of our students,
graduates, faculty, staff, and the entire
UPEI community. You will find this issue brimming over with that sense of
pride and achievement.
I begin with the election of Bill Andrew
as UPEI’s seventh Chancellor. Bill is a
1973 Engineering graduate and an “Island boy” who has become a leader in
the petroleum and standardbred industries. Bill has taken a keen and supportive interest in UPEI, and he assumes
the Chancellor’s role with special pride
in what our University has achieved, and
what we are on track to achieve.
Our outgoing Chancellor Norman
Webster, along with his wife Pat and the
Webster family, have been wonderful
promoters and supporters of UPEI. We
thank them for their leadership, for being such great champions for UPEI, and
for their continuing friendship.
As we surpass new milestones with UPEI’s Building a Legacy Campaign, many
people have made special contributions toward and share in the pride of
the Campaign’s continuing success. We
are only beginning to show ourselves
what we can achieve through—and for
—UPEI. We will know the true extent
of what is possible when every member
of the UPEI community supports our
University, today and in the long term.
The back cover features our Visionaries
Society. This is a very, very important
initiative. A primary function of a university is to carry the torch for the aspirations, and the possibilities, of future
generations. It is never too soon to take
a good, hard look at our long-term plans.
And it has never been more important
to include UPEI in our plans.
One of my special privileges as President is to teach every undergraduate
student. Each fall and winter, I visit 16
English 101 sections to teach about the
importance of writing and, as I tell the
students, to “see the shiny faces.” As
an exercise, I ask the students to help
me write an annual letter to high school
counselors and prospective students
across Canada.
I wish you could be in those classes with
me. Our current students are all prepared to urge others to come to UPEI.
They love the intimacy of the learning
experience and of the UPEI community. They have great professors, and
have genuine access to them. They love
the campus and are truly appreciative
of the improvements in facilities. They
say that a UPEI education is comparatively affordable. They like Charlottetown and the many advantages of being
on PEI. They like each other. And they
know that they are learning and growing. They are happy.
For any of us, to be associated with such
a proud, happy, and achieving university
is a wonderful privilege. It is good for
our hearts, for our spirits, for our collective well-being, and for our futures.
As you enjoy this issue of the UPEI
Magazine, I invite you to join me in the
sense of pride and achievement that is
so infectious at UPEI today. And I invite you to join us in ensuring that this
continues, long into the future.
H. Wade MacLauchlan
President & Vice-Chancellor
UPEI BBA ’76
New Chancellor
William E. “Bill” Andrew
William E. “Bill” Andrew, a 1973 Engineering graduate of UPEI, was installed on March 6 as the University’s Seventh Chancellor. Bill Andrew
is President of Penn West Petroleum
Ltd., a Canadian energy company
engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production
of oil and natural gas. He is also a
member of the Board of Governors
of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
Andrew and his wife, Denise, have
been active in many community
and philanthropic initiatives. He has
been a trustee of the Grace Women’s Health Centre, President of the
Alberta Standardbred Horse Association, a director of Standardbred
Canada, and a fundraising leader for
Alberta Children’s Hospital, United
Way of Calgary, Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation and Woods Home—
EXIT Program.
The new Chancellor is a founder of
the Calgary group, Friends of UPEI,
which now supports 14 students
with scholarships to study at UPEI.
He and Denise have created a new
scholarship endowment at UPEI for
students in Education and Engineering.
Andrew says he is proud of what
UPEI has achieved and is optimistic
about the University’s future prospects, noting UPEI’s dramatic rise
in national rankings and research
intensity.
Engineering Education
Marks 50 Years by Don McEwen
The first full-time engineering faculty at UPEI consisted of
Don Gillis, PEng (retired 2003), Baird Judson, PEng (retired
1995), and Rev. Charles MacDonald (retired 1975). The present full-time faculty consists of Don MacEwen, PEng; Dr.
Wayne Peters, PEng; and Dr. Andrew Trivett, PEng. Several
part-time instructors also contribute to the program. The future is indeed exciting; with faculty actively pursuing research
in areas related to energy, the environment, climate change,
and aquaculture. Developments are in progress for new engineering laboratories to provide students with state-of-the-art
programming.
The following list provides a small sample of the hundreds
of successful individuals who can trace their engineering
education to UPEI:
Reverend Charles MacDonald, retired engineering professor; and Bernie
Lee (SDU’59)
This year marks the 50th anniversary for engineering education on PEI. It was initiated in 1954 at St. Dunstan’s University (SDU), with professional instruction beginning in 1955.
Students took the common required courses at SDU and
completed the specialized courses in fields such as civil, mining, mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, and electrical engineering at the Nova Scotia Technical College (NSTC). Cullen Delory (NSTC) was the first instructor. Later instructors
included Clair Callaghan (1956), Donald Kawaja (1959), Rev.
Charles MacDonald (1957), Raymond MacPhee (1961), Robert Donnelly (1968), and Baird Judson, PEng (1968).
A program in engineering education at PWC was started
by Don Gillis, PEng, in 1968. In 1969, the new University
of Prince Edward Island was incorporated. The engineering
program at UPEI was subsequently continued as the threeyear Engineering Diploma program that largely exists today.
It remains part of Nova Scotia’s Associated University Engineering system, offering programming under Dalhousie’s
professional degree accreditation. Professor Don Gillis also
established a transfer agreement with UNB so that engineering students from UPEI could complete their degrees at that
institution as well.
James Carter (1971), President and CEO, Syncrude Canada
Wayne MacQuarrie (1972), CEO, PEI Energy Corporation
Bill Andrew (1973), President, Penn West Petroleum Ltd.
and UPEI Chancellor
Vernon McQuillan (1976), Senior project engineer,
Fitzgerald and Snow Ltd.
Larry McQuaid (1977), Principal partner and co-founder,
Delcom Engineering Ltd.
John Gaudet (1979), Vice President Operations, Maritime Electric
Kerry Taylor (1980), Director, PEI PWGSC Project Management
Anita (Loucks) Smith (1982), President and COO,
MacViro Consultants Inc.
Kerry MacQuarrie (1982), Professor of Civil Engineering, UNB
Steve MacLean (1983), Deputy Minister, PEI Transportation
and Public Works
Douglas Wright (1984), President, Atlantech Companies,
PEI and South America
Glenda MacKinnon-Peters (1987), First woman president, APEPEI and Hazardous Materials Specialist, PEI Environment, Energy
and Forestry
Nancy Mathis (1990), PhD, Chemical Engineering, President &
CEO, Mathis Instruments Ltd.
Edward Lank (1994), PhD, Computer Science, Assistant Professor,
Computer Science, San Francisco State University
Kimberley (Sullivan) Watson (1995), Production Engineer,
PetroCanada
Ellen Dalton (1997), Forestry Engineer, 2000 winner, Canadian
Institute of Forestry gold medal
UPEI Eighth in Canada Among
Undergrad Universities
In the 2004 Maclean’s Rankings the University of Prince Edward Island ranked eighth among 21 primarily undergraduate universities across Canada. In 2003 we ranked ninth. The
Maclean’s rankings take a measure of the undergraduate experience, comparing universities in three peer groupings. In
addition to the overall rankings, the magazine rates universities on a long list of factors, from library holdings to alumni
support. UPEI was the number one primarily undergraduate
university in the country for the percentage of classes taught
by tenured faculty, number one for SSHRC grants, and second
in terms of awards per full-time faculty.
UPEI Environmental Studies
Students Quiz Minister
(l-r:)
Dr. Almut Beringer, UPEI Director of Environmental Studies and Sustainability; Joshua Darrach, student;
Honourable Stéphane Dion; and Soon Cherng Chau, student.
International students at UPEI (back, l-r): Tobias Mwandala; Ren Yonglin;
Cathy Gillan, Co-ordinator, English Academic Preparation Program; Byung
Moon Park; (front, l-r): Gloria Namuwaya and Huyen Hoang Thi Ngoc
Teaching and Learning Centre to
Deliver Hong Kong English Training
UPEI has won a major international contract to provide
English-language training to student teachers from the
Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIE). UPEI was
one of just two successful bidders selected from high-profile universities in Britain, Europe, Australia, and Canada
to deliver these highly specific and demanding programs.
“We’re very proud to be awarded this important contract.
