The UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for the week of January 18-24 are Angenay Williams, Women’s Basketball and Tyler Scott, Men’s Basketball. On a weekly basis, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes these talented student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. UPEI Athletes of the Week are then nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who:  Angenay Williams, Women’s Hockey, and Tyler Scott, Men’s Basketball

What: UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week

When: Week of January 18-24

Where: University of Prince Edward Island

Why: Williams, a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student from Chicago, Illinois, led the Panthers in scoring and on the boards on the weekend. Williams collected 32 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists while making 5 steals in leading her team to a split of weekend games against UNB and Dalhousie. The Panthers beat UNB, 70-56, on Friday before losing to Dal, 73 to 68, on Saturday.

Scott, a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Halifax, NS, led the Panthers offensively on the weekend. In the Panthers 94-75 win over UNB and 79-78 loss to Dal, Scott scored 16 and 23 points while adding 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. He went 7/7 from the free throw line.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place and UPEI Turf
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas
   

Euthanasia is one of the most difficult issues facing veterinarians and their clients. Starting on February 23, the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) will launch a new webinar series that will provide continuing education (CE) credits to veterinarians and animal health technicians.

Presenter Dr. Caroline Hewson will share practical and evidence-based training and resources that she has developed for end-of-life care for animals and for minimizing stress in animals when they are hospitalized.

After six years in mixed practice in the United Kingdom (UK), Hewson obtained her PhD from the University of Guelph in 1997. From 2000 to 2006, she served as the first Research Chair in Animal Welfare at AVC. During her tenure as chair, she initiated the animal welfare column in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, AVC’s annual Animal Welfare in Practice conference, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s practical posters on analgesia.

After returning to the UK, Hewson was nominated Pet Plan Vet of the Year in 2008. In 2013 she created “The Loss of Your Pet” client-care packs, which are designed to help veterinary practices to assist their clients in dealing with euthanasia. She delivers evidence-based webinars, in-person training, and resources to help veterinary practices bridge the support gap with bereaved clients and minimize the risk of vet-client disputes about patients’ end-of-life.

Participants will receive three hours of continuing education (CE) credits for the complete series, or one hour of CE for each webinar. There is a small registration fee for veterinarians and animal health technicians. Veterinary students can participate free of charge. For information and to register, please visit upei.ca/awc

Luke Gaudet (fourth-year BBA with accounting specialization) and Hannah Dawson (third-year BBA) have added to the growing list of successes for UPEI case students this season. The two students recently won third place in the final round of the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC) at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, from January 14–16. ICBC is Canada's longest-running undergraduate business case competition, which features eight different events in which students can compete (accounting, strategy, ethics, debating, finance, human resources, marketing, and management of information systems).

In October 2015, UPEI competed in the preliminary round of ICBC in the marketing category against over 60 teams from business schools around the world. Students analyzed a case detailing real-world problems that a business was experiencing and provided a written case analysis. UPEI’s strong showing in the preliminary round earned them an invitation to the final round to compete against Okanagan College, Queen’s University, University of Regina, University of Toronto (St. George campus), and Trent University.

“The preliminary round competition is extremely fierce. With over 60 Canadian and international schools competing, securing a spot in the top six is already an amazing accomplishment,” said Case Competition Program Coordinator and Coach Mary Whitrow.

During the final round in Kingston, students were again tasked with assessing a case they had never seen before, analyzing available information, and crafting a strategic marketing solution in only 5.5 hours. They then had 15 minutes to present their solution to a judging panel of academic and industry professionals, and then an additional five minutes to answer the judges’ questions and defend their recommendations. This process is rigorous and forces students to think quickly and critically about their solutions. “ICBC was an incredible learning experience,” said Hannah Dawson.

Luke competed in ICBC last year in the strategy event, where he and his teammates received third place. “ICBC was a fantastic experience once again. It was a pleasure to work alongside such a great teammate, and I cannot thank our coach and advisors enough for their tremendous support.”

Juergen Krause, Dean of the UPEI School of Business, knows that the case team is an important program for not just the School of Business, but all of UPEI. “These students are representing UPEI and improving our reputation worldwide. We are proud of our students.”

The students appreciate all the support they have received from faculty and staff at the UPEI School of Business. “We are very thankful for this program and to have been given such an opportunity.” said Luke.

