The PEI Urban Red Fox Research Project recently hit a major crowd-sourcing milestone when it received its 2500th fox sighting to its website upei.ca/redfox. Since the fall of 2012, Islanders have been logging on to upei.ca/redfox to report their sightings of red foxes. These reports provide researchers with an important source of data that helps them better understand the fox population and how it interacts with humans on Prince Edward Island.

With this data, the research team has discovered areas of high red fox activity in Charlottetown and has identified dozens of den sites and possible den sites for further research. More data would allow the PEI Urban Fox Research Team to discover even more about this species, including possible public health concerns.

If you spot a red fox on Prince Edward Island, visit upei.ca/redfox.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward Jazz Ensemble will present its end of semester concert on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 pm in UPEI's Dr. Steel Recital Hall. The "Big Band" sound of Count Basie will be featured on jazz standards including "Shiny Stockings," "April in Paris," and "The Spirit is Willing."

The Jazz Ensemble has again invited UPEI voice students from the studio of Sung Ha Shin-Bouey and Stephen Bouey to join the band on stage. Singers featured in this concert are: Lindsay Gillis ("Summertime"), Nadine Haddad ("Birdland"), Will Millington ("Our Love is Here to Stay"), Nicole Dupuis ("At Last"), Melissa MacKenzie ("The Best is Yet to Come"), and Olivia Barnes ("Cabaret").

The band is excited to present a "James Bond" theme segment. Bass Trombonist, Evan Hammell, has arranged the James Bond theme which will segue into "Live and Let Die" and "Skyfall."

First-year lead alto sax player Emily Proude will be featured on the funky-rock style ballad "Life without You" and Savannah Auld (tenor sax) will step out of the band and sing Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why."

Admission is $10 adults and $5 for students, and are available at the door, or in advance by calling 566-0507, or by email at music@upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward extends its condolences to the family and friends of Dr. David McKenna, member of the UPEI Board of Governors, alumnus, and well-respected Island optometrist, who passed away suddenly this week while travelling in New Zealand.

Dr. McKenna served as Chair of the Board of Governors Appeals Committee as well as on a number of other Board committees.

'On behalf of the entire University community, I send my heartfelt sympathies to Dr. McKenna's wife, Ann, their children, Monica, Emily, and Bridget, and to their extended family and friends,' said UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'UPEI has lost a valued member of our University community. His dedication to, and his passion for, his family, the Island, UPEI, and his many volunteer activities were always evident.'

'On a personal note, over the past year, I have enjoyed working with David. He was a great role model and I'll miss him very much,' added Abd-El-Aziz. 'We are all so saddened to hear of his sudden passing.'

The University has lowered its flags to a half-mast position in honour of Dr. McKenna.

The UPEI Wind Symphony will perform its final recital of the academic year on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 pm at UPEI's Dr. Steel Recital Hall. This has been a particularly busy and musically rewarding year for the Wind Symphony with highly successful performances throughout the fall and winter.

This recital will feature contemporary works for the modern wind band, the centerpiece of which is the programmatic work Rumpelstilzchen by American composer Jess Turner. Rumpelstiltzchen is an impish creature with the power to spin straw into gold. He deceives a young maiden into giving up her firstborn son in exchange for saving her life with her power, but is eventually foiled when she exploits his weakness and guesses his name. This piece is a highly descriptive tone poem depicting the story of this classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. With movements titled 'Spinning Straw into Gold,' 'The Maiden's Lament,' and 'Rumpelstilzchen's Fury,' Turner's composition is an engaging symphonic work.

The Wind Symphony will also premier its performance of Two-Lane Blacktop, a work for which the Wind Symphony joined a consortium to commission American composer James M. David to write. It plays homage to the open road and the distant horizon with gestures conveying gearshifts and the timeless feeling of driving through the Utah desert. Frank Ticheli's Blue Shades will conclude the program. It is a virtuosic work that is a tribute to the Big Band Era, heavily influenced by the Blues, Burlesques, and other clichés from the golden era of jazz.

This recital will be the final Wind Symphony performance for nine of its graduating students-Branden Kelly, percussion; Nik Dragatakis, guitar; Laura McLeod, trumpet; Nadine Haddad, euphonium; Isaac Williams, string bass; Justin Fitzsimmons, horn; Cora Wong, flute; Sarah Chace, piccolo; and Kate Thompson, clarinet. All nine, most of whom are principals, have made significant contributions to UPEI, and the Wind Symphony in particular, throughout their undergraduate careers.