It means we have gained international recognition for our
expertise as teachers of English as a second language,” says
Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development. “The application process was extremely rigorous
and competitive. It says a great deal about the quality of
our programming to have edged out larger universities.”
The Hong Kong Institute of Education is a 7,000-student institution specializing in teacher training. It has a
strict mandate from the Chinese government to increase
the number of highly skilled Chinese English teachers.
Students and faculty from the UPEI Environmental Studies
Program took the opportunity recently to question the federal Minister of Environment, Honourable Stéphane Dion,
about Ottawa’s budget announcement of a $5 billion package for the environment and the Kyoto Accord. Minister
Dion provided a brief summary of the five-year plan during
an informal presentation at the University. Students’ questions highlighted several Kyoto-related issues, including
the lack of public transportation in PEI, the need for more
serious penalties for companies in Canada that produce
harmful emissions, a reduction in federal funding for environmental education, the proposed “sustainable economy”
and natural limits to growth, and a trend towards reduced
federal funding for community-based environmental organizations.
Saving a Watt... Means a Lot
A campus-wide program is under way to raise awareness
about the importance of conserving energy, and to motivate everyone involved with the University to modify their
behaviour to cut energy consumption. UPEI spends $2.7
million a year on electricity and climate control, and these
costs are expected to rise in the coming years. In addition
to reducing the economic burden, the program aims to
encourage the UPEI community to contribute to a healthier environment by helping to reduce harmful emissions
caused by energy use. Retrofit activities have also been
carried out across the campus. This has included replacing
existing bulbs and ballast in light fixtures with more efficient alternatives, installing devices that will turn off lights
when not required in areas such as washrooms, and modifying ventilation systems.
Universities Places for Faith, or Places of Freedom from Faith?
An international conference entitled “Faith, Freedom, and
the Academy: The Idea of the University in the 21st Century” attracted over 60 scholars to UPEI in October—many
of them among the best minds working on this topic today—to address the question: should universities be places
for faith, or places of freedom from faith? In addition to
an ambitious conference agenda, two keynote lectures, by
Stanley Hauerwas of Duke University and Ian Ker from
Oxford University, were open to the public at no charge.
Stanley Hauerwas is an outspoken pacifist, and one of the most
respected religious ethicists today. He was recently named in
Time Magazine as America’s “best theologian.” His controversial ideas were brought to bear on the issue of “Religious
Knowledge and the Knowledges of the University.” Ian Ker is
an internationally recognized expert on the writings of John
Henry Newman. Cardinal Newman’s book, The Idea of a University, is by far the most cited book in discussions around the
definition and goals of a university. Professor Ker illuminated
the various issues that involve religious faith in today’s academy.
The Presidents’ Roundtable Discussion provided a stimulating conclusion
to the three-day international Faith, Freedom and the Academy conference. Participants were Guillermo Murchison, President of Universidad de
San Andrés, Buenos Aires; John Weir, President Emeritus of Wilfrid Laurier
University; Alvin A. Lee, President Emeritus of McMaster University; Sheila
Brown, President of Mount St. Vincent University; Michael Higgins, keynote
speaker and President of St. Jerome’s University; and Wade MacLauchlan,
moderator and President of UPEI.
Co-op Programs Nationally Accredited
Pictured above are some of the participants in the ceremony: Daphne Butler Irving, Eleanor Lowe, Ann Dow Lee, Marlene Cairns, and Ruby Matheson
Co-operative Education Programs in Business Administration and Computer Science have received accreditation by the
Canadian Association for Co-operative Education. The rigorous six-month accreditation process involved an in-depth review of UPEI Co-op Education policies and procedures by an
external team of practitioners from universities and colleges
across Canada. UPEI introduced the co-operative education
option for students in the School of Business Administration
in September 1996. Computer Science followed in May 2000,
and Physics introduced its co-op option in 2003. The Physics
program will be eligible for accreditation after it has graduated its first students.
New Works of Art Celebrated
A celebration of new works of art received as gifts by the
University was held in the Faculty Lounge where most of the
works are on display. These works of art, all given to UPEI, are
by artists Eleanor Lowe, Ruby Matheson, Elaine Harrison (a
gift of Senator Catherine Callbeck), Georgie Read Barton (a
gift of Dr. Arnold and Margery Hiltz), Daphne Butler Irving,
Father Adrien Arsenault (a gift of Dr. Ron and Daphne Irving),
and Elizabeth Hacker (a gift of Ruby Slater). They have been
dedicated as new additions to UPEI’s permanent collection.
Don MacCormac, Business Co-op Co-ordinator; Anne Shaw, Business Co-op
Student of the Year; Shelley Beckett, Science Co-op Coordinator; Lindy Bryanton, Computer Science Co-op Student of the Year; and Wayne Cutcliffe,
Associate Professor of Computer Science
A Wealth of Words
Writer-in-Residence
The Department of English and the L.M. Montgomery Institute combined forces to bring acclaimed photographer and
writer Freeman Patterson to campus as Writer-in-Residence
in November. Patterson is known throughout the world for
his photography and visual design, his writing, and his workshops. He has published 11 books, the latest being The Garden
(Key Porter Books, 2003). He met with writers individually, to
offer insight and guidance about their submitted work, and
gave a well-attended public presentation about the value of
the creative process.
Acclaimed photographer and writer Freeman Patterson with English major
Bronwyn Rodd
L.M. Montgomery Journals
Labyrinthine Launch
The campus was the location of the launch of the fifth and
final volume of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Selected Journals.
To celebrate the arrival of the long-awaited book, the L.M.
Montgomery Institute organized an evening of theatre and
music at the Steel Recital Hall. Dr Elizabeth Waterston, one
of the journal’s editors, read selections from the final volume.
The launch celebrations included a one-woman play by Anne
Kathleen McLaughlin entitled Maud of Cavendish.
English professor Lesley-Anne
Bourne launched her book, Labyrinthine, in November. Labyrinthine is a series of connected
poems which explores the journey of self through difficulties
and reaffirmations, and which
features labyrinths as both a
metaphor for the journey and an
actual location for the narrator’s
recollections and reflections.
Bourne has published three previous poetry books.
Professor Lesley-Anne Bourne,
author of Labyrinthine
Winter’s Tales
Alaina Roach, Co-ordinator of the Distinguished Speaker Series, with
Cassandra Grisdale and Megan Follows
Distinguished Speakers Well-Received
The first UPEI Distinguished Speaker Series attracted a
steady stream of visitors to the campus throughout summer
and early fall of 2004. Designed to inspire, educate, and celebrate UPEI’s heritage, the series was part of the bicentennial
celebrations of higher education on PEI. The speakers were
Dr. Roberta Bondar, astronaut; Megan Follows, actor; Dr.
Arnold Hiltz, chemist; Dr. Art Fitzgerald, Monsanto; Doug
MacLean, GM, NHL Columbus Bluejackets; Lyman MacInnis, strategist; Dr. David Woolner, historian; and Jim Munves,
writer.
The popular Winter’s Tales series
sponsored by the Department of
English featured a strong line-up of
highly respected Canadian writers
including Richard Wright, prizewinning author of Clara Callan
and Adultery, and Elizabeth Hay,
whose latest novel, Garbo Laughs,
was a fiction finalist for the Governor-General’s Award. Local and
Steve McOrmond launched
his first book of poetry, Lean regional creative writers who were
part of the series included Matthew
Days, as part of The Winter’s
Tales Reading Series
Tierney, whose first book of poetry,
Full speed through the morning dark,
was partly inspired by his journey on the Trans-Mongolian
Express; Sue Sinclair of Newfoundland, who read from her
book, Mortal Arguments and Secrets of Weather and Hope; and
Steve McOrmond who launched his first volume of poetry,
Lean Days. McOrmond is an English graduate of UPEI.
HONOURS and AWARDS
Business Grads Excel
in CA Exam
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of
Japan
Japanese Princess Awarded
Honorary Doctor of Laws
The University welcomed Her Imperial
Highness Princess Takamado of Japan
when she travelled to PEI as part of a
14-day Royal Visit to Canada. Her Imperial Highness was awarded an Honorary
Doctor of Laws Degree during a special
Convocation. In recognition of more
than five decades of Japanese interest in
L. M. Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green
Gables, Princess Takamado was also installed as the International Patron of
the L. M. Montgomery Institute.
