This Monday, April 4th, the Faculty of Science will hold its annual Graduate Studies Day at the K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, room 104.

Beginning at 10:00 am, opening remarks by UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan, AVP Graduate Studies Dr. Brian Wagner and Dean of Science Dr. Christian Lacroix will set the stage for a day-long event that showcases the best of graduate student research in the Faculty of Science.

Dr. Sunny Hartwig, assistant professor at the Atlantic Veterinary College, will deliver the keynote address 'Understanding kidney stem cells and disease' followed by five student oral presentations and a poster presentation session on topics ranging from insect ecology to applied optics.

For a list of titles and abstracts, click here. To see the promotional flyer, click here.

Graduate Research Day for the Master of Arts in Island Studies was held on March 10. Upcoming graduate research events include:

• Education, April 27, Rodd Royalty Hotel, Charlottetown
• Atlantic Veterinary College, May 12-13, AVC Lecture Theatre
• Graduate Research Recognition Day, May 25, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI

Sharon MacLeod, brand-building director for Unilever Canada and the creative expert behind the Dove Canada brand will be the guest speaker at the fourth instalment of the ‘Spotlight on Student Engagement Series.' The event will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2:30 pm in AVC Lecture Theatre A.

In her presentation entitled, The Way a Woman Leads, MacLeod will share how Dove challenged conventions with the ‘Campaign for Real Beauty' and helps girls reach their full potential through the Dove self-esteem fund. She will share her experience as a marketer, leader, and businesswoman.

MacLeod is best known for her expertise in consumer behaviour and her creativity. A true visionary in her field, MacLeod challenges traditional marketing and business practices, believing that professionals like her can extend the power of brands to positively impact the lives of women everywhere.

But the story doesn't end there - in fact, MacLeod's passion for helping women overcome obstacles, be proud of who they are, and aspire for something greater in their own lives started at a very early age.

Having lost her mother as a young child and growing up in a small town with three older brothers, MacLeod worked hard to follow her own path. She became the first person in her family to graduate from university, earned a Master of Science in Consumer Studies, and went on to teach the subject at Wilfred Laurier University.

Her work with Unilever has been recognized by consumers and industry peers alike. Accolades include two Grand Prix awards at Cannes Advertising awards for Dove's digital film Evolution and the title of ‘Brand of the Decade' for Dove by Strategy Magazine.

Today, as the director for Dove, Skin Care and Household Cleaning in Canada, MacLeod continues to blaze new trails and educate and inspire women.

For more details about the Student Engagement Speaker Series, please click here. Everyone is welcome.

Valerie Compton, born and raised on PEI, has recently published her first book, Tide Road, a historical novel set on the Island. She will give a public reading on Monday, April 11, at 7:30 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building at UPEI. A book signing and reception will follow. Her reading is sponsored by the UPEI English Department.

Sonia, the main character of Tide Road, is a widowed farm wife and former lighthouse keeper. When her daughter Stella disappears, leaving her toddler and husband behind, Sonia faces the possibility that her daughter may not have slipped through the ice. She may have been pushed. Sonia's past, a flotsam of lost dreams, bruised hopes, and buried love, wells up to meet her. Confronted with her own history of choices and failures, Sonia is compelled to revise her perception of her daughter's life and dramatically change the way she lives her own.

Through Sonia's memories, struggles, and transformation, Compton vividly re-creates a half-century of authentic Island life. Her characters vibrate with the reality of human experience. Compton is a strong new voice of the Island, joining J.J. Steinfeld, Michael Hennessey, Elaine Hammond, David Helwig, Hugh MacDonald, Orysia Dawydiak, Margie Carmichael, Steven Mayoff, and others imaginatively evoking Prince Edward Island in their fiction.

Compton now lives in Halifax, where she writes and teaches fiction writing. Her stories have appeared in numerous literary journals, and her articles and reviews have appeared in The Globe and Mail, The National Post, Gourmet Magazine, The Ottawa Citizen, and Quill & Quire.

The UPEI Board of Governors recently approved the human resources committee's recommendations for dean of Arts, dean of Business, and the dean of Nursing.

Dr. Don Desserud is the next dean of the Faculty of Arts. Desserud is currently 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. He will join UPEI on July 1, 2011.

UPEI Vice-President Academic, Dr. Jim Randall said, 'Dr. Desserud brings to UPEI considerable experience in academic administration as well as a passion for the Arts. Given Don's many public roles in the community, he also presents a strong voice for the role of the Arts in our broader society.'

Alan Duncan will begin his appointment as dean of the School of Business also on July 1, 2011. Duncan is currently an assistant professor in the School Alan Duncan is the new dean at the UPEI School of Business, effective July 1.of Business at UPEI and the director of International Relations for the School. He brings to the position a significant record of senior management experience and success in the business community.

