Island author Marian Bruce will be at the Bookmark in Charlottetown on December 17, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm to sign copies of her newly-released book, A Century of Excellence: Prince of Wales College, 1860and#150;1969, published by Island Studies Press and the Prince of Wales Alumni Association.

Bruce demonstrates with her natural gift for telling a good story, how religion, politics, tradition, and the powerful force of blood ties played a large role in the birth, life, and death of the College, from its beginning as the Central Academy to its conclusion with the formation of the University of Prince Edward Island. The book showcases many of the fascinating professors who taught at PWC, and the experiences of many of its alumni. Incorporating interviews of alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as drawing upon extensive archival material, she has captured the essence of not just a school, but of a piece of educational history that spans generations.

Author-signed copies of the book will be available at the President's campus Christmas reception beginning at 3:00pm on December 20. For more information contact Alf Blanchard, UPEI Alumni Officer at 566-0761.

Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd. (DCL), a long-standing and generous supporter of student scholarships at UPEI, has committed $100,000 to Building a Legacy, the University's capital campaign to raise $50 million through private donations. The DCL gift is unrestricted which means that UPEI can apply the funds to projects or programs that are top priority.

"We are very fortunate to have Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd., a forward thinking business, support UPEI's Building a Legacy campaign," says Mike Schurman, Chair of the campaign. "Their long- standing support of the University speaks volumes about their confidence in UPEI's students and educational programs. Gifts of an unrestricted nature are particularly beneficial to the university because the funds can be directed to the immediate priorities."

Diagnostic Chemicals Limited is an award-winning chemical and diagnostic manufacturer located in West Royalty Industrial Park. The company operates subsidiary sales and marketing operations in the United States and Mexico. It employs over 200 people in Prince Edward Island, 30 in the US, and 10 in Mexico City. More than 50 of DCL's employees are science graduates of UPEI. Dr. Regis Duffy, Company Chair, founded DCL in 1970.

Dr. Duffy was UPEI's first Dean of Science and he is the current Chair of the Board of Governors. He taught at St. Dunstan's University from 1957 to 1969, and at UPEI from 1960 to 1980. In 1995, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. His company funds several valuable student awards, including two full-tuition scholarships that honour his parents, Earl and Annie Duffy, and his wife Joan=s parents, Percy and Helen Murphy. Annie Duffy and Helen Murphy attended Prince of Wales College in the Teacher Certificate Program in the 1920s.

The Duffy family's support of UPEI reaches back to the 1960s when Clair Duffy, Regis' uncle, made a substantial donation towards the construction of the Duffy Science Centre. Forty years later, UPEI has just completed a $7 million renewal of the Duffy Science Centre, supported, in large part, through gifts and pledges that businesses and individuals are making to Building a Legacy.

More information on Building a Legacy is available at http://www.upei.ca/legacy/.

UPEI is offering a new course in bioinformatics, developed by Dr. Yingwei Wang of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology. It will be offered for the first time in the Winter semester, 2006. Bioinformatics merges computer science with molecular biology. Specifically, it is the use of computers to compile, analyze, and present vast amounts of biological data.

The introduction of this new course is timely. Bioinformatics is expected to play a key role within the growing biosciences sector on Prince Edward Island. Designed for upper level computer science and biology students, the course will also be open to suitably qualified people working within government and the private sector. Some of the topics to be covered in the course include biological databases, gene prediction, and phylogenetic analysis which looks at the evolution of particular species, genes, or even viruses.

It is Dr. Wang's hope to not only teach the students about the tools of today, but to instill in them the skills to approach new problems. "Nowadays, bioinformatics is an integral part of modern biology. Using powerful computational techniques, bioinformatics skills enable us to investigate and solve many new problems, both practical and theoretical," says Dr. Wang.

Dr. Wang's personal research is on genomic signatures. The idea is that each species - human, mouse, flower - has an individual "fingerprint" that may be identified by looking at even a small part of its DNA sequencing. These signatures can be represented as a computer generated picture, one that is the same for all members of that species. The long-term goal of this field is the development of a database of these signatures for all species, to be used the way the periodic table is used in chemistry, at a fundamental identification level.

Students in the new bioinformatics course stand to benefit as Dr. Wang brings his research expertise into the classroom.

The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, a supporter of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) since 1996, has made another substantial contribution to the university through the Building a Legacy Campaign. The Company has made an unrestricted donation of $100,000, which means that UPEI can apply the funds to projects or programs that are top priority.

