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As the busy academic year gets underway, the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ will take time to celebrate its extensive history and look forward to a bright future at its tenth annual Founders' Day ceremony on Friday, September 25, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

On Founders' Day, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ honours its rich heritage and traditions, acknowledges people who have contributed to it in an exceptional way, and instills a sense of heritage and community in incoming and returning students. Members of the public are invited to share in the excitement at a ceremony in the Alex H. MacKinnon auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall. (Please note this is a new location.)

"Founders' Day is a special tradition at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ," said University President Wade MacLauchlan. "We welcome the entire community to come to campus and join in a meaningful celebration, as we recognize the many contributions that have enabled us to build and sustain a fine university."

To mark the tenth anniversary of Founders' Day, an alumnus from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ and from each of its founding institutions, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales College, will be recognized as Founders. They are: ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ chaplain and retired faculty member Father Charlie Cheverie (SDU '53); adult educator and literacy advocate Barb Macnutt (PWC '66); and educator and sports figure Bob Gray (ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ '73 and '74).

Bob Gray will give the Founders' Day address. And the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Brass Quintet will play the processional music and three fanfares written by retired ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ music professor Bert Tersteeg for last year's Founders' Day ceremony.

As well, the 2009 Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award will be presented to Dr. Bob Curtis, a retired Atlantic Veterinary College faculty member who was instrumental in establishing the College's Department of Health Management in the mid-1980s. This prestigious award was established in 2000 to pay tribute to individuals who have had a significant and positive impact on the Atlantic Veterinary College and veterinary medicine in Atlantic Canada.

Prior to the ceremony, there will be a barbecue at the Meincke Plaza in front of the W.A. Murphy Centre. This event is free, but donations to the Passion for Life Award will be gratefully accepted. And everyone is invited to a reception in the VIP Lounge at the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Alumni Canada Games Place after the ceremony.

Founders' Day is part of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's annual Homecoming Weekend, which takes place from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27. For information about Founders' Day and Homecoming Weekend, please contact Sarah MacInnis, Alumni Outreach Co-ordinator, at (902) 566-0687 or alumni@upei.ca, or visit