The UPEI Wind Symphony received the ‘2014 Music PEI award for Achievement in Classical Music.' Under the direction of Dr. Karem J. Simon, the Wind Symphony has had a progressive approach to its programming, and in reaching a wider audience. With performances throughout PEI and beyond each year, partnerships with PEI school music programs, and utilizing unique performance spaces, the Wind Symphony is among PEI's most respected large ensembles. Commissioning new compositions, featuring outstanding student and professional soloists, and showcasing masterworks of the wind band genre are all hallmarks of this ensemble.

Tickets for this performance are available in advance at UPEI's music department or at the door prior to the recital. All are welcome to attend.

For information:
Karem Simon, Professor, Department of Music, UPEI
(902) 566-0702 (office), (902) 892-5993 (home), ksimon@upei.ca

The Enactus (Entrepreneurial Action Us) UPEI team travelled to Halifax earlier this month to compete in the 2014 Enactus Canada Regional Exposition. The team received second place in the Scotiabank EcoLiving Challenge for its ‘Treeternity' project, which focuses on education and the development of tree planting. UPEI students Brandon Higginbotham and Josh Mohan presented the team's project.

Enactus UPEI members also competed in the Student Entrepreneur Regional Competition, Capital One Financial Education, and TD Entrepreneurship Challenges where they represented the University well. This year's team consists of twelve members who have worked tirelessly on seven projects including ‘An Entrepreneurial Evening with the ‘Wealthy Barber;'' ‘Economics for Success' high school budgeting seminars; ‘Financially Fit' University budgeting seminar; ‘Above the Influence' bracelet campaign; and its winning project ‘Treeternity.'

'I take a lot of pride in leading a group of dedicated full-time students, many of whom also balance part-time jobs, in addition to volunteering a substantial amount of time to work on these important projects that we hope will make PEI a better place,' said Enactus UPEI President Connor MacPhee. 'I'm proud of our results at the regional exposition and we will continue to work hard and represent UPEI and our province as best we can.'

'The results showcase the important and meaningful work that our Enactus leadership and representatives are engaging in,' said Interim Dean of the UPEI School of Business Juergen Krause. 'Enactus enables the students to apply the education and knowledge acquired to real challenges to create positive change in our community aiming to empower individuals and improve lives. I congratulate our Enactus members at UPEI for the well-deserved successes they achieved. The accomplishments of our young entrepreneurs are a testimony of their competence and hard work and make our institution very proud.'

The second place finish awards the team a trip to Calgary to compete in the Enactus Canada National Exposition, April 28-30. UPEI wishes the team the best of luck as they represent the University and Prince Edward Island at the national competition.

More about Enactus UPEI

Enactus (Entrepreneurial Action Us) is the largest global business network in the world with over 48,000 students at 1500 universities in 39 countries. Enactus UPEI is one of 57 University teams across Canada that implements social entrepreneurial projects that help make your community a better place socially, economically, and environmentally.

For more information, contact Enactus UPEI at enactusupei@gmail.com or visit the team in UPEI's Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 317.

The University of Prince Edward Island installed its eighth Chancellor, Dr. Don McDougall, during a ceremony today at McMillan Hall in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. McDougall was unanimously selected and replaces UPEI's seventh Chancellor William E. 'Bill' Andrew who served from 2005-2013.

As Chancellor, McDougall will become the University's voluntary titular head who is responsible for conferring all certificates, diplomas, and degrees, and is also a member of the Board of Governors, and acts as an important liaison between the University and the Prince Edward Island community.

McDougall and his wife Marion who reside in Stratford, Ontario, both attended the weekend ceremony. Other ceremony participants included UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz; former UPEI Chancellor Bill Andrew; Lieutenant Governor and Visitor to the University, the Honourable H. Frank Lewis; and the Honourable Wes Sheridan, representing the Province of Prince Edward Island.

After being invested by the Lieutenant Governor and given his robes of office by President Abd-El-Aziz and outgoing Chancellor Bill Andrew, Chancellor McDougall gave his inaugural address to the members of the UPEI community, family, and friends.

'I am deeply honoured and proud to be given the opportunity to serve you as Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island. It's times like these that we are motivated to look back at all the good fortune with which we have been blessed, and which has led to this occasion,' said McDougall. 'What excites me about this honour is the opportunity it presents for me, to experience up close, what this great institution is doing to develop our grandchildren's generation.'

