The second event of the UPEI student conference series-'Difficult Dialogues'-takes place on Thursday, March 14, 5:30-7:00 pm in AVC Lecture Theatre A.

The event will feature a screening of the short film 'Toilet Training'-a documentary following several transgendered people as they talk about the struggles they had growing up as transgendered-as well as a presentation by guest speaker Greg Howard, Executive Director of the PEI Human Rights Commission, a panel discussion involving four people with a variety of transgender experiences, and a question and answer period, followed by a reception.

The evening aims to build awareness and education about transgender experiences generally, and on PEI specifically, and is organized by UPEI student Jay Jonah and sponsored by Webster Academic Services, UPEI Rainbow Alliance, UPEI Action Committee on Sexual and Gender Diversity, UPEI Women's Studies, and the PEI Human Rights Commission.

For more information, contact Jay Jonah at jjonah@upei.ca or Ann Braithwaite at (902) 628-4312 or abraithwaite@upei.ca.

UPEI's Deontay (D.J.) Smith was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Rookie of the Year today in an official release by the CIS. Smith will be presented with the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy-CIS Rookie of the Year at the All-Canadians Awards Presentation on March 9 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Smith, a native of North Preston, Nova Scotia is the first UPEI athlete to receive the honour and only the second from the AUS conference. Smith also received a nod to the all-rookie All-Canadian team and was dubbed the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Rookie of the Year for the 2012-13 season during the conference banquet held on February 28 in Halifax.

The UPEI guard finished fifth in league scoring with 17.3 points per game and started all 20 games. He was also named an AUS first team all-star, finished second in the conference for assists (4.4 per game) and seventh in league rebounding with seven per game. He reached double figures in 18 of 20 games this season, including eight 20-plus point efforts.

'We are very proud of D.J. for receiving the AUS Rookie of the Year award, but adding the CIS national award is a step greater and such a thrill for him and the team,' said Tim Kendrick, UPEI Head Coach. 'For UPEI to have a player like D.J. as part of the men's basketball team, it's a true honour. He's a real tribute to himself, he's a great basketball player, and a fine young man.'

UPEI congratulates D.J. on this impressive national award!

UPEI music department faculty and guests will present 'Low Brass Extravaganza' on Sunday, March 10 at 2:30 pm at UPEI's Dr. Steel Recital Hall. Professor Greg Irvine has invited his friends and colleagues in the low brass world to join him for this afternoon concert.

The recital will feature special guest Michael Grose from the University of Oregon on tuba, Bob Nicholson (bass trombone and tuba), Dale Sorensen (trombone and euphonium), and Francois Godere (trombone and euphonium). The brass players will be accompanied by pianists Frances Gray and Fran McBurnie. Tickets are $15/$10 for students and seniors.

For tickets and information, contact music@upei.ca or 566-0507.

Canada lost one of its most patriotic citizens, and the University of Prince Edward Island one of its most colourful honorary degree recipients with the passing of musical icon Stompin' Tom Connors, OC, LLD, LittD, at the age of 77 years on March 6. UPEI was pleased to present Dr. Connors with an honorary doctor of laws in 2002.

The University extends its sincere condolences to his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren.

'The entire UPEI community is saddened to learn of Stompin' Tom's passing,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'We have lost a musical treasure, a man whose name is synonymous with the Maritimes, and whose memorable and quintessential Canadian songs will be his great legacy to future generations. On behalf of UPEI, I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and legions of friends and fans.'

Connors was an Officer of the Order of Canada, and received many other accolades including his own Canadian postage stamp, the Governor-General's Performing Arts Award, and the Queen's gold and diamond jubilee medals. He also earned honorary degrees from Saint Thomas University and the University of Toronto.

Born Thomas Charles Connors in Saint John, NB and raised from an early age by foster parents in Skinners Pond, PEI, Connors lived for most of his adult years in Peterborough, Ontario-a public celebration of his life will take place in Peterborough on March 13.

Everyone at UPEI hopes Stompin' Tom will always be 'rollin' down the highway smilin'.'

Ashley MacDonald is a well known name to UPEI women's rugby. UPEI is excited to announce that the former Panther is coming back to the University to take on the role of assistant coach for the UPEI women's rugby team for the 2013 season.

As a Panther, MacDonald was an AUS all star and AUS Rookie of the Year. In 2005, she was a CIS All-Canadian and for the next two years, she was granted the same honour when she played rugby for the University of Lethbridge.

'Having Ashley's experience and expertise will greatly add to the refinement of technical skills for the UPEI team-especially in the front row,' said Shannon Atkins, Head Coach of the UPEI women's rugby team. 'Her passion and drive are second to none not only in the sport of rugby, but in the heart and soul of the Panther program. I cannot think of anyone who would be a better asset to the program. The whole team is anxious for her arrival.'

MacDonald has been playing rugby for over 10 years, in PEI, across the country, and around the world. She has been at two Canada West Championships, two CIS National Championships, and has received numerous awards including three CIS All-Canadian awards, four CIS Academic All-Canadian awards, and five Conference All Star awards.

The highest honour for any athlete is to represent their country, and MacDonald has worn the red and white uniform on a number of occasions. In 2010, she was a member of the World Cup Team, and this past summer, she represented Canada at the Senior Women's Nations Cup where she competed against teams from England, South Africa, and the United States.

