The University of Prince Edward Island will recognize the leadership, and public and community service of four exceptional people by conferring honorary degrees on them during convocation on Saturday, May 7.

The honorary graduands are: Danny Williams, QC, former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; Louis W. MacEachern, entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist; Teresa Mellish, the driving force behind the PEI-based, non-governmental organization, Farmers Helping Farmers; and Monique Collette, senior advisor to the Privy Council Office and former president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The convocation ceremonies will take place in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre at 10 am and 2:30 pm. Williams will address the morning convocation where graduates will receive BEd, BBA, BBA (co-op), BBTH, BScN, DVM, MVSc, MEd, MBA, and PhD degrees; Mellish will speak at the afternoon ceremony where graduates will receive BA, BIS, BMus, BMusEd, BSc, MSc, MAIS degrees and public administration and engineering diplomas. (For complete convocation information, click here to visit the UPEI Convocation 2011 webpage.)

UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan said, 'The University is truly pleased to honour these four people who have contributed so much to the communities in which they live, work, and serve, and to our country. UPEI convocations are very special celebrations of community and achievement, and we are proud that Danny Williams, Lou MacEachern, Teresa Mellish, and Monique Collette will be joining us, and honouring us, as UPEI honorary graduates. May 7 will be a great day for all of us.'

Danny Williams served as premier of Newfoundland and Labrador from 2003-2010. Under his leadership, the province experienced unprecedented economic growth and activity, and a substantial reduction in the provincial debt. A Rhodes Scholar, Williams is a founding partner of one of Newfoundland and Labrador's pre-eminent law firms and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1984. He has also been a corporate leader in the cable/communications industry, the oil and gas industry, and the hospitality and tourism industry as founder and operator of three golf courses and one hotel resort. He has been actively involved in hockey as a player and coach, was the founder and president of the St. John's Junior Hockey League, and served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. His private family charity, The Williams Foundation, primarily provides assistance to individual children with illnesses.

A native of Hazel Grove, PEI, Lou MacEachern is a well-known Calgary businessman and contributor to community organizations. MacEachern is president and owner of Fortune Industries Ltd. and is involved in a number of publicly traded companies. MacEachern has served three terms on UPEI's Board of Governors from 2003-09, is a founding member of the Global Associates of the UPEI School of Business and serves on the Board of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. He has been involved in numerous community organizations in Alberta, including the Calgary Rotary Club, The Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the William Booth Society, the 1988 Calgary Olympics, and as a founding supporter of Calgary Friends of UPEI group that has created funds to support Alberta and PEI students at UPEI.

Since 1979, Teresa Mellish has played a pivotal role with Farmers Helping Farmers. Working with many other Islanders, she has made the improvement of the lives of farming women in Kenya her focus, always guided by the belief that the improvement of women's status and skills is the most effective way to empower them within their families and communities. Her untiring efforts and dedication to improve the livelihood of rural families in developing countries has resulted in the exemplary reputation she now holds in the field of international development. Mellish has been a passionate supporter of sustainable agriculture in her career with PEI Department of Agriculture, and lives on her family's horse-breeding farm in New Perth.

Monique Collette assumed the responsibilities of senior advisor to the Privy Council Office (PCO) on November 15, 2010 after having served as president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) since May 31, 2003, becoming the first former employee to lead ACOA. Collette began her public service career with the Department of the Secretary of State in Moncton, New Brunswick. She subsequently held several positions within the Department, including regional director for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and director general, Regional Operations, in Ottawa. In addition to her PCO and ACOA responsibilities, she chaired the selection committee for the Public Service Awards of Excellence.

Journalism students and professionals present forum at UPEI

Is this the end for traditional media? This is the question that UPEI journalism students will be asking professional journalists on Wednesday, March 9 at 7 pm at the Atlantic Veterinary College, Lecture Theatre C. With a strong line up of journalists representing the media from different perspectives, including Paul McNeill from the Eastern Graphic, Wayne Thibodeau and Jocelyne Lloyd from the Guardian, Marcia Enman from La Voix Acadienne, and Andy Walker from the Canadian Association of Journalists, the forum is shaping up to be an event that Islanders will not want to miss.

