UPEI magazine
education
December 2011
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Excitement is building ... as UPEI's new centre for health and wellness education approaches completion.
Pictured: Dean Kim Critchley, school of nursing and Chair Kathy Gottschall-Pass, department of applied human sciences
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Installation
UPEI welcomes its sixth president Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz.
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UPEIʼs EMBA An innovative, evidence-based approach to management.
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Giving Back The Simmons family—a long history of giving to the community.
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new alumni
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New Alumni Congratulations to the newest members of our alumni family—the class of 2011. We welcome you—this year’s 900 graduates—to the UPEI Alumni Association, and look forward to your continued involvement with the University. You join a network of over 20,000 alumni that spans fifty countries and eight decades. As members of the Association, all graduates are encouraged to stay connected, and make a positive difference in UPEI’s future. Panthers for Life! Perlene Morrison, BA’94 UPEI ALUMNI
President, UPEI Alumni Association ASSOCIATION
To view photos from Convocation 2011, visit upei.ca/alumni.
contents
In this issue ... 2 6 10 12 14 16
Good News
Students “Shine!” “O Canada!” A hit with Island schools.
Installation of the President
Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz becomes sixth president of the University of Prince Edward Island.
Excitement Is Building
New home for the school of nursing and the department of applied human sciences.
UPEIʼs EMBA
Fundamental change in management education.
New Researchers on Campus Dr. Charles Adeyanju, Dr. Mark Fast, and Dr. Karen Samis.
Island Archives History for the future.
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People ■ Excellence ■ Impact
UPEI’s first fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. MacLauchlan prizes for effective writing.
Simmons Family Gives Back Loyal UPEI benefactors.
Alumni Success
Honours for distinguished and inspiring alumni.
2011 Founders
Mel Gallant, Margaret Munro, and Frank Zakem honoured.
Raised Expectations
Fundraising dinner and celebration.
Afterwords Precedence.
UPEI Magazine is published by the University of Prince Edward Island and is coordinated and produced by Integrated Communications. Contributors: Dave Atkinson, Sheila Kerry, Simon Lloyd, Anna MacDonald, Ed MacDonald, Anne McCallum, Nicole Phillips. Photos: Patrick Callbeck, Shelley Ebbett, Mike Needham. All correspondence: Integrated Communications University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Avenue Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3 Tel: (902) 566-0947 Fax: (902) 566-0917 email: magazine@upei.ca Address changes: (902) 628-4354 or rbarbour@upei.ca If undeliverable in Canada, please return to address above.
visit upei.ca/magazine
2010 and 2011 (and previous years) Nexus yearbooks are now available from the UPEI Student Union. Contact 566-0530 to arrange for pick-up or delivery. Yearbooks are free to all grads.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065165
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good news
Ties with Kenyan Universities UPEI has signed memoranda of understanding with the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology—the first step in establishing formal exchange programs and research/study opportunities. After the signing, the Kenyan delegation met with UPEI students, staff, and faculty to explore potential program collaborations. UPEI has already developed strong links with several Kenyan communities. AVC students have participated in a number of initiatives, including the establishment of a successful dairy operation. For more than 10 years student teachers from the specialization in international education program have completed their final practica in Kenyan schools. Students from nursing, and family and nutritional sciences (now applied human sciences) work in hospitals and health centres there.«
Laura Bourque, AVC Class of 2013, spent three months in Kenya providing veterinary care and extension to smallholder dairy farms. She was part of a team, led by Dr. John VanLeeuwen of AVC and Dr. George Gitau of the Nairobi Veterinary College, investigating the effectiveness of drugs to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dairy cattle. Other participants were Ontario Veterinary College student Vionna Kwan, and Kenyan graduate students Wewaru Kabaka and Royford Bundi.
“Shiners” Raise Record
$30,080
UPEI has broken its record! With online and Shine Day donations combined, UPEI students raised a whopping $30,080 for cystic fibrosis research during New Student Orientation (NSO) 2011. Shinerama is Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser involving almost 60 campuses across the country. Great work, shiners!«
Students Donald Buchanan, Shinerama coordinator, and Anastasia Smallwood, NSO coordinator
CMA Accredits School Sustainability of Business Program Kudos for UPEI Certified Management Accountants of Canada has accredited the bachelor of business administration (BBA) (specialization in accounting) at UPEI for five years. BBA students who successfully complete this program, with a minimum grade point average of 75 per cent, are exempt from writing the CMA entrance exam. This select group enters directly into the Strategic Leadership Program, the final step required to obtain the CMA designation.«
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The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada has approved 22 campus buildings for Building Environmental Standards (BESt) Certification. Melissa Peneycad, manager, environment and energy sustainability practices at BOMA Canada says, “achieving this certification clearly demonstrates UPEI’s commitment to sustainability, and positions the University as a campus that others around the country should aspire to emulate.”«
good news
UPEI Scientists Awarded $1.2m in Discovery Grants Ten UPEI scientists have been awarded more than $1.2 million in research funding through the highly competitive Discovery Grant Program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. To view the list of recipients and their research areas, visit news.upei.ca/ researchfunding.«
Innovation Rewarded Innovation PEI’s graduate-student and post-doctoral fellowship program has recognized eight UPEI graduate students and four post-doctorates. The program provides up to $20,000 in student stipends for master’s and PhD students for two and three years, respectively. Post-doctoral awards are for $40,000 for a two-year period. The total contribution is $619,000 for 12 research projects with the potential to improve human and animal health. Projects range from developing a new imaging technique using light and sound to assess how prostate cancer responds to laser thermal therapy, to creating a new model of autism and related neurological disorders to test novel therapeutants. To read more, visit upei.ca/avc/media/innovationpei.«
“O Canada!” A Hit with Island Schools A CD of “O Canada!” recorded by the UPEI Wind Symphony, and now being played as part of programming in public schools on PEI, is receiving rave reviews. The Wind Symphony participated in the inaugural concert at the new Montague Regional High School. There, the UPEI group collaborated with the high school band (Kirk White, director) and the Montague Intermediate School Band (Jonathan MacInnis, director), resulting in a massed band of 150 performers. This performance of “O Canada!” was reported to have sent shivers up the spines of many in the audience and convinced Wind Symphony Director Karem Simon that he should include the national anthem track as part of the Symphony’s 13th annual CD project, to extend the anthem’s reach beyond live performances. CDs are available for purchase at the UPEI Bookstore.«
UPEI Jumps Four Spots to Rank Fourth in Maclean’s UPEI has jumped from eighth to fourth overall among “primarily undergraduate” universities in the 21st year of Maclean’s annual university rankings. The climb is due in large part to UPEI’s strong showing in the “student awards” and “total research dollars” categories. Maclean’s divides schools into “doctoral,” “comprehensive,” and “primarily undergraduate” categories and ranks them on performance in class sizes, faculty, resources, student support, library resources, and the university’s reputation.
UPEI President Abd-El-Aziz said, “I am very proud of our community of students, staff, faculty, and alumni, and we are thrilled with this news. However, while the ranking is important, it’s not everything. It’s only part of the equation. UPEI will continue to work hard to ensure that we give our students the best education possible. Canadian universities offer a quality educational experience and it’s wonderful to see all institutions continually working towards higher standards of excellence.”«
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good news
New Faces Around the Deans’ Table New deans of arts and business, an interim dean of education and acting dean of nursing have joined Dr. Don Reynolds (dean of veterinary medicine) and Dr. Christian Lacroix (dean of science) around the deans’ table. As of July 1, Dr. Don Desserud replaced Dr. Richard Kurial as the new dean of the faculty of arts. Desserud was most recently a full professor in political science at UNB Saint John, the director of the Urban and Community Studies Institute, and also served as associate dean of graduate studies. Mr. Alan Duncan also began his appointment as dean of the school of business on July 1, 2011, replacing Dr. Roberta MacDonald. Duncan was an assistant professor and the director of international relations for the school of business at UPEI. He brings to the dean’s position a significant record of senior management experience.
