ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ extends its condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and devoted readers of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ honorary degree recipient Alistair MacLeod. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University in 2002. MacLeod passed away on Sunday, April 20 at the age of 77 in Windsor, Ontario.

MacLeod is a well-known, award-winning Canadian author and considered one of the country's best short story writers. Born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, he then moved to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia at the age of 10. Most recently, MacLeod taught literature and creative writing at the University of Windsor. He would return to Inverness County, Nova Scotia during the summertime, where he would write in his cabin facing west, overlooking Prince Edward Island. In 2008, MacLeod was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his commitment to, and influence on, Canadian literature and its authors.

"No one has ever said that life is to be easy. Only that it is to be lived." - Alistair MacLeod

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ has officially named a new terrace located adjacent to Don and Marion McDougall Hall, the Colleen Keefe Malone Terrace, in memory of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ alumna, the late Colleen Keefe Malone. The naming took place on Monday, April 21 at an event where a memorial and stonework were also unveiled.

Colleen Keefe Malone was the first female to graduate with a Bachelor of Business from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ in 1971. She then went on to a noteworthy career in human resources, serving as a Director for the PEI Civil Service Commission for many years. She and her eight siblings all attended ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, each becoming impactful community leaders in their professions. In 2011, the Keefe and Malone families were deeply saddened to lose Colleen to illness at the age of 61. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend.

The University is proud to officially name the terrace in honour of Colleen Keefe Malone, who is especially remembered by her husband Leonard and their two children, Leslie and Jason.

'Colleen provided inspiration to family, friends, and colleagues,' says Dr. Greg Keefe, a brother and Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University. 'In addition to her exceptional professional contribution to human resource management, she was a constant support to her immediate and extended family. She was our core: encouraging each of us, celebrating our successes, and sustaining us through challenges.'

In her memory, the Keefe family with Colleen's husband Leonard Malone made a leadership gift commitment in the amount of $104,000 to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. This leadership gift supports the Colleen Keefe Malone Memorial Scholarship. The annual award recognizes a business student who is in good academic standing and who intends to pursue a career in human resource management.

'On behalf of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, I sincerely thank the Keefe and Malone families for memorializing Colleen through the Colleen Keefe Malone Memorial Scholarship,' said ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'This, along with naming of the terrace, is a very fitting tribute to a great woman who impacted the lives of so many. Her legacy will now benefit the lives of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ students into the future.'

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is recruiting volunteers for a nutrition research study who meet the following criteria: overweight, non-smokers, not diabetic, between the ages of 21-65.

If you meet all of the above criteria, you may be eligible to participate in the study whose purpose is to evaluate the health effects of blueberry consumption on indicators of diabetes and heart disease. Study investigators are Dr. Katherine Gottschall-Pass, Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, and Dr. Kim Stote.

If you are interested in participating, please attend one of the following 30-minute information sessions in Room 301 (dining room), Health Sciences Building, on the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ campus:

Wednesday, April 23-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Thursday, April 24-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Friday, April 25-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Monday, April 28-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Tuesday, April 29-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Wednesday, April 30-12:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Parking is available for the noon information sessions in the CARI/MacLauchlan Arena parking lot, while Parking Lot C is available for the evening information sessions.

For information:
Dr. Kim Stote
2012-13 ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Fullbright Scholar
Research Chair of Nutriscience and Health
kstote@upei.ca

Four honorary degrees will be conferred at the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's two convocation ceremonies on Saturday, May 10. Honorary graduands include well-known Canadian industrialist Robert K. Irving; retired Major-General Matthew Macdonald; music educator and former Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, the Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman; and community visionary and retired educator James C. MacAulay.

'This is an important year for PEI, the birthplace of Confederation, as the province celebrates 150 years since hosting the Charlottetown Conference,' said ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, 'It is so fitting that each of our honorary degree recipients, in addition to excelling in their careers, have contributed to building community and nationhood.'

The University's Senate approved the honorary graduands at a meeting earlier this year in accordance with University policy that states honorary doctorates of laws will be presented to individuals who display the highest levels of achievement in public and community service.

Mr. Robert K. Irving is a well-known Canadian industrialist and is currently Co-Chief Executive Officer of J.D. Irving, Limited, responsible for several businesses within the Irving Group of Companies including consumer products in tissue and diapers, frozen food processing, transportation and courier, as well as industrial human resource services. Highly involved in the community, Irving supports a wide variety of youth education and literacy programs, and is also an active fundraiser and champion for community health and development. In 2011, Mr. Irving received the 'Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement' award from the Boys & Girls Club of Moncton in recognition of his leadership and contribution. He is also involved with the local Moncton Wildcats Hockey team and is the current chair of the Greater Moncton Economic Leadership Council. Irving resides in Moncton, New Brunswick with his wife Jill and their four children.