'In addition to a growing understanding of a university setting, Alan brings to the position of dean a wealth of experience as a senior business leader in Canada and overseas,' said Randall. 'In the short period of time that Alan has been with the School of Business at UPEI, he has already made an impact on the lives of students, on the development of relationships within the local community and on the realization of the university's international objectives.'

Dr. Kim Critchley, current dean of Nursing, was renewed for a second appointment. Dr. Critchley has been dean since 2005, was acting dean in 2004, and joined UPEI as a professor of Nursing in 1996.

Dr. Kim Critchley has been re-appointed dean of Nursing.Randall commented, 'It gives me great pleasure to know that we are able to renew Dr. Critchley's appointment as dean of Nursing. During the time she has led the School, it has expanded tremendously, both in terms of numbers of students serving PEI, the number of specialized programs, and the School's relationship with the broader Island health community. I am pleased that Kim is going to be able to continue to lead the School of Nursing as it moves into a new building and begins to provide graduate level education.'

About Dr. Don Desserud

Don Desserud is currently the director of the Urban and Community Studies Institute as well as professor of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. He has also served as associate dean of Graduate Studies and as chair of the Department of History and Politics.

Originally from Bathurst, New Brunswick, Don has a BA and MA from Dalhousie University, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. He also has an MA in English and Creative Writing from UNB. Don's research interests include parliaments and legislative assemblies. He frequently comments on political issues on local and national media.

He and his partner Robin are very excited about the prospect of moving to Charlottetown. Describing UPEI as an excellent university situated in a gem of a city, Don is also looking forward to working with UPEI's faculty, staff, and students.

About Alan Duncan

Alan Duncan is currently assistant professor at the UPEI School of Business.

A chartered accountant with over 25 years' experience in the international financial services and pensions industries, Alan was a senior executive with companies in Canada and abroad where he focused on establishing new businesses in new and expanding markets.

Since joining the faculty at UPEI, Alan has been instrumental in forming links with other schools of business as well as with accounting organizations like CMA, which recently granted accreditation to UPEI. He looks forward to continue to work with faculty, staff, and students in his new role.

About Dr. Kim Critchley

Dr. Kim Critchley is the dean of the UPEI School of Nursing.

Born and raised on Cape Breton Island, and after nursing and teaching for several years in Alberta and British Columbia, Kim joined the UPEI faculty in 1996. She has a BSc Nursing from St. Francis Xavier University, a master of Nursing from the University of Calgary, and her PhD from the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Her clinical areas of expertise are emergency and critical care nursing. Primary health care, cardiovascular rehabilitation, aboriginal and international children's health are her research areas of interest. Kim also serves as the UPEI principal for the Atlantic Regional Training Centre that offers a master in Applied Health Services Research among four Atlantic universities.

Kim has played a key role in establishing the accelerated bachelor of Nursing and master of Nursing programs, and in securing a new facility for the School of Nursing, now under construction. She looks forward to beginning her new appointment as the School moves into its new building and into expanded programming.

UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan says today's provincial budget, that includes a 3 per cent increase to UPEI's operating grant, will help to address cost pressures, plus growth in enrolments and research.

'UPEI appreciates the increase in support from government,' MacLauchlan said. 'Today's provincial budget affirms the University's role and mandate, and we look forward to delivering on those expectations.'

He added, 'Today's announcement now permits us to move forward with developing the University's budget which will be presented to the Board in early May. It still involves continuing belt-tightening for the University, which we accept in challenging fiscal times.'

To view the 2011/12 provincial budget on the Government of PEI website, click here.

Four University of Prince Edward Island mathematics students finished in the top 25 per cent in the 71st annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition to earn UPEI its first-ever ranking.

Sam Arnold, Stephen Chandler, Jiaxin Cui, and Spencer Matheson participated in the December 4th contest, the most prestigious mathematics competition for undergraduate students in North America. This year, a total of 4,296 students from 546 institutions took part. The contest is written in two, three-hour sessions, each consisting of six very challenging math problems.

UPEI has participated in the yearly competition for the last 15 years. Dr. David Horrocks, associate professor of Mathematics at UPEI, said, 'I'm delighted to report that this year's results are our best ever. Jiaxin and Spencer had identical scores which placed them in the top 40 per cent and Sam placed in the top 5 per cent!'

Sam's result, which is the best ever by a UPEI student, will make him this year's recipient of the Icosahedron Prize. In addition to a monetary prize, Sam will have his name engraved on the icosahedron-shaped trophy which is presented annually to the UPEI student who attains the highest score on the Putnam. Sam Arnold, winner of the Icosahedron Prize.

