The UPEI Women’s and Men’s Hockey teams both see pre-season action this weekend at home. The women take on Saint Mary’s University on Friday evening at 7:00 pm. They lace up their skates again Saturday at 2:00 pm for an exhibition game against the University of New Brunswick. The men wrap up the weekend with a game against the Dalhousie Tigers Saturday evening at 7:00 pm.

“The players are looking forward to this weekend’s home exhibition games,” said Bruce Donaldson, head coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team. “We had a great game against SMU this past Sunday, so this will give us a chance to start to introduce line combinations and begin to experiment with our special-team play. We are especially pleased to be hosting UNB, as we welcome their team back into the AUS Conference.”

“Exhibition is an important piece of the growth through training camp,” said Forbes MacPherson, head coach of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team. “It gives the team a chance to work on many of the details of our game versus competition. It just gets us one step closer to regular season action!”

These are your last chances to see the Panther hockey teams at home before the regular season starts next week. It’s also a great time to pick up your season tickets!

Men’s Hockey Season Package, Adult: $196; Youth (U18): $70; Children (3 & Under): free
Includes:  Reserved seat, 15 home games, two exhibition games, two buddy passes, two ticket redemption nights, seat held for playoffs

Women’s Hockey Season Package, $100
Includes: Reserved seat, 14 home games, five exhibition games, all AUS-playoff home games, U SPORTS Championship Tournament Ticket Package

U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship Ticket Package, $50

Please note that all Men’s Hockey, Women’s Hockey, and U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship tickets will only be sold through the Eastlink Centre Box Office. Contact the box office at 46 Kensington Road, Charlottetown, or call 902-629-6625, Monday through Friday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Also, this weekend you can renew or purchase your season packages at the MacLauchlan Arena Box Office during the following times:

Friday, September 21, 5:30–8:30 pm
Saturday, September 22, 12:30–8:30 pm

Don’t forget, UPEI students get in free to all regular season home games by showing their student ID card.

Several members of UPEI’s Department of English will be on hand to help celebrate Canadian poet, novelist, and essayist David Helwig. “An Evening with David Helwig” will be held Tuesday, September 25 at 7:30 pm in the Carriage House of Beaconsfield Historic House on the Charlottetown waterfront. The event is hosted by PEI’s Poet Laureate, Deirdre Kessler, and the Bookmark.

To date, David Helwig has published close to fifty books and edited numerous others. He has written for television and radio, worked at the CBC, taught at Queen’s University, been Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island, and named to the Order of Canada. Yet, he remains little known.

David Helwig: Essays on His Works is the first book to gather new essays, an interview, and earlier material—by George Fetherling, Douglas Glover, D.G. Jones, Simon Lloyd, Tom Marshall, Rob McLennan, Shane Neilson, Ingrid Ruthig, Mark Sampson, and Lorraine M. York—in order to introduce and explore Helwig’s body of work while documenting the broad range of his literary talents and accomplishments.

The editor of this edition, Ingrid Ruthig, writer, poet, visual artist, said, “Within any literary community, there are those writers who simply go about the business of writing—diligent, dedicated, building a body of work without fanfare. They seem disinclined to court chatter and celebrity, to inflate image and ego, or to stake out a place centre-stage. David Helwig is one of those unassuming craftsmen. Since he first aspired to it more than six decades ago, he has been living the life of a writer.”

UPEI’s Richard Lemm, Lee Ellen Pottie, and Deirdre Kessler, along with 20 Island poets and writers, will present an evening to celebrate David Helwig and his remarkable literary accomplishments. This event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend and meet a Prince Edward Island literary giant.

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.

The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) announced the recipients of its region awards for excellence in teaching and education leadership. Among the honourees was Dr. Greg Doran, chair and associate professor of English at UPEI and coordinator of UPEI’s theatre studies program.