UPEI journalism students Samantha MacKinnon and Ross Mair will frame the discussion, raising important questions about how the media has evolved over the last two decades, and what media will look like in the years to come.

'How we communicate the news, be it local, national, or global, has changed so dramatically in recent years. This event offers an opportunity to come to terms with the scope and scale of all this change,' said Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts at UPEI.

Sponsored by the UPEI Dean of Arts and the Canadian Association of Journalists - PEI Chapter, they have partnered to present this forum as a first in a series of discussions relating to the impact of technology on journalism and the media. Everyone is welcome to attend this inaugural event.

For additional information, please contact: Dr. Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts, University of Prince Edward Island, (902) 566-0310 / rkurial@upei.ca

National Aboriginal role model, Chibon T. Everstz, a 24-year-old Mohawk entrepreneur from Kahnawake, Quebec will participate in UPEI's 4th Annual Connecting Aboriginal Cultures Workshop on March 15 and 16.

Currently working towards his Bachelor of Business Administration, Everstz has developed his own company, First Fusion, which promotes cultural learning initiatives for Indigenous youth around the world. He has represented Canada as a First Nations Ambassador in Africa and Norway, has performed for royalty and during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Ceremonies.

Everstz encourages his community to carry on the traditional ways of the Onkwehonwe people, 'Always challenge yourself and push beyond expectations. Keep an open mind, a welcoming heart and never forget your true roots. Only then will you walk a step above the rest.'

Organized by UPEI's Mawi'omi Aboriginal Student Resource Centre, the workshop explores the theme, 'from the four directions', and features, in addition to Everstz, guest speakers, Judy Clark, who will discuss Mi'kmaq symbolism; Julie Bull, who will relate her personal and educational story; and Garland Joe Augustine, who will describe the meaning of the drum. Interactive and aesthetic demonstrations, including dancing, drumming, storytelling, traditional foods and crafts, will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre gym.

The event is free and open to the public.

CONNECTING ABORIGINAL CULTURES Schedule:

March 15, 2011

• 10:00 am - Opening Ceremonies
• 11:00 am - Presentation - Judy Clark
• 11:30 am - Drumming and Dancing
• 12:10 pm - Samantha Lewis - Hoop Dance
• 12:30 pm - Lunch
• 1:30 pm - Presentation - Julie Bull
• 2:00 pm - Drumming and Dancing
• 3:30 pm - Closing for the Day (Prayer/remarks)
• 4:00 pm - Day's End

March 16, 2011

• 10:00 am - Opening Ceremonies
• 11:00 am - Presentation - Garland Joe Augustine
• 11:30 am - Drumming and Dancing
• 12:00 pm - Lunch
• 1:15 pm - Presentation - National Aboriginal Role Model, Chibon T. Everstz
• 2:00 pm - Samantha Lewis - Hoop Dance
• 2:20 pm - Drumming and Dancing
• 3:00 pm - Prize and 50-50 Draws
• 3:15 pm - Closing Ceremonies

For more information, contact Amanda Malley or visit facebook.

UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan received the 2010 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Administration at a recent ceremony in Charlottetown.

Awarded by the Prince Edward Island chapter of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), the distinction recognizes the exceptional achievement of a person who has shown leadership in public administration in the province or who has made a significant contribution in the field of public administration.

The Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island made to the presentation to MacLauchlan, who was commended for his leadership skills, innovation and creativity, accomplishment and impact, and community work. 'As president of the University of Prince Edward Island,' said the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, 'Wade is inspirational, passionate, and tireless in his efforts to raise expectations and make a difference for students, the university community, and for Prince Edward Island.'