Congratulations team!

Dear Members of the University Community,

A New Year brings new, exciting challenges and opportunities, and 2016 is promising to be a year of monumental achievement in the history of both UPEI and the province of Prince Edward Island.

It is with great excitement that I write with the latest update on the construction of UPEI’s new School of Sustainable Design Engineering. I invited the UPEI Board of Governors to tour the facility yesterday prior to their regular meeting. Associate Dean of Engineering Nicholas Krouglicof and I donned our steel-toed boots to show off a point of pride and innovative development at UPEI. I know it is safe to say that our board members were duly impressed.

Click here to view photos from our tour, as well as a previous visit by the Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning.

It is easy to be awestruck with the pace of construction, and if you drive or walk by the site regularly, I am sure you have seen firsthand how quickly our state-of-the-art 76,000 square foot building has been progressing. The exterior is now complete and trades are well along on the interior. And, I am pleased to report that the building is on budget and on schedule to welcome students in September 2016.

This facility, and the progressive teaching and learning it houses, will be where innovation meets action. Once completed, there will be many fascinating features including a green roof, roof-mounted wind energy array, and photovoltaic (solar panel) array. The interior will include industry partner labs, ideation spaces, design studios, and a signature “learning stairwell.”

The project is also remarkable because approximately 96 per cent of the labour force tasked with design and construction is local. I would like to thank the PEI companies who have contributed to date:

• Island Coastal Services
• Southern Kings Construction
• MacDougall Steel
• Arsenault Brothers
• A49 Architecture
• MCM Bricklayers
• Ashe Roofing
• Bevan Brothers
• Hansen Electric
• Island Steel
• Tile Master
• Constable Painting
• MCA Consultants
• Richardson Associates

Please also join me in thanking and congratulating the hardworking teams who made this achievement possible: UPEI Faculty of Science and UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering faculty and staff, administrative staff from across campus, students, the industry advisory committee, and our government partners. So many have worked diligently to build this inspiring facility that will positively affect countless lives through the design of sustainable solutions for challenges in our local, regional, and global communities. The UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering will lead to immeasurable benefits in the fields of science and engineering for many years to come.

I am so excited and look forward to sharing more UPEI School of Sustainable Design Engineering success stories with you, the country, and the world.

Best wishes,

Alaa  

Dr. Alaa S. Abd-El-Aziz
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Prince Edward Island   

The UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for the week of January 25-31 are Tamara Tompkins, Women’s Basketball, and Matt Mahalak, Men’s Hockey. On a weekly basis, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes these talented student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. UPEI Athletes of the Week are then nominated to Atlantic University Sport and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for possible recognition in the region and/or country.

Who:  Tamara Tompkins, Women’s Basketball, and Matt Mahalak, Men’s Hockey

What: UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the Week

When: Week of January 25-31, 2016

Where: University of Prince Edward Island

Why: Tompkins, a fifth-year Bachelor of Science Kinesiology student from Centreville, New Brunswick, averaged 11 points on 41% field goal shooting during the Panthers 94-52 and 63-50 losses to Cape Breton on the weekend. Tompkins was 7 for 7 from the free throw line and averaged 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Mahalak, a second-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Monroe, Michigan, is playing strong in goal for the Panthers.  During the weekend’s 2-1 loss to UNB and 6-3 win over STU, Mahalak recorded 83 saves. Mahalak’s save percentage is currently second in the league while his goals against average is sixth.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place and UPEI Turf
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas

UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Huggan welcomed Marc MacDonald last week as the new operator of Panther Sports Medicine. The entire UPEI community was rocked last year when the Panthers beloved chief physiotherapist Ralph Manning passed away suddenly.

"It has been a challenging few months for all of us (coaches, athletes and staff) as we have grieved Ralph's death and tried to carry on without his services. We are so pleased that Marc MacDonald acquired Ralph’s business in December and welcome him and his reactive health team to the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre,” said Huggan. “I know they are excited about the opportunity and are committed to providing high quality services at the clinic and for our student-athletes."

A Registered Physiotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience across a wide scope of the rehabilitation profession, MacDonald and his wife Lana, also a Registered Physiotherapist, worked throughout Florida for many years with one of the largest healthcare companies in the United States, focusing primarily in sports orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Their tender with this company allowed them to work closely with many orthopaedic surgeons servicing NHL, NFL, PGA, university, and community athletes.