In Case You Didn’t Hear ...
UPEI Business Students Took First Place Four UPEI business students received a well-deserved first-place award after competing in the Wing Lung Bank International Institute for Business Development (IIBD) Case Competition in Hong Kong in November 2011. Team members include: Janell MacDonald, Kristina MacLean, Jordan McNally, and Jingshu Zhang. The IIBD competition focuses on strategic challenges and managerial dilemmas faced by today’s global business leaders. Students worked under pressure and against a tight deadline to solve a real-world business problem and form action-oriented recommendations. During the first round of competition, 33 teams submitted written case reports which focused on the theme, “Value Creation Through Branding.” Five teams, including UPEI, were then chosen to compete in the final round hosted at Hong Kong Baptist University on November 11. Studenttravel to Hong Kong was supported by donations from alumni and friends through the UPEI annual fund. The finalists were presented with a business case and had only six hours to prepare their presentation for a panel of judges. After evaluating each of the teams on analysis, comprehension, relevance, originality, persuasiveness, and overall presentation, UPEI was ranked first.
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Dr. Don Desserud
Mr. Alan Duncan
Dr. Donna Dr. Miles Murnaghan Turnbull
Dr. Donna Murnaghan, associate professor of nursing, is acting dean of the school of nursing while the current dean, Dr. Kim Critchley, is on a professional sabbatical. Dr. Miles Turnbull, associate professor of education, was named interim dean of education upon Dr. Tim Goddard’s appointment as advisor to the president, international relations.«
Among the judges were professors and successful entrepreneurs, including Mr. Raymond Tong, CEO of Pacific Coffee Limited. Mr. Tong was so impressed with the UPEI team that he offered each of them a job upon graduation. UPEI business case teams celebrated other successful results recently including a first and second at the Atlantic Schools of Business Conference, hosted by UPEI from September 30–October 2. UPEI also entered two teams in the Dalhousie Business Ethics Case Competition held November 10–12, and achieved second and fourth place finishes.« Pictured left to right: Raymond Tong, Janell MacDonald, Kristina MacLean, Jingshu Zhang, and Jordan McNally
good news
UPEI Sport Legacy Celebration Honours Past, Present & Future
Curtis Robinson joins UPEI athletes at the Sport Legacy Celebration
U
PEI’s second annual Sport Legacy Celebration took place on October 13, 2011, and honoured Panther Sport—past, present, and future. UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, and Athletics and Recreation Director Ron Annear, welcomed approximately 150 student-athletes, coaches, donors, sponsors, family, and friends to McMillan Hall at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre for the dinner event. “This is an evening to honour and celebrate Panther Sport, and its legacies,” said Annear. “UPEI works hard to create an environment that allows students to be successful academically, athletically, and socially, providing memories and impacts that last a lifetime.” Annear also thanked the many award donors and event sponsors. Former 1990s UPEI basketball standout Curtis Robinson was inducted into UPEI’s Sports Hall of Fame. Robinson was a team leader and five-year member of the UPEI men’s basketball team. During his time at UPEI, he was named UPEI’s Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year, and also received prestigious AUAA, MVP, and CIAU All-Canadian awards. CIS Academic All-Canadian student-athletes, who have maintained an average of 80 per cent in their academic studies in the previous year, were also recognized at the celebration. UPEI was proud to honour 54 Panthers for their scholastic achievements. The evening culminated in presentation of annual named scholarships, including the “Alumni Engagement Awards.” These new awards were created through proceeds generated by the alumni golf tournament held in July, and were presented to UPEI student-athletes in each varsity sport who furthered public and alumni interest in their respective teams.«
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i n s t a l l at i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t
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i n s t a l l at i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t
“We will become a destination university—a university of choice for Islanders, and people around the world. I am committed to making this happen!” the insta llation of
Alaa Salem Abd-El-Aziz BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD
as the sixth president a n d v ice-ch a nce l lor of
The University of Prince Edward Island
O
n July 4, the UPEI campus welcomed Dr. Alaa S. Abd-ElAziz as UPEI’s sixth president and vice-chancellor. His formal installation ceremony, held on September 24, was attended by more than 300 people. In an interview during his first day on campus, President Abd-El-Aziz’ enthusiasm for his new position was almost palpable. “I am delighted to become part of the UPEI family,” he said. “I have always had a high regard for institutions of higher education that cultivate an integrated teaching and research environment, and those that are strongly tied to both the local and the global communities. UPEI is an institution that excels in these areas.” An accomplished chemistry researcher, award-winning teacher, and experienced administrator, President AbdEl-Aziz comes to UPEI from the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna. As its first provost, he led UBC Kelowna’s policy development and resource management for four years while making significant contributions to research in his field of polymer chemistry, and being actively engaged in teaching. At UPEI, his top priorities have been to learn about, and embrace, the culture of the University and the PEI
community. He recently conducted three town hall meetings on campus to seek input from faculty, students, staff, and the public to help define short- and long-term goals for the University. “I want my vision to be aligned with everybody else’s vision,” he said, “I believe it is important to listen to people, to value new ideas, and to be open to change.” President Abd-El-Aziz has also travelled across the province attending functions and events, and meeting with representatives of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. “I would like every part of the Island to realize that this university is their university,” he said. The president intends to remain actively engaged in teaching, most likely in an advisory capacity for senior or graduate students and as a guest lecturer in his field. “The student experience has always been at the heart of my academic work. After all, students are the reason why we are all here,” he said. “I am strongly committed to supporting an exceptional learning and working environment for all members of the campus community.” Dr. Abd-El-Aziz is married to Valerie Abd-El-Aziz (BSN, RN) from Swift Current, Saskatchewan. They have purchased a home outside Cornwall, PEI where they live with their younger son, Kareem, who is in grade ten at Bluefield High School. Their older son, Ahmad, is pursuing doctoral studies at the University of York in the UK.
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i n s t a l l at i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t
‘
UPEI Welcomes
President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz
Mace bearers, Brett Cheverie and Janessa Hogan, firstyear students who were awarded “most spirited” honours during New Student Orientation, had the enviable position of leading the procession on September 24, 2011 to begin the ceremony that would formally install Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz as UPEI’s sixth president and vice-chancellor. Processioning from Main Building to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, the mace bearers led a distinguished group including the lieutenant-governor of PEI, the Honourable Frank Lewis; chair of the Board of Governors, Fred Hyndman; Chancellor Bill Andrew; immediate past-president, Wade MacLauchlan; UPEI faculty, staff, and students; honorary degree recipients; and presidents and official representatives from universities across the country. Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, president of the University of Winnipeg, former federal cabinet minister, and Dr. Abd-El-Aziz’ former colleague,
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was also in attendance. The ceremony was co-hosted by professor of English, Dr. Shannon Murray, who also acted as marshall, and student Brittany Banks. The invocation was delivered by Sr. Susan Kidd. President Abd-El-Aziz was presented to the over-300 people in attendance by Fred Hyndman. After Abd-El-Aziz was led through his oath of office by Bill Andrew, he gave his inaugural address. The ceremony featured inspiring music by the Confederation Centre Youth Chorus, directed by Donald Fraser; the UPEI Wind Symphony, conducted by Dr. Karem Simon; and the UPEI Concert Choir, directed by Sung Ha Shin-Bouey, as well as a dramatic performance by UPEI Theatre Studies students directed by Dr. Greg Doran. Dr. Lawson Drake summed up the afternoon’s festivities when he said, “The ceremony was a wonderful blend of formality and informality, and recognition of our past while looking ahead to the future.”