Isle@sk a National Winner
Isle@sk, an online reference service developed by UPEI’s Robertson Library
and two other library partners, was the
2004 recipient of the Community and
Technical College Libraries Innovation
Achievement award. The award, sponsored by Canadian information vendor
Micromedia ProQuest and presented
by the Canadian Association of Colleges and University Libraries, recognizes libraries that have demonstrated
significant achievement in ongoing services or in the conception and delivery
of a special event or project. Isle@sk is
a collaborative, province-wide reference
service that uses the web and e-mail plus
the abilities of PEI librarians to provide
answers to questions submitted by Islanders. You can consult Isle@sk by visiting its website at www.islandlibraries.
ca/isleask.php.
UPEI business graduates have excelled
once again in the Chartered Accountancy 2004 Uniform Evaluation Exam,
one of Canada’s most challenging professional exams. The national pass rate
for all writers was 75.4 per cent. UPEI
first-time writers had a 100 per cent pass
rate. Congratulations to: Dana Birch,
Douglas Clarke, David Green, Kevin
Jay, Jeffery Keough, Craig St. Germain,
Matthew Totten, Paul Murphy, and Sarah Rodgerson.
HR Students Number Two
in Canada
A team of students from the School of
Business has carried off second prize in
EXCALIBUR, the Canadian University Tournament in Human Resources.
Students from 17 universities competed
over two days to determine the top three
teams in Canada. Conducted by the Human Resource Association of Quebec,
EXCALIBUR evaluates the students’
knowledge of HR concepts, as well as
their ability to present before a panel of
executives and professors.
Best Secondary
Fundraiser Award
In January, PEI Premier Pat Binns
joined Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter President Shari Gass
in presenting UPEI students with the
CCFF’s “Best Secondary Fundraiser”
award. The award honours students
for their creativity in raising money for
the Foundation’s Shinerama campaign,
Canada’s largest post-secondary school
fundraiser involving students at 57 universities and colleges. UPEI has been
involved in Shinerama since 1977. Last
fall, its student “shiners” raised close
to $15,000 for cystic fibrosis research
and care. This sum almost doubles the
previous year’s total, and is the highest
amount ever raised by the University.
Dean of Business Roberta MacDonald congratulates two-time prize-winner Kristi Kelly
Advancing Canadian
Entrepreneurship
Kristi Kelly, a second-year Business student, has received a national award from
the Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) organization. ACE organizes and motivates teams of university
and college students who practise and
teach others the principles and values
of entrepreneurship and market economics. Kelly is also one of only six university students in the Atlantic Region
to receive the prestigious Sobey Award
valued at $8,000. This award honours
business students with a minimum average of 85 per cent who contribute to
their university and community.
Outstanding Service in
International Education
The Canadian Bureau for International
Education has awarded a prestigious
2004 Internationalization Service
Award to Dr. Barry Bartmann, of UPEI’s
Department of Political Studies. It recognizes outstanding service to international education by Canadian scholars.
Dr. Bartmann has developed widely recognized expertise in the international
relations of small (often island) states
and territories. He has long been involved with Island Studies, including
co-organizing the 1992 “An Island Living Conference”; supporting the North
Atlantic Islands Program; co-ordinating
the Island Studies Minor Program and
teaching in the flagship Master of Arts
in Island Studies.
Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque
Donates $1.5 million
A cutting-edge health research program has received a $1.5 million boost from the
prestigious Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque. President of the foundation, Suzanne
Lévesque, announced the endowment to the University when she toured the research laboratories of Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon and Dr. Cathy Chan. Both scientists have been awarded UPEI’s first Jeanne and J.-Louis Lévesque Research Professorships in Nutrisciences and Health.
Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology
within the Faculty of Science. Her research program is assessing the effect of bioactives extracted from food on atherosclerosis development and stroke severity. Dr.
Cathy Chan is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic
Veterinary College. Her research is investigating factors, mostly dietary, that influence insulin secretion, which is a metabolic body regulator.
Dr. Alice Crook
$1.6 Million Gift for
Animal Welfare Centre
The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare
Centre received a well-earned birthday
gift during celebrations to mark their
tenth anniversary. Co-ordinator Dr. Alice Crook and Research Chair Dr. Caroline Hewson accepted a $1.6 million
commitment from The Friends of the
Christofor Foundation. It will be used
to further the Centre’s mandate of promoting health and well-being for companion animals, horses, and wildlife.
The Friends of the Christofor Foundation and the Sir James Dunn Foundation have provided more than $4.5 million since 1994.
Pictured above: Nutrition student Sharon Khoo; Suzanne Lévesque, President, Lévesque Foundation; researchers Dr. Carolanne Nelson and Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon; and research technician
Sandie Morrison. Pictured below: Suzanne Lévesque and researcher Dr. Cathy Chan.
Full Accreditation
Recognizes Quality
AVC has again received Full Accreditation status. The American Veterinary
Medical Association Council on Education voted unanimously to give the College the highly esteemed seven years of
Full Accreditation. AVC has been successful in each of its reviews since it was
first eligible for accreditation in 1990.
“Full Accreditation fuels our international reputation. It helps us to continue
to recruit and retain top-quality people.
The review recognized the quality of
our faculty, staff, and students, and their
ability to work together,” says Dr. Tim
Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. He adds that the
strength of the College is due, in part, to
the respect and support AVC receives
from UPEI and the community.
0— UPEI Magazine Spring 2005
AVC Now International Centre of
Expertise on Salmon Anaemia
The Atlantic Veterinary College has been designated an international Reference
Laboratory by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) for infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)—a viral disease devastating to Atlantic salmon and aquaculture
industries in the Northern hemisphere. The OIE Reference Laboratory at AVC
is the only ISA lab in North America and only the second ISA lab in the world.
“AVC has the world-class capabilities needed to make significant contributions to
aquatic health through the establishment of the OIE Reference Laboratory for ISA in
North America,” says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. “We are excited by the possibilities and very proud that our faculty member, Dr. Fred Kibenge, has been designated
the OIE Expert to lead the laboratory. His appointment to this prestigious position is
well-deserved and a positive step for the aquaculture industry of Canada and beyond.”
Dr. Kibenge has gained international recognition for his establishment of a robust
research program on ISA virus. A professor of virology at AVC/UPEI, Dr. Kibenge’s
expertise has helped distinguish AVC as a leader in finding solutions to this disease in the Bay of Fundy. Tests developed by Dr. Kibenge’s lab at AVC are currently
being used to detect ISA virus antibodies in wild salmon in New England rivers.
Dr. Fred Kibenge
Pets, Professors, and Politicians
Atlantic Veterinary College Launches History
Pets, Professors, and Politicians: The Founding and Early Years of the Atlantic Veterinary College,
written by Marian Bruce, was launched in January. It tells the story of the people
and political wrangling behind the building of AVC. The book describes how inaugural Dean Reg Thomson worked with a tight AVC team from a makeshift basement office at UPEI. Today, at about four football fields in size, supported by
the expertise of more than 100 faculty from around the world, AVC has graduated more than 800 students from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
History professor Ed MacDonald, editor of the book,
wrote the foreword in which he says: “Institutional history is often as instructive as this and occasionally as judicious, but it is seldom so colourful.” With a cast of colourful characters featuring the Hon. Eugene
Whelan, federal minister of Agriculture, and several Atlantic premiers,
Bruce’s narrative is packed with anecdotes about people and animals.
Adding visually to Pets, Professors, and Politicians is Lindee Climo’s full-colour painting on the cover. The book also features animal illustrations excerpted from a poster designed for AVC by Jay Ryan, a Chicago-based
poster artist. Stocked with black-and-white, and colour photographs,
the book sells for $29.95 CDN (or $24.95 US). To order a copy contact
the UPEI bookstore, toll-free, at 1-866-873-4786 or bookstore@upei.ca.
AVC Dean Dr. Tim Ogilvie congratulates author Marian Bruce for writing a history of AVC that is a
true-to-life page-turner
UPEI Magazine Spring 2005 — 
Campus Expanding in Every Direction
Andrew Woodsworth of the National Research Council, Mike Currie, PEI Minster of Development and Technology, Shawn Murphy, MP for Charlottetown,
and President Wade MacLauchlan at the kick-off for the Institute for Nutrisciences and Health that is now under construction on the campus
While the stately, red-brick architecture of Main and Dalton
continues to represent the historic heart of UPEI, exciting
changes are taking place in the outer areas of the campus,
which are historic in themselves. Never before has the University seen such significant expansion and renovation in so
short a time.