Major-General Matt Macdonald retired from the Canadian Forces in 2011 after over 35 years of service. During his time in the Forces, he commanded Canadians at all levels within the Army structure and was greatly revered for his leadership skills. Prior to enrolling in the Forces, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. Macdonald was awarded the Order of the Military Merit at the Officer grade, an exceptional performance distinction bestowed on few. Over the course of his career, he has spent time in Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan and many other places in support of Canadian Forces missions. Over the last four years of his career, he served the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces as the Chief of Defence Intelligence where he was the principal intelligence advisor to the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff. Since retirement he has worked with his son's software company, MJL Enterprises Inc., of Charlottetown, PEI.

The Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman is a music educator, community volunteer, and graduate of Mount Allison University's music program. She has been involved in the music community on PEI as a choral conductor, music teacher, vocalist, organist, and advocate for music and the arts for more than 45 years. Hagerman served on the national boards of the Canada Council, the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals, the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors, and the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust. Her volunteerism in PEI includes efforts on behalf of the PEI Music Festival Association, various figure skating and gymnastics programs, and church initiatives. In 2006, Hagerman was installed as the 40th Lieutenant-Governor of PEI. In this role, she connected directly with the University and was instrumental in the establishment of two major initiatives that have had a profound and positive impact on students. Hagerman is a member of the Order of PEI, Dame of Justice of the Order of St. John, a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International, and Elder at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown. She resides in Stratford with her husband Nelson.

Mr. James (Jim) C. MacAulay earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees at Saint Dunstan's University, and a Master of Education degree from St. Francis Xavier University. He has held positions as a teacher, Vice Principal, and Principal of Morell Regional High School, and as a consultant with the Eastern School District. He introduced the Drivers' Education Program to Morell Regional High School, helped expand the Red Cross Water Safety Program in St. Peters/Morell, established Early Childhood Education in Morell, and was instrumental in the creation of the Morell Learning Centre. Although retired, MacAulay continues to educate people through his various volunteer activities in the community. He is a past president of the PEI Teachers Federation, PEI Retired Teachers Association, and Provincial Command, Royal Canadian Legion. A visionary who is widely known for his organizational ability and his ability to 'get things done,' MacAulay has been a catalyst for the development of numerous initiatives in many communities in Prince Edward Island and is a strong proponent of the benefit of higher education. MacAulay and his wife Lauretta reside in St. Peters Bay, PEI.

The Convocation ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 10 in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre with the first ceremony beginning at 10:00 am and the afternoon ceremony at 2:30 pm. Irving will address the morning convocation while Hagerman will deliver the afternoon ceremony's address.

Silver Bullet Water Treatment Company has engaged Dr. Greg Keefe and Dr. Javier Sanchez to test its water treatment system on dairy farms. Dr. Sanchez is a professor of Health Management at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Dr. Keefe is a professor in the same department and an Innovation PEI Industry Research Chair.

'Dairy cattle need constant access to clean water for good health and to achieve optimum production,' said Dr. Keefe. 'Water is the single largest component of a cows diet and poor quality can have negative effects. This study will examine how the Silver Bullet system affects herd health and production.'

The Silver Bullet system processes the source of drinking water for dairy cattle to prevent bacterial growth without the addition of toxic chemicals. The AVC study will include 20 dairy herds, representing approximately 1200 cows.

'Silver Bullet Water Treatment is pleased to collaborate with the Atlantic Veterinary College,' said Ashish Rampal, General Manager of the Silver Bullet Corporation. 'Water quality is a critical nutrient in producing high-quality milk. Farms installed with Silver Bullet today report positive observations regarding treated versus non-treated water on milk production, milk components, and other key benchmarks, including udder health. These results indicate encouraging trends in improved milk quality and production volume, which the study intends to validate.'

The study will be run as a clinical trial over two time periods. Herds will be randomly selected to either be left with their current watering system or be equipped with the Silver Bullet system. The AVC team will measure water consumption and assess the impact on cow-level productivity. The study will also measure udder health and bacteria levels in water systems at the Maritime Quality Milk laboratory at the AVC.

This contract with the Silver Bullet Corporation was negotiated and facilitated by Three Oaks Innovations Inc.-an independent company owned by the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, tasked with bridging industry with the innovative researchers at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ.

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

The ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Board of Governors approved a balanced operating budget for the 2014-15 year at its April meeting that keeps tuition rates among the lowest in the Maritimes and avoids core program cuts or layoffs.

The Board's approval is the last step in a process that began last August when ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz began planning earlier than in previous years, in order to give the campus more time to develop the budget proposal.

