Ron Annear has worked at every level of the UPEI athletics program, from student-athlete to Acting Director. Now the UPEI Board of Governors has appointed him to the position of full-time Director of Athletics. The appointment takes effect immediately and will last until April 2009.

The announcement comes at the end of an exciting fall season for the soccer Panthers that saw UPEI carry off three of six major Atlantic University Sport (AUS) awards, as well as both male and female Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Player of the Year awards. The fall season also saw the opening of a $1.3 million artificial turf field on the campus and the construction of a new fitness centre.

Says soccer Panther Amy Connolly who received the coveted Chantal Navert Memorial Award from the CIS earlier this month: "Ron is a former athlete and a graduate of UPEI. He has played a major role in all the new facilities. I congratulate him and wish him continued success."

"Over the last 18 months Ron Annear has shown tremendous leadership," says Vianne Timmons, Vice President of Academic Development. "He has been doing an excellent job of repositioning our athletics programs. I look forward to continuing our working relationship over the next three and a half years."

Ray Murphy of Murphy's Pharmacies echoes that sentiment. He has worked with Annear in his role as a volunteer fundraiser for the UPEI Hockey Miracle program. "I've certainly had a very positive relationship with Ron over the years and I'm confident that things will be just as rewarding in the future. I look forward to working with him to continue to grow the program."

Annear is a native of Montague, PEI. His family is well known in the local sports community, particularly his father Ralph who is a successful horseman. Annear's sports career began in 1982 when he was drafted by the Verdun Junior Canadians (QMJHL). He spent a year on a full hockey scholarship at the US International University in San Diego before being drafted by the Montreal Canadians in 1984. Two years later he returned to his home province to become a full-time student-athlete at UPEI. During his time with the hockey Panthers the team won the AUAA championship two years in a row. He graduated in 1988 with Bachelor of Business Administration.

For over fifteen years Annear has worked in all areas of the Department of Athletics, Recreation, and Physical Education. Before taking on the role of Acting Athletics Director in March 2004, he was in charge of marketing and promotion. He sees his new position as "a tremendous opportunity" to build on his past experience.

"I look forward to continuing our work with the community to support programs to compete at the highest level possible, and to creating fitness and healthy-living programs for the campus and community," he says. "With the high level of support we have out there, and the first-class facilities we have developed, this is a fantastic time for UPEI athletics to move ahead."

The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation has awarded in-course scholarships to three UPEI students. Third-year arts student Christopher Gillis and third-year business student Ryan Palmer received second-level renewable scholarships valued at $8,000 over two years. The Foundation awarded a first-level renewable scholarship, valued at $10,000 over two years, to Colin MacDonald who is a third-year arts student. Only 100 first-level awards are handed out across Canada. The award-winners were selected based on academic achievement, community service, leadership and interest in innovation. Created by the federal government, the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for Canadians to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities.

The Atlantic Regional Training Centre (ARTC) is breaking ground in Atlantic Canada in terms of health services research. The ARTC offers a Master's degree in Applied Health Services Research that is the first degree of its kind in Canada. After four years of programming, funding for the ARTC has been renewed, without condition, for the remaining six years of the program. The renewed funding was based on the results of a review by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF).

The ARTC is a partnership of the four Atlantic provinces and their four major universities: the University of Prince Edward Island, Dalhousie University, the University of New Brunswick, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. The Centre aims to develop a critical mass of health service researchers who will conduct applied health services research throughout Atlantic Canada.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development at UPEI and one of the Principal Investigators of the ARTC, points out that the work of the ARTC benefits Prince Edward Island. "Our healthcare system needs local researchers to study cost-effective and efficient methods of healthcare delivery," she says. "There is a critical need for more health and policy researchers in this province. The ARTC can fill this need."

The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation reviewers were impressed with the structure and organization of the ARTC and its accomplishments: "It has established a free-standing, joint graduate program across four universities and four provinces. The ARTC can serve as a model of interprovincial collaboration not only in higher education, but in other fields as well. . . . the ARTC manifests a remarkable synergy among all its elements. The Centre possessed an all-too-rare upbeat and constructive tone making interactions with it a very positive experience."

Vianne Timmons is delighted with the announcement. "The funding renewal granted by CHSRF allows the Centre to continue offering a highly regarded program. UPEI is pleased to be a partner in this endeavour."

A report released today by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) compliments Atlantic Canada universities on the good work they are doing in research and development. The report, Research and Development Funding in Atlantic Canada, examines regional trends in RandD funding.

The report indicates that in PEI, total private and public sector expenditures on research and development more than doubled between 1995 and 2002, increasing by 131 per cent from $13 million to $30 million. On a per capita basis, total expenditures increased by 121 per cent from $97 per capita to $214 per capita.