'Our selection committee unanimously supported the nomination of President MacLauchlan,' said Sarath Chandrasekere, chair, IPAC awards committee for PEI. 'He personifies the best in public service: commitment, excellence, and courage. For more than thirty years, he has used his skills and expertise for the advancement of knowledge and education-locally, regionally, and nationally.'

Previous winners of the award include Brian Ferguson, Verna Bruce, Shauna Sullivan Curley, Donald G. MacCormac, Kay Lewis, Keith Hillier, and Douglas B. Boylan.

The Institute of Public Administration of Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to advancing excellence in the public service through learning, networking and celebrating achievement among government, colleges, universities and others interested in public administration.

In support of the Japanese people who have been so severely affected by the recent earthquake in their country, the campus community has designated Thursday, March 24 as UPEI's day to show solidarity and provide assistance. The UPEI Diversity Office and the Student Union are leading the initiative, supported by an organizing committee that includes students and staff from across the campus.

Baked goods, ‘UPEI Cares' pins, and 50/50 tickets will be on sale throughout the day, and sushi from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, at the W.A. Murphy Centre. There will also be demonstrations: making cranes with messages of hope for Japan (all day) and making sushi (11:00 am to 1:30 pm).

Other activities include a meditation centre in Credit Union Day Lounge; an information table with updates and photos; karaoke followed by open mic with great UPEI talent at the Wave at 7:00 pm ($2 cover charge). Funds raised will be donated to the Red Cross.

For those who are unable to attend the events, or who would prefer to make a donation to another relief fund, the following organizations are working to assist the people of Japan as well as and those experiencing distress in other countries. Please note that this list is not intended to be all inclusive.

Doctors Without Borders: doctorswithoutborders.org

Global Giving: globalgiving.org

Oxfam: oxfam.org.uk

Rose Canada: rosecanada.info

Save the Children: savethechildren.ca

Unicef Canada: unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx

World Vision: worldvision.ca/give-a-gift/Pages/Pacific-Tsunami.aspx

Red Cross: redcross.ca/article.asp?id=38380&tid=001

The criteria for the Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership have changed for 2011. Previously only awarded to business students, they are now open to all full-time undergraduate UPEI students entering their third year of study who demonstrate entrepreneurial initiative, involvement and leadership in the province. Each scholarship is valued at $5,000, awarded annually to up to three students. The application deadline is March 31.

Two UPEI business students, Alex Davidson (Charlottetown) and Josh Hayden (Vernon River), were 2010 recipients. According to Davidson, 'Being a recipient of the prestigious Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarship is an honor. It has allowed me to find motivation from within myself to put that extra effort into school and to start a business with a friend. This scholarship has allowed me to reach for and to meet my goals.'

The scholarships, established in 2006, provide an inspiring example of how individual generosity can make a difference to students' lives year after year. Senior student Chelsea Gorveatt, a recipient in 2007, notes, 'Not only is it an honour to be a recipient of this scholarship, but the financial assistance has allowed me to focus completely on my studies without having to worry about making the next student loan payment. I know that the value and pride I have experienced from the Harry W. MacLauchlan Scholarships in Entrepreneurial Leadership will follow me throughout my future career and life endeavours.'

This scholarship program, established by the family of Harry W. MacLauchlan (1926-2002) is a legacy to Mr. MacLauchlan's combined entrepreneurial initiative, work ethic, business judgment, and people skills, as well as a deep commitment to family, community and province. These scholarships are intended to encourage and support future generations of entrepreneurial and community-minded leaders on Prince Edward Island.

'Receiving this prestigious scholarship has a major impact on the students' lives and on our province. These students are our future leaders and we are very appreciative of the role model the MacLauchlan family provides in supporting UPEI students,' says Dr. Roberta MacDonald, Dean of the School of Business.

To apply, for information about the scholarship, and to see a list of previous recipients, click here.

Annabel Lyon, author of the best-selling novel The Golden Mean, will give a public reading on Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the UPEI Faculty Lounge, Main Building.