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i n s t a l l at i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t
‘‘
Excerpts from the president's installation speech
UPEI's mission statement
defines our University as a “community of scholars whose primary tasks are to teach and learn, to engage in scholarship and research, and to offer service for the benefit of our Island and beyond.” This community is served by its leaders in pursuit of these goals ... I came to UPEI with a desire to listen and reflect, and to encourage others to do the same. This process of reflection will be ongoing, and our direction as a university will develop in collaboration with colleagues and community. I am excited about the opportunities that are before us. And I am passionate about advancing key areas that have been part of our conversations to date. Let me offer just a few examples: —I am committed to our students—they are our reason for being—their engagement, leadership, and research opportunities; their university experience; their academic success in quality programs, in the classroom, in our labs, on the campus; in their co-op and work placements; as alumni in their careers; and as lifelong learners as they continue to build and contribute their skills, and critical thought, to society. —I am committed to our faculty—their mentorship and development; support for their teaching and innovation in teaching; program success and quality; the advancement and development of their research; and the integration of their research in teaching. —I am committed to our staff—they are the dedicated and skilled backbone of our successful institution.
—I am also committed to connecting with members of our communities, locally and globally. They share in our projects; mentor our students and celebrate their success and accomplishments as friends, colleagues, and employers. They challenge us to do better, to demonstrate value, innovate, and problem-solve. I have a passionate belief in the value of the integration of teaching and research. As a professor, I found it beneficial—as did my students—to integrate my research findings into my teaching. Research creates new knowledge, and teaching imparts it. Exposing our students to new information provokes curiosity, and inspires new approaches to critical-thinking. UPEI must continue to embrace a strong commitment to sustainability by demonstrating operational integrity, accountability, and sustainability in the broadest terms. We must provide leadership in the adoption of sustainable policy and practice in areas such as infrastructure, campus operations, and decision-making at all institutional levels … ... We have many strengths to build upon that I believe can shape our identity as a destination university: outstanding facilities and quality programs, research excellence, and an intimate teaching and learning environment that is strongly connected to local and global communities. We will become a destination university—a university of choice for Islanders, and people around the world. I am committed to making this happen! For the full speech, visit upei.ca/president.
Reflections and Future Directions Process Seeks Your Ideas
A steering committee was established and is comprised of UPEI vice-presidents, deans, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and PEI community members, led by the chair, Dr. AbdEl-Aziz, and vice-chair, Dr. Tim Ogilvie. This committee and 11 subcommittees are already at work with the goal of providing a report to UPEI’s Senate and Board of Governors in May 2012. UPEI is seeking community input through direct engagement with the various committee members, through additional town hall meetings, email submissions, letters, and website feedback. Please visit reflect.upei.ca for contact information. The committees look forward to hearing from you.«
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Since arriving at the University of Prince Edward Island in July, President Abd-El-Aziz has consistently spoken of the need to align the University’s goals with those of its community. Now, he has initiated a process to accomplish just that. The Reflections and Future Directions committee was formed to engage the University—and the community —in a strengths-based conversation about UPEI’s future. This visioning exercise will initiate discussions directed toward positioning UPEI as a “destination university.”
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Excitement is building
Health&Wellness Focus
of
New Cen t r e
» by Anne McCallum
Dr. Kathy Gottschall-Pass, chair, department of applied human sciences and Dr. Kim Critchley, dean, school of nursing
I
n the quadrant bounded by Main Building, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, and the Central Utility Building, construction of a three-storey building to house the school of nursing and department of applied human sciences (formerly the department of family and nutritional sciences) is almost complete. The light-filled, redbrick structure provides 36,000 square feet of integrated space for classrooms and labs, faculty offices, and support services. Anticipation is mounting as the winter 2012 opening approaches. “As this new building moves closer to completion, excitement is building among our students, faculty, and staff. With the construction of this state-of-the-art facility, students will have access to enhanced learning opportunities with quality clinical training. The new building will offer an integrated environment conducive to the development of critical-thinking and assessment skills, where faculty, researchers, and students can work together to achieve excellence in health-services delivery, policy development, and research. We are thankful to the provincial
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government and other generous supporters for this opportunity that allows UPEI to continue its long tradition of educating and nurturing leaders in health and wellness,” says Dean Kim Critchley, school of nursing. Advanced teaching equipment in the new building will include high-fidelity computerized mannequins that can be programmed to reflect real clinical situations enabling nursing students to use their knowledge to respond to life-like conditions. Such learning improves students’ ability to try different care pathways. The school of nursing is housed on the first two floors of the new building. On the third floor, a glass wall adjacent to the hallway enhances the open, central reception area of the department of applied human sciences. A 641-sq-ft dining room provides the centrepiece for the department. It will be used daily by students in foods courses and will provide faculty and staff with flexible teaching space that can support a wide range of activities from small group discussions to formal research presentations. A 1,371-sqft open area houses the laboratory component for foods courses. “We have created an open and flexible configuration that can grow and change as student numbers increase and the
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excitement is building
program evolves to prepare students for careers in the twenty-first century,” says Dr. Kathy Gottschall-Pass, chair of the department of applied human sciences. “The lab houses ten fixed stations for students exploring basic food science and food experimentation, and a food-production area with industrial equipment for our student-run catering company. The company serves meals to the campus community as part of the student internship experience. We are especially excited about the new sensory analysis stations for testing innovative food products that students have developed in their advanced foods course.” The construction of a leading-edge health and wellness facility is timely at this pivotal period of program development at UPEI. The school of nursing has recently added a new master of nursing that is comprised of two streams: the thesis stream and the nurse practitioner stream. The department of applied human sciences has experienced significant growth over the past seven years and now has
the second-highest number of graduates in the faculty of science. In September, the University launched its new, fouryear, bachelor of science in kinesiology program. The Prince Edward Island community has been quick to recognize the valuable role of such a facility in advancing the health and prosperity of the province. The PEI government contributed $7.2 million to the project. The remaining $3.6 million is being raised through private donations. The late Eileen (McMillan) Fulford, Dr. Vera E. Dewar, the family of C. Jean MacKay, Bill and Denise Andrew, and the PEI Mutual Insurance Company have all made significant gifts to the campaign, and many other donors have come forward to provide important support. The University is working hard to secure additional donations from organizations and individuals who want to play a part in supporting such a vital facility. Tracey Comeau, director of the department of advancement is available at (902) 566-0354 or tcomeau@ upei.ca to answer questions about the campaign. To view the building as it is being constructed, visit upei.ca/webcam.«
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upei's emba
“Evidence-based management is about adding formal research evidence as a key input into decision-making”
Fundamental
in management change
education » by Anne McCallum
Anne MacAulay (MBA’11)
I
n 2008, the school of business launched its executive master of business administration (EMBA). This year, it proudly celebrated its first graduates. EMBA programs are offered at numerous universities in Canada, but the UPEI program stands out from the pack because it takes an innovative evidenced-based approach to management. “Evidence-based management is about adding formal research evidence as a key input into decision-making,” explains Dr. Wendy Carroll, EMBA director. “The concern is that managers currently make their decisions without paying sufficient—or any—attention, to formal research