In PEI, the largest growth was experienced by the higher education sector where per capita expenditures increased from $12 in 1995 to $90 in 2002, an increase of 624 per cent. Prince Edward Island's growth in this area outpaced each Atlantic province, which ranged from 97 per cent to 160 per cent. It was also much higher than the national growth rate of 88 pert cent.

"We are very encouraged by the exemplary work being done by UPEI faculty, students and staff. We look forward now to building on this success through research and development partnerships with the private sector," said Education Minister Mildred Dover. "This is very important work because RandD and the commercialization of RandD are main drivers of the new knowledge-based economy."

According to the report, Atlantic Canada universities have kept pace with funding at the national level; however funding from the Atlantic region's business sector is below the national level.

The report highlights the fact that PEI has the highest proportion of expenditures per capita in social science research at 32 per cent, or $40 per capita. PEI experienced a 163 per cent increase in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, which was the largest increase in this type of funding in Atlantic Canada. Prince Edward Island also stands out when it comes to Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) funding. In 2003 CIHR funding per full-time faculty at UPEI, at $67,000, was higher than any other Atlantic province and the Western provinces.

"At UPEI we have a powerful array of researchers in diverse areas. They are working on issues of direct interest to the PEI community and to the bigger world, regionally, nationally and internationally," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "Our research successes benefit from a special capacity to work together, to take advantage of our scale, and to build on essential community partnerships."

UPEI's growth in research activity is evidenced by its five high-calibre Canada Research Chairs. Last year, external research grants to UPEI reached $10 million. In the past five years, the number of health-related research projects carried out by PEI researchers grew from 19 to 81 research projects.

UPEI recently added two internationally known scientists to its growing pool of research talent. Dr. Michael van den Heuvel and Dr. Cai Song have been named Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs. Dr. Song is working to understand the causes of brain inflammation, which often lead to symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Dr. van den Heuvel's research focusses on the health of marine environments in PEI. It will address questions on how to monitor environmental problems and develop solutions to ensure a sustainable future. UPEI continues to receive national recognition for its research excellence.

Earlier this month, Research Infosource Inc, a firm that monitors Canadian universities' success in research development, designated UPEI as one of three Research Universities of the Year. "These are outstanding accomplishments, especially for a small university and a small province," said Minister Dover. "They have a far-reaching positive impact on the university, Islanders and our economy. Congratulations to the researchers, students and staff on this fine work."

For more information contact:

Jean Doherty

Department of Education

902 368 6449

Anne McCallum

University of Prince Edward Island

902 566 0760

TD Bank Financial Group has made a $25,000 contribution to the PEI Health Research Institute (PEI HRI) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). The funding will provide support for nurses who are completing a Master's of Nursing program. Since 2004, TD Bank Financial Group has donated a total of $50,000 to PEI HRI through the TD Grants in Medical Excellence program.

This year's four recipients of TD Grants in Nursing Skills and Education Awards are: Elaine Campbell, for her project, "The Lived Experience of Struggling with Personal Change"; Audrey Fraser, "Implementing Policy for Family-Centred Care"; Maureen MacInnis-Wheatley, "Young Women's Attitudes Toward Emergency Contraception: Predicting Intended Use"; and Janet MacIntyre, who will be working on Master's level course work.

TD Bank Financial Group is committed to investing in the future by helping to ensure that nurses and other practicing caregivers have access to funds to upgrade their skills or further their education. The TD Grants in Medical Excellence program provides funding for educational courses, research projects, and thesis work that contribute to the professional development of nurses or other practicing caregivers at regional and community hospitals or other healthcare facilities.

"Our partnership with TD Bank Financial Group is extremely important for building excellence in nursing, knowledge, research and evidence-based practice," says Donna Murnaghan, Director of PEI HRI. "A large percentage of nurses pursue their graduate- level education while continuing to work in the health system and therefore the traditional funding supports are not available. The TD Grant in Nursing Skills and Education Awards program is unique in that part-time students can benefit from this fund while contributing to the health system at the same time."

The PEI HRI works to build and support health research capacity in PEI. The goal is to develop a vital and sustainable health research community on Prince Edward Island, and at UPEI, that has a reputation for high-quality, productive research at the local, regional, national, and international level.

TD Bank Financial Group's Community Relations program supports education, health and the environment, with a focus on children and youth. TD Bank Financial Group sponsors four flagship programs -- TD Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership, the Children's Miracle Network and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation -- as well as a host of national, regional and local children's programs across Canada.

To learn more about PEI HRI please visit www.upei.ca/peihri or call 902-894-2812.