Dr. Doran received the 2018 AAU Distinguished Teaching Award recognizing outstanding teaching over a number of years. From the award citation:

Dr. Greg Doran has influenced and inspired countless students with his energy, enthusiasm, and passion. Anyone who knows him knows that what he believes about his work – that his ‘success as a teacher lies in the success of [his] students’ – is precisely true. Despite the glowing comments his students make about him as a teacher, and even though a number of his students have gone on to prestigious theatre programs, Greg humbly disavows doing anything other than leading students in the right direction. But, of course, he does much more than that.

In Dr. Doran’s fourteen years at UPEI, he has developed, revised, and taught an impressive number and range of courses in both the English and Theatre programs. As the sole member of the Theatre Studies Program, he is responsible for all theatre education at the university, and his excellent student productions are highlights of every academic year. And, as he himself says, his experience directing student actors has influenced his teaching as well: ‘Just as no two actors can be directed the same way,’ he says, ‘I try to find the best ways to encourage the success of students, which often means being very flexible and trying different approaches in the classroom.’ This flexibility is one of the qualities most often praised in his student evaluations.

“I congratulate Dr. Doran on receiving this prestigious award,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Greg is a wonderful example of what we strive to be as professors. His enthusiasm, passion, and creativity, along with his tireless commitment to improving learning for students, are to be commended. The entire UPEI community is extremely proud to see him recognized in this deserving manner.”

Congratulations, Dr. Doran!

The AAU (www.atlanticuniversities.ca) represents the 16 universities in Atlantic Canada and serves as an advocate for the important role Atlantic universities play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation and in contributing to the economic prosperity and quality of life of the Atlantic region.

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.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes student athletes for their achievements and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Sophie Carragher and Ignacio Sanchez, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for September 17–23.

Sophie Carragher is a second-year kinesiology student from Stratford, PEI and a second-row flanker on the UPEI Women’s Rugby team. The Panthers beat Saint Mary’s University over the weekend in a 25–12 game, where Carragher scored a try. “Sophie had a strong game for us,” said coach John LaBoyne. “Her line-breaks and speed set the team up for further play down the field. Her try came off a very dominant Panther scrum—Sophie picked from her #8 position and dove over the line.”

Ignacio Sanchez is a fourth-year business administration student from Cornwall, PEI and is captain of the UPEI Men’s Soccer team. The Panthers dropped a pair of games over the weekend to Cape Breton University and St. Francis Xavier University, but coach Lewis Page said Sanchez showed leadership on and off the field. “Nacho Sanchez was excellent in both road games this weekend,” said Page. “His tireless running enabled him to contribute both on the attached and defense with a box-to-box performance.”

Go Panthers Go!

Calling all UPEI alumni! It’s time to suit up in your finest UPEI swag and come back to cheer on your Panthers for Homecoming 2018.

Get an early jump on the weekend with the annual UPEI Men’s Basketball Green & White Scrimmage. Get to know the newest Panthers by catching this inter-squad game Thursday evening at 6:00 pm in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.

“We are very excited to kick off the 2018–2019 campaign,” said coach Darrell Glenn. “Six new Panthers join a team that made steady movement last year. We expect to defend better on the ball and shoot a much better percentage from the three-point line—two areas that really hurt our young and inexperienced team last season.”

Each Panther will be hungry as they compete for roster positions on the eve of their exhibition season. Admission is by donation.

Homecoming 2018 starts in earnest on the soccer pitch Friday evening, as both teams defend the home turf against the Université de Moncton. The women suit up at 5:00 pm.

“We need to come out this weekend and step it up physically and mentally and finish our chances when they come along,” said Graeme McDonald, coach of the UPEI Women’s Soccer team.

Stick around after the women’s game, as the men take the field at 7:15 pm.

“UPEI Men’s Soccer is looking forward to hosting U de M,” said coach Lewis Page. “We have performed well in recent games and are looking to turn performance into points this weekend.”