'Today, we installed a new chancellor who is experienced at being a champion for big and bold ideas,' said UPEI President Abd-El-Aziz. 'I am so pleased that Chancellor McDougall will be able to provide insight and leadership as we continue to design our future at the University of Prince Edward Island.'

McDougall is a well-known business leader, alumnus, donor, and honorary degree recipient (1978) who spent his formative years in Bloomfield, PEI before attending both St. Dunstan's High School and University. He taught high school in Summerside before moving to London, Ontario to attend the University of Western Ontario where he completed his Master of Business Administration degree in 1961. He spent the next 12 years in managerial positions with the Labatt Brewing Company, and then served as President from 1973-79. It was during this time that McDougall was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in bringing a major league baseball franchise-the Toronto Blue Jays-to Toronto.

He acquired Stratford, Ontario-based Novatronics Inc. in 1983, and over the next 20 years, expanded his aerospace company globally before selling to Curtis-Wright Inc. in 2003. He continued to be involved in a number of private and public companies and organizations including Rambri Management, Burlington's Investments, eJust Systems, Systemhouse Inc., St. Raymond Paper Company, The Science and Technology Fund, and Slemon Park Corporation.

The McDougalls are no strangers to UPEI. Dr. McDougall is a graduate of St. Dunstan's University (SDU) while Mrs. McDougall is both a PWC and SDU alumna. In addition to having attended the University, the McDougalls have been great benefactors to UPEI, with the innovative Don and Marion McDougall Hall having been named in their honour in 2008. McDougall Hall is home to the Centre for Life-long Learning, School of Business, and Co-operative Education programs.

Congratulations and welcome, Chancellor McDougall!

UPDATE: Please note this event has been postponed due to weather. The discussion will be held Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm at the Pourhouse, above the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse.

At the next Research on Tap, join us for a discussion about the bloody history of free blood in Canada. Dr. Sarah Glassford, assistant professor of history at UPEI, will lead a discussion entitled 'Blood: It's in you to sell. Why Canadians give and get blood for free.' The discussion begins at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 1 at the Pourhouse, above The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Charlottetown.

In other countries, blood is treated almost as a commodity, where donors are paid, and blood has cash value. Dr. Glassford will present on the debate that led to our free system, and how Canada almost followed the American model.

Sound interesting? Join us!

Research on Tap is a series of public discussions with UPEI researchers. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson at (902) 620-5117 or datkinson@upei.ca.

For information:
Dave Atkinson, Research Communications
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca

On Thursday, April 3, more than 200 young scientists from 30 schools across the Island will come together in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the UPEI campus to participate in the 2014 PEI Science Fair. The theme of this year's fair is 'Science Matters.' For some students, this will be their first science fair experience, but for many, it will be a return engagement. Students from grades 4-12 will showcase their science interests and abilities, and connect with other young scientists from around the province.

Once again, UPEI faculty, staff, and students have organized a ‘Science Expo' full of interesting exhibits, out-of-this-world engineering demonstrations, and other hands-on activities for the participants. ‘Let's Talk Science' will also be joining the Expo with some cool science demonstrations.

Award ceremonies will take place at 1:00 pm for grades 4-6 and at 4:00 pm for grades 7-12. Parents, family members, and friends are all invited to join in the celebration from 12:00-1:00 pm (grades 4-6) and 2:00-4:00 pm (grades 7-12). Government, industry, and community groups have donated over $10,000 in specialty prizes and awards across PEI. This year, the top five students will represent PEI at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Windsor, Ontario. For more information, check out the 'new' PEI Science Fair website at peisciencefair.ca (English), or exposciencesipe.ca (French).

More about the Science Fair

The Science Fair is a great way to engage young minds to the wonders and mystery of science. Participating in science fairs at the school level is the first real opportunity for Island students to think critically about science and get hands on experience running a science experiment. And research shows that positive science experiences at an early age can build a positive attitude towards science in the junior and high school years, and ultimately attract many to the field of science as a career. More importantly, in running a science fair project, students develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills that are key to being successful at school and in ones chosen career.

Last year at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Lethbridge, Alberta, all of our Island students walked away with top awards-Pieter VanLeeuwen won the Actuarial Foundation of Canada Award in the Intermediate Division; Neil Kelley and Gavin Kerr won a silver medal Excellence Award in the Junior Division; and Hailey Brake and Shruthi Bandi won a bronze medal Excellence Award in the Junior Division.