Annabel Lyon burst on the literary scene in 2000 with a superb short story collection, Oxygen, and followed in 2004 with three novellas in The Best Thing for You. She then delved into classical Greece, researching the lives of the brilliant philosopher Aristotle and his most famous student, who would become Alexander the Great, and the result is her extraordinary first novel. The Golden Mean won the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and was nominated for the Giller Prize, the Governor General's Award for Fiction, and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

A review in The New Yorker praises her 'vivid imagining of the encounter between Aristotle and the young Alexander....Lyon's evocation of the ancient world is earthy and immediate.' Alexander struggles between a keen mind that desires knowledge and the pressures of a society demanding his prowess as a soldier. Aristotle strives to match his ideas against the warrior culture that is Alexander's birthright - to instill in him 'the golden mean,' that elusive balance between extremes that Aristotle hopes will mitigate the boy's will to conquer. Lyon brilliantly shows how this relationship affects both men's lives, their ambitions, achievements, and disappointments, beyond the hours of tutoring.

Her reading is sponsored by the UPEI English Department with support from The Canada Council of the Arts. A reception and book signing will follow.

The UPEI Alumni Association will present its 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Sunday, March 27 to the Honourable Marion Reid, Paul Jelley (posthumously), and Carrie-Ann Matheson, recipient of the inaugural ‘Inspiring Young Alumna Award.'

The public event begins at 7:00 pm in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium in Don and Marion McDougall Hall on the UPEI campus and features a keynote address by Matheson, as part of the UPEI Student Union's Inspiring Alumni Speaker Series.

Both Reid and Jelley have contributed to their community and to the public service in a variety of ways. Reid is an educator and former lieutenant-governor and speaker of the PEI Legislative Assembly, while Jelley was a long-serving deputy minister in the government of Prince Edward Island. He passed away in 2009.

Matheson has reached great heights in the realm of classical music despite her young age. As assistant conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, this active performer has collaborated with renowned conductors and musicians from around the world.

Alumni Association President Perlene Morrison says, 'We are pleased to partner with the UPEI Student Union in honouring these three distinguished alumni. We invite everyone to attend this special event to be inspired by the significant contributions that our award recipients have made to Prince Edward Island and the global community.'

Student Union President Rob Livingstone adds, 'UPEI has so many graduates that have gone on to contribute great things to our community and to society. The Student Union is proud to be a part of celebrating the accomplishments of this year's recipients, and hopes that the event will inspire current students to dream big and achieve greatness as well.'

A reception will follow in Schurman Market Square.

For more information on this event, please contact Sjors Reijers, UPEI Alumni Officer, at sreijers@upei.ca

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients for 2011

The Honourable Marion Reid, C.M., O.P.E.I.
Marion obtained her teacher's certificate from Prince of Wales College in 1946, and continued her education at both Saint Dunstan's University and UPEI over the decades that followed. In 1997, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from UPEI for her outstanding career as an educator and faithful representative for the people of Prince Edward Island. As a former member of the Legislative Assembly, first female speaker of the Provincial Legislature, and lieutenant-governor of Prince Edward Island, Marion has displayed the determination, integrity, and passion for public service that is an example for all graduates to follow.

In recent years, Marion has been honoured with the first PEI Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award, an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Mount Saint Vincent University, and written a best-selling autobiography entitled These Roots Run Deep. She continues an active public life through speaking engagements and as co-Chair of the L.M. Montgomery Land Trust in their effort to ensure a piece of PEI's north shore will remain as it was during L.M. Montgomery's lifetime.

Paul Jelley
Paul received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UPEI in 1972. While at UPEI, he was a member of the varsity hockey team, and often said he obtained a degree in hockey. Paul later served as head coach of both junior and minor hockey teams, was a goaltender coach, and founder of a goaltending school. He also served in executive roles within the PEI sporting community, including as president of both Hockey PEI and Sport PEI.