Friday is Alumni Night, with all alumni receiving free admission. The first 200 people through the gate will receive a special Panther gift. Come help us celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Panthers’ 1998 AUAA Championship Team and join us for a post-game social at Boston Pizza.

Friday evening also sees pre-season exhibition action for the UPEI Women’s Hockey team. The Panthers take on Mount Allison at 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena.

“We have performed well in recent games and are looking to turn performance into points this weekend,” said coach Bruce Donaldson.

Alumni are also admitted to the women’s hockey game for free. The first 30 fans in the arena will receive a special Panther gift.

The women hit the ice again Saturday evening at 7:00 pm with an exhibition match against the Dalhousie University Tigers. UPEI alumni will receive free admission.

Sunday, UPEI Soccer hosts the University of New Brunswick. The women’s game starts at 1:00 pm on the UPEI Artificial Turf Field. The men’s game begins at 3:15 pm. All UPEI alumni are admitted free.

Go Panthers Go!

The Honourable Catherine Callbeck will be installed as the ninth Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island on Saturday, September 29. Dr. Callbeck is a retired business leader and senator, and former premier of the province of Prince Edward Island. The native of Central Bedeque, PEI, was unanimously elected to the volunteer position earlier this year by UPEI’s Board of Governors.

As Chancellor, Callbeck will preside over the University’s Convocation ceremonies each spring, conferring degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Callbeck has had a long and active involvement in business, politics, and charitable and public service groups at all levels, and has received many honours for her contributions.

She received her early education in Central Bedeque and Summerside, and went on to earn commerce and education degrees Mount Allison University and Dalhousie University respectively. After a period of teaching, Callbeck returned to PEI where she became involved with her family’s business—Callbeck's Limited and Callbeck's Furniture.

She was the second woman ever elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island and, from 1974-78, served as the first female Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Responsible for the Disabled, and Minister Responsible for Non-Status Indians. In 1978 she left politics and returned to her family’s business.

In 1988, she re-entered politics, this time on the federal level. She was the first woman elected as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque, making her the second woman ever to be elected to the House of Commons from PEI. She returned to provincial politics in 1993 when she was elected Leader of the Liberal Party of PEI, and soon after, became the first woman in Canada to be elected as premier of a province. In 1997, she was called to the Senate of Canada where she served until her retirement in July 2014.

Callbeck was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2015 and Order of PEI in 2017 and holds honorary doctor of laws degrees from both Mount Allison University (1996) and the University of Prince Edward Island (2015).

Callbeck replaces UPEI’s eighth chancellor Dr. Don McDougall. She is the second woman to hold the post; Doris H. Anderson was UPEI’s first female University Chancellor from 1992–96.

UPEI’s Chancellors and their installation dates
• The Honourable Thane A. Campbell, CC, MA, LLD – May 14, 1970
• Gustave Gingras, CC, MD, FRSA, LLD, FRCP(c) – May 12, 1974
• David Macdonald Stewart, OC, CStJ, KLJ, FRSA, FHS(c), LLD, DBA – October 1, 1982
• The Honourable Gordon L. Bennett, OC, BSc, MSc, LLD, DCL – March 9, 1985
• Doris H. Anderson, CC, BA, LLD – October 24, 1992
• Norman Webster (chancellor emeritus), CM, BA, MA, DCL – November 2, 1996
• William (Bill) Andrew, DipEng, BEng – March 6, 2005
• Donald (Don) McDougall, BA, MBA, LLD – March 30, 2014

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.

The following is released by the University of Prince Edward Island, in co-ordination with research institutions across the country, as participants and co-investigators on the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL)

The results from a large national research project led by the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) at the CHEO Research Institute shows that about two-thirds of Canadian children haven’t achieved an acceptable level of physical literacy. Physical literacy moves beyond just fitness or motor skill; it includes the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.

Fourteen articles that looked at different aspects of physical literacy and the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL) were published today as a special supplement in the journal BMC Public Health. More than 10,000 children, aged eight to 12, from 11 sites across the country participated in the study through the CHEO Research Institute and research partners. Using the CAPL, children were assessed on a number of different areas.

