On Thursday, April 3, UPEI's annual Engineering Expo participants educated attendees, including approximately 200 junior high and high school students on their innovative designs, and on the exciting field of engineering. The event was open to the public, with students from the PEI Science Fair also attending for special tours of the event, and to learn more about engineering at UPEI.

First-year engineering students had the opportunity to work with the Farm Centre Association (FCA) on its new initiative; a community-based, research and demonstration garden/farm housed at the Charlottetown Experimental Farm. The students developed sustainable designs from windmills to pump water, to composters, to a hybrid bicycle/shopping cart for transportation that could be used on the farm. The project took seven months of researching, analyzing, building, and testing solutions, and offered an engaging and educational agricultural landscape that celebrates the past, present, and future of farming on the Island.

'The research and science behind their work is truly impressive. It was an excellent opportunity for us, as well as the general public to see the students' work, and be inspired at the creative genius that is being instigated by their dedicated and enthusiastic professors,' said Phil Ferraro, Executive Director of the Farm Centre. 'Next week, the students will be presenting additional details on their design and building plans. When summer arrives, we hope to test some of their prototypes on site, and we encourage everyone to come visit and join in the fun.'

The second-year engineering students worked with nine clients from PEI, Newfoundland, and Kenya. Clients included The Mount Continuing Care Community, Country View Farms, Dr. Bill Whelan, Magine Snowboards, Mikinduri Children of Hope, PEI Bag Company, Vector Aerospace, UPEI Student Union, and UPEI Engineering.

'The enthusiasm the students display is infectious, and the skill and quality of the second-year projects are a great indication of how much can be expected once UPEI offers an engineering degree,' said Libby Osgood, assistant professor of engineering at UPEI.

Expo award recipients:

Engineers PEI Team Design Award-This award is presented each year to the student design team that best exemplifies innovation, excellence, and professionalism in a client-oriented community-based design project. The winning team will combine creative design ideas supported by in-depth analysis, detailed design documentation, and an effective demonstration of concept. This year's recipients include: Mikinduri Children of Hope Charcoal Press second-year project. Team members are Daniel Larsen, Keilah Bias, Alex Gamble, and Spencer Montgomery. Top design for first-year students was awarded to Saheed Alatishe, Amy Andrews, Brent Simmons, and Marc Thibodeau.

Noel MacAleer Award-Awarded to a graduating student from the engineering class who displays the positive attributes and qualities of the late Noel MacAleer-an extremely well-liked student who was respected by his classmates, who was enthusiastic and generous, and who became a friend and motivator to all. This year's recipient is Joshua Kelly.

UPEI's Department of Engineering presents communication and analysis awards annually to individual students who display contribution and excellence in their team environment.

Communication Award-'Generally recognized as the ‘softer' skills including the ability to formulate and communicate the chosen design story using a broad selection of tools including verbal, textual, and graphical techniques. Recognizes that engineering is really the art of applying science to make a compelling argument with a high degree of professionalism and consideration for public safety.' The communication awards were granted to first-year recipient Emily Dennis and second-year recipient Keilah Bias.

Analysis Award- 'Generally recognized as the ‘harder' skills including the ability to understand the clients problems and analyze the problems using a broad selection of scientific, mathematical, and engineering knowledge. Recognizes that engineers must be scientifically and mathematically capable, with an ability to translate the knowledge and skill into innovative (new territory) solutions with predictable performance. It is this predictable performance that requires a sound understanding of the problem and an ability to use engineering tools and prototyping, to predict the performance and safety of the systems.' The analysis awards were granted to first-year recipient Brent Simmons and second-year recipient Vuk Stajic.

Leadership Award- Awarded to a senior student who demonstrates capability and leadership in all aspects of engineering communication and analysis. This award was granted to Emma MacKay.

Congratulations to Jonathan Dingwell, fourth-year business student who took home the $500 grand prize in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The draw took place on Thursday, April 10.