UPEI Athletics and Recreation celebrated its 45th year by recognizing outstanding student athletes at the annual UPEI Athletics Awards ceremony held at the PEI Brewing Company in Charlottetown. The UPEI Alumni Association's Outstanding Athletes of the Year awards went to women's soccer star Sarah Stanley and men's hockey standout Reggie Traccitto.

In her fourth year, Stanley, a native of Charlottetown, has developed into one of the top midfielders. She is a leader who sets a great example with her work ethic and positive attitude. This past season when the pressure was on, she came out charging, scoring all three goals in a crucial weekend series against Dalhousie and Saint Mary's, resulting in her being named both an AUS and CIS Athlete of the Week. More awards followed, as she was named an AUS 2nd Team All-star at the end of the season. Head Coach Lewis Page described Stanley as a joy to coach, 'she works hard, encourages her teammates, but most of all, loves to compete,' he said.

Traccitto, a fourth-year student-athlete from Oakville, Ontario is a very complete defenseman that would be considered one of the greatest scoring threats in the AUS, especially on the power play. There might not be any single player in the AUS that had a more significant impact towards any program's special teams than Traccitto. On a team, that at times, struggled to score goals, UPEI Panthers' power play was amongst the best in the AUS, with Traccitto playing a significant role towards this success. Traccitto was the Panthers' top scoring defenseman, finishing second overall on the team, and finishing 10th overall in the AUS. Traccitto also played a tremendous role in penalty kills, in which the team ranked first overall in the CIS. Traccitto was selected as an AUS 1st team All-Star and named a CIS 2nd team All-Canadian.

The J.T. 'Mickey' Place Awards were also presented this evening to student athletes who have made a contribution to student leadership on their team and on campus. John Thomas 'Mickey' Place was connected not only with Athletics at UPEI, but also with all aspects of campus life. He believed in fair play and that through respect for one's opponent, athletes could gain the ultimate respect for themselves. These awards are provided by the UPEI Student Union in his memory. The winners from each team include:

Men's basketball - Lorenzo Parker
Women's basketball - Danielle MacDonald
Field hockey - Eliza MacLauchlan
Men's hockey - Mason Wilgosh
Women's hockey - Ferran Brown
Women's rugby - Alicia MacDonald
Women's soccer - Kelsie Collier
Men's soccer - Trevor White
Swimming - Suzanne Nicholson
Women's volleyball - Emilie Sullivan
Women's curling - Jane DiCarlo
Men's curling - Connor MacPhee
Synchronized swimming - Lauren Hardy
Powerlifting - Daniel Quadros Da Fonseca
Men's rugby - Sean Doyle
Cross country/Track & Field - Melanie McKenna
JV women's hockey - Jill MacIsaac

The teams then took to the stage one at a time to celebrate and recognize their teammates and top athletes. Listed below are the winners from each team:

MVP Rookie
Men's soccer Cole MacMillan Lucas Holmes
Women's soccer Sarah Stanley Tessa Fudge
Men's rugby Aaron Fitzpatrick James Mallard
Women's rugby Danielle Lacey Holly Jones
Field hockey Katherine Koughan Sydney Stavert
Men's hockey Reggie Traccitto Casey Babineau
Women's hockey Keirsten Visser Emma Martin
Men's basketball Geoff Doane Jayden Nordin
Women's basketball Amy Gough/ Kiera Rigby
Danielle MacDonald
Swimming Rooske Wagemakers Joël Legault
Women's volleyball Meg MacKinnon Abbie Ronalds

The Gordon & Muriel Bennett Award presented by Muriel Bennett is given to a student (male of female) who, over four years, best combined athletic achievement and academic excellence. Women's hockey student-athlete Christina Kelly was this year's recipient.

The W.A. Ledwell Award goes to a student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability in the intercollegiate program, academic excellence, and also demonstrates the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Katherine Koughan from field hockey was the recipient.

One of the evening highlights was the presentation of the Passion for Life Award, originated in memory of Rene Ayangma, a former UPEI soccer player. All nominees were recognized and the award winner was Leanne Doiron, for her true passion for life and commitment to Panther Sport. Doiron, a very conscientious student, has been a member of the Student/Athlete Advisory Group for the last two years, and is one of the most proud Panther athletes on campus. There's not a Panther activity on campus that you won't find her present at, either working or cheering on her fellow athletes. Doiron served as an athletics and student assistant, where her energy and infectious personality thrive and grow in her responsibility to become the game day coordinator willing and eager to help all sports enhance the game day experience. Her positivity in life, and with her peers, makes her a perfect choice for the Passion for Life Award. She is a true Panther who bleeds green.