Horrocks added that the students prepared for the competition by attending weekly training sessions as well as by taking a special topics course in mathematical problem solving that was offered in the fall of 2010.

'This is wonderful news and, on behalf of the campus, I extend my congratulations to the students,' said UPEI Vice-President Academic Jim Randall. 'This record result speaks to the students' excellent math skills and abilities as well as the quality mentoring that they are receiving from faculty.'

The Atlantic Canada Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society recently awarded scholarships to University of Prince Edward Island students, Graham McNabb and Travis Bertram. Based on academic performance, the scholarships are awarded to those who plan to write the CFA Level I exam in the current calendar year.

McNabb and Bertram are both enrolled in the Business Administration program at UPEI. While McNabb will graduate in May, Bertram graduated in 2008 but returned this year to take a full load of accounting courses. There are only a total of ten of these prestigious recognitions given out in the Atlantic region.

'We are thrilled for Travis and Graham,' said Dr. Roberta MacDonald, dean of the UPEI School of Business. 'Both students have a strong work ethic and will no doubt succeed in the CFA program after their UPEI graduation. It is also wonderful to see the Society supporting future students.'

Bertram, McNabb, and the other eight winners will be acknowledged at the Society's Annual Forecast Dinner in Halifax, April 20.

'It is always a great honour to have academic achievement recognized,' said Travis Bertram. 'Both Graham and I know that our previous coursework at UPEI will offer a solid foundation as we work towards our CFA designation.'

The CFA program is a globally recognized, graduate-level curriculum that provides a strong foundation of the real-world investment analysis and portfolio management skills, and practical knowledge needed in today's investment industry. It emphasizes high ethical and professional standards and develops the broad range of skills needed for a career in the investment profession. The program is organized into three levels, each culminating in a six-hour exam. The three exams are one component in earning the CFA charter. There are currently more than 90,000 CFA charter holders working in over 135 countries around the world.

Jeff Price, from TuneCore, and one of the global leading experts on the digital music era, will deliver the keynote address at East Coast Music Week 2011 as part of UPEI's Chief Justice Thane Campbell Lectureship in Law series.

Price will address the audience on Friday, April 15 at 4:30 pm in the Elfin-Pekeha Room at the Delta Prince Edward.

Richard Kurial, dean of Arts at UPEI, expressed considerable enthusiasm at the prospect of Price's presentation. 'The ECMAs are about music, for sure, but they are also about the business of music, about making a living and a life in the profession. Jeff Price is a critical figure in helping to make such outcomes come to pass. On behalf of UPEI and the Law Society of PEI, we are most happy to bring Jeff Price forward to deliver a Thane Campbell lecture as a keynote speaker for this year's ECMAs.'

Since its launch in 2006, TuneCore has become the largest digital distributor of music, artists, and labels in the world. 'Jeff Price brings with him an immense amount of knowledge and experience key for our artists and industry,' said Su Hutchinson, executive director of the East Coast Music Association.

UPEI and the Law Society of PEI is also partnering with the ECMA on a legal panel entitled, ‘Stop! Don't sign that contract!' being held Thursday, April 14, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, in the Valient Room. Leading the panel is Susan Abramovitch, a partner at Gowlings law firm and a top legal mind on matters pertaining to intellectual property, copyright law, and entertainment contracts. Louis Thomas, recognized throughout the industry for the introduction and implementation of innovative deal structures and for the establishment of industry standards for artists, will also be on the panel.

The Chief Justice Thane Campbell Lectureship in Law is an annual lecture series in which distinguished jurists are invited to deliver a public lecture on various topics on various judicial and legal subjects. Former lecturers include Chief Justice Cromwell and Dean of Law Ian Holloway, University of Western Ontario.

Members of the Law Society and University community are able to attend both the panel and keynote address without having to obtain delegate passes, but should RSVP to Jane McKay (jmckay@upei.ca) to ensure a seat.

On Friday, April 15, UPEI engineering students will display their designs and network with community and engineering industry members at the 2011 Engineering Design Expo.

As part of their engineering design class in the three-year engineering diploma program at UPEI, students formed into groups and were partnered with various mentor organizations. Ranging from government departments to private companies to NGOs, these organizations had real-life engineering challenges for which the students designed creative and innovative solutions. These solutions will be on display from 11 am through to the evening when the Engineers PEI Design Team Awards and individual Department of Engineering awards, including the Noel MacAleer award, will also be presented.

All are welcome to attend the Expo, which takes place in McMillan Hall at the W. A. Murphy Student Centre.