Since September 2004, construction has begun on a new National Research Council (NRC) institute, a renewed Duffy
Science Centre, and a new 160-bed student residence. Major refurbishment of Bernardine and Blanchard Halls is also
under way. And, later this year, the construction phase of a
$32 million capital expansion and renovation project at the
Atlantic Veterinary College, which is part of the overarching
, will kick off.
The new NRC Institute for Nutrisciences and Health is a
partnership among UPEI, the National Research Council
(NRC), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA),
and the Province of PEI. It will form the nucleus of a dynamic research cluster bringing together the critical mass of
skilled people, expertise, capital, and entrepreneurial drive to
fuel economic development in the region, and help Canadians through its research into critical health issues. Scientists
will study compounds found in nature for their potential to
improve health. Three primary areas of concentration are
neurological disorders, obesity-related disorders, and infection and immunity. Construction of the $11.5 million, 55,269square-foot facility will be complete in early 2006.
The $6.4 million project to totally renovate the Duffy Science
Centre began in November 2004. It will provide students with
first-class learning facilities and enable faculty in the Biology
and Physics departments to carry out their research programs
in modern, thematically designed laboratories. The scheduled
completion date is the end of August 2005.
The new student residence—yet to be named—will be linked
to an expanded Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall. The residence design is among the best in Canada with large one-, two- and
three-bedroom suites equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, and TVs. All student bedrooms are singles and include
double beds and large workstations. The dining hall will undergo significant upgrades to both the food service and seating areas. The cost for the new residence and the refurbishment of Bernardine and Blanchard Halls is approximately $13
million. The work is being funded through residence fees,
conference revenue, and charitable financial support from
alumni and friends of the University.
Shauna Sullivan Curley, Deputy Minister of Education; Regis Duffy, Chair
of the Board of Governors; and Dr. Roger Gordon, Dean of Science, hold a
composite sketch of the renovated Duffy Science Centre
Participants in the ground-breaking ceremony for the new student
residence:(l-r) Matt Nicholson, Kristin Roe, Keir Campbell, Shad Qadri, and
Patty McIsaac
AVC Construction Highlights
The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) is nearing the construction phase of
the $32 million capital expansion and renovation project, which is part of the
University’s Building a Legacy Campaign.
Four-level Research Complex: The new
57,000-square-foot research complex
will include an animal holding facility and
house research laboratories for the Department of Biomedical Sciences and centres of
excellence, specifically the Atlantic Centre
for Comparative Biomedical Research and
the Lobster Science Centre.
West Addition: Level 100 will be an expansion of the aquatic area and will include
new flexible holding areas. Level 200 will be
a Learning Commons. Students will have
increased resources, such as small- group
teaching rooms, increased computer facilities, large flexible classrooms, and a student
commons.
Veterinary Teaching Hospital: The hospital will be expanded and updated to include an improved space for exam rooms;
an improved isolation area; the addition
of a quarantine area; an extensive expansion of the intensive
care unit; an improved surgery, anaesthesia, induction, and
recovery area; an improved bovine unloading, handling, and
surgical area; and improved farm services that will encompass
updated labs and facilities.
In addition, there will be upgrades to various labs and services,
including diagnostic services, central receiving, the anatomy
and junior surgery labs, and upgrades to some existing aquatic
facilities to Biolevel 2 biocontainment capabilities.
UPEI Magazine Spring 2005 — 3
I N T ERNATIONAL
UPEI Historians Create Roosevelt Exhibit
A new historical exhibit on US-Canada relations has opened in the Edmund S. Muskie Visitor Centre at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park on Campobello Island, NB. Built
around the theme of “A Legacy of Friendship,” it highlights the remarkable degree of co-operation that has existed—and continues to exist—between the United States and Canada.
The exhibit was developed on behalf of the Park Commission by a three-member team with
direct links to UPEI. Dr. David Woolner, Executive Director of the Franklin and Eleanor
Roosevelt Institute in Hyde Park, New York, and Assistant Professor of History and Political Science at Marist College, served as the project leader. Before joining FERI, Dr. Woolner
taught history at UPEI and continues to maintain a strong family connection with PEI. Dr.
Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts, worked with Dr. Woolner on all aspects of the research and
writing. The third member was Don Smith of Cornwall, PEI, an exhibit designer. Smith received his BA in History from UPEI in 1995. He is working towards a PhD in History from the
University of Dundee, Scotland. The official opening of the exhibit was attended by a host of
dignitaries, including the American Ambassador to Canada, Paul Celluci.
MAIS Students Front and Centre at
World Islands Conference
(l-r): Hoang Thi Ngoc Huyen, Bogonko Migiro, Alexis MacDonald, Ade Adepoju, and Moyosore Afinju
Over 300 Support International
Fundraiser
The 2005 International Development Week Fundraising
Luncheon was the biggest yet, with over 300 people turning
out to support the International Student Scholarship fund.
The guest speaker was Alexis MacDonald, Acting Executive
Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. She addressed
the topic of AIDS in Africa. The 2005 International Student
Scholarship was awarded to Hoang Thi Ngoc Huyen. Other
award winners were: Bogonko Migiro, who received the Father Vince Murnaghan Bursary; Ade Adepoju, who won the
Rotary Club of Charlottetown Award; and Moyosore Afinju,
who won the Commonwealth Society Award. The event concluded with a special thank you to everyone who donated to
the UPEI Tsunami Relief Fund. Over $14,000 was raised to
assist relief efforts in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Graduate students and professors from the pioneering Master of Arts in Island Studies program presented their research
findings to an international audience of Island Studies experts
at the Islands of the World 8 Conference in Kinmen Island,
Taiwan. More than 150 international scholars and representatives of organizations joined a large number of local delegates for the week-long event. Papers were presented by or on
behalf of graduate students Janice McKendrick, Joy Elliott,
Luke Walker, Laura Lee Howard, and Kathy Stuart, along
with Professors Barry Bartmann, Palanisamy Nagarajan, and
Godfrey Baldacchino. The Conference was organized by the
International Small Island Studies Association (ISISA). The
Master of Arts in Island Studies at UPEI is a multi-disciplinary program to engage students, faculty, and worldwide partners in the study and creation of knowledge regarding the
characteristics of small islands.
Island Studies graduate students Laura Lee Howard, Janice McKendrick,
Joy Elliott, and Kathy Stuart with Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies (2nd from right)
Education Researcher Launches
Inclusion Curriculum in India
Projecting the Housing Needs
of Atlantic Canadians
In the heavily populated and culturally diverse country of India, providing equal access to basic education to all children
is a major challenge. In February, the government of India
took a significant step forward in the movement to include
more disabled children in the regular education system when
it launched a new curriculum model entitled “A Whole School
Approach to Inclusion,” published by Education World. One
of the two researchers who developed the new curriculum
was Dr. Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development. Dr. Timmons travelled to New Delhi to attend the
launch, which took place during a major international conference called North-South Dialogue III: Towards a Global Alliance.
The Atlantic provinces have more seniors per capita than any
other part of the country, and that number is growing faster
than anywhere else in the country. How will governments
handle this challenge? That is the focus of a new almost $1.2
million research project out of Mount Saint Vincent University in which UPEI is playing a key role.
Dr. Judy-Lynn Richards, from the Department of Sociology
and Anthropology, and Dr. Lori Weeks, from the Department
of Family and Nutritional Sciences, are two of the researchers
involved. “Projecting the Housing Needs of Atlantic Canadians” brings together seniors, academics, service providers,
housing developers, and government departments to determine how to meet the housing needs of this rapidly aging
population.
Dramatic Increase
in Research Income
Dr. Vianne Timmons chats with children from the Campus Kids Childcare
Centre
Ryanodine Receptors in Alzheimer Disease
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has awarded Atlantic Veterinary College faculty members Dr. Michael Mayne and
Dr. Tarek Saleh a research grant of $240,000 over the next
two years for their work in Alzheimer Disease research. This
marks the first time a grant, funded by ASC/CIHR-Rx&D/
AstraZeneca Biological Mechanisms and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease, has been awarded to Prince Edward Island
researchers. Drs. Mayne and Saleh are at the forefront of their
area of research and were selected from a record number of
applicants. They are using funds to study the role of ryanodine receptors in Alzheimer Disease.