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findings on the issues they face. Instead, they often rely excessively on their own experience, usually limited to the context of only one or two companies, and on truisms that are not supported by the research.” Evidence-based practice is a relatively new concept in business but the approach is well-established in professions such as medicine, nursing, and education. “Medicine and management form an interesting contrast in how practitioners make their decisions,” says Dr. Carroll. “Two Stanford professors have provocatively asserted that ‘if doctors practiced medicine like many companies practice management, there would be more unnecessarily sick patients or deaths and many more doctors in jail or suffering other penalties for malpractice.’” Fundamental changes in management education are needed to support evidence-based management, and UPEI
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upei's emba
QA &
Q: Why did you pursue an EMBA? AM: As more people leave than enter the workforce, the depth of corporate knowledge and the strength of organizational leadership is challenged. Administrations that survive and thrive in this crisis will be those that have the ability to be innovative. I saw the EMBA program as a catalyst for me to be a more creative leader in my organization, a leader who can guide senior management to make long-term strategic plans for the future. Q: How did you apply an evidenced-based approach? AM: My research began with a broad topic, but I refined it to two research questions. I did an extensive literature review on the topic of mental illness in the workplace and examined the topic by reviewing 60 arbitration case decisions that specifically dealt with an employee with a diagnosed mental illness. Q: What did you find? AM: Mental illness has become one of the leading reasons for absenteeism in Canadian workplaces. Such
cases more than tripled from 1990 to 2009. Employees with otherwise positive employment records are being dismissed. Arbitrators are struggling in their assessment of medical evidence, but they have provided clear direction to employers about their duty to inquire. In other words, an employer can’t just jump to disciplinary action when an employee with a good employment record starts to exhibit different behaviour. Q: How has this changed the way you work? AM: I am more aware of how HR practices and policies may be contributing to difficulties for an employee with mental illness. In HR, one is always balancing the needs of the employee with the needs of the organization—my analysis in many areas is much deeper and is guided by the research I did as well as the knowledge I gained from my EMBA courses. I am now more innovative in my work. When I am presented with an issue, a situation, or a project, the processes I use to complete the task are more refined and grounded by evidence-based decisions. Q: What is the strength of the evidence-based approach? AM: The obvious strength is the structure around the research which facilitates the deep examination of a topic. The literature review expanded my knowledge and the content analysis of arbitration case decisions led me to some questions about my own practices as a HR manager. By using this approach, I answered the research questions, and found other areas to be examined. The opportunities to learn are endless.«
researchers, including Dr. Carroll and her colleague, Dr. Blake Jelley, along with the EMBA program itself, are at the forefront of those developments. In fact, UPEI’s implementation of evidence-based management has attracted the interest of a world-leading scholar in this field—Dr. Denise Rousseau, a professor of organizational behaviour at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Dr. Rousseau has invited Jelley and Carroll to lead a chapter on teaching evidence-based management for the forthcoming Handbook of Evidence-Based Management: Managers, Educators and Researchers currently in press at Oxford University Press. A key component of UPEI’s evidence-based management education is the signature project which provides the structure for students to conduct a deep examination of a particular area, advised by a faculty member. MBA graduate Anne MacAulay, who is the HR manager for transportation
and infrastructure renewal in the PEI public service, authored a 90-page signature project that examined mental illness in the Canadian workplace and analyzed trends and directions based on arbitration cases. MacAulay’s research has been well-received and she has already presented to Veterans Affairs Canada and, in partnership with her advisor, Dr. Carroll, to the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference in Montreal. ASAC is a leading national academic organization. The paper was also included in the conference proceedings; only 30 per cent of papers accepted for presentation are published. “The research project brought real meaning to the EMBA for me,” says MacAulay. “It was the most challenging experience I have ever had, but it was also the most rewarding.” EMBA details are available at business.upei.ca/mba.«
UPEI’s Executive MBA: An Evidence-Based Approach to HR Issues —An interview with Anne MacAulay
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new researchers on campus
New Researchers on Campus » by Dave Atkinson Research Communications Officer
Stun Gun Incident Becomes Stun Gun Problem
UPEI’s growing reputation as a research leader is built on the hard work of its outstanding researchers. In the first decade of the twentyfirst century, UPEI ranked first among Canadian undergraduate universities for percentage research income growth, and first for percentage research intensity growth. (Re$earch Infosource)
Dr. Charles Adeyanju, faculty of arts
“I
t’s not that there weren’t stun gun victims in the news before Robert Dziekanski,” says Dr. Charles Adeyanju, referring to the Polish immigrant who died in 2007 after a stun gun incident in the Vancouver airport, “but many were drug users, or from marginalized groups such as aboriginal people. The media just didn’t portray these people in the same sympathetic light as they did Mr. Dziekanski.” Dr. Adeyanju is an assistant professor of sociology and anthropology in UPEI’s faculty of arts. His research includes the media’s portrayal of race, as well as stun gun use by Canadian police. “Dziekanski’s story resonated for a number of reasons,” he explains. “First, because of the video, which was shocking. But he also had a compelling story. Here was a man coming to Canada to join his mother and begin a new life. It’s easy to see him as an innocent victim.” Dr. Adeyanju has studied media reports of stun gun incidents from the years leading up to Dziekanski’s death, and after.
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“It’s difficult, because the number of people in Canada who died after a stun gun shock is statistically low, especially when you look at the relatively huge numbers in the United States,” he says, “but it is interesting to note how science was used to seemingly cover up any wrongdoing on the part of the police, or even to cite the stun gun as the cause of death.” Dr. Adeyanju says the deaths were often blamed on other causes, such as excited delirium—a condition that includes symptoms of violent behaviour, insensitivity to pain, and even superhuman strength. “The stories of stun gun deaths were easy to ignore as long as the victim wasn’t a sympathetic character, and there was a reasonable alternate theory for the cause of death,” says Dr. Adeyanju. “Dziekanski’s story was difficult to ignore. Before the prominent media stories, Canada had a stun gun incident. Only after them was it considered a problem.” Dr. Adeyanju and his collaborators, Dr. Tope Oriola of the University of Alberta and Dr. Nicole Neverson of Ryerson University, are planning a more empirical study on stun gun use by seeking the perspectives of law enforcement, civil liberty groups, such as Amnesty International, and the families of stun gun victims.«
researchers on campus
Sea Lice Partying Like It’s “1999” When Prince penned his classic song “1999,” he likely wasn’t thinking about the sea lice that infect Atlantic salmon. Dr. Mark Fast says that was a crucial year for sea lice in the aquaculture industry, and now the parasite is partying again like it’s 1999. Dr. Fast is the Novartis research chair in fish health at UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College. “1999 was the year the aquaculture industry gained what would be its most powerful tool in the fight against sea lice,” says Dr. Fast. “It’s called SLICE, an in-feed treatment that, for a time, acted like a silver bullet. It was so effective that as a researcher studying sea lice, I found it difficult to harvest them from salmon in an aquaculture environment. I just couldn’t find them. It worked that well.” He says the treatment was so effective, research into other potential sea-lice-fighting agents tapered off. “Prior to 1999, there was a lot of promising research into vaccines, different chemotherapeutics, even technology that would block the parasite’s ability to find a salmon to attach itself to.” Some researchers warned against the silver-bullet approach, arguing the sea lice could eventually build up a tolerance to SLICE—which is exactly what has occurred in aquaculture settings around the world. “SLICE’s effectiveness started to seriously wane around 2008,” says
Plants With (and Without) Borders Dr. Karen Samis thinks a lot about borders— specifically, the borders that define the geographical range of plants. She is an assistant professor of biology in the faculty of science. “Each plant has an area where it grows, and an area where it does not. But what stops the plant from going further into new territory?” Samis asks. “My cousin once joked that it was a lack of public transportation. And while that’s funny, it’s partially correct!” Dr. Samis is exploring how the genetics of a plant determine the edge of its geographic range. Part of what a plant needs in order to extend its range is seed distribution. But getting there is only half the battle. A seed must be able to grow into a plant, and survive to make more seeds.