'The operating budget is the key strategic document used for planning and funding operating expenditures of the University, therefore, the Budget Committee began its work following the approval of last year's budget,' said President Abd-El-Aziz. 'The budget proposal to the Board of Governors was prepared with input from the University community through the Directors and Chairs, Deans, and Vice-Presidents.'

Through careful financial management, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ was able to sustain existing student programs and services. The University's approach was to look at ways to increase revenues while reducing expenditure budgets in a three-year budget scenario.

University revenues are used to cover core-operating costs including wages, utilities, equipment replacement and supply cost increases. The principal sources of funding are the provincial government operating grant and student tuition.

'We appreciate that post-secondary education continues to be a priority for the Government of PEI,' added President Abd-El-Aziz. 'The provincial government core operating grant constituted 50% of total ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ revenue in 2013-14.' In the latest provincial budget, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's operating grant stayed the same.

Undergraduate tuition will rise by 3%, as compared to last year's increase of 4%. This increase represents $16 per course or $160 per year for a student taking a full course load. International student fees will also increase by 3%.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Student Union President Anastasia Smallwood said, 'While the Student Union cannot support a tuition increase, we understand that the University faces a number of budgetary pressures as do other post-secondary institutions across the country. We do appreciate being included in discussions about the budget and are pleased that the budget does not include any cuts to core student programs and services, or any increases to ancillary student fees, such as the Athletics and Administration fees.'

Throughout the budget process, administrators across campus worked to minimize the impact on ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's most valuable resource-people-by reducing non-salary expenditures as much as possible. While the proportion of the operating budget allocated to salaries and benefits remains high at 72%, ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ was able to prevent layoffs through vacancy management and attrition.

Normal inflationary effects, salary increments, pension commitments, benefit costs, heat, electricity, deferred maintenance, continue to be other cost drivers.

The operating budget does not include research funds, which are budgeted separately on a project-by-project basis but does include the budget of departments that provide support to research.
Capital projects are also budgeted on a project-by-project basis and reported within the capital assets fund.

The 2014-15 Operating Budget can be viewed

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Women's Hockey Head Coach Bruce Donaldson is very pleased to announce Islanders Cassidy McCabe and Emma Weatherbie will join the Panthers for the 2014-15 season.

'Any time we can keep two great Island players home to play in our program is a very positive statement on both the school and the program,' said Donaldson. 'Both McCabe and Weatherbie have had success at the AA level, playing as the host team at the Esso Nationals, the Atlantic Challenge Cup, as well as Team Atlantic experience. They have the ability to score, have great work ethic, and while Weatherbie is known for being very quick, both players like getting into the tough areas on the ice. These girls will complement our team brand of play, and will be great additions on and off the ice.'

McCabe is a forward who played with the Capital Distract Cyclones from peewee to second-year midget, then finished her midget career with the Central Storm in 2013-14. In 2010, she was one of seven players chosen to represent PEI at the Four Nations Cup Skill Challenge in NFLD. In 2011, her Capital District bantam team was the Atlantic Champion.

McCabe is enrolled in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Faculty of Science program. 'It's always been a dream of mine to play university hockey, and to have the opportunity to play in my home province with the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Panthers makes the experience that much more special,' she said.

Also a forward, Weatherbie has been playing hockey for thirteen years with the Central Storm and cites among her best hockey experiences was competing at the U18 National Female Hockey Championships in Calgary with Team Atlantic and the Esso National Female Midget Championship where she was selected as 'Player of the Game' with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win against Quebec.

Weatherbie is also enrolled in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Faculty of Science program. 'ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is a great fit for me with both hockey and education. I am very excited to be able to play the game I love at home in front of my family and friends,' she said.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman is thrilled to welcome two more Islanders to the Panther family. 'Cassidy and Emma are wonderful additions to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Women's Hockey, and I would like to welcome each to the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ,' says Schurman.

Go Panthers Go!

Emma Weatherbie

For information:
Ron Annear
ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca

Researchers at the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ are looking for volunteers to participate in one of two studies to evaluate the physiological effects of capsaicinoids-the active ingredient in chili peppers. Capsaicinoids are known for their ability to increase weight loss and cardiovascular health while decreasing appetite and pain.

A 12-week study will analyze the effect of capsaicinoids on metabolism (the use of fat or carbohydrates), weight, body composition, and cardiovascular function. A separate, two-week study will focus on the effects of capsaicinoids on exercise performance and endurance during a high intensity fitness test. Testing will take place at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ.

The project is looking for non-smoking, healthy male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 45. Participants will be given their test results as well as $50. All data collected will be confidential and anonymous.