The Honourable Robert Vessey, minister of Tourism and Culture, UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan, and University Librarian Mark Leggott cut the 'virtual' ribbon today for IslandArchives.ca, the website home of the digitization process and resulting collections maintained by the Robertson Library at UPEI.

The website encompasses a number of collections related to Prince Edward Island and is a rich, evolving resource that stewards and protects PEI's print and digital heritage. Each initiative that falls under the umbrella site involves content or financial contributions from the Island community, including individuals, community groups, PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, and the Public Archives and Records Office of PEI.

'IslandArchives.ca will prove to be an invaluable tool for researchers, authors, academics, students, and all Islanders interested in learning more about our rich heritage,' said Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. 'Our government is pleased to have been a part of this exciting project through the Public Archives and Records Office and the creation of www.islandimagined.ca, which features more than 1,000 maps, charts and plans, all available to researchers free of charge.'

Because of the ongoing nature of the project, members of the Island community as well as people from across the country are encouraged to visit IslandArchives.ca to contribute personal stories and visuals to this new online, developing archive. The Library also continues to seek financial support to sustain the project as new content is collected.

'The IslandArchives.ca project exemplifies what can be achieved through strong partnerships committed to preserving and sharing our Island history and its resources,' said President MacLauchlan. 'With support from government as well as from heritage-minded groups and individuals, UPEI is proud to offer a collaborative platform that enables a wide audience to share the benefits of digital historical collections and what they contribute to community building.'

The vision for IslandArchives.ca was developed after the Robertson Library became involved in ‘A Living Archives', a project that allowed PEI Grade 7 students to experience Island cultural artifacts first-hand, write about their favourite items, and virtually experience student life on the Island in the 1890s. The rich image archive made available through this endeavour led the Robertson Library to develop the facilities and expertise in ‘lifting the words and images' from archival documents and to create the tools to weave that information into new linkages and discoveries.

'IslandArchives.ca incorporates a physical facility with computer systems optimized for digitization and online storage of digital artifacts. It allows learners from around the world to view our rich Island heritage in a digital environment,' said Leggott.

The Library's recent acquisition of an Espresso Book Machine™, one of only a few such ‘print-on-demand' machines in Canada, completes the ‘artifact to digital, back to physical copy' loop because now books that are out of print, in the public domain, and in digital format on IslandArchives.ca can be potentially reprinted in paperback format.

Leggott added, 'With this equipment and expertise to collect, store and create copies of historical artifacts, IslandArchives.ca will become the definitive and living Prince Edward Island historical record.'

To contribute, click here.

IslandArchives.ca by initiative
IslandArchives.ca encompasses a number of Robertson Library initiatives as outlined below.

IslandLives -digitizing the Island's local, architectural, and personal histories. The ongoing project not only digitizes existing materials, making them available via a variety of technical tools, but also extracts unique place names, personal names, events, and dates to create a rich environment for researching PEI's heritage. In a truly unique innovation, IslandLives creates a dynamic listing of families-and stories from their histories-facilitating ongoing updates of new information and pictures, creating a living encyclopaedia of Island lives.

IslandNewspapers-digital versions of PEI's historic newspapers, from the first issues to the 1950s. Original page images are linked to the searchable full text, providing the first complete online history of the Island and its people. Using special features of Islandora (software developed at UPEI) these stories are linked to IslandLives and other components of IslandArchives.ca. For example, UPEI and partners in the US and UK have mapped the distribution of diseases (such as cholera) over time by mining the richness of information within our newspaper collections.

IslandVoices-an audio archive of oral histories, song, and other aural recording that present the story of PEI. IslandVoices includes such diverse collections as the oral histories recorded by historian Dutch Thompson, and similar material from the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI. These rich audio treasures are fully accessible via a sophisticated browsing interface, as well as a full-text search of transcripts and keywords from the sessions. By creating lists of keywords linked to specific times within the audio files, it is possible to weave links to stories and images from the other IslandArchives.ca collections.

IslandStories-a comprehensive archive of the books, reports, letters, diaries, and other print publications produced by and about PEI. Much of the material digitized from this collection comes from the collections of the Robertson Library and Public Archives and Records Office of PEI. For example, in partnership with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, the Robertson Library has digitized the complete Island Magazine collection. In some cases, where important documents are out of print, the system, with its recent acquisition of an Espresso Book Machine™, will provide a special 'print on demand' service.

IslandImagined-a comprehensive collection of Island maps through historical record to the present day. Another partnership with Public Archives and Records Office of PEI, this project digitizes, describes, and makes accessible historical cartographic materials from a number of Island collections. Through the use of maps, charts, insurance plans, and atlases, IslandImagined explores the development of the province's human and natural geography and creates a narrative based on a series of themes, providing unique and compelling interfaces to the Island's cartographic resources.