In a 2004 survey of 50 universities from across the
country, conducted by Research Infosource Inc., UPEI
ranked third among primarily undergraduate universities
in Canada. The rankings were based on financial indicators
such as total sponsored research income, research income per
full-time faculty position, and research income per full-time
graduate student.
Research income at UPEI has increased dramatically over
the past five years. In 2004, external research dollars on campus totalled $9 million, more than three times the $2.5 million earned in 1998. Income jumped by 29.1%, from 2002 to
2003 alone, causing Research Infosource to rank UPEI in the
top ten for growth among all 50 universities surveyed. These
results, combined with the findings from the 2004 Maclean’s
survey that identified UPEI as number one in Canada for Social Sciences and Humanities grants, are welcome news for
researchers and administrators at UPEI who are making the
university a centre for new knowledge development, as well as
an institution where teaching excellence is a priority.
PWC
Dr. George Fraser, PWC’60,
SDU’62, was the recipient of
the 2003 Pierre Janet Writing
Award, presented in Chicago
at the annual conference of
the International Society for
the Study of Dissociation.
This award is “Given to an
individual for the best clinical, theoretical or research
paper in the field of dissociative disorders within the
past year” (article published
in the Journal of Trauma and
Dissociation, Vol. 4, #4, 2003,
pp. 5–28). Dr. Fraser resides in
Ottawa and is Medical Director of the Ottawa Anxiety and
Trauma Clinic.
SDU
Dr. Bill Dolan, SDU’62, was
named “Physician of the Year”
for 2004 by the New York
State Society of Physician
Assistants. It recognized his
outstanding dedication and
commitment to the Physician Assistant Profession. The
New York State Chapter has
approximately 10,000 members.
70s
Wes Penwarden, BBA’78,
is now the President & CEO
of Altimax Courier based in
Moncton, NB. Altimax Courier is a Division of the Charles
V. Keating Group of Companies, whose head office is in
Dartmouth, NS. Since graduating in 1978, Wes was instrumental in helping establish
and grow two other courier companies that are now
very well-known in Eastern
Canada. Wes and wife Brenda
(Doyle) have three children.
Julie (21) and Jonathan (20)
attend SMU, while Jodie Lynn
(17) is entering her final year
at Moncton High.
80s
Grace Cameron, BA’81, DipPA’91, completed her Certified Management Designation in Nova Scotia in October
2001, and in January 2004
started a new job as Director
of Finance and Administration with the Department of
Justice, Office of the Northern Region, in Whitehorse.
Nancy Comeau, BEd’82, received her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Philosophy, Community
Health & Epidemiology) from
Dalhousie University in October 2003.
Bruce Campbell, BA’83 (Panthers basketball, 1979–82),
lives in Toronto with his wife
Paulette and three children,
Marcus, 18, Vanessa, 16, and
Jamal, 14. Bruce is Manager of
Community Relations at the
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board in Mississauga.
He is still playing basketball
and is interested in hearing
from any former teammates
or classmates from his days
on the Island. E-mail bruce.
campbell@dpcdsb.org.
90s
rection of our Lord Parish in
Ottawa as associate pastor.
David MacKinnon, DipEng.’90,
BSc’90, and wife Coralie Gill,
DipEng’98, have both completed their Master of Applied Science at Carleton University, David in fall 2003 and
Coralie in spring 2004. David
was enrolled in the Systems
and Computer Engineering
program and has stayed on
at Carleton to complete his
PhD. Coralie was enrolled in
the Electronics program and
is now working as a Patent
Examiner with the Canadian
Intellectual Property Office.
Michelle Willis, DVM’93, and
husband James Stanley, DVM
’95, University of Georgia,
welcomed their first son, Andrew Willis Stanley, on April 9,
2004.
Sandy Doyle, BA’91, and
Jennifer (Goulet) Doyle,
BScN’96, are thrilled to announce the birth of their
daughter, Kat Ellyn, on June 9,
2003. Excited about her birth
is big brother Alex. Sandy is
currently employed with Irving Oil and Jennifer is a Public Health Nurse in Montague.
They reside in Earnscliffe, PE.
Daryell Nowlan, BBA’91 &
DipPA’92, recently accepted a
position as Manager, Community Economic Development,
with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in
Moncton, NB. Daryell is married to Denise Cormier and
they have two sons ages 1
and 4.
Todd Dupuis, BSc’89, has
been appointed Director of
Regional Programs for the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
Tory S. Thorkelson, BEd’91,
was recently elected President of the largest chapter of
Korea TESOL in Seoul, Korea.
Sharon (Walker) Howatt,
BEd’89 & Dip SL’99, married
Victor Howatt on July 23,
2004. She works as a grade
two teacher at Elm Street Elementary in Summerside.
Greg Murray, BA’93, was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on May 22,
2004, as a member of the
congregation of the Priests of
the Sacred Heart. Fr. Murray is
presently stationed at Resur-
Curry Winchester, BA’93, has
been teaching English at Dalhousie Regional High School
for the past four years. He
and wife Jennifer have two
children, Kelson and Delanie,
ages 3 and 1.
Lori (Derby) Bingley, BA’94,
had a new book published,
One Eye in the Darkness.
Lori and her husband also
welcomed their third child,
daughter Jasmine Diane, on
April 21, 2005.
Gerard Nolan, BA’94, of
Dublin, Ireland, is now Managing Director of Net Nation
International, which is one of
Ireland’s leading IT Executive
Search Firms. He can be contacted at gnolan@netnation.
ie.
Philip Beaulac, BA’95, and
Mary (Campbell) Beaulac,
BSc’96, were married in October 2000 and now have three
beautiful children: Genevieve
(August 2001), Thomas (November 2002), and Isaac (May
2004). They reside in Stratford, PEI.
Krista (Malally) Cameron,
BA’96, and husband John celebrated the birth of second
son Keegan John Cameron
on June 8—a little brother for
Jacob.
Rodney Baglole, BA’97, after
more than six years of working in Japan, has entered
the Master of Library and Information Science program
at the University of Western
Ontario in January 2005. He
welcomes e-mail from old
(?!) friends at period@yahoo.
com.
Yvonne (MacKean) Barbour, BA’97, married Blair
Barbour on July 31, 2004, in
Yellowknife, NWT. The couple
enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon in Ireland. Yvonne continues to work for the Department of Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada in Yellowknife.
Michael
Klenavic,
BA
(Hon)’98, and Jamy-Ellen
(Proud) Klenavic, BSc’98,
were pleased to welcome
Eunice Sydney Charlotte on
October 7, 2003, weighing 9
lbs. 12 oz. After graduating
from UPEI, Michael obtained
a Master of Arts (History)
from American University in
Washington, DC. Jamy-Ellen
obtained a Master of Environmental Studies (Canadian
Biodiversity Policy) from York
University in 2000 and BCL
and LLB degrees from McGill
University in 2003. They enjoy living in Eastern Passage,
Nova Scotia.
00s
Pam Boutilier, DVM’00, is
currently living in the west
suburbs of Chicago, having
just finished her residency in
Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Western College
of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan).
She also passed her Internal Medicine boards in June
2004, and is now a Diplomate
of the American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine
(ACVIM), the governing body
for veterinarians specializing in Internal Medicine.
She is working at Arboretum
View Veterinary Specialists in
Downers Grove, Illinois.
Mark Coulson, BSc’00, recently graduated with a Master of Science Degree (Biology) from Memorial University
of Newfoundland. He is presently pursuing his PhD at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Mitchell King, BA’00, and
Crystal Noonan, BBA’01 &
DipPA’01, were married June
5, 2004, at Seven Mile Bay
Church, Borden-Carleton, PE.
They are currently residing in
Kippens, NL, where Mitchell
is stationed with the RCMP
at the Stephenville Detachment.
Kelly Robinson, BSc’00
(Hon’01), successfully defended her Master’s thesis
and is now the proud owner
of an MA degree in Theory,
Culture, and Politics from
Trent University.
