President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI installed

Dr. Wendy Rodgers was officially installed as the seventh President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island during a ceremony held at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Presiding over the ceremony was the Honourable Diane Griffin, Chancellor of UPEI. The academic procession was led by Mace Bearer Hadiqa Sulman, the UPEI Student Union’s Vice-President of Student Life; Eagle Feather Bearer Dr. Corrine Chappell, UPEI Advisor on Indigenous Affairs; and Marshal Dr. Patrice Drake, Faculty of Nursing. Upon entering the UPEI Performing Arts Centre, the procession was escorted to the amphitheatre by an Indigenous hand drumming group, which also sang “Strong Women’s Song” by the Anishinaabe Kwewag and Zhoganosh Kwewag.

The procession included the Hon. Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island; Hon. Dennis King, Premier; Hon. Catherine Callbeck, Chancellor Emerita; Hon. Wade MacLauchlan, President Emeritus; honorary degree recipients; UPEI faculty and staff; and representatives from other universities. 

Dr. Rodgers was presented to those in attendance by Shannon MacDonald, Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors. Chancellor Griffin led Dr. Rodgers through the oath of office and presented her with her robes of office.

In her first address as president, Dr. Rodgers said she is honoured to join the University and work toward its success and that of the province. 

“UPEI has a particularly important mandate as the provincial university. It’s the first line of service to the Island and Islanders. The University and the province will thrive together in recognizing common challenges, the unique challenges of each other, and their shared mandate to address those challenges.”

The ceremony featured music by the UPEI Brass Quartet and the UPEI Chamber Singers, directed by Professor Sung Ha Shin-Bouey. Elder Thirly Levi gave a Mi’kmaw prayer and UPEI Chaplain Sister Susan Kidd an invocation.

During the ceremony, greetings of welcome were presented to Dr. Rodgers by representatives of the provincial government; UPEI Board of Governors and Senate; the UPEI student body, faculty, staff, retired employees, and alumni; the Association of Atlantic Universities; and other Canadian universities. 

To watch the ceremony, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p4DyDmlegU