A big thank you to all first - and fourth-year students who participated. UPEI received a response rate of 56%! For those students who have not yet had the chance to complete the survey, it will remain open until early June, so responses are still welcome. Check your UPEI email account today to complete the survey.

Once again, congratulations to the following students who received $100 early bird prizes: Jacquelyn Black, fourth-year arts; Aaron Rainnie, first-year nursing; Jimmie Mayaleh, fourth-year business; Hannah Povey, fourth-year arts; Marilyn McFadden, first-year arts; Wallace Nnane, first-year arts; Abbie Ronalds, first-year science; and Danielle Perry, fourth-year nursing.

NSSE survey results are compiled for institutions and provide them with the opportunity to identify aspects of the undergraduate experience (inside and outside of the classroom) that can be improved through policy changes and best practices. The results are also beneficial to prospective students, their parents, university counselors, academic advisors, institutional research officers, and researchers to learn more about how students spend their time and what they gain from their experiences.

More than 1,500 institutions in the U.S. and Canada have participated in NSSE since it was first administered in 2000.

Congratulations to UPEI Panthers Cole MacMillan and Barb Carmichael who received Sport PEI awards at the 40th annual awards ceremony this past weekend.

MacMillan, a dual-sport athlete involved in soccer and hockey at UPEI, took home the Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the Year award, while Barb Carmichael, UPEI Field Hockey General Manager received the Sport PEI President's Award for her longtime dedication and volunteerism to the sport.

UPEI Men's Hockey Head Coach Forbes MacPherson was also a finalist for Sport PEI's Coach of the Year award.

UPEI congratulates all UPEI Panthers who received awards/were nominated as award finalists.

Go Panthers Go!

With final exams underway, the UPEI Mathematics and Statistics department introduced a fun way for students to prepare for their exams through its inaugural UPEI Integration Tournament that took place on April 2.

The top sixteen first-year advanced calculus students were selected to take part in an integration competition where the students went head-to-head in a single knockout battle to solve integral problems and determine the best integrator. Spectators were also welcomed and had the opportunity to complete the problems for practice, and take part in lighter math pop culture trivia.

Dr. Gordon MacDonald, professor of UPEI Mathematics and Statistics organized the event after learning of it being used as a fun teaching tool at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

'I thought it was a great idea that may be of interest to students here at UPEI,' said MacDonald. 'I had no idea that we would get such a great response from students, and because of this year's success, we hope to make it an annual event.'

After 15 speed rounds amongst student competitors, Morgan Erskine was dubbed the winner, and earned the title of 'The Magnifluent.' The title is in honour of Isaac Newton, one of the inventors of calculus who never used the common terms derivatives or integrals. Instead, he used the terms fluxions and fluents. Erskine took home the top prize of $100. Second-place, and a $50 prize, was awarded to Patrick Strongman, while Emma McDermott and Rosalie O'Hara finished in third place and claimed $25 prizes.

'I was actually very surprised to win the tournament as I wasn't even confident that I would make it past the first round,' laughed Erskine. 'It was definitely a more fun and exciting way to study for exams. I found it particularly beneficial, as it gave so many different examples of integrals that we may see on our final exam,' she added.

Erskine is double majoring in mathematics and computer science and hopes to one day find a career in one of her areas of study.

While many students agreed with Erskine, MacDonald added that these types of integrals were definitely aimed to be more challenging than those that may appear on the final exam.

'These problems challenge students to select the best strategy out of possibly five or six different routes. Students are forced to use their math skillsets developed in high school and university, to come up with the solution,' added MacDonald. 'As the Integration Tournament showed, the best calculus students at UPEI can measure up with students from anywhere, even MIT.'

Special thanks goes to COWS Inc. for donating ice cream coupons, which were awarded as prizes to participants and spectators during the event's trivia.

UPEI Women's Rugby Head Coach Shannon Atkins is pleased to announce that Emma Baker is joining the Panthers for 2014-15.