"The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company is one of the most active writers of general insurance in PEI. They have been established for generations and have distributed their insurance policies through a number of local independent agencies, which have also supported the campaign," says Fred Hyndman, member of the UPEI Board of Governors and Building a Legacy Campaign Cabinet.

Canadian owned and operated, The Dominion has been serving Canadians since 1887, when Sir John A. Macdonald became the company's first president. Since then, The Dominion has grown to be one of the country's largest property and casualty insurance companies.

"Participating in the enhancement of the communities in which we invest and do business is a core value of The Dominion," says George L. Cooke, president and chief executive officer of the Company. "Prince Edward Island has always provided a stable business environment, and we have enjoyed excellent relations with policy holders, independent brokers, business partners, and government officials. We are honoured to have the opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the province by supporting UPEI."

The Building a Legacy Campaign is a $50 million fundraising campaign to support enhanced academic programs, capital expansion, increased scholarships and bursaries, new research chairs, and a range of improvements across the campus. Building a Legacy is the most comprehensive and ambitious campaign in the history of UPEI. The campaign's objective is to generate widespread support, locally and across the country, to strengthen the University's capacity as an institution devoted to academic and research excellence.

In 1963, Kinkora native Dr. St. Clair Duffy made a substantial leadership gift to UPEI to help construct a new science centre on the campus. Dr. Duffy was an alumnus of St. Dunstan's University (SDU'20). He obtained an MD from McGill Medical School in 1926 and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Dunstan's in 1963. His valuable legacy to generations of PEI science students continues over four decades later, through the commitment of his widow, Margaret Duffy. Mrs. Duffy, who lives in Montreal, has donated $500,000 to the UPEI Building a Legacy Campaign to assist with the costs of a complete refurbishment of the Duffy Science Centre that began last year.

"We are very appreciative of Mrs. Margaret Duffy's support, and of that of her late husband," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "As UPEI continues to grow and develop, it is very impressive to see the extent to which our provincial university is being built through the success and generosity of our own people across the generations."

The revitalized Duffy Science Centre provides undergraduate and graduate students with first-class learning facilities and enables faculty and students in the Biology and Physics departments to carry out their research programs in modern laboratories. A computer-operated greenhouse has also been added for propagating wild roses as part of the University's regional research on the health benefits of naturally-occurring compounds.

When the Duffy building officially opened in May 1967, Dr. St. Clair Duffy's leadership gift was acknowledged by a special plaque. When the refurbished Duffy Science Centre officially opens in the spring of 2006, a new plaque will re-dedicate the building to both Dr. St. Clair Duffy and Mrs. Margaret Duffy to acknowledge the ongoing generosity and support of the Duffy family.

After Dr. St. Clair Duffy graduated from St. Dunstan's University and McGill Medical School he went on to build a successful career as a surgeon. He spent three years interning at Montreal General Hospital before joining the surgery department of St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal where he worked until his retirement in 1961. Throughout his career, he remained involved in the well-being of St. Dunstan's and he was often quoted as saying he wanted to give back to the institution that had given so much to him. In his words he "could never do enough for St. Dunstan's." Now his widow, Margaret Duffy, is continuing his legacy of giving at the University of Prince Edward Island.

The Building a Legacy Campaign aims to raise $50 million through private donations to UPEI. More information is available at http://www.upei.ca/legacy/.

UPEI has initiated disciplinary action against Professor David Weale to address concerns related to grading practices in History 322, The History of Christianity from the Reformation to the Present. Pending resolution of the matter, Dr. Joe Velaidum, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the UPEI Centre for Christianity and Culture, will be teaching the third-year course.

In announcing the action, UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan stated, "It is of paramount importance to ensure the highest standard of academic integrity and attention to student welfare for which UPEI is known. The UPEI community has been especially proud of the fact that our professors rank number one in the country for awards and our students rank third. We are working together to maintain that high reputation."

President MacLauchlan added, "Underpinning the sustained success of UPEI, its faculty and students, is a commitment to hard work, intellectual rigour, and pride in our collective achievements."

Dr. Joe Velaidum took over the History of Christianity course on January 26.