Dr. Mark Fast, Novartis research chair in fish health, AVC
Dr. Fast. “The sea lice were adapting. Over the next few summers, the situation became worse than ever.” In the meantime, researchers such as Mark Fast have been digging out some of those old treatments, and mixing them with new ideas. Some of them are showing great promise. “Industry needs these tools right now,” Fast says, “but regulators don’t move quite as fast because these products need to be tested. We’re working to find a medium-term solution—something that perhaps has already been approved for use—that could control the parasites until we have a long-term solution.” Dr. Fast says any long-term solution must have several components. Neither the researchers nor the industry will trust just one solution again. “More than likely, there will be several things incorporated into a long-term management plan that include vaccines, immune-boosting feed, antiattachment technology, and treatment for fish that are already infected.”«
“I’m studying Cakile edentula, better known as American searocket,” she says. “It’s a common coastal plant native to eastern North America, and is found on beaches from Newfoundland to Florida. Its fruit is shaped like a rocket and travels easily by water—hence the name.” Coastal plants are particularly interesting to Dr. Samis because their geographic range may be just a few metres wide, but it can be hundreds of thousands of kilometres long. Dr. Samis’ five-year research program will start with questions about the behaviour and characteristics of populations of sea rockets from different climate zones along the east coast. “Those questions will range from ‘how early in the year does the plant flower?’ to ‘what is the pattern of genetic variation from population to population?’” The project will eventually examine the genetics of searockets from different populations, including new populations sprouting up for the first time in western North America. Dr. Samis has been awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant and a Canada Foundation for Innovation Infrastructure Grant to pursue her research.«
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island archives
islandarchives.ca History for the Future Prince Edward Island has made an extensive contribution to the history of a people and a country. The Island archives centre at UPEI, through islandarchives.ca is bringing PEI’s rich history to life, making it widely available to present and future generations through complementary projects stewarding virtual artifacts. There could be no more fitting venue than “the magazine of UPEI alumni and friends” for an article about islandarchives.ca. This program would be impossible without the backing and participation of a host of supporters and partners, many drawn from the proud ranks of UPEI, PWC, and SDU alumni. The network that sustains islandarchives.ca extends well beyond the UPEI/PWC/SDU community, of course. The purpose here is to honour the contributions of this community to date, and to outline UPEI’s hopes for the future.«
Alumni Memorabilia Digital resources are only as strong as the physical collections upon which they build. Supportive alumni have helped grow our University archives while we have pursued the digitization program. While proud of the collections of materials documenting the history of UPEI, PWC, and SDU, we recognize that they are far from complete. In fact, their development will always be a work in progress. An indirect but important benefit of conversations with alumni about financial support for digitization has been the offer of numerous items for deposit in the University archives. Photographs, yearbooks, and other memorabilia from past university days can be shared with UPEI’s large and ever-growing user community, both online and in person, when the owners of such material have the generosity and vision to contribute to the collection.«
Island Archives » by Simon Lloyd, Mlis
archives & special collections librarian
First “Virtual Exhibit" The Robertson Library’s first digitization project— putting the print holdings of The Prince Edward Island Magazine online—ran through 2002-03. The scanning took place at the Electronic Text Centre (ETC) at the University of New Brunswick. Through them we learned enough during this first project to bring digitization “inhouse.” Alumni support was integral. In 2003, a committee from the SDU Class of 1954 began working to gain support from other SDU alumni (and the SDU Board of Governors) to start the digitization program. SDU support allowed the Robertson Library to set up the first workstation and hire a technician. Work soon began under the guidance of a committee that included representation from the SDU Board and the SDU Class of ’54. In 2004, the first “virtual exhibit”—“The Golden Age of St. Dunstan’s University, 1945-1955”—was proudly launched. Offered as an online complement to UPEI’s annual reunion weekend, this exhibit served as a pilot project for future digitization work.«
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One of Canada’s Best Through generous support, including that of an anonymous donor, Robertson Library has developed infrastructure and staff expertise, hiring a digitization technician and investing in improved systems and equipment. UPEI colleagues in advancement provided help in developing partnerships. As with all institutions embarking on digitization, we must look beyond core budgets to meet the expensive and labour-intensive demands of putting these new technologies to work. Efforts to date have been fruitful, and the Robertson Library now has one of the best digitization facilities in the country.«
island archives
Remembering UPEI While our University is justifiably proud of the fine legacy of its forebears, PWC and SDU, we must remember that UPEI is now more than 40 years old, and has a rich history in its own right. With this in mind, the Library gratefully acknowledges the work of the alumni office and integrated communications during the past year. They led the creation of the remember.upei.ca site, a digital archive and discussion forum for sharing memories of UPEI. The library was pleased to provide content from the archives and digitization expertise and equipment, and looks forward to building on this initiative—and others like it—in the future. The full print run of the UPEI Magazine has also been digitized«
The College Times and The Welshman Robertson Library was recently delighted to receive a significant donation from the PWC Alumni Association. This gift was put to work and digitization of The College Times, the PWC newspaper and The Welshman yearbook has been completed. This content should be available online shortly.«
The Red & White A much more ambitious undertaking, creating a searchable, online archive of the SDU campus magazine, captures the full 60 years (1909-69) of The Red & White. This project involved the creation of ~10,000 digital page images resulting in a digital archive that is one of the largest collections of its type in Canada.«
Some Highlights of islandarchives.ca islandlives.ca
community and church histories
islandnewspapers.ca
digitized newspapers dating back to the early 1800s
Support is Important Although UPEI, PWC, and SDU alumni and friends share the Library’s pride in the archival collections (both digital and physical) that they have helped to create, it must be remembered that such collections must, perforce, grow with every passing year. To keep pace with this documentary record, the University archives and islandarchives.ca must also continue to develop and expand. The support of the UPEI, PWC, and SDU communities remains crucial.«
islandvoices.ca
first phase, digitization of the Reg “Dutch” Thompson archive
islandimagined.ca
maps, atlases, books, images, and documents from the PEI Public Archives and Records Office, the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, and the Robertson Library at UPEI
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Arts-informed Conversation on Mental Health
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based mental health.” r. Kate Tilleczek, Canada research chair The mural will be on public display at each school for ten in child/youth cultures and transitions days. Students will have the space to “talk back” or “draw in the UPEI faculty of education, and an back” to the mural as they first encounter it in a lively adjunct research scientist at the Hospital installation setting. Those interested in taking part in focus for Sick Children in Toronto, is the cogroups and panel discussions on issues that the mural raises investigator in an innovative research project under way will be asked to put their names on a card and place it in a in PEI and Ontario called School-based Mental Health in locked box. Researchers will also consult educators at each Rural Secondary Schools: An Arts-informed Conversation. school about their reactions to an understanding of The project is investigating student responses to a youth mental health. The project is being led by unique mural created by eight young people Dr. Tilleczek’s collaborator of seven years, Dr. who have experienced psychosis. The mural Katherine Boydell at the Hospital for Sick depicts their experiences and the process Children. It is funded by the Canadian of seeking help. Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Tilleczek and her colleagues With Research Manager Valerie are taking the mural into four high Campbell and PhD student James Rodd, schools: two in Ontario and two in who both teach in the department of Prince Edward Island, to increase sociology and anthropology at UPEI, knowledge and understanding of Dr. Tilleczek conducts interdisciplinary mental health and psychosis, reduce research into many aspects of young the stigma associated with mental lives. Recent projects include a synthesis of health, and explore the use of arts as a way Supplied photo intersections between poverty, mental health, to communicate more effectively with young and school disengagement for the Ontario Ministry of people and the community. Child and Youth Services, and Youth Pathways to Literacy, “This work builds on my larger program of research Education, and Employment in Prince Edward Island. which uses creative ways to address persistent problems for She is now completing a Social Sciences and Humanities children and youth as they move toward adulthood,” says Research Council-funded project on innovations in Dr. Tilleczek. “Mental health is now seen as the ‘millennium research for children and youth. In addition, Dr. Tilleczek morbidity’ for youth and we require an integrated and has established, and directs, the UPEI Qualitative Research supportive response to address it. This project allows young Lab in Dalton Hall which provides support to researchers people’s experiences to be captured in artistic formats that across campus.« evoke and inform the direction of those responses to school-