The couple and their two children returned to PEI in 2009 to be closer to family and opened their private practice, reactive health, shortly thereafter. Marcel MacDonald, a UPEI alumnus, joined them in 2012 as a partner. His first position as a Registered Physiotherapist was at the UPEI Sports Centre.

Trevor Dunphy, Resident Physiotherapist, is also a UPEI alumnus and former varsity athlete who will begin work at Panther Sports Medicine as part of the reactive health team. Dunphy is extremely excited to “give back” to the community that treated him so well when he was playing soccer for UPEI.

“On behalf of everyone at reactive health, we are extremely excited to represent Panther Sports Medicine and to continue to provide rehabilitative services to the University,” said Marc MacDonald. “We all have a deep respect for Ralph Manning and what he contributed to the scope of our profession as well as to the Panther community. We hope to build upon his legacy.”

To contact Marc or a member of the Panther Sports Medicine team, call (902) 620-5181.

The University of Prince Edward Island extends its condolences on the passing of UPEI Founder John Joseph “Joe” Revell after learning of his death yesterday after a brief illness. He was 80 years old.

The name “Joe Revell” is one that is very familiar to those who know UPEI. Professor Revell had a distinguished and memorable career in the UPEI School of Business acting as the first Dean and Chair. He easily stepped into the role of a university professor and as a former graduate of both Prince of Wales College (1955) and Saint Dunstan's University (1957), he was no stranger to the campus.

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said, “Our University has lost a great friend in Joe. Not only was he a long-time Professor and former Dean of the UPEI School of Business, he also continued to support UPEI in retirement. He was a champion of many community causes and served on the UPEI Board of Governors for many years. I remember when I first arrived at UPEI, Joe welcomed me and provided such great support. I will always appreciate his generosity of spirit and wisdom.”

“On behalf of the entire UPEI community, I pass on my most sincere sympathies to Joe’s wife Jeanie; children Jim, Dan, and Janice; family, friends, and colleagues,” added President Abd-El-Aziz.

Professor Revell retired from the UPEI School of Business in 2000 after 35 years as a teacher and administrator with both SDU and UPEI. He served as chair of the department from 1968-78, Dean from 1981-87, and again from 1996-98. Professor Revell served as a member of the University Senate and was Chairman of the University Athletic Board—and up until recently, he never missed a UPEI Men’s Hockey home game. He was on the UPEI Board of Governors from 2005 until 2012 and was named a UPEI Founder in 2001.

As was noted during the 2001 Founders Ceremony, Joe led UPEI and the School of Business through its developing years with dedication, vision, hard work, and a general interest in the well being of his students. He believed that positive communication was key and said, “students bring an enthusiasm and inquisitiveness which can be a great deal of fun.” Professor Revell was often heard encouraging his students, calling them by name, helping out in any way he could, and as one colleague recalled, "he was always up for a friendly game of golf.”

Memorial donations may be made to the J.J. Revell Business Scholarship at UPEI by phoning 902-894-2888; visiting UPEI's secure, online donations webpage (please note the award name in the "Designate Your Gift" section); or mailing Kim Roach, UPEI Development and Alumni Engagement, UPEI, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Belvedere Funeral Home in Charlottetown. UPEI will lower its flags to half-mast in his memory.

UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz signed two memorandums of understanding so far this week, with Chitkara University and Punjab Agricultural University, as part of an Ontario-PEI trade mission to India.

The University of Prince Edward Island is accompanying provincial government and Island business representatives to four cities: Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. During the six-day mission, President Abd-El-Aziz and Director of International Relations Barbara Campbell will visit 12 universities in these four cities to develop new partnerships in research and teaching.

President Abd-El-Aziz says he is encouraged by the signing of MOUs with the first two universities that he has met with, and expects more agreements could be signed before the end of his visit.

“Our overall goal on this mission is to begin the process of recruiting both undergraduate and graduate students to UPEI,” commented President Abd-El-Aziz. “As the country with the fastest-growing GDP and the world’s second-most-populous country, we cannot ignore India. UPEI has almost doubled its percentage of international students in the last five years to twenty per cent of our student body. We now have close to 860 students from 70 countries, but there is tremendous growth potential with India as we currently have only nine Indian students studying at UPEI.”