The University of Prince Edward Island's Faculty of Education is spreading its wings across Canada. In February, UPEI will deliver its Master of Education program (MEd) in Leadership in Learning to teachers in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The program provides experienced educators with the knowledge and skills required to become effective educational leaders. Meanwhile, 19 students will be graduating this spring from the UPEI MEd program they have just completed in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Four years ago, UPEI was approached by a School Board superintendent in Alberta who was interested in having a Master of Education program offered for teachers in Grande Prairie. The school system had been unsuccessful in getting universities in Alberta and the United States to offer on-site Master's degrees. Dr. Gerry Hopkirk, Coordinator of Graduate Studies in the UPEI Faculty of Education, worked with the Alberta school system to plan and deliver the program.

"Due to the small size of the Faculty and the University, we have the creativity and flexibility to respond to alternate approaches to program delivery. The Registrar's and Comptroller's offices were very supportive in helping our Faculty of Education to successfully implement this program," says Dr. Hopkirk.

UPEI organized the schedule so that Alberta teachers could complete the Master's program without having to leave their jobs. Unlike most distance education programs, which are solely web-based, this one was offered on-site and in person. Courses were taught on weekends and in the summer when UPEI professors could fly to Alberta. At other times, students and professors remained in touch through email and other internet media. "This program is a win-win for all concerned and#150; Fort McMurray school systems, Alberta teachers, and for UPEI," says Dr. Graham Pike, UPEI Dean of Education. "We are delighted to be able to offer our Master's degree in other locations across Canada."

Comments from the Grande Prairie program evaluations show that the participants were equally delighted: "Thank you [to UPEI] for the opportunities given to me for personal and professional growth. The professors have been wonderful, enthusiastic mentors," said one graduating student. Another stated, "The instructors were truly outstanding and showed their passion for learning and teaching. Their compassion and grace are contagious. Our class has been truly blessed."

Since the beginning of the program, a significant number of the participating teachers have been appointed to leadership positions within Alberta. A graduation ceremony will be held in the early spring in Grande Prairie. Courses are scheduled to begin in Fort McMurray on February 26. UPEI will be working cooperatively with the public and Catholic school boards in Fort McMurray. The program will take two years to complete.

For further information please contact the Dr. Gerry Hopkirk, Graduate Studies Program Coordinator, UPEI Faculty of Education, at 902 566-0622.

The first two presentations in a series that explores how Prince Edward Islanders' experiences on small southern islands have influenced their lives and work will take place at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, on January 17 and 18. Islands of the North to Islands of the South is a collaborative effort of Cooper Institute, the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, and CUSO. The series features students, academics, and field staff of non-governmental organizations who have travelled south to work on small islands, engaging in environmental, community development and social justice projects. Their experiences are varied, and they have set out on these adventures in learning and living at all stages of life: as students, seniors, and mid-life professionals.

Laura Lee Howard and Chris Riley will be the presenters on January 17. Howard is a Master of Island Studies student at UPEI. In 1983 and 1984, she travelled to the island nation of Indonesia to work with Canada World Youth. While there, she did everything from building latrines to putting up health clinics. She gained a more global perspective and a new appreciation for the value of natural resources, especially water. Riley is a veterinarian who travelled to Haiti to do veterinary work in 2005. He discovered a deeply spiritual and humorous people there, and learned much about communicating with other cultures, the politics of development aid, and how people cope physically, economically, and spiritually with a limited infrastructure. Both speakers will elaborate on the personal impacts of their southern island experiences as part of a presentation in Lecture Theatre B at the Atlantic Veterinary College, beginning at 12:30 pm.

Chris Milley, the natural resources manager for the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI, will be the presenter on January 18. He has had a long love affair with tropical islands, spending many years as a researcher and community facilitator in fisheries conservation and management. This has influenced his life and work on PEI in many ways, and enriched his insights and approaches to issues of aboriginal rights and responsibilities in fisheries management in Atlantic Canada. Milley will speak of his experiences in the Caribbean at 12:30 pm in Lecture Theatre B, Atlantic Veterinary College.

The public is invited to attend these free presentations. More symposia will follow in late January and February in Charlottetown, New London, and Souris. Details are available at www.upei.ca/iis/NorthSouth.

A celebration to showcase four recent publications by professors in the UPEI Faculty of Arts took place at the University on January 20. The books reflect the significant contributions that UPEI faculty members are making to diverse areas of new knowledge, both nationally and internationally.

"The Faculty of Arts is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our scholars, both in terms of quantity and quality," said Richard Kurial, UPEI Dean of Arts.