Anne Corrigan, BBA’01, is
currently working for the Department of Foreign Affairs at
the Canadian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. After graduation, she spent two years
in Ottawa, then accepted this
posting in summer 2003, and
is working as a management
and consular affairs officer.
She will remain in Romania
until summer of 2005.
Laura Knox, BBA’01, passed
the 2003 CA exam, articling
with Grant Thornton LLP in
Charlottetown, and is currently working as a funds administrator in Grand Cayman,
Cayman Islands.
Sherrie (Aylward) Langley,
BSc’02, and Steve Langley,
BBA’03, welcomed their second child on September 27,
2004. Brandon Steven Langley was born in Moose Jaw,
SK. A brother for Emma.
Audrey Penner, MEd’02, is
working on her doctorate.
And the hard work is paying
off. She has been appointed
to the international standards
organization Occupational
Safety and Asepsis Protocols
to develop publication material for knowledge diffusion
in the area of infectious disease control.
Erin Knox, BSc (Hon)’03, is
pursuing a degree in pharmacy at Memorial University
of Newfoundland.
Michael C. J. Lisetto, BA’03,
was married on December
27, 2003, in Guelph, Ontario,
to long-time partner Mark
A. Smith. Michael assumed
a part-time faculty position with the Department of
Global Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in September
2004.
Deanna Russell, DVM’03, is
currently in her second year
of a three-year combined
residency and DVSc program
in Zoo/Wildlife Medicine and
Pathology at University of
Guelph and the Toronto Zoo.
“Zoo medicine is proving to
be right up my alley: diverse,
dynamic, challenging, and
unique.”
Jillian Lowerison, BA’04, currently lives in Fredericton, NB,
with her three-year-old son
Carter J., and they live with
her boyfriend, Dan MacDonald, who is in the education
program at UNB.
Blaine Jensen, former director of student services/student development (1993–98)
at UPEI, recently accepted the
position of Vice-President of
Educational Services at Douglas College in New Westminster, BC. Previous to that he
was the Dean of Students at
the Saskatchewan Institute of
Applied Science and Technology (1998–2004). He and his
family, wife Cheryl and their
four children, have many
fond memories of UPEI and
the Island, and keep in touch
with close friends.
Give to UPEI online!
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significant difference in
the lives of our students,
and in the life of our
great University. Visit
www.upei.ca/legacy/
and choose the Giving to
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secure online Building a
Legacy donation today!
Editor’s Note:
Though care was taken to ensure the accuracy of Alumni
Update, in any such listing there
is a possibility of errors in transcription or a delay between receipt of notices and publication
in the Magazine. We apologize
for any errors which may have
occurred. The deadline for
Alumni Update submissions
for the next issue is Sept. 30,
2005. Any received after that
date will appear in the Spring
2006 issue.
Send us your update!
If you’d like to submit an item for
Alumni Update, it’s very easy.
You can e-mail magazine@upei.
ca, fax the alumni office at (902)
566-0782 or drop a note to UPEI
Magazine, Advancement Services, UPEI, 550 University
Ave., Charlottetown, PE, C1A
4P3. It is very important that
you include your current address, telephone number, and
e-mail address if applicable,
so that we can verify details
if necessary. We will not print
your address and other contact
information unless you specify
that you wish it to be included
as part of your update that will
appear in the Magazine. Please
consider that since the Magazine is published only three
times per year, sometimes notices are outdated by our publication date. In those cases we
attempt to change the tense of
the notice so that, for example,
an engagement notice may become a marriage notice if the
marriage date has passed by
publication date. Similarly we
will attempt to update the age
of children noted in submissions, but can only do so if we
know their date of birth.
Third-party submissions
The UPEI Magazine is unable
to print third-party notices,
i.e., graduate career/marriage/
birth updates submitted by
anyone other than the graduate in question.
Passings
Notices for the passings section must be received in writing (preferably along with a
newspaper obituary notice)
from a family member of the
deceased.
Alumni Associa- Student Union
tion President’s President’s
Message
Message
Hello Fellow Alumni,
Every November, for the last
13 years, Maclean’s magazine
has published its rankings of
Canadian universities, which
cover factors in six groupings: Student Body, Classes,
Faculty, Finances, Library, and Reputation. The Primarily Undergraduate Universities section of the 2004 Overall Rankings saw UPEI move up from 9th place to 8th.
The last grouping, Reputation, examines not only how its
graduates see the institution, but also how the institution is
viewed in the community. This grouping also includes alumni
contributions. In my message from the Summer 2004 edition
of the UPEI Magazine, I mentioned that one goal I had set
as Alumni Association President was to increase contribution
and participation by Alumni.
FYI - Maclean’s notes not only how much is contributed, but
how many people contribute. Think about that.... If you are a
first-time or returning donor, please remember that EVERY
CONTRIBUTION COUNTS!
It’s been great to see so many people out to UPEI events over
the last year. Sporting events were well-attended, and our
Meet and Greet with Peter Mansbridge and Rex Murphy was
a hit! The 2nd Annual Friends of UPEI Winter Banquet was a
success (even in a snowstorm!) and we were proud to honour
four new recipients of Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Congratulations to one of our own — Bill Andrew, who was
installed in March as the 7th Chancellor of UPEI. A graduate
of the Class of ’73, Bill is the President of Penn West Petroleum Ltd. in Calgary and the founder of the Calgary group,
Friends of UPEI.
Heather Rossiter
Alumni Association President
By the time you read this, the
academic year will be over and
spring will be well under way.
As I reflect on the past year, I
think of the Friends of UPEI
Winter Banquet held January 22. This event, which we
hosted for the first time last
year, is a joint endeavour of the UPEI Student Union and the
Alumni Association to raise money for leadership bursaries.
The bursaries are given to students who act on their own accord to contribute in significant ways to our campus. In recognizing their value to the campus community, we allow them
to continue their contributions.
The alumni and members of the community who attended
the 2005 Winter Banquet came out despite a major winter
snowstorm that resulted in the cancellation of almost every
public activity on Prince Edward Island. That kind of support
for our University is touching.
The passion that is felt within the community for this institution, and the students who attend it, is astounding. It is seen
not only in events such as our Winter Banquet, but in the support of the Building a Legacy Campaign and the W. A. Murphy
Student Centre. The continued support of our alumni allows
students to take on leadership roles within the campus, and
carry those lessons with them to the outside world. The impact of your support is immeasurable and I am sure it will be
felt for years to come.
I look back on the time that I have spent in this position and
feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to work for, and
with, the students of UPEI. I look forward to returning to
attend events as an alumna, and seeing the strides that alumni
support has allowed this campus, and its students, to make.
Clare Henderson
Student Union President, 2004–05
Harry Callaghan Night
MacLauchlan Arena was sold out in January as
alumni, family, and friends turned out for Harry
Callaghan Night.
UPEI captain Joel Ward shakes hands with Harry in a pre-game ceremony. Looking on are (from left to right) Billy MacMillan, Vince Mulligan,
and Cheryl Callaghan.
Pictured above are some of the over 100 former players who were in
attendance, including (l-r) John McMillan, Luc Bedard, Gordie Beck, and
Donnie Brown.
Hockey Alumni and
Parents Weekend
October 21– 22, 2005
• Home opener on Friday, October 21, against St. F.X.
• Saturday, October 22, against Dalhousie
• Green and White alumni hockey game
• Special pre-game luncheon
Watch for further details on this Special Weekend.
For more information, e-mail alumni@upei.ca
On the Road to Beijing
As a young rider in the Charlottetown Pony Club, Kara Grant
spent countless hours riding horses. But who could have imagined that a childhood spent in the stables would one day lead
to a place on Canada’s Olympic team in Athens in 2004 as a
member of Canada’s Modern Pentathlon team.
Riding, shooting, fencing, swimming, and running are the five
disciplines of Modern Pentathlon. Kara has quickly established herself as a world-class pentathlete since winning the
Junior National title in 1996. “I’ve been training for modern
pentathlon for 10 years, including throughout my university
education, after which time I was able to train full-time leading up to the Athens Olympics,” says Kara, who graduated
from UPEI with a BSc in spring 2002. “Representing PEI and
Canada at the Olympic Games in Athens was a dream come
true,” she says, reflecting on her 22nd-place finish. The experience in Athens has served to motivate Kara to continue training and competing so as to fulfill her ultimate goal: win an
Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Kara is currently working in Fredericton with the Canadian
Sport Centre Atlantic as the Athlete Services Manager for
New Brunswick. When asked about her plans for the future,
Kara explains, “Since swimming has always been a challenge
for me, I am spending a lot of time in the pool these days. My
competition schedule is reduced this year, but I will be competing in a World Cup in Paris in May, and the World Championships in Poland in August.”