For more information on the project, or to sign up, contact Dr. Pamela Arsenault at upei.research@gmail.com. This research is carried out at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Department of Applied Human Sciences.

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

The future of the Island's water supply will be the subject of an upcoming public symposium at the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. In light of recent concern about increased pressure on our groundwater resources by urban, industrial, and agricultural use, this event is a timely one.

Island Water Futures: Assessing the Science will take place in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Room 242 of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Don and Marion McDougall Hall, beginning at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20. The symposium is sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies in conjunction with ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Research Services.

This is a public-forum event with presentations by three speakers: Dr. Ryan O'Connor, Dr. Cathy Ryan, and Dr. Michael van den Heuvel.

Dr. O'Connor, a graduate of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, is an environmental historian. His PhD thesis, written at the University of Western Ontario, will be published this year by UBC Press under the title The First Green Wave. His talk will provide a general overview of research done so far relating to the Island's groundwater resources; he will review the various scientific papers, reports, and theses produced about the Island's water supply.

Dr. Ryan is a professor cross-appointed to Geoscience and Environmental Sciences at the University of Calgary with a long interest in agricultural impacts on water quality. She leads a team of hydrogeologists working with agricultural scientists to understand groundwater in the fractured sandstone on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia as part of the Canadian Water Network's Secure Source Water Network.

Dr. van den Heuvel is the Canada Research Chair in Watershed Ecological Integrity at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. He studies the effects of agriculture and chemical use on freshwater and coastal environments. His focus is the endocrine responses, immunotoxicology, and population health of fish. He is working to develop methods and solutions to best monitor environmental problems and better protect rivers in Prince Edward Island.

The symposium will be chaired by Diane Griffin, long-time councillor for the Town of Stratford and a former deputy minister of the provincial Department of the Environment. Last year, Dr. Griffin was awarded an honorary doctorate by ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ.

Members of the public are cordially invited to attend this symposium. Admission is free. Following the three presentations, there will be ample time for discussion and questions from the floor.

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

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ students Kathleen Murphy, Stephanie Culleton, and Ben Cudmore received recognition from the Canadian Cancer Society at a ceremony held in Charlottetown on April 22. Murphy received the national Outstanding Youth Leadership Award (given to only one youth volunteer in Canada each year); Culleton received the PEI Division's Leaders of Tomorrow Award; and Cudmore and his family received the national medal of courage. President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Pamela Fralick was on hand to present the awards.

Murphy was honored for her leadership, which motivates hundreds of volunteers, and has inspired a new generation of Island youth to become more involved in the fight against cancer.

The award nomination package mentions that in 2010, Murphy and her friends created Canada's first 'Tan-Free Prom' campaign. Their effort to promote the idea of 'love the skin you're in' received national media attention, and was applauded across the country. A framework to duplicate this initiative was developed and shared with PEI high schools, as well as with cancer prevention staff across the Society. Tan-Free Proms now take place across the country. Murphy has also been a strong advocate to ban the regular use of tanning beds. Her advocacy efforts led to provincial bans on tanning bed usage by minors under the age of 18, including a ban in PEI in 2012. Her hard work and commitment to seeing restrictions on tanning for youth will have a lasting impact on the lives of Canadians.

Over past three years, Murphy has also co-chaired ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ's Relay for Life. And prior to that, she helped lead the Kensington Intermediate Senior High School's Relay For Life. Over the years, she helped to raise over $200,000 for cancer research and for the Society's programs and services on Prince Edward Island.

'Kathleen has been a driving force for the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Relay for Life fundraiser for a number of years now,' said Interim Vice-President Academic Christian Lacroix. 'Her leadership, energy, and enthusiasm is contagious and has made the annual event such a success.'

Culleton was recognized provincially for her courage and motivation as a cancer survivor herself, and for her avid volunteerism with the Society, in particular with the Westisle Relay for Life. Culleton is currently enrolled in nursing at ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ and continues to volunteer with the Westisle Relay for Life, as well as the ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ Relay for Life, and the Kensington Relay for Life.

Cudmore and his family received the national honour 'for their efforts to inspire others on a cancer journey.' Ben, alongside his mother Michele, father Jamie, sister Tess, and brother Jon, advocated for catastrophic drug coverage for all Islanders and raised thousands of dollars to advance the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society, all while Michele was battling cancer. The Cudmore family lost Michele to the disease in August 2013.

'My dad says it's really Mom who deserves this award because she was so brave and such an inspiration the whole time. But it feels really good to get something like this because we have been courageous. We've been through a lot and we're just happy to share our story,' said Ben in a news release issued by the Canadian Cancer Society.

ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ congratulates Kathleen, Stephanie, and Ben!