Philosophy professors Malcolm Murray and Nebojsa Kujundzic co-authored "Critical Reflection: A Textbook for Critical Thinking" published by McGill-Queen's University Press. It highlights the role of reason in a world saturated by media-enhanced persuasion and complex scientific and technological jargon. The book effectively incorporates real-life examples and exercises drawn from media and politics.

Chair of the UPEI History department, Dr. Ian Dowbiggin is the author of "A Concise History of Euthanasia: Life, Death, God, and Medicine" published by Rowman and Littlefield. The book traces the controversial record of mercy-killing. Dowbiggin examines evolving opinions about what constitutes a good death, taking into account the societal and religious values placed on sin, suffering, resignation, judgment, penance and redemption.

From the Political Studies department, professors Barry Bartmann, and Henry Srebrnik have teamed up with Tozun Bahcheli, professor of political science at King's College in London, Ontario to produce "De Facto States: The Quest for Sovereignty" published by Routledge.

The book discusses a large group of would-be sovereignties which are now seeking international recognition. The cases they describe are to be found throughout the world: Abkhazia and Chechnya in the Caucasus; Kosovo, Montenegro, Republika Srpska, and Transnistria in eastern Europe; Palestine and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Middle East; Somaliland in Africa; and Bougainville in the Pacific.

Director of the UPEI Institute of Island Studies, Irenand#233; Novaczek, and Sociology/Anthropology professor Jean Mitchell have co-edited "Pacific Voices: Equity and Sustainability in Pacific Islands Fisheries" with Joeli Veitayaki from the University of the South Pacific. The book provides a fresh look, through a gender lens, at Pacific fisheries issues. This volume of case studies was researched and authored by Pacific Islanders in collaboration with UPEI academics. It is a new resource for coastal communities, politicians, government staff and NGO facilitators who are engaged in fisheries policy and coastal community development.

The professors who authored and edited these four new publications are members of a rapidly-growing pool of research talent at UPEI. The University has established itself as one of the top undergraduate research universities in Canada. Research Infosource Inc., a consulting firm which monitors Canadian universities' success in research development, designated UPEI as one of three "Research Universities of the Year" in 2005.

The Behavioral Neuroscience lab at UPEI has developed a promising new animal model for the study of temporal lobe epilepsy. The temporal lobes, part of the brain responsible for emotion and memory, are located on each side of the brain, at about ear level. Seizures arising from this region usually affect consciousness of the victim and are sometimes preceded by warnings of overwhelming feelings, memories, or hallucinations.

For obvious reasons, it is not possible to carry out exploratory research aimed at testing new therapies for disorders and diseases directly on humans. Laboratory animal models, in this case with rats, are set up to mimic as closely as possible the human situation. The model devised by the Behavioural Neuroscience team is currently under patent process in the United States. It could prove useful in the development of drug therapies for the prevention and control of this type of epilepsy.

The UPEI lab is run by Dr. Cathy Ryan from the Department of Psychology; Dr. Tracy Doucette from the Department of Biology; and Dr. Andy Tasker from the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Funding comes from a variety of national sources including NSERC and the Atlantic Innovation Fund.

"Animal models serve an important function in the development of new drugs to treat epilepsy. We are hopeful that our model will prove to be useful in predicting beneficial drug effects for some types of seizure disorders," says Dr. Ryan.

In fact, interest has already been shown by a pharmaceutical company in Denmark. Graduate student Daphne Gill has just returned from ten weeks in Europe, where she was working with the company to help characterize the model. "It was certainly an unforgettable learning experience, providing an exciting opportunity for further understanding of the model,and#148; says Gill.

Back at UPEI, the team, consisting of faculty, technical staff, undergraduate and graduate students, Paul Bernard, Melissa Burt, and Daphne Gill are now working to further expand their understanding and application of their epilepsy model.

Epilepsy is not the first disease model considered by the group. The team has recently completed projects where they expanded and improved upon sets of functional tests designed to detect behavioural deficits in both adult and neonatal animal models of stroke.

Strokes occur when the blood flow to a region of the brain is impaired, causing disability and even death. With funding from the Canadian Stroke Network, Drs. Ryan, Doucette, and Tasker have established structured methods for testing long-term effects of potential drug treatments for strokes. This work led to a promising drug trial last year in the adult stroke model.

Behavioural testing is a sensitive method for assessing brain function and the development of these extensive tests has many exciting applications. For example, the long term behavioural consequences of prenatal exposure to drugs and toxins and the screening of potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's can be addressed using these methods.