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t has been a significant year for Dr. Ian Dowbiggin, a professor of history in the faculty of arts, and the author of several books on the history of science and medicine. In September, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) named him a fellow in the humanities division of the Academy of Arts and Humanities. Established in 1882, the RSC is the highest honour in the country available to scholars, and recognizes excellence in learning and research, as well as accomplishments in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Dr. Dowbiggin is UPEI’s first fellow of the RSC. Roderick A. Macdonald, RSC president, stated that Dowbiggin’s election is a telling recognition of his remarkable accomplishments and an invitation to further the leadership he has already shown in advancing knowledge and scholarship in Canada. Just a month before the RSC appointment, Cambridge University Press published Dr. Dowbiggin’s latest book, The Quest for Mental Health: A Tale of Science, Medicine, Scandal, Sorrow, and Mass Society and the Cambridge Book Club featured it as its book of the month. “… Read this book and be amazed by the many past and contemporary misdirections of psychiatric care and services inspired by false cultural assumptions,” says Paul McHugh, University Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “And then realize how all of us seem to be demanding more than life in this world can deliver, and so are open to every faddish fabrication that can make up for the deficiency …”«
Strategic Investment Fund Turns Good Ideas into Action According to VP Academic Jim Randall, despite the financial challenges facing universities today, there must always be mechanisms in place to support new and creative projects. So last year, the UPEI Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF) was introduced to encourage faculty and staff to bring forward ideas of potential benefit to students and faculty. Through an application process that evaluated proposals based on how they addressed one or more stated institutional objectives, 15 projects received SIF grants in the inaugural round of funding. One successful application was the UPEI Societies project that was designed to create a supportive environment for student-based societies and groups to flourish on campus. A partnership between integrated communications and
Double Milestones for Dowbiggin
the UPEI Student Union, the project engaged student groups and encouraged conversation based on common areas of interest between current and prospective students. The first part of the project involved developing a webbased community space (societies.upeisu.ca) where different student organizations could post information about their groups in one location. This served as advertising for the organizations and also helped with communication among the students within the organizations themselves. Approximately 50 groups have posted information on the community site over the past nine months. The project also had a leadership stream designed to bring in different professionals to guide the development of leadership within student organizations. A variety of networking sessions have taken place, including inviting a societies expert from Alberta to work with student groups to generate new, interesting ideas for events. To view the variety of projects funded in the SIF process in 2011, visit vpacademic.upei.ca.«
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Inuit Teachers Empowered by Unique MEd Lena Metuq
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n Canada Day 2009, history was made in Iqaluit when 21 women received their master of education degrees from UPEI. It marked a milestone in Nunavut’s commitment to balance traditional knowledge with academic education by preparing more Inuit for key leadership roles in the territory’s school system. Building on that success, a second cohort of Inuit teachers is now taking advantage of the part-time MEd program that UPEI developed in partnership with the Nunavut government with input from graduates of the previous program, several of whom are elders. The program includes annual summer and fall face-to-face sessions over three years blended with distance learning. It provides students with the opportunity to write in the Inuktitut language and integrate cultural knowledge into their courses. One of the instructors of the first course on educational leadership for the summer 2011 sessions on the UPEI
campus was Lena Metuq, co-principal of Attagoyuk School in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island. Lena, herself a graduate of the program, says the program empowers Inuit leaders to help make education more relevant to their community. “The Inuit have their own language, their own culture, their own way of doing things,” she says. This MEd degree “gives them more of a voice” in helping students “gain knowledge and wisdom to be contributing members of their society.” Lena is one of the central figures in a new ArcticNet documentary. “Going Places” was screened on campus in July. It was produced by Mark Sandiford, an awardwinning PEI producer with over 30 years’ experience in film, television and interactive media that focus particularly on the North. The film highlights innovative changes, led by Lena Metuq and Jukeepa Hainnu (another UPEI MEd graduate), that are being implemented in two Nunavut high schools. Both of these Inuit leaders ensure that the curriculum is grounded in Inuit culture and values.«
Tackling the “Democratic Deficit”
democratic satisfaction are at an all-time low throughout much of the country. Nationwide studies confirm that participation in elections and other traditional political activities has declined considerably over the past four decades, as has the public’s faith in the political process and its leaders. With a view to increasing understanding of our deteriorating civic culture, and helping Canadians to address it, the research team will assess whether the depth of Canada’s “democratic deficit” differs from province to province, and provide explanations for any variations. Answers to these queries will provide valuable lessons for academics, officials, and citizens who are seeking to increase the level of political engagement and satisfaction across Canada.«
Dean of arts, Dr. Don Desserud, is collaborating with political scientists from universities across Canada in a three-year study to compare provincial politics in PEI, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Comparative Provincial Election Project seizes an unprecedented opportunity to study the quality of democracy in five provincial elections that took place within a single month. According to existing research, civic engagement and
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MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing gram o r P d e l e l l nts e d u t S Unpara t r uppo S o t
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n July, UPEI received a tremendous gift from the family of Past-President H. Wade MacLauchlan to create an unparalleled program of awards for achievement and leadership in support of student writing. The gift honours MacLauchlan’s 12 years of service as UPEI president and vice-chancellor, and recognizes the importance of effective writing as a foundational skill for academic success and lifelong learning. The MacLauchlan prizes for effective writing will distribute more than $30,000 in awards every year. On behalf of the family, Marjorie MacLauchlan said, “We are proud of what UPEI has achieved over the past 12 years, and proud to honour Wade’s part in that success. We are especially pleased to encourage the writing skills of UPEI students and graduates through this gift.”
Beginning in the fall of 2012, up to 60 MacLauchlan prizes for effective writing will be awarded to students who have demonstrated writing achievement in a variety of formats, in their academic programs and in communityoriented work, and to UPEI faculty or staff members for leadership and innovation in writing instruction and program development. Says UPEI’s Vice-President Academic Jim Randall, “by celebrating writing excellence, these awards send a powerful signal to our students and our province regarding the collective importance of writing.” The MacLauchlan family has a history, spanning more than 25 years, of contributing to student success at the University of Prince Edward Island.«
Several generations of the MacLauchlan family were represented at the official announcement of the program of awards: Back (l-r): John MacDougall, Roger MacLauchlan, Marjorie MacLauchlan, Wade MacLauchlan. Second back: Duncan McIntosh, Lorraine MacLauchlan, Lauchie MacDougall. Second from front: Ruth Blazer, Lorna MacDougall, Kathryn MacLauchlan Howe, Mark Howe. Front: Bradley MacLauchlan, Jessica MacDonald (holding Stella), Brenda MacLauchlan, Sadie Howe, Samuel Howe.
Welcome Back!
50th
The SDU Class of 1961, and UPEI Classes of 1971 and 1981, enjoyed reconnecting with fellow alumni during UPEI's summer reunion weekend.
40th
30th 21
simmons family gives back
giving is a
Simmons Family Affair Their vision and generosity positively impacts UPEI students
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Music student Echo Lau
simmons family gives back
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Florence (1 and 2), Louis (3), and Evelyn (4). Supplied photos
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immons is a well-known name in Charlottetown today because of the Simmons Sports Centre, a popular recreation facility and surrounding soccer fields on North River Road. These were established when the Simmons family donated a portion of their farmland to the city. The family also donated land on Kirkwood Drive to Spring Park United church. In making these gifts, they ensured that their property would continue to be enjoyed by the community as green space long after they ceased farming. At UPEI, the Simmons family’s vision and generosity are making a positive impact on students all across the UPEI campus through a range of significant donations made by Louis and Florence Simmons and their sister, Evelyn (Simmons) Matheson. Louis Simmons graduated from Prince of Wales College (PWC), and later earned a BSc from Acadia and an MA from the University of Western Ontario. He spent most of his career running his family’s carbonated beverage business which was established in the late 1800s by his grandfather, George H. Simmons. When Louis passed away in December 1996 at the age of 91, he bequeathed a percentage of his estate to UPEI—more than $185,000—to support priority areas in need of assistance. The UPEI Board of Governors created an endowed fund in his name, and the principal was invested in a pooled endowment. Today, his gift continues to financially support initiatives of UPEI.
