UPEI Distinguished Alumni Award recipients recognized at annual event
The University of Prince Edward Island recognized three well known alumni-Lennie Gallant, Dr. Theresa Bernardo, and Dico Reijers-at the UPEI Distinguished Alumni and Inspiring Young Alumni Awards on March 28.
Host of CBC's Mainstreet, Karen Mair, delivered the citation for the first 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Lennie Gallant. Mair made note of Lennie's supportive family, and the pride that Islanders share of Gallant's success as an accomplished Island born singer and songwriter.
'With his national and international success and longevity in creating and performing music since his graduation from UPEI, it might be easy to forget that Gallant has been able to stay in the Atlantic Region and make a living doing what he loves, and he continues to craft some of the best known and loved songs of the region,' said Mair.
Dr. Ian Dohoo, Professor of Epidemiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College, gave the second award citation for Dr. Theresa Bernardo. Dohoo made note of Bernardo becoming AVC's first graduate student back in 1986, and how she set the bar high for future students, having published three peer-reviewed papers and several international presentations from her MSc. Dohoo described Bernardo as always having been a broad thinker willing to explore new frontiers. He is pleased to have been a part of Bernardo's journey as she now continues her efforts in social media and new technologies to help solve today's health issues.
In Elissa Blacquiere's absence, Student Union President Rob Livingstone read the citation for the Inspiring Young Alumnus award recipient and successful entrepreneur, Dico Reijers. Livingstone described Reijers' first business venture with his brother when he was 10 years old-he would pay his brother to fish golf balls out of a nearby water trap, and then would sell them on the side of the road. Reijers has come a long way, as he now owns and operates three businesses, InternetWorks Ltd., Apartments PEI, and the Dutch East Trading Company.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards are the highest honour presented by the Alumni Association and are presented annually to graduates who have made an outstanding contribution to knowledge, the arts, the community, to the University, or have made a special contribution to an area of service to humanity. The Inspiring Young Alumni Award is presented annually to a deserving graduate, under the age of 40, who has shown outstanding determination in achieving success at an early age.