The results demonstrate that more needs to be done to ensure Canadian children are physically literate. “We hear about increasing obesity rates in kids, falling rates of physical activity and more time spent in front of screens,” says Dr. Mark Tremblay, Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute and Director for HALO. “Physical literacy looks at different domains in children to give a better overall picture of children’s healthy active living and future health. Physically literate children become more active and healthy children, which sets them up for life.” 

Two of the articles published today were led by UPEI researchers. Dr. Travis Saunders, assistant professor of applied human sciences, examined the relationship between sedentary behaviour and physical literacy.

“We found that children who spend more time watching TV or playing video games had lower physical literacy,” said Dr. Saunders. “This suggests that minimizing screen time may help promote the development of physical literacy.”

Dr. Dany MacDonald, associate professor and chair of applied human sciences, used CAPL data to explore the roles adequacy and predilection for physical activity play in a child’s physical literacy.

“The findings suggest that children’s perception of adequacy and predilection need to be considered to fully understand how physical literacy develops in this age group,” said Dr. MacDonald. “In addition, it was also found that a child’s cardiovascular fitness had the strongest association with adequacy and predilection to physical activity, suggesting a complex relationship a children’s physical and psychological states and physical literacy.”

The HALO Research Group has been developing and refining the CAPL for the past 10 years.  It’s a robust tool that is valid, reliable and feasible and is being used across the country and internationally. The results of this research provide the first comprehensive assessment of the physical literacy of Canadian children.

“Through this project, we provide comprehensive evidence that Canadian children aged eight to 12 years are falling short of standards for components of physical literacy,” said Dr. Mark Tremblay. “For example, boys and girls across Canada have aerobic fitness levels at the 30^th percentile of global norms and only 20% are meeting physical activity guidelines.”

“These results show us that more needs to be done,” continues Tremblay. “Every organization concerned with the well-being of children, whether provincial governments, municipal public health and recreation departments, boards of education and sports or recreation groups, should allocate increased resources to increase children’s physical literacy. Addition education campaigns, greater priority in school curricula and increased numbers of physical education specialists could have a real impact in the health of Canada’s children.”

Findings from this project have led to further refinements of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy and the release of the second edition of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, or CAPL-2. “Ensuring that we have the right tools for coaches, educators and parents is an important way to increase physical literacy in Canada,” says Pat Longmuir, Scientist with the CHEO Research Institute, HALO Research Group. “The CAPL-2 is a shorter, easier to administer series of tests that can be used to assess and monitor physical literacy in Canada. The materials are available in both English and French, free of charge at www.capl.eclp.ca.”

This research study was made possible in part with support from the RBC Learn to Play Project, an initiative funded by RBC and the Public Health Agency of Canada and delivered in partnership with ParticipACTION, with additional support from Mitacs.

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.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes student athletes for their achievements and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Amanda Stanyer and Kameron Kielly, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for September 24–30.

Amanda Stanyer is a third-year science major from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia and a keeper on the UPEI Women’s Soccer team. The Panthers played a couple of games on the weekend, beating Université de Moncton 4–1 and holding the University of New Brunswick to a 0–0 draw. “Amanda had a solid performance against Moncton, including a terrific penalty save and important saves against UNB, keeping us in the game,” said coach Graeme McDonald.

Kameron Kielly is a second-year business student from Charlottetown and a member of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team. The Panthers dropped a pair of tough games over the weekend, including a 5–3 loss to Université de Moncton and a 4–3 game to the University of New Brunswick. Kielly, however, scored a goal in each of the games. “Great to see Kam get off to a great start,” said coach Forbes MacPherson. “He’s an offensive catalyst for us.”

Go Panthers Go!