Kara’s family has a lengthy connection to UPEI, PWC, and
SDU. Great-grandfather Billy Archie MacDonald was a wellknown athlete from his days at PWC, where he taught, and
grandmother Joan (MacDonald) Grant and great-aunt Stephanie MacDonald played basketball at PWC. Great-uncle
Doug MacDonald played basketball at PWC, and great-uncle
Lou MacDonald played hockey at SDU. Great-uncle Vincent
Grant is a member of the UPEI Sport Hall of Fame for his
athletic excellence in rugby, hockey, and track at SDU in the
late 1930s and early ’40s. And, lastly, Kara’s parents are UPEI
alumni; Danny, BSc’74, and Marian (Rice), BEd’83.
Plans for the summer include her inaugural Swing for Beijing
Olympic Quest golf tournament at Dundarave Golf Course in
Brudenell on July 18. For more information, check out Kara’s
website at www.karagrant.net.
PWC Ring Found!
Are you missing your PWC ring? We may have it. A
large PWC ring was found in fall 2004 at Green Gables Golf Course in Cavendish, and subsequently
turned in to the Alumni Office at UPEI. To collect your
ring, please contact Alumni Officer Alf Blanchard at
(902)566-0761 or alfblanchard@upei.ca
The 2004 Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented during a ceremony
at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in February 2005. Pictured (l-r) are
the recipients Dr. Luke Chan, UPEI ‘73; Hon. Pat Mella, SDU ‘65 & UPEI ‘73;
Marian Bruce, PWC ‘62; and Dr. Rob Arnott, UPEI (AVC) ‘97.
The Joanne Ings team recaptured top spot in the women’s division at the
2004 HRA-Panther Classic at Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club. Pictured
(left to right) are Joanne Ings, BA’75 & DPA’81; Rachael Roy, BA’75; Sherry
White; and Robbie Larter. This year’s tournament is scheduled for Friday,
July 29, at Fox Meadow. For more pictures from the 2004 tournament,
please visit www.upei.ca/alumni/photoalbum/photoalbum
UPEI Grad in Athens!
UPEI was represented in more than the athlete category at
the Athens Olympics. Janet Ellis (BBA’77) was the Tournament Director for women’s field hockey. Janet, who played
basketball and field hockey while at UPEI, was appointed TD
by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which is responsible for all international Field Hockey tournaments.
2004 Founders honoured for their outstanding service: (back, l-r): Bert Tersteeg; Michael Hennessey, SDU’50; Lawson Drake, PWC’48; (front, l-r): Eleanor Lowe, PWC’18, Hondeg’94; and Frank Pigot, PWC’50.
Janet was well-prepared for this role after serving as Assistant
Tournament Director at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000, and
then as Tournament Director for the Women’s World Cup of
Field Hockey in December 2002.
Janet is a member of the Events and Competitions Committee of the FIH and chaired the Working Group on Training
and Regulations, which was responsible for training the technical officials for events such as the World Cup and Olympics.
She was president of Field Hockey Canada for six years and
was a director for over 20 years.
Congratulations on a job well-done at the Olympics!!
Latest Annual Giving Report Available
UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan, Chairperson of the SDU Board of Governors Kathleen MacDonald, and SDU Class of 1954 President Gerry Steele
plant a red oak tree in front of Main Building to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the opening of SDU during Reunion Weekend 2004.
The latest UPEI Annual Giving Report is now available.
It is a wonderful testament to alumni and community generosity. To obtain a copy, please contact the Department
of Advancement Services at (902)566-0615 or toll-free
at 1-866-453-4119, or e-mail us at legacy@upei.ca
There’s more alumni news at www.upei.ca/alumni
Reunion Weekend
Friday, July 29
July 29–31, 2005
HRA-Panther Classic Golf Tournament 7:30 a.m.
Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club
Shotgun start, $125.00 per person, To register, contact (902)
566-0761 or alfblanchard@upei.ca
Campus Tours 1:30, 3:00, & 4:30 p.m.
Reminisce about our history and see what’s new on the UPEI
campus while you walk the grounds with one of our tour
guides. Tours are scheduled for 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30 p.m., leaving from the steps of historic Main Building.
UPEI Class of 1980 Class Reunion 6:30 p.m.
After 25 years, the Class of 1980 is finally having a reunion gettogether. The Class Reunion will be in The Wave at the W. A.
Murphy Student Centre, followed by the 3rd Annual Alumni
Summertime Pub. The organizing committee for the reunion
is compiling e-mail addresses for the class, so send your e-mail
address to Lori Pendleton at kdarte@eastlink.ca and watch for
further information in your mailbox or by e-mail.
Join the Class of 1985 during its Reunion gathering in The
Wave at the W. A. Murphy Student Centre, followed by the 3rd
Annual Alumni Summertime Pub. Send your e-mail address
to Lynn Hubley-Bouchard at alumni@upei.ca to get more details, and watch for further information in your mailbox or by
e-mail.
AVC Class of ‘95 Meet & Greet 3:00 p.m.
Join the AVC Class of ‘95 as they gather for a Meet & Greet in
the Atlantic Veterinary College with family, friends, faculty,
and staff. For more details, contact Phil Buote at (403) 9325875 or philbuote@telus.net.
21st Annual SDU Alumni Mass 7:30 p.m.
Join family and friends in the air-conditioned Steel Recital Hall
during this popular celebratory Mass. Wheelchair accessible.
SDU Alumni Mass Reception 8:45 p.m.
Held in the air-conditioned Courtyard of the W. A. Murphy Student Centre, on the site of the SDU Alumni Gymnasium. Enjoy
the music, munchies, and memorabilia, and meet old acquaintances and new friends. Cash bar. Wheelchair accessible.
3rd Annual Alumni Summertime Pub 9:00 p.m.
Held in The Wave at the W. A. Murphy Student Centre, featuring Joey
Kitson and Big City. Drop in, and you’ll be surprised who you see!!
Saturday, July 30
Campus Tours 3:30 & 4:30 p.m.
Reminisce about our history and see what’s new on the UPEI
campus while you walk the grounds with one of our tour
guides. Tours are scheduled for 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., leaving
from the steps of historic Main Building.
The Reunion committee of John McQuaid, Joan Connell, Mary
Paquet, Alan MacRae, and Cletus Dunn are busy planning your
reunion. Join your classmates for the Class of 1970 Reunion
BBQ in The Wave at the W. A. Murphy Student Centre. To register, contact Alan MacRae at (902) 892- 2387 or drmacrae@pei.
sympatico.ca.
Sunday, July 31
PWC Summer Social 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Join us at the long-time residence and grounds of Major Wallace Andrew, PWC ‘31 and Georgia Andrew, PWC’30, as John,
PWC’65, and Christine Andrew host the PWC Summer Social in
East Royalty. Feel free to walk the grounds, mingle with friends
and chat. Andrew’s Pond was developed as a watermill site in
the late 1700’s and is one of Charlottetown’s oldest historic
properties. An early light supper will be available. Registration
fee is $10.00 per person so please contact Nora Scales at (902)
894-5625 or nora@islandtelecom.com no later than June 30.
Watch for details about the PWC history, From Cow College to
Camelot, by Marian Bruce, during the social. See you there!
Rain location is the Courtyard of the W.A. Murphy Student
Centre on the UPEI campus.
Reunions in the Works
SDU Class of 1960
The SDU Class of 1960 is busy planning its 45th reunion
gathering for Reunion Weekend 2005. As the weekend approaches, watch for details in your mailbox or e-mail in-box.
If you have any questions, please call (902) 566-0761 or e-mail
alumni@upei.ca.
SDU Class of 1965 40-year Reunion
The SDU Class of 1965 celebrates its 40th reunion this summer. Watch for more details in your mailbox or e-mail box. For
more information, contact John B. MacDonald at (902) 6762488, Pat (MacDougall) Mella at (902) 569-2553, or Catherine
(Duffy) Mullally (902) 892-0881.