Evelyn (Simmons) Matheson, better known as Patty, graduated from PWC in 1933 and spent much of her teaching career at Parkdale Elementary School. She married Robert Matheson of Clyde River. When Mrs. Matheson passed away in March 2011, at the age of 98, the then president of UPEI received a telephone call that will have an ongoing impact on student success. He was advised that she had bequeathed one-third of the residue of her estate to UPEI for general university purposes, and an additional $450,000 to support four significant scholarships in honour of her family. In all, Mrs. Matheson’s bequest to UPEI is more than $1.3 million. Each individual fund will support up to $6,000 per year in scholarships for students in four areas of study—music, veterinary medicine, business, and applied human sciences (formerly family and nutritional sciences). Florence Simmons graduated from PWC in 1935. She studied business and decided to enter banking as a career. She worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia for more than 30 years, but her true passions were music and art. Florence played the organ in most Charlottetown churches and at MacLean’s Funeral Home. In recognition of her 30 years of service, the funeral home created The Florence Simmons Music Award at UPEI. It is granted annually to an organ student who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of the craft and artistry of organ-playing. Florence has made regular contributions to UPEI’s Annual Fund Campaign for more than two decades. Asked why she is such a loyal UPEI benefactor, she responds modestly in words that could well be her family’s motto—“I want to do what I can to help other people get an education.”«
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alumni success
AVC Alumni Thrilled to Come Back » by Anna MacDonald Avc external relations
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ore than a decade after they graduated, the Atlantic Veterinary College is, once again, playing a central role in the lives of Drs. Tracy and Andrea Matthews (AVC’02). Dr. Tracy Matthews is now director of AVC’s veterinary teaching hospital. And Dr. Andrea Matthews has joined the College’s department of companion animals as an assistant professor of radiology and diagnostic imaging. Tracy grew up on a small farm in Staunton, Virginia, where his parents still live today. After finishing his undergraduate degree at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and completing one year of an MBA program at James Madison University, he entered AVC in 1998. Not wanting to lose the work he had put into his MBA, Tracy studied veterinary medicine at AVC during the school year and took the courses he needed to complete his master’s degree during the summers. When asked about his favourite memories of AVC, he immediately replied, “my classmates. We came in as a group of 60 people, most of us didn’t know each other, and we spent the next four years working and living together. It’s like living in a small village. We supported each other, and AVC supported us all.” One of those classmates was Andrea Legge, from Whiteway, Newfoundland and Labrador, who was accepted at AVC after completing her bachelor of science in agriculture at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Tracy and Andrea met on their first day of class and became friends throughout the year—a friendship that progressed to love. After graduating in the spring of 2002, they moved
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Drs. Tracy and Andrea Matthews, with their golden retriever, Spencer
to Newfoundland and Labrador where they got married and worked in separate small animal practices for the next two years. Andrea was interested in radiology, and after two years of private practice in her home province, she accepted a radiology residency at the Cummings school of veterinary medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts. During this time, Tracy was hospital director and veterinarian at a small animal veterinary practice owned by VCA Animal Hospitals in the same state. Most of the time, he worked as a veterinarian, but he also gained valuable experience in the management side of veterinary medicine. After Andrea finished her residency and received her board certification as a radiologist, the couple moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where they settled into their new jobs and a new home. But when the opportunity to come back to AVC arose four years later, Tracy jumped at the chance. “I couldn’t pass this up,” he says with a grin. He is thrilled to be back at his alma mater as the director of the veterinary teaching hospital. “I have always been very proud of the education I received at UPEI and AVC, and I welcome the opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much,” he says. “I can say without exaggeration that most of what I have now at this point in my life, I would not have without AVC.” Tracy and Andrea arrived back on PEI in September and are happily settling into their new home, along with the pets they adopted during their student years at AVC—a golden retriever named Spencer, now age 10, and cats Lily and Jasmine, ages 12 and 11, respectively.«
alumni success
Honours for Distinguished and Inspiring Alumni The UPEI Alumni Association and the Student Union recognized the accomplishments of three inspiring graduates in 2011. Distinguished alumni awards were bestowed on the Honourable Marion Reid and, posthumously, on the late Paul Jelley. Carrie-Ann Matheson received the inaugural Inspiring Young Alumna award. Marion Reid (PWC’46) is a former lieutenant-governor and speaker of the PEI Legislative Assembly. In 1997, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws from UPEI for her outstanding career as an educator and faithful representative of the people of PEI. She was the first recipient of the PEI Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year award. More recently, Marion has served as co-chair of the L.M. Montgomery Land Trust.
Paul Jelley (BA’72) was a long-serving deputy minister in the government of PEI. He retired in the spring of 2009 as deputy minister of finance, secretary to treasury board, and chairman of the master trust pension advisory committee. From 2001 to 2004, he was PEI’s deputy minister of development and technology. He also served in executive roles within the PEI sporting community, including as president of both Hockey PEI and Sport PEI. Paul passed away in 2009. Carrie-Ann Matheson (BMus’96) has reached great heights in the realm of classical music, despite her young age. 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 collaborated with renowned conductors and musicians from around the world. 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.«
Annual fund student callers
learn why from M a r k B o u lt e r
Young alumni giving like never before!
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ast year saw unprecedented numbers of recent UPEI graduates begin to give to the annual fund. One such person is Mark Boulter (BA’05). When Mark received a phone call from a UPEI student who explained the UPEI annual fund, it was the first time he truly reflected on what it means to be a part of an alma mater. For Mark, giving back to UPEI to ensure that students receive the same opportunities he did is one of the reasons he decided to participate. Mark now finds himself one of a special group of young alumni donors who appreciate how rewarding it is to help their future fellow alumni. “Reading letters from current students describing how our donations help them reach their education and career goals is something that every UPEI graduate should experience.” For as little as $10 a month, you can join other young alumni donors. Monthly donations are affordable, and can be more manageable than making one lump sum payment. The set-up for donations is quick and easy! To find out how you can help, call (902) 566-0615 or email advancement@upei.ca«
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alumni success
UPEI Alumnus
Trent Henry at the helm of
Ernst&Young Canada
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rent Henry, a native of Charlottetown who earned his bachelor of business administration from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1989, was named chairman and chief executive officer of Ernst & Young LLP in Canada effective July 3, 2010. Prior to his appointment to the top Ernst & Young post in the country, Henry served as managing partner of the firm’s Canadian Tax practice (2008–10) and joined its Canadian Executive Committee. He also led Ernst & Young’s International Tax practice (2004–08) and was a member of the Canadian Tax Desk in New York (1999–01). A chartered accountant, Henry was named a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2009. Henry credits much of his success to the work ethic instilled in him by his mother, and the high standard of principles upheld by his professors at UPEI. “Growing up in a tight-knit community like I did, I learned a lot about people, and the importance of valuing those around you,” says Henry. “It’s not just about working hard; it’s about being open to learning new things wherever you go. I’m always amazed by the talents and ideas our people bring forward and, in all my years at Ernst & Young, I’ve never stopped learning.” When asked what advice he might give current UPEI school of business students, Henry is adamant they focus on what they love, what they’re passionate about. “Is there a certain course or topic that really inspired you? Is there an industry or field that really sparks your curiosity? Are you the type of person who sees a need in the marketplace and has ideas for how to fill it?” “From there, I’d say always be thinking about gaining experience,” elaborates Henry. “Your career path doesn’t
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have to be linear. It can wind its way through different experiences, companies, geographies, and more. Building my career, I’ve had so many opportunities to try different jobs, work in different cities, build different initiatives.” In addition to his 20-year career at Ernst & Young, Henry still finds time to give back to his community. He is a member of the Board of Pathways to Education, The Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, and currently heads the Accounting Division for the United Way Toronto 2011 campaign. Recently he got involved in The Next 36, a program that helps launch the careers of Canada’s most promising and innovative undergraduates. The program will identify these students through a rigorous national selection process, and give them the academic foundation, practical skills, role models, and networks to become Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. In addition to Henry, the program is supported by over 50 of Canada’s top business leaders, including Nadir Mohamed (Rogers), Anthony Lacavera (Globalive), and Jordan Banks (Facebook Canada), all of whom are personally involved with The Next 36 candidates. In its first year, more than 1,300 students registered to apply from across Canada. “I really encourage UPEI students to apply,” says Henry. “Coming from a unique university and cultural background, you can offer an exciting perspective through programs like this. Entrepreneurs see opportunities where others see only challenges. If that’s how you see the world, then this program could definitely be a good fit for you.” At press time, both Henry and the University learned that Ben Docksteader, a third-year computer science student, has been selected to participate in the 2012 cohort of The Next 36. Henry added he was very excited to see UPEI represented in this important national program. Congratulations Ben!«
