UPEI honours 2023 Founders during a ceremony on December 15
The University of Prince Edward Island held its 22nd Recognition of Founders ceremony on Friday, December 15, 2023, in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons, Atlantic Veterinary College, to acknowledge those who have contributed to the University in a significant way.
Recognized as 2023 Founders during the ceremony were the late Merritt Crockett, founding University Librarian; the late Leo Cheverie, library technician and community advocate; and Betty Jeffery, Librarian Emerita.
The ceremony opened with the singing of O Canada by UPEI music students Janie-Lynn Perrier, Sadie Ghiz, and Josie Thibodeau. After Sister Sue Kidd, University chaplain, gave an invocation, Dr. Greg Keefe, interim president and vice-chancellor, delivered welcome remarks. Camile Mady, president of the UPEI Student Union, brought greetings on behalf of UPEI students.
The citations were read by former colleagues of the recipients: University Librarian Donald Moses for Mr. Crockett; University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Simon Lloyd for Mr. Cheverie; and interim Faculty of Arts Dean Sharon Myers for Ms. Jeffery. Mr. Crockett’s wife, Mrs. Mariedith Crockett, accepted the award on his behalf. Mr. Cheverie’s sisters, Karen Cheverie-Bergeron and Irene Power, accepted the award on his behalf. A reception was held immediately following the ceremony.
About the Founders:
Mr. Merritt Crockett
Mr. Crockett was the founding University Librarian at the newly created University of Prince Edward Island in 1969 and served in that role until his retirement in 1992. He played a leading role in the design and construction of the then new Robertson Library, which opened its doors in 1975. He implemented measures that improved the efficient operation of the library that are still used today. He oversaw the integration of technology in the library with the introduction of computer-based bibliographic searching in the 1980s and the introduction of Bobcat, its first library automation system, that same year. He also ensured that the library was open to the general public as well as the campus community. With these and other measures, Mr. Crockett led the way to ensuring that the library was well prepared to meet the needs of its users during a time of significant change for information services. Click here to read the complete citation.
Mr. Leo Cheverie
Mr. Cheverie came to UPEI in 1980 after graduating from Souris High School. After graduating in 1984, he joined the library staff in 1985 as a library technician. He loved research and teaching students and others how to find things. He was involved in campus activities during and after his time as a student. He felt privileged to be part of a university community and supported students, staff, and faculty. He was one of the early supporters and leaders of the World University Service of Canada initiative at UPEI. He served as president of CUPE 1870 and as a member of the executive for many years. He helped to develop a campus-wide wellness committee, which led to an employee assistance program that supports all UPEI employees and their families. He was politically active, community-minded, a life-long learner, a strategic thinker and organizer, and an enthusiastic supporter of the arts. Click here to read the complete citation.
Ms. Betty Jeffery
Ms. Jeffery joined the Robertson Library in 1999 after a lengthy career as a librarian at Acadia University. She retired from UPEI in 2016 in the role of Instruction and Reference Service Librarian after years of dedicated service to the students and academic staff at the University. She is highly regarded for her service to the campus community. Throughout her career, she had a positive impact on UPEI students and their academic success. In her work with the UPEI Faculty Association, she improved the experience of teaching and research and the lives of faculty members at UPEI. In support of students interested in graduate studies in library and information sciences, archival studies, or history, she established the Betty M. Jeffery Award. Among several “firsts” to her credit, she was the first librarian to be awarded the distinction of Librarian Emerita by UPEI. Click here to read the complete citation.