'I'm very excited to be joining the UPEI Rugby coaching staff for the upcoming season. I'm looking forward to help build a program that allows talented young athletes to develop and excel at a sport we all love,' said MacDonald. 'Varsity sport at UPEI opened so many doors for me, and I'm thankful to have the opportunity to give back to the program which is so near and dear to my heart.'

Congratulations and welcome back, Ashley!

UPEI's executive MBA (EMBA) program and the PEI Business Women's Association are partnering on an event which focuses on workplace bullying. The presentation and networking event takes place on Wednesday, March 13, 5:00-7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.

Jodi Murphy, a UPEI EMBA graduate and teacher with the Prince Edward Island English Language School Board will share her research findings on the current state of workplace bullying in Canada and the implications that this issue has on organizations. Some of her findings include the costs associated with workplace bullying, which come from loss of productivity, legal settlements, and loss of good employees who have been bullied and chose to leave the organization. Workplace bullying has negative effects on the target of bullying, the other employees who witness the incidents, the organization as a whole, and some believe there are societal consequences as well.

Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information on the event, or UPEI's executive MBA program, contact Grace McCourt at (902) 566-6474 or mba@upei.ca

UPEI's Faculty of Arts received a Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) provincial award in the 'Support to Student Reservists (Post Secondary Institutions)' category during a special award ceremony and reception on March 7. UPEI alumnus and reservist with the Prince Edward Island Regiment, Sergeant Ben Miller, nominated the faculty who supported both his education and military endeavours during his time at the University. The Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, was in attendance to present the awards.

The CFLC is comprised of a group of more than two hundred Canada-wide senior business executives and educational leaders, a full-time secretariat, and a national network of reserve officers who all volunteer their time and effort to promote the Canadian Forces Reserve Force. The Council's mandate is 'to enhance the availability of reservists for their military duties by obtaining the support and cooperation of organization leaders in Canada.'

The Council encourages civilian employers and educational institutions to grant reservists time off on a voluntary basis, without penalty, to allow them to participate in their military activities, duties, and training.

Sergeant Miller recalls the amazing support system he received during his time at UPEI where he completed both a bachelor of arts in history and political science and a certificate in public administration. 'The professors were very supportive and if there were training events that had a scheduling conflict they were always cooperative and supportive as long as my work was completed,' he explained.

'In any given year, universities are always going to have current reservists or veterans enrolled, and I wanted to create a working relationship between UPEI and the Armed Forces,' said Miller. 'We're fortunate enough to live in a society where we have access to this kind of education, and I'm a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due,' he added in response to why he decided to nominate UPEI for the provincial CFLC award.

UPEI's Dean of Arts Don Desserud accepted the award on behalf of the faculty. 'Helping out an outstanding individual like Ben Miller was a pleasure and a privilege, and the least we could do to assist someone who serves his country so capably,' he said. 'I believe UPEI and indeed all Canadian universities must be far more diligent in working with our men and women in uniform in ensuring that they have the right opportunities to pursue their education. We will all benefit if we do.'

Congratulations to the Faculty of Arts!

UPEI wishes to express condolences to the family of Mary Beth Harris who passed away on Monday, March 4. From 1967, Mary Beth was Head of Library Information Services at the University of Prince Edward Island until her retirement from the University in 1992.

Mary Beth was known as a gentle and courtly woman and she will be missed by family and friends who loved and admired her calm deameanor and kindly spirit. She was a proud Islander, respectful of her family heritage which included the artist Robert Harris, and a lifetime member of the congregation of St. Peter's Cathedral.

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The University of Prince Edward Island kicked off its first annual Mental Health Week today with the installation of an acrylic-on-canvas mural and presentation by Reid Burke, Executive Director of Canadian Mental Health Association (PEI division). UPEI Mental Health Week takes place from March 11-15.

The mural was created by eight young people with psychosis and portrays their experiences using paintings, posters, and words. UPEI research manager Valerie Campbell presented the mural at the kickoff. The mural will be housed for the week in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. The installation is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to Dr. Kate Tilleczek, UPEI's Canada research chair in child/youth cultures and transitions, associate professor, and adjunct health systems research scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Dr. Katherine Boydell, health systems research scientist at SickKids who have shown and discussed the mural with over 5,000 young people in high schools across Canada.

Burke's presentation entitled 'Mental Health is for All' described the importance of mental and emotional needs in conjunction with physical needs. 'Canadian Mental Health Association would like to congratulate UPEI on its first annual Mental Health Awareness Week and commend them in engaging students to talk about their mental health,' said Burke. 'By talking about it we can reduce the stigma and people will get the help that they need. We are looking forward to being part of the activities here this week in promoting mental health for all.'

UPEI Mental Health Week Committee chairs James Reddin, counsellor and Cathy Rose, coordinator Accessibility Services will coordinate this week's events. Interim Vice-President Academic Dr. Christian Lacroix and Treena Smith, manager, Webster Academic Services attended the kickoff event and acted as guest speaker and event emcee.

'UPEI is proud to take part in mental health awareness. It is our collective responsibility to promote and take steps to strengthen mental health in our respective circles and workplaces,' said Lacroix. 'This campaign is an excellent way to initiate this discussion.'

UPEI Mental Health Week will showcase a series of events including mental health workshops, a mental health fair, a movie screening, a therapy-dog program, and wrap-up celebration designed to challenge the stigmas surrounding mental health while providing a culture of care and education.