Paul retired from the government of PEI in the spring of 2009 as deputy minister of finance, secretary to treasury board, and chairman of the master trust pension advisory committee. He served both the Robert Ghiz and Pat Binns governments in that capacity. From 2001 to 2004, Paul was PEI's deputy minister of development and technology. Premier Binns appointed him deputy minister of agriculture in 2000, bringing him back to the provincial government after 10 years as CEO of the Ottawa-based Canadian Broiler Hatching Egg Marketing Agency.

His dedication to the community, to his family, and to youth has made Paul a model graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island. Paul died in November 2009, and will be receiving this Distinguished Alumnus designation posthumously.

Carrie-Ann Matheson
Carrie-Ann graduated from UPEI in 1996 with a degree in Music. She is an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera and is a member of the Met's select full-time regular music staff, where she works as pianist, prompter and vocal coach. She has assisted such renowned conductors as James Levine, Daniel Barenboim, James Conlon, Marco Armiliato, Fabio Luisi and Louis Langrée, among many others. Particularly interested in the development of emerging artists, she was staff coach of the Metropolitan Opera's prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program; a position that was created for her upon the completion of two years as apprentice coach/pianist.

An active performer, Carrie-Ann has collaborated in recital with some of the world's most prominent artists, including Marilyn Horne, Diana Damrau, Joyce di Donato, Susan Graham, Barbara Bonney, and Ruth Ann Swenson. A long-standing Marilyn Horne Foundation artist, she has appeared numerous times at Carnegie Hall under their auspices. Her chamber music credits include performances with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Carrie-Ann is also a faculty member at Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, and holds the position of head coach/head of music staff at Canada's Opera on the Avalon Festival. She has served on the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Opera, the Cincinnati May Festival and on the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and the International Vocal Arts Institute where she worked in programs held in Israel, Italy, France, Japan, Canada and Puerto Rico. She was co-music director of the Centro Studi Italiani Opera Festival in Urbania, Italy and was producer and music director of 'Opera Night in Asia,' a series of concerts in China and the Philippines.

Carrie-Ann is a featured pianist and vocal coach in the Metropolitan Opera's film The Audition, which documents the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition, and makes a cameo appearance, as herself, in the Met's HD release of Bellini's La sonnambula.

The University of Prince Edward Island is teaming up with The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society at the University of New Brunswick, HMCS Queen Charlotte, and the Prince Edward Island Regiment to host the 2nd Annual Atlantic Military Affairs Symposium, March 25-26, in Charlottetown.

The two-day event, themed 'Islanders at War and Peace,' highlights the Island's role in the defence of Canada and brings together academics, Island reservists, students, and the general public interested in how Prince Edward Island connects to Canada's military past and present.

Local and national scholars will present on subjects ranging from the Island's contribution in two world wars, the role of PEI army and naval reservists, and security challenges Canada faces in today's world.

Dr. Richard Kurial, dean of Arts at UPEI, says, 'UPEI is pleased to partner with The Gregg Centre at UNB, the PEI Regiment, and HMCS Queen Charlotte to stage this Military Affairs Symposium on PEI. Our working together expands the scope and scale of the event and allows for a very high level of quality both in terms of program content and conference participants.'

Renowned Canadian military historian, Professor Marc Milner, and director of The Gregg Centre, will give the keynote address Friday evening at 7:30 pm. Other featured speakers include Canadian Navy Command Historian Richard Gimblett, Christopher Spearin from the Canadian Forces College, PEI's own Boyde Beck and David Campbell, and reservists from HMCS Queen Charlotte and the Prince Edward Island Regiment who have returned from service overseas.

Dr. Bruce Craig, a professor of History at UPEI, will also participate in a panel to discuss Espionage in the Great War Munitions Industry. Craig, who has published over 100 scholarly and popular articles, is a specialist in Cold War and espionage history.

All events will take place at HMCS Queen Charlotte at 210 Water Street Parkway, Charlottetown, and are open to the public.

For a complete schedule, click here.