The Franklin (Frank) Pigot Memorial Lecture Series presents: a century of French education on PEI
As part of UPEI’s 50th anniversary, the Robertson Library is presenting a lecture series to celebrate the historical roots of higher education on Prince Edward Island and its future. The series is named after educator Frank Pigot, honoured as a UPEI Founder for his work building the Library’s PEI Collection and University Archives.
Historian Georges Arsenault will deliver the third lecture of the series on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of UPEI’s SDU Main Building. Arsenault’s talk is titled “Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin and French Education on the Island.”
The Société Saint-Thomas d’Aquin (SSTA), the principal voice of the Acadian and Francophone community of PEI, is 100 years old this year. It was founded in 1919 at the annual convention of the PEI Acadian Teachers’ Association. Its immediate objective was to collect money for the education of young Acadians, but the overall goal of the SSTA was to see French and Acadian life flourish on the Island. Among the founders of the SSTA and who spearheaded the society for many years were Dr. J. Henri Blanchard, who taught at Prince of Wales College from 1910 to 1948, and Rev. Nazaire Poirier, who was on the teaching staff of Saint Dunstan’s University from 1912 to 1937. The lecture will focus on the important contribution of the SSTA to French education on the Island over the last century.
A native of Abram-Village, Georges Arsenault lives in Charlottetown. He is the author of many publications on Acadian history and folklore and a well-known lecturer. He is the president of the Sister Antoinette DesRoches Historical Society and was recently made a member of the Order of Canada.
Refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