2013-14 nominees for Passion for Life Award:

Men's soccer - Adam Lowther
Women's soccer - Jenna Jo MacDonald
Men's rugby - Ryan Lloyd
Women's rugby - Mosher Gallant
Field hockey - Leanne Doiron
Men's hockey - Mathew Maione
Women's hockey - Ferran Brown
Men's basketball - Donathan Moss
Women's basketball - Danielle MacDonald
Swimming - Leif Wilm
Women's volleyball - Ellie Beck
Men's curling - Taylor MacInnis
Women's curling - Veronica Smith
Synchronized swimming - Katie Carter
Powerlifting - Naeem Rohani
Cross Country - Melanie McKenna

On Thursday, April 3, UPEI's annual Engineering Expo participants educated attendees, including approximately 200 junior high and high school students on their innovative designs, and on the exciting field of engineering. The event was open to the public, with students from the PEI Science Fair also attending for special tours of the event, and to learn more about engineering at UPEI.

First-year engineering students had the opportunity to work with the Farm Centre Association (FCA) on its new initiative; a community-based, research and demonstration garden/farm housed at the Charlottetown Experimental Farm. The students developed sustainable designs from windmills to pump water, to composters, to a hybrid bicycle/shopping cart for transportation that could be used on the farm. The project took seven months of researching, analyzing, building, and testing solutions, and offered an engaging and educational agricultural landscape that celebrates the past, present, and future of farming on the Island.

'The research and science behind their work is truly impressive. It was an excellent opportunity for us, as well as the general public to see the students' work, and be inspired at the creative genius that is being instigated by their dedicated and enthusiastic professors,' said Phil Ferraro, Executive Director of the Farm Centre. 'Next week, the students will be presenting additional details on their design and building plans. When summer arrives, we hope to test some of their prototypes on site, and we encourage everyone to come visit and join in the fun.'

The second-year engineering students worked with nine clients from PEI, Newfoundland, and Kenya. Clients included The Mount Continuing Care Community, Country View Farms, Dr. Bill Whelan, Magine Snowboards, Mikinduri Children of Hope, PEI Bag Company, Vector Aerospace, UPEI Student Union, and UPEI Engineering.

'The enthusiasm the students display is infectious, and the skill and quality of the second-year projects are a great indication of how much can be expected once UPEI offers an engineering degree,' said Libby Osgood, assistant professor of engineering at UPEI.

Expo award recipients:

Engineers PEI Team Design Award-This award is presented each year to the student design team that best exemplifies innovation, excellence, and professionalism in a client-oriented community-based design project. The winning team will combine creative design ideas supported by in-depth analysis, detailed design documentation, and an effective demonstration of concept. This year's recipients include: Mikinduri Children of Hope Charcoal Press second-year project. Team members are Daniel Larsen, Keilah Bias, Alex Gamble, and Spencer Montgomery. Top design for first-year students was awarded to Saheed Alatishe, Amy Andrews, Brent Simmons, and Marc Thibodeau.

Noel MacAleer Award-Awarded to a graduating student from the engineering class who displays the positive attributes and qualities of the late Noel MacAleer-an extremely well-liked student who was respected by his classmates, who was enthusiastic and generous, and who became a friend and motivator to all. This year's recipient is Joshua Kelly.

UPEI's Department of Engineering presents communication and analysis awards annually to individual students who display contribution and excellence in their team environment.

Communication Award-'Generally recognized as the ‘softer' skills including the ability to formulate and communicate the chosen design story using a broad selection of tools including verbal, textual, and graphical techniques. Recognizes that engineering is really the art of applying science to make a compelling argument with a high degree of professionalism and consideration for public safety.' The communication awards were granted to first-year recipient Emily Dennis and second-year recipient Keilah Bias.

Analysis Award- 'Generally recognized as the ‘harder' skills including the ability to understand the clients problems and analyze the problems using a broad selection of scientific, mathematical, and engineering knowledge. Recognizes that engineers must be scientifically and mathematically capable, with an ability to translate the knowledge and skill into innovative (new territory) solutions with predictable performance. It is this predictable performance that requires a sound understanding of the problem and an ability to use engineering tools and prototyping, to predict the performance and safety of the systems.' The analysis awards were granted to first-year recipient Brent Simmons and second-year recipient Vuk Stajic.

Leadership Award- Awarded to a senior student who demonstrates capability and leadership in all aspects of engineering communication and analysis. This award was granted to Emma MacKay.