Baker is currently attending Lockview High School in Fall River, Nova Scotia. Captain of the rugby team, Baker has played rugby at Lockview since grade 9, was MVP of the Capital Region championship match, and a provincial silver medalist and winner of two Rothesay Netherwood School rugby championships. Baker is a multisport athlete who played tier one volleyball at the club level, and attended four national and eastern championships winning four provincial medals. Baker is the only athlete at Lockview High School to win a provincial medal in two sports.

Baker also brings provincial experience-Team Nova Scotia U18 in 2013 and 2014, member of Team Nova Scotia U18 team that attended the National Tier 1 Championship in Vancouver in 2013 (placing sixth overall) and 2013 Eastern Canadian gold medalist. She was also a member of The Keltic Academy rugby high performance program, which identifies top players for Team Atlantic and national team streams.

'Emma is a talented rugby player who brings leadership, character, and athleticism to the program,' said Atkins. 'Adding Emma to a young team will give us more depth as we develop the program to compete in the tough AUS conference.'

Baker looks forward to becoming a Panther and has enrolled in the Science program at UPEI. 'I have close family ties to Prince Edward Island and to UPEI,' she said. 'I'm excited to attend UPEI to continue my education and to contribute to the Panthers rugby team any way I can.'

'I would like to welcome Emma to the University of Prince Edward Island, she's a great addition to the Panther Family,' said UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman.

Go Panthers Go!

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca

UPEI Women's Hockey Head Coach Bruce Donaldson is very pleased to announce that Madison Clarke is joining the Panthers for the 2014-15 season. Clarke, originally from Hilden, Nova Scotia, played defence for the past three years with the East Hants Pro Cresting Penguins of the Nova Scotia Midget AAA hockey league. The team won the 2014 Provincial Championship and competed at the Atlantic Championships earlier this month, losing in the championship game against New Brunswick. In the 28-game season, Clarke recorded two goals and three assists along with 28 penalty minutes.

'Madison is a great young player who brings a strong work ethic to her game,' said Donaldson. 'She is very dependable - great mobility and enjoys the defensive side of the game. We see her as someone who will fit nicely within our defensive zone system and will develop to be a future team leader.'

Clarke has also been a part of the Hockey Nova Scotia High Performance Program competing on the U-15 and U-17 Atlantic Challenge cup teams.

'I'm very happy to be coming to UPEI. The coaching staff is sincere in their interest in me, and very approachable. The hockey program and UPEI's science department feels like the perfect fit for me, and I can't wait to further both my education and hockey as a Panther.' said Clarke. Clarke hopes to pursue Kinesiology during her studies at UPEI.

Clarke's Midget hockey coach Les Parker commented, 'Madison has been a solid player for the Penguins since putting on the uniform three years ago. She is reliable, smart on defence, and reads the ice and plays extremely well, skates well, and was a true leader in our room and on the ice. Above all else, she is a very coachable player who shows up to play every night. UPEI has landed one of our top players from Nova Scotia. The Penns family wishes the Panthers and Madison all the best in her AUS career.'

UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman welcomes Clarke to UPEI. 'It is a pleasure to welcome Madison to the University of Prince Edward Island. We will provide the necessary supports for success in the classroom and on the ice, and I'm sure Madison will enjoy her Panther experience.'

Go Panthers Go!

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca

In the fall of 2013, UPEI created a committee to advise on the future operations of the University's longstanding and widely respected institute for research and public policy: the Institute of Island Studies. The Institute of Island Studies Futures Committee, in cooperation with UPEI's Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies, and Interim Vice-President Academic has released its final report, entitled: 'One Step Back, and Two Steps Forward,' which is available for download and review.