The University of Prince Edward Island and Chitkara University, in Chandigarh, renewed an MOU for the purposes of furthering cooperation in education and academic fields to explore the establishment of exchange programs and collaborative research/study opportunities for both students and faculty members. They agreed to work together in the areas of engineering, business, science, mathematical and computational sciences, nursing, environmental studies, and leadership and culture.

The University Prince Edward Island and Punjab Agricultural University, in Ludhiana, signed an MOU to collaborate in programming and research for sustainable design engineering and plant biology.

President Abd-El-Aziz and Dr. Campbell have joined Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Minister Heath MacDonald along with representatives from Aspin Kemp and Associates, Coles Associates, Portsmouth Atlantic on the mission to India. The joint mission with Ontario is intended to confirm recent Indian business investments in Prince Edward Island and generate new investment as part of ongoing efforts to promote Prince Edward Island goods, services, and expertise.

“This opportunity to participate with the Province of PEI on this mission to India is a great boost to our recruitment and partnership development efforts in this emerging market,” added President Abd-El-Aziz.

About UPEI’s Partners

Chitkara University is a private university in North India, offering comprehensive and integrated multidisciplinary full-time degree programs in diverse academic fields including: Engineering, Business Management, Nursing and Healthcare, Hospitality, Architecture, Mass Media and Communications, Education and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. The university has almost 10,000 full time students and nearly 500 international students from over nine countries and more than 600 tenured faculty members.

The Punjab Agricultural University is located in Ludhiana City, Punjab State in northwest India. The PAU performs the integrated functions of teaching, research and extension in agriculture, agricultural engineering, home science and allied disciplines. The PAU has played a key role in increasing food grain production in the Punjab State. It has also made notable contributions in increasing livestock and poultry production. The Punjab Agricultural University has four constituent colleges: College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering, College of Home Science, and College of Basic Sciences and Humanities. The university, through 28 departments in the four constituent colleges, offers 31 Master's and 30 PhD programs.

With only four games remaining in the regular season, the UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers face a tough test this weekend, as they look to solidify their playoff positioning.

Having clinched postseason berths already, the Acadia Axemen (17-5-2) and the Saint Mary’s Huskies (15-7-2) travel to the Island’s capital with hopes of spoiling UPEI’s chances to compete for an AUS title.

“We’re still fighting and we have to scratch and claw for everything just to get in,” said head coach Forbes MacPherson of the Panthers’ pursuit for a playoff spot.

With three teams jockeying for the two remaining spots, every point matters. The fifth-place Panthers hold a slim two-point lead over Université de Moncton, while Dalhousie trails by only six.

“There is so much parity in this league that we’re not taking anything for granted,” said MacPherson.

The Panthers are hoping to build off a weekend split where they lost a close 2-1 battle against the first-place UNB Varsity Reds, but came back the following day to defeat the St. Thomas Tommies 6-3.

On Friday night, UPEI hosts a powerful Acadia squad that features three top-10 scorers in forwards Mike Cazzola (27 points), Brett Thompson (26 points) and defenceman Matthew Pufahl (25 points).

At this point in the season, MacPherson said his team has to fight through fatigue and come out focused and energized if they want to stay competitive against the league’s best.

“You wait 11 months a year to get to this part of the season and we expect our group to be ready to go every game.”

Completing the back-to-back weekend, the Panthers face the red-hot Saint Mary’s Huskies in Saturday evening’s matchup.The Huskies won nine of their last 10 games and field a strong defensive unit led by goaltender Cole Cheveldave, who is 10-7 with a 2.20 goals against average – good for second best in the league.

“They’re built to win this year and they’re really coming into their own in the second half of the season.”

Puck drops Friday at 7 pm against the Acadia Axemen and again Saturday versus the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Both games are at MacLauchlan Arena.

Saturday, February 6, also marks the annual UPEI Men’s Hockey Alumni Night.

The four-team mini-tournament begins at 4 pm at MacLauchlan Arena and will feature alumni players competing against one another for bragging rights. Each game is 20 minutes long.

Leading up to the UPEI-SMU game that night are on-ice introductions of former Panthers, followed by a reception at the south end of the arena.

Contributed by Thomas Becker