Russell Fielding, a post-graduate student from the University of Montana who is working at UPEI to examine the effects of the Confederation Bridge on PEI's tourism industry, has been named a 2005 Canada-US Fulbright Fellow, a prestigious title reserved for a select few in Canada and the United States.

Fielding's project, "The Effects of Fixed Links on Island Communities," will build on his Master of Arts thesis, a similar study conducted on three small islands in Florida. Fielding intends to interview tourists and tourism officials and review provincial tourism statistics. He is particularly interested in the social and cultural heritage of island communities as well as the promotion of their economic growth.

"Russell Fielding has seamlessly integrated within our flagship and pluri-disciplinary graduate program in Island Studies and his input is being much appreciated by both students and faculty," says Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at UPEI. "His informed approach to Island Studies and his rigorous training in human geography are much appreciated here as we continue to analyse and unravel the meaning of islandness and its influences on a range of physical and social issues. It is a pleasure having him around, working under my overall guidance and mentorship."

When he returns to the United States, Fielding intends to pursue a PhD in Geography. As a "cultural geographer" he aims to promote understanding among cultures through research and teaching.

Long regarded as the world's premiere academic exchange program, the Fulbright attracts exceptional scholars from more than 150 countries worldwide. It is among the fastest growing of the bilateral exchanges. Named for former US Senator J. William Fulbright and supported by Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and the United States Department of State, the Canada-US Fulbright Program has engaged more than 800 scholars in high-level academic exchanges since 1990.

Generations of students will benefit from a major scholarship program to honour the memory of one of PEI's best known, community minded, and successful entrepreneurs. The family of the late Harry W. MacLauchlan has created a series of renewable entrance scholarships aimed at exceptional students entering the UPEI School of Business Administration who are planning entrepreneurial careers on Prince Edward Island.

"Our family is proud to establish these scholarships in Harry's memory," said Marjorie MacLauchlan on behalf of the family. "Harry always had a keen eye for talent and took a special interest in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs, in business and in community life. We look forward to seeing the benefits of these scholarships, to the recipients and to Prince Edward Island."

"This is outstanding news," said John MacDougall, President of Atlantic Turbines, Inc. and Chair of the School of Business Administration Advisory Council at UPEI. "These scholarships will significantly enhance the School's ability to recruit and retain the 'best of the best' entrepreneurial stream students and, most importantly, keep them in PEI after graduation. Entrepreneurial ventures are the leading job creators in our economy."

The Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership will be awarded to students with high academic standing who show the qualities that MacLauchlan himself exhibited and admired: strong entrepreneurial initiative, high levels of accomplishment, and genuine commitment to the PEI community. There will be four renewable $3,000 entrance scholarships awarded each year, for a total of sixteen scholarships valued at $12,000 each over four years of University studies.

"This is an excellent demonstration of one generation of entrepreneurs supporting future generations," said Tim Banks, President of the APM Group and Co-chair of the fundraising initiative for the new UPEI School of Business and Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. "Harry and his family quietly built a business network that provided a solid foundation for commerce on PEI and they have always supported the community and supported youth. With this gift, young Island entrepreneurs can receive some of the benefits of this leadership and can continue Harry's work of building an entrepreneurial spirit in PEI."

From early beginnings on the family farm in Stanhope, Harry MacLauchlan became an entrepreneurial leader in various sectors of the PEI economy. There are well-known tales of MacLauchlan's first business endeavours selling ducks and berries by the age of ten, later moving on to opening a general store and buying and shipping lobsters by the age of twenty. His subsequent ventures included pulpwood, heavy construction, tourism, golf, cable television, oil and gas distribution, and real estate. MacLauchlan's community involvements touched on many aspects of Island life, including sports, health care, politics, local community improvement and heritage, as well as fundraising for UPEI and various other causes.

The new Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership were enthusiastically welcomed by Billy Mingo, a self employed business operator who is also a full time student in the UPEI Business Administration class of 2006. Mingo is the 2005 recipient of the Harry MacLauchlan Memorial Award in Entrepreneurship, which was established through memorial donations made at the time of MacLauchlan's death in 2002. "I truly appreciate the efforts of the MacLauchlan family to inspire entrepreneurship through their generosity and values. These values are creating futures for individuals with a passion and a drive to succeed. This really is a major step towards retaining a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in this region."

Dean of Business, Roberta MacDonald, added "Harry MacLauchlan made a significant impact as an entrepreneur on the Island and these scholarships in his name will continue his legacy to help ensure growth in entrepreneurship, educate youth, and sustain the Island's future." The first scholarships will be awarded in September 2006. Applications will be available through high school guidance counsellors.

Dr. Miles Turnbull, an associate professor in the Faculty of Education, was elected President of the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) at the CASLT Annual General Meeting held recently in Toronto.