Using as its starting point, an external consultants' report commissioned in 2013, the report endorses the current mandate of the Institute as a centre for the comparative study of Prince Edward Island and other islands, and outlines a number of options for its future structure and operations. Two of the key recommendations entail adding a national and international scope to the membership of the Institute's advisory committee and a strong commitment to the Institute's role as an honest broker of public dialogue about key issues confronting Prince Edward Island. To that end, the Institute will organize two public forums during 2014, one in the spring and one in the fall, on water resources and land use issues.

In its report, the committee expresses its confidence in the future of the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island and of the strong support from the University and community.

The full text of the report can be downloaded below.

For more information, contact Dave Atkinson, Research Communications at (902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward Island extends its condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and devoted readers of UPEI honorary degree recipient Alistair MacLeod. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University in 2002. MacLeod passed away on Sunday, April 20 at the age of 77 in Windsor, Ontario.

MacLeod is a well-known, award-winning Canadian author and considered one of the country's best short story writers. Born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he then moved to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia at the age of 10. Most recently, MacLeod taught literature and creative writing at the University of Windsor. He would return to Inverness County, Nova Scotia during the summertime, where he would write in his cabin facing west, overlooking Prince Edward Island. In 2008, MacLeod was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his commitment to, and influence on, Canadian literature and its authors.

"No one has ever said that life is to be easy. Only that it is to be lived." - Alistair MacLeod

The University of Prince Edward Island has officially named a new terrace located adjacent to Don and Marion McDougall Hall, the Colleen Keefe Malone Terrace, in memory of UPEI alumna, the late Colleen Keefe Malone. The naming took place on Monday, April 21 at an event where a memorial and stonework were also unveiled.

Colleen Keefe Malone was the first female to graduate with a Bachelor of Business from UPEI in 1971. She then went on to a noteworthy career in human resources, serving as a Director for the PEI Civil Service Commission for many years. She and her eight siblings all attended UPEI, each becoming impactful community leaders in their professions. In 2011, the Keefe and Malone families were deeply saddened to lose Colleen to illness at the age of 61. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend.

The University is proud to officially name the terrace in honour of Colleen Keefe Malone, who is especially remembered by her husband Leonard and their two children, Leslie and Jason.

'Colleen provided inspiration to family, friends, and colleagues,' says Dr. Greg Keefe, a brother and Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University. 'In addition to her exceptional professional contribution to human resource management, she was a constant support to her immediate and extended family. She was our core: encouraging each of us, celebrating our successes, and sustaining us through challenges.'

In her memory, the Keefe family with Colleen's husband Leonard Malone made a leadership gift commitment in the amount of $104,000 to UPEI. This leadership gift supports the Colleen Keefe Malone Memorial Scholarship. The annual award recognizes a business student who is in good academic standing and who intends to pursue a career in human resource management.

'On behalf of UPEI, I sincerely thank the Keefe and Malone families for memorializing Colleen through the Colleen Keefe Malone Memorial Scholarship,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'This, along with naming of the terrace, is a very fitting tribute to a great woman who impacted the lives of so many. Her legacy will now benefit the lives of UPEI students into the future.'

UPEI is recruiting volunteers for a nutrition research study who meet the following criteria: overweight, non-smokers, not diabetic, between the ages of 21-65.

If you meet all of the above criteria, you may be eligible to participate in the study whose purpose is to evaluate the health effects of blueberry consumption on indicators of diabetes and heart disease. Study investigators are Dr. Katherine Gottschall-Pass, Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, and Dr. Kim Stote.

If you are interested in participating, please attend one of the following 30-minute information sessions in Room 301 (dining room), Health Sciences Building, on the UPEI campus:

Wednesday, April 23-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Thursday, April 24-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Friday, April 25-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Monday, April 28-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Tuesday, April 29-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Wednesday, April 30-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Parking is available for the noon information sessions in the CARI/MacLauchlan Arena parking lot, while Parking Lot C is available for the evening information sessions.

For information:
Dr. Kim Stote
2012-13 UPEI Fullbright Scholar
Research Chair of Nutriscience and Health
kstote@upei.ca