The UPEI Department of Biology is deeply saddened by and wishes to inform the campus community of the passing on September 29, 2018 of retired faculty member, Dr. Ninian Leblanc, after a sudden illness.

Dr. LeBlanc taught biology to thousands of students during his thirty years as a professor at Prince of Wales College and UPEI, and afterwards at PEI’s Seniors College. As faculty volunteer at the UPEI’s First-Year Advisement Centre for eight years and instructor of first-year biology, Dr. Leblanc's face welcomed many students to campus. As Marshal of Convocation for 20 years until his retirement, his persona also shepherded many students as they graduated from UPEI. Dr. Leblanc's personal commitment to his students and his dedication to establishing a high standard of excellence for PEI's new University were outstanding.

In 1999, Ninian's colleagues in the Faculty of Science, together with the Alumni Association of the University of Prince Edward Island, created the Dr. Ninian N. Leblanc Alumni Award to honour Dr. Leblanc's outstanding contribution to UPEI and to continue his life's work: assisting students achieve their educational goals.

A funeral mass will be held in memory of Dr. Leblanc at Saint Dunstan’s Basilica on Tuesday, October 2 at 2 pm. Read the obituary

The entire UPEI community extends condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.