Celebrating 50 years of Accomplishment—A Tribute to Alex B. Campbell, LLD
The University of Prince Edward Island paid tribute today to Alex B. Campbell, former premier of Prince Edward Island, for his central role in the creation of UPEI 50 years ago. The university unveiled the new Alex B. Campbell Terrace in the UPEI Quadrangle near the W.A. Murphy Student Centre and the creation of an endowment fund in Campbell’s name for entrance scholarships.
By the 1960s, the Prince Edward Island government began to acknowledge a serious shortage of educated and skilled workers and began a critical study of its post-secondary education institutions, Prince of Wales College (PWC) and Saint Dunstan’s University (SDU). The government, under the leadership of Premier Alex B. Campbell, concluded that forming a provincial university was the desired funding and service model for future students. The PEI Legislature passed the University Act in 1969, incorporating the University of Prince Edward Island. In May 1969, the last classes graduated from PWC and SDU; the institutions were transformed into UPEI, which opened in September.
UPEI is celebrating fifty years of accomplishment in a variety of ways. “UPEI at 50” is an especially fitting occasion to consider legacy projects that will help grow and sustain UPEI's institutional memory in the decades ahead.
Nearly $2 million of the new $3 million endowment has already been raised for the Alex B. Campbell University of Prince Edward Island Scholarships. The scholarships will be $2000 each and will be awarded annually to first-time UPEI students who have graduated from a PEI high school.
The working group behind the scholarship was led by UPEI Chancellor Catherine Callbeck and John Bragg. The group included Judy Bragg, Don McDougall, Anne Smith, Jo-Anne Schurman, Fred Hyndman, Joseph Spriet, Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, and Christianna Dunn.
The endowment and terrace were announced at a special ceremony this afternoon as part of the Reunion Weekend celebrating 50 years of UPEI. Many key figures from UPEI’s history were in attendance, including the guest of honour: Alex B. Campbell. Also in attendance were founding president Dr. Ron Baker, president emeritus Wade MacLauchlan, past president Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Epperly, and current president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. Premier Dennis King brought greetings from the province. Phillip Brown, mayor of Charlottetown, and Senator Brian Francis were also in attendance.
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.