Dr. Turnbull is Director of a new joint pre-service program with l'Universitand#233; de Moncton for French second language teaching, with a special focus on teaching French Immersion. He also teaches in the graduate program in leadership and learning. Before joining the faculty at UPEI, he was an assistant professor in the Modern Language Centre at OISE-UT (University of Toronto), and he worked in Core and Immersion French programs in three Canadian provinces.

Dr. Turnbull plans to strengthen ties between CASLT and associations such as the Canadian Association Applied Linguistics, university based language and research centres and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for improved dialogue and support of second language research in Canada. He will pursue a stronger involvement for CASLT in supporting teacher educators and in promoting FSL teaching as a viable andrewarding career. He stated, "We must attract new and enthusiastic people into the teaching profession, and specifically into teaching French as a second language. We must support these new teachers through flexible professional development opportunities and provide them with a strong professional learning community for them to grow in their chosen careers." He also hopes to help steer CASLT as a leader in coordination of the implementation of the federal government's Action Plan on Official Languages.

CASLT, established in 1970, promotes the advancement of second language learning and teaching throughout Canada by creating opportunities for professional development, by encouraging research, and by facilitating the sharing of information and the exchange of ideas between second language educators. Members believe that second language learning, encompassing both official and international languages, is an essential component of a formal education and that every second language teacher should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive professional community.

The PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has pledged $36,000 to continue a graduate student award that it established at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) two years ago. Since 2003, the PEI Division of the CCS has funded a graduate student whose studies have focused on cancer research.

The value of the 2005 Canadian Cancer Society Graduate Student Research Award is $18,000, and it is renewable for a second year based on the submission of a satisfactory annual report. The recipient is Eddie Francis, a candidate in the Master of Science program at UPEI. Under the supervision of Professor Robert Hurta, Francis will investigate the expression and suppression of tumour cell activation to contribute to the understanding of how they work.

"Supporting quality cancer research is one of the key commitments of the Canadian Cancer Society," says Dawn Binns, Executive Director of the PEI Division. "Researchers at UPEI are conducting excellent and exciting cancer research, and it is our desire to support them and see their work grow. By assisting young researchers, we hope to continue to see a strong PEI cancer research community into the future. This is vital as we work towards our mission of the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer."

The award will be administered through the PEI Health Research Institute (PEI HRI). Based at UPEI, the PEI HRI carries out activities to support, promote, and enhance health-related research in Prince Edward Island. "A key element for building excellence in research is investing in people," says Donna Murnaghan, Director. "We congratulate our partner organization, the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, for choosing to invest in our young, bright scholars. By doing so they are helping to strengthen our health research community for the future."

The Canadian Cancer Society is the single largest charitable founder of cancer research in Canada. Since 1958 the PEI Division, solely through the generosity of Islanders, has been transforming powerful research knowledge into information and programs and#150;helping Islanders to understand, prevent, and reduce the risk of cancer. Research funded by the CCS produces new knowledge to enhance understanding of the causes of cancer. The discoveries over the last 20 years have set the stage for a new era in cancer research over the continuum, from prevention to palliation reducing the burden of cancer.

Island Diagnostic Imaging Associates (IDIA) have created an annual $1,000 scholarship for students entering the Radiography program at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). Island Diagnostic Imaging Associates comprises all physician radiologists practicing in Prince Edward Island. Dr. John Goodwin, Medical Director for Diagnostic Imaging at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital(QEH), noted that IDIA created this scholarship to recognize the important role radiology technologists play in diagnostic imaging.

This four-year degree program is offered in cooperation with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. During the program, students complete required academic courses at UPEI and clinical experience is offered at the QEH in areas such as general radiography, mobile and OR radiography, fluoroscopy, specialized contrast procedures, mammography, and computer tomography (CT scans).

The recipient of the Island Diagnostic Imaging Award for 2005 who has demonstrated academic excellence and strong commitment to the radiography profession is Jenna Perry of St. Louis, PEI.

"UPEI was one of the first universities in the country to respond to the new career-entry requirements for this profession by instituting a degree program in partnership with the QEH," says Dr. Roger Gordon, UPEI Dean of Science. "Jenna is one of a growing number of excellent students who have benefited from it."

Students may apply for the Island Diagnostic Imaging Associates Scholarship in July of each year. Applications are available on-line or through the UPEI Registrar's Office.

More than 50 new student scholarships, bursaries, and awards have been created by supporters of the UPEI Building a Legacy Campaign over the past two years. Generous families, individuals, and organizations have given over $1 million to the University to assist students who achieve well academically and students who are in financial need.

For further information contact: Tracey Comeau at 902-566-0354 or by email at tcomeau@upei.ca