For more details visit www.upei.ca/alumni
UPEI Magazine Spring 2005 — 2
SDU Celebrates 150 Years!!
Over 400 SDU alumni and friends enjoyed a special weekend last summer as they celebrated 150
years since the founding of SDU. Lots of stories and
memories were shared throughout the weekend.
Join us this year on July 29 for the 21st Annual SDU
Alumni Mass and Reception. To see more pictures
from the 150th reunion, visit http://www.upei.
ca/alumni/photoalbum/photoalbum.html
UPEI Distinguished Visitor
Speaker Series
During July and August join us for a free lecture every
Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Wanda Wyatt Lecture Theatre
of the K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre followed by a Guided
Historic Campus Walking Tour at 4 p.m.
For more details contact (902) 566-0615
See the preview in the Guardian newspaper each Monday or visit
www.upei.ca/summer
SPORTS
Women’s Soccer Panthers AUS Champions
Women’s Rugby Coach
Wins Top Honours
The 2004 AUS Coach of the
Year was Dale MacLeod, who
guided the Panthers to a 4-2
regular-season record and
UPEI’s first-ever berth in a
CIS Women’s Rugby Championship. The Panthers also
posted a regular-season win
over the St.F.X. X-Women,
handing them their first regular-season loss in the history
of conference play.
Mike Redmond CIS
Coach of the Year
Panthers head coach Mike
Redmond was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport
women’s soccer coach of the
year during national award
presentations as part of the
CIS women’s soccer championship tournament. Redmond is only the third representative from the AUS
conference in 18 years to receive the CIS honour.
It was a year to remember for the Women’s Soccer Panthers. They kicked off the season with
a tie and a win. After only one loss in the next ten games, they had produced the best regular
season record ever. At the AUS weekend they had a first-round bye, so their first match was
against St.F.X. Their 1-0 victory sent them to their first-ever AUS final match, against the Dalhousie Tigers, the winning team in seven AUS championships in the previous decade. When
the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read: UPEI 2, Dalhousie 0, and the Panthers had made
history: they were AUS Champions.
PEI Curling Rink Ends on High Note
The winning team in the 2005
PEI Women’s Curling Championships was made up of UPEI
students and graduates.
In the photo are, (l-r):
Rebecca Jean MacPhee (skip), Shelly
(Danks) Bradley (third), Robyn
MacPhee (second), and Stefanie
Richard (lead). The team represented PEI in the Scott Tournament of
Hearts in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
After a slow start, the team went
4–3 over the last seven draws, winning over Newfoundland, Ontario,
Manitoba, and Team Canada.
ACE Students
Special Olympians
Two students from the Adult Connections in Education (ACE) program carried off medals during the
2004 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Phillip Chugg (l) won a
silver medal for curling and Jerred
Affleck was awarded a gold medal
in floor hockey. They are pictured
here being congratulated by Dr.
Vianne Timmons, Vice-President,
Academic Development.
AfterWords
Roominants, Part Two
I will pass over in charitable silence my
grad school roominants. I will not lament my first roommate’s allergic reaction to the Queen’s MBA program. Nor
will I seek to interpret my last roommates’ respective addictions to coffee
and homemade coleslaw. And I will
certainly not discuss my second roommate’s rather pointed observation that
my putative girlfriend’s frozen groceries
would be unlikely to thaw so long as she
was sitting beside them. I was as lucky
to have them as they were to have me.
When I returned home to work on
my dissertation, I spent a memorable six
months on Alexander Drive with some
hard-living confederates. Let’s just say
there wasn’t enough time or space for
the life teeming within that apartment.
(Their next place was widely known as
“Animal House.” One uncharacteristically quiet evening the doorbell rang.
Outside stood a total stranger with a
case of beer under his arm. “What do
you want?” someone challenged. He
seemed perplexed: “Isn’t there a party
here every Thursday night?”) I admired my roommates’ stamina . . . but
I moved.
After a sojourn on Valhalla Drive with
the inimitable Allie Cat (see last column),
at last I ended up on Ashburn Crescent
for three memorable years with a UPEI
student whom I fondly nicknamed “the
Byrne Unit.” He was, and is, a remarkable man, and not because (well, not just
because) he somehow got by for years
with a single tattered pair of socks. He
had joie de vivre, inexhaustible good humour, and an incurable optimism about
the human condition that opened his
heart to the world. Indeed, he had time
for everyone but himself, with the predictable result that he was chronically
late for his own life and incurably short
of sleep. And while he may have managed money like Dickens’ Mr. Micawber, he budgeted with all the ingenuity
of a minister of finance. How else, after
all, could he have afforded to buy Gun-
ther, his infamous,
heater-less first
car? Now the legendary Lazarus,
his thrice-stolen,
twice-recovered
10-speed bicycle,
was another story
— but I digress.
Reluctantly, in
the interests of
journalistic truth, I will admit that the
Byrne Unit had a few co-habitational
imperfections. First, I seldom wish to
brainstorm the meaning of life after I
have gone to bed, no matter what profound and urgent insight is standing in
the open door of my bedroom. Second,
it was impossible to go anywhere with
the Byrne Unit, for not only did everyone know him, they loved him. He inspired more bonhomie than Bonhomme
Carnaval and a quart of Old Sam, and
so, every casual encounter on the street
or in a bar invariably stretched into a
heartfelt tête-a-tête. (It pains me to say
it, but the Byrne Unit was one of the afflictions God dropped on Job to teach
him patience.) Third, there was . . . the
Incident.
During her graduation week festivities, my future wife slept on our couch
at our apartment. When the Byrne
Unit and I parted company with her at
the Barn at closing time on that fateful
night, she was en route to a party. After
a pedestrian transit of the take-out window at Burger King, my roommate and
I dined at home, then retired to our respective chambers. Imagine my surprise
when, later that night, the Byrne Unit
crawled into bed with me. In those days,
I slept on a narrow, monastic cot. There
was scarcely room for a nightmare, not
to speak of a bedmate, but there was my
roomie confidently backing his way onto
my mattress. “Sheila must have brought
some people home from the party with
her,” I supposed groggily, “and Joe gave
up his sack.” Charitably, I offered him
half my pillow. He reached over with
one great, greedy paw, stuffed the pillow
under his head, and immediately began
snoring in a way that made a chainsaw
sound like “Frère Jacques.” I was . . . annoyed. I was jammed against the wall on
the back edge of my own bed, pillowless.
I lasted about 15 minutes before clambering over him and out into the hall.
After all, I reasoned, an empty piece of
floor amid passed-out revellers would
be better than this torture.
I shuffled out to the living room.
There was Sheila, curled up on our
couch. Aside from her, the apartment
was empty. Perplexed, I shuffled back
to my own room. I gazed down in the
moonlight (OK, ambient streetlight) at
the beatific, lip-quivering countenance
of my roommate. Then I went and took
his bed. He came to the next morning
as I was dressing for work. “Big Guy,”
he rasped, glancing around confusedly.
“How did I get in your bed?” Despite
two royal commissions and a crime
scene reconstruction expert, the best
we could come up with was that, like
Bugs Bunny, he had taken a wrong turn
at Albuquerque on his way back from
the bathroom. Neither of us ever said
anything more about it, but I think we
both started locking the bathroom door
when we showered.
A few months later, we gave up the
apartment. The Byrne Unit went off to
help the world, and I left for the altar.
The revolving door of my own roominance might be over, but the phenomenon continues. My niece went away
to school at King’s the other year. She
moved into residence and the first report
I got about her roommates was glowing.
Three weeks later, she had moved. As
for me, well, I’ve had the same roommate now for 17 years. I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.
Edward MacDonald, Class of ’78
Help Build A Legacy—Become a UPEI Visionary
The UPEI Visionary Society can help you ensure that UPEI has the
resources to provide first-class education ...for generations to come
Planned gifts are powerful estate planning tools that offer a wide degree of flexibility to donors who
wish to use their legacy to support UPEI and reduce their estate tax liability at the same time. To find
out about the UPEI Visionary Society of Planned Giving, contact Tracey Comeau at (902) 566-0354,
tcomeau@upei.ca, or go to www.upei.ca/legacy
Mailed under Canada Post publications agreement no. 1424718.

UPEI Magazine Jan. 16-06.indd - University of Prince Edward Island

Transcription

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