New UPEI flag celebrates university's heritage

The University of Prince Edward Island raised its own flag for the first time on July 30, celebrating its proud heritage and officially marking the beginning of Alumni Reunion Weekend 2009. The flag is flying in front of Kelley Memorial Building, at the heart of the UPEI campus, alongside the provincial flag.

'There are significant occasions, such as our Alumni Reunion, Convocation, and other major University events, when this beautiful flag will enhance the celebration,' says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. 'By flying our flag prominently on campus, we will be embracing our heritage and institutional esteem on an everyday basis.'

The new flag uses the official UPEI colours which are rust, olive, and gold. It features the crest that will appear in UPEI's official coat of arms, to be granted formally by the Heraldic Authority later this year. The crest embraces UPEI's two founding institutions, St. Dunstan's University (SDU) and Prince of Wales College (PWC). It displays the hammer and tongs used in St. Dunstan's trade as a blacksmith and the bishop's ring signifying SDU; and the ostrich feather plumes of the Prince of Wales and the crown signifying PWC. The third image, on the lower half of the flag, is an open book to represent UPEI's heritage and mission.

'Our new flag is a powerful symbol of the immense pride we feel in our heritage and the deep commitment our University makes to the education of present and future generations,' says Fred Hyndman, Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors.

Timothy Cullen, UPEI Student Union President raised the new flag during a special ceremony outside Kelley Memorial Building, assisted by Alfred Morrison (SDU '59) and Dr. Austin Bowman (PWC '49). A second flag was raised by UPEI Alumni Association President Betty Johnston (UPEI '87), alongside the national, provincial, and city flags at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place. These flags will fly for the duration of the 2009 Canada Games. The closing ceremonies for the Games take place on the UPEI campus on August 29.