2011 founders
A
s his first official act as UPEI president, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz was pleased to take advantage of a special opportunity within his September 24 installation ceremony, to pay tribute to UPEI’s most recent founders. An annual founders’ recognition was first introduced in 2000 to acknowledge those who have contributed in an exceptional way to the University over the years, and to encourage a sense of UPEI’s heritage among incoming and returning students. Mr. Frank Zakem and Dr. Margaret Munro were recognized as founders this year, and Mr. Mel Gallant received the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award, which honours individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on the Atlantic Veterinary College. Dr. Margaret Munro was involved in the creation of the UPEI school of nursing, beginning in 1990, when she was seconded from the faculty of nursing at the University of Calgary to develop the nursing program at UPEI. In 1991, she became the founding dean of UPEI’s new school and remained in that position until July 1997 when she retired. Nursing student Karen Biggar counts Munro as one of her mentors. She said, “Dr. Munro admits her fondest memories
from her time as dean included getting to know the students and mentoring them. Her views on learning continue today, placing high value on education. Throughout almost 40 years of teaching nursing, Dr. Margaret Munro has always been an advocate for students, encouraging them to be critical thinkers and thoughtful practitioners.” Mr. Frank Zakem’s life has always been about service. His long career in post-secondary education, included serving as principal at Holland College’s Charlottetown campus, teaching select classes at St. Dunstan’s University, and helping with the organization of SDU Class of 1954 reunions. He also served as a Charlottetown city councillor and mayor, and was involved with a host of charitable organizations. In her citation, business student Emma McPhail said, “for Frank Zakem, such involvement is as natural as breathing. ‘There are three types of people,’ he is fond of saying, ‘those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who don’t know what happened.’ Frank Zakem rightly places himself in category number one.” Mr. Mel Gallant made his mark managing the funds at the Atlantic Veterinary College, eventually becoming its longest serving employee. He balanced the books on an annual operating budget that grew from about $1 million to roughly $30 million. He put pencil to paper for the initial
UPEI Proudly Recognizes 2011 Founders
Gallant, Munro, and Zakem construction of the AVC facility, tagged at $38.4 million, with the current expansion expected to run to $32 million. He was there “from the ground up” and was well-respected not only for his management abilities but also for his people skills. AVC student Sadie Griffin noted that, “during his tenure, he took great pride in AVC, a feeling he retains to this day. He continues to be a very strong advocate for the College, its people, and its growth and service to the Atlantic region and beyond.” Video interviews with the 2011 founders are available for viewing at remember.upei.ca/founders/2011.«
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raised expectations
Celebrating Raised Expectations
The UPEI Visionary Society
June 30, 2011 was Wade MacLauchlan’s final day as UPEI’s president and vice-chancellor, after 12 years of dedicated service to the University. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of UPEI shared memories and expressed their appreciation at two special events in his honour—the raised expectations fundraising dinner and celebration in the ChiWan Young Sports Centre on June 10, and a campus social held in the Main Quadrangle on June 23. Under MacLauchlan’s leadership, the University demonstrated its capacity to employ brains, ambition, and talent—enhanced by education—to challenge ourselves, to aim for the “next level up,” and to succeed against standards of competitive excellence. In the spirit of his example, UPEI established the H. Wade MacLauchlan raised expectations awards to recognize selected students who demonstrate the greatest academic improvement during their high school years and go on to study at UPEI. The raised expectations medal will be awarded to the UPEI graduate whose academic standing has improved the most compared with his or her entrance grades. The University appreciates your support for these inspirational awards. To contribute contact advancement@ upei.ca. To view the illustrated retrospective of MacLauchlan’s tenure at UPEI, visit upei.ca/retrospective.«
The UPEI Visionary Society was established in 2005 to recognize those who include UPEI in their estate plans. If you have made provision for the University of Prince Edward Island or its Atlantic Veterinary College in your planning, please let us know. We would like to show our appreciation, and make sure you are updated on news and developments here at UPEI. Visionary Society members receive the chancellor’s Inukshuk, regular updates and an invitation to an annual reception. Whether or not you choose to make a future gift to the University, we would be happy to provide you, in confidence, with information on estate planning. Your enquiry in no way implies commitment. If you would like to speak with someone about your giving plans, please contact Tracey Comeau, at (902) 5660354 or toll free 1-866-453-4119.«
UPEIʼs Annual Donor Report is available for viewing at upei.ca/adr.
It is gratifying to see our talented students supported by you, our generous donors. Thank you and all the best in 2012!
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afterwords
I
’ve grown used to university presidents now. I run into them from time to time and I even call them by their first name—“Mister President.” I wasn’t always so casual. I was raised with a healthy respect for authority figures. How could I not, being the youngest of nine, growing up in a culture where one of the gravest sins was impertinence towards one’s elders. Where your teacher was addressed as “Teacher,” with a capital “T.” Where, if you had any doubts about the wisdom of executive dictates, you kept them to yourself. And so, when I came to UPEI an impossibly long time ago, I possessed more deference than Uriah Heep (the character not the band) and a good deal more sincerity about it. What I knew about the administration could be comfortably accommodated in a thimble. There was, of course, a registrar’s office. They took your money. And there were professors. They ruled your academic life. Off in the scholastic haze there was a dean. And somewhere further still there was the president. The position carried mystery and gravitas somewhat at odds with my only previous exposure to our president, a yearbook picture of him at the piano, bowler hat tilted suggestively back, belting out a show tune. And then, somewhat improbably, I met him. I met the President. It Ed MacDonald was all Joyce Arbing’s fault. graduated from UPEI in She wanted to go to the 1978 with a BA (history and English). Following his doctorate in history at Queen’s University in 1984, he worked for 15 years in the Island’s provincial museum system before becoming a faculty member in UPEIʼs annual Deans’ List Dinner, history department in her boyfriend couldn’t go, 2000. and so, she prevailed on me to accompany her. I was dubious at first. “We’ll sit at the back,” she reassured me, “and if it’s really boring, we’ll just slip out before the speeches.” So, we went. (It being such a swank affair, I probably even wore my orange plaid baggies.) But when we got there, Joyce’s business prof promptly flagged her down and insisted that we sit at his table. At the front. With the University Chancellor. And the President Ronald J. Baker, OC, BA, MA, LLD. Instead of lurking snidely in the wings, making clever comments about the whole production, I found myself in august company, on my best behaviour, and beset with social uncertainty. What constituted proper conversation at a presidential table? I had no idea. And so, I sat as silent (as Stephen Leacock once wrote), as a frog shot full of lead, fixating on the rich assortment of cutlery that cordoned off my plate. Which fork should one use? Why was there more
than one knife? And what was that beside my plate? It was too small for a soup dish. In fact, it looked like a cup with no handle. And it was filled with a thin, dark liquid. I sniffed surreptitiously. It smelled like soup and looked like hot chocolate. Was I supposed to drink it or eat it? These didn’t seem like the sort of questions that one might ask the president. Joyce was across the table, out of whisper-range, poised and charming. I felt a trickle of sweat under my collar. Convinced my social-climbing career was on the line, I played for time. I nonchalantly took up my roll and buttered it with elaborate care, waiting to see what everyone else might do with their cup. In mid-anecdote, the president reached for his spoon. I watched covertly. The air was thick with suspense. Well, actually, it was thick with … consommé. You didn’t run into much consommé
Precedence » by Edward MacDonald class of ’78
in downtown Newport, PEI. (Still don’t, actually.) “Ah,” I murmured under my breath, manfully took up my spoon … and ate. I don’t remember much more about that evening. The speeches were boring. We did not get to leave early. I made no major faux pas. Indeed, the president proved to be a diverting dinner companion, though I did not think to tell him so. A few months later, we both graduated from UPEI, for the end of his term coincided with the end of my undergraduate career. We’ve both travelled a long road since then, but about a year ago, my wife and I attended a small dinner party in his honour. (There was no consommé.) He remains a diverting dinner companion, and he told fascinating stories about his tenure at our school. And then, just last week, the new president invited me over to his office for a chat. “Call me Alaa,” he said. You know, I just might.«
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