The University of Prince Edward Island held its nineteenth annual Recognition of Founders ceremony on Friday, September 28, today in Don and Marion McDougall Hall to acknowledge those who have contributed to the University in a significant way.

Recognized as 2018 Founders during the ceremony were Daryl Guignion and Dr. Ian MacQuarrie, both retired faculty members from the UPEI Department of Biology. Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, Professor Emeritus, was awarded the Atlantic Veterinary College’s 2018 Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award, which pays tribute to individuals who have made an exceptional impact on the College.

As the official party entered Schurman Market Square, students Taylor Donald, Melissa Lewis, Tara Llewellyn, and Alexandra Sorensen sang O Canada. Sister Sue Kidd, University Chaplain, delivered the invocation, and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, delivered welcome remarks. Will McGuigan, President of the UPEI Student Union, brought greetings from the organization. Biology student Kali Ross read the citations for Mr. Guignion and Dr. MacQuarrie, and retired wildlife pathologist Dr. Scott McBurney the one for Dr. Daoust. A reception was held immediately following the ceremony.

About the Founders:

Mr. Daryl Guignion and Dr. Ian MacQuarrie

Mr. Guignion and Dr. MacQuarrie have made impressive and significant impacts on ecological and wildlife conservation efforts in Prince Edward Island. They taught courses which instilled a conservation ethic, collaborated on land use and conservation initiatives, and raised public consciousness in these areas. As a result, their legacy is generations of students who went on to prominent positions helping to make changes towards sustainable use of natural resources. Both inspired generations of students to make land and water conservation their life’s work. They were also instrumental in the establishing of the Island Nature Trust and active in other conservation organizations.

A number of years ago, a scholarship was established by past students, colleagues, friends, and family to honour the work of Mr. Guignion and Dr. MacQuarrie. The Daryl Guignion and Ian MacQuarrie Graduate Scholarship in Science is granted to a first-year student in a Master of Science program at UPEI who will conduct a research program focused on the ecology and status of natural habitats and/or native wildlife.

Click here to read the citations for Mr. Guignion and Dr. MacQuarrie.

About the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award winner:

A member of AVC’s founding faculty, Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust has worked diligently to enhance the reputation of AVC regionally, nationally, and internationally. Throughout his career, he has shared his knowledge and expertise in morphologic pathology, and his passion for wildlife health and animal welfare, with thousands of veterinary students and graduate students, and with people in Atlantic Canada, across the country including the North, and beyond. He has inspired many AVC students who have gone on to become leaders in wildlife health surveillance and management.

He was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and served as the first regional director of the organization’s Atlantic region node until he retired from AVC in 2017, positioning AVC as the major centre of wildlife health expertise in the region. His leadership in wildlife welfare, particularly in connection to marine and fur-bearing animals, has left a major mark on Canada.

Click here to read the complete citation for Dr. Daoust.

Invitation to Student Experience Hub Official Grand Opening and Open House

The University of Prince Edward Island has aligned functional areas that are related to student affairs and the recruitment/registration process. Through a staged moving process that began October 1 and will end by October 12, the Office of the Registrar, Student Affairs, and other key student service areas have been relocating to the recently renovated Student Experience Hub at Dalton Hall. 

The restructuring is to better position the University in enhancing our supports for students and in improving upon the student experience by having services located under one roof. 

The following offices and areas will be located at the Student Experience Hub:

First Floor
Accessibility Services

Second Floor
Student Awards and Financial Aid
Student Financial Services
Work Integrated Learning

Third Floor
Office of the Registrar
Office of Study Abroad and International Collaboration

Fourth Floor
Recruitment and First-Year Advising Office
International Student Office

Fifth Floor
Student Affairs
Mawi'omi Student Centre

UPEI’s focus remains on students so that they are welcomed, can clearly find the answers to their questions and be better supported by the campus community, leading to them experiencing excellent student life and achieving student success.

The date for the Official Grand Opening and Open House has been set for Thursday, October 25 from 1 – 3 pm. All are welcome!