UPEI celebrates the achievements of faculty and staff
Members of the UPEI community filled the UPEI Performing Arts Centre amphitheatre on May 29, 2025, to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues. During the event, the University Awards of Excellence and 25-Year Service Awards were presented to faculty, librarians, clinical veterinary professionals, clinical nursing instructors, sessional instructors, and staff members.
Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, acknowledged that all roles across the University are integral to delivering UPEI’s mission and for contributing to its success.
“We all need to work together to achieve UPEI’s mission, and hopefully our own goals, and to support others in achieving their goals and being effective in our environment. It is critical to acknowledge that everyone here today is key to delivering our mandate, which is to support learners to earn degrees, to support researchers to engage in scholarship and discovery, to develop the next generation of researchers, and to be a good employer.”
“Everyone is important,” Dr. Rodgers added, “and today we celebrate those who stood out in their work and their performance. We thank them for their contributions and congratulate them on their achievements—including those longstanding employees who have contributed to the fabric of the University over many years.”
Dr. Gail Macartney, Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing, received the University Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to teaching in areas such as teaching effectiveness; teaching innovation; clinical instruction; and scholarship of teaching and learning and educational leadership.
Receiving the University Research Excellence Award was Dr. Xander Wang, Professor in the School of Climate Change and Adaptation and Director of the Climate Smart Lab at the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation. The award recognizes faculty members for outstanding research and scholarly accomplishments and significant contribution to advancing the University’s national and international reputation for research excellence.
Dr. Paul Bernard, Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, and Dr. Kuljeet Grewal, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, both received University Awards for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision for excellence in the supervision, mentorship, and support of graduate students.
Inge Dorsey, Coordinator of the University 100 program, received the University Award for Exemplary Service in the Faculty category, which is presented to a UPEI employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and/or made significant contributions to the University community beyond that normally expected of their position.
University Awards for Exemplary Service in the Staff category were presented to Jason Hogan, Instructional Designer, UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre, and Angela Driscoll, Research Technician, Aquatic Animal Resources, Atlantic Veterinary College.
Tammy Ryan, Service Worker with Facilities Management, received the University Ambassador Award, presented to a UPEI employee who has made a significant positive impact on the University by advancing the strategic priorities of their unit, department, or faculty, or by fostering a sense of excitement on campus and promoting fellowship, goodwill, and belonging within the University community.
Tyler Gallant, Engineering Projects Coordinator, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, received the University Award for Support of Student Success Award for making significant contributions to higher education by supporting student success.
“The University Awards of Excellence serve as a profound opportunity for the UPEI campus community to come together in honouring and celebrating the exceptional achievements of our colleagues,” said Dr. Jane Ngobia, Vice-President of People and Culture. “The nominations we received this year were not only thoughtful and generous but they were also articulated with eloquence, showcasing a profound commitment to one another and to UPEI. Throughout our campus, numerous individuals are engaged in impactful work, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the students we serve and the colleagues we support daily. This year’s award recipients exemplify outstanding service to the university, reminding us all of the shared pride in being part of this remarkable community. It is an honour to stand among such remarkable excellence.”
Watch for profiles on each of our 2025 University Awards of Excellence winners in upcoming editions of the Campus Connector.
The following faculty and staff were recognized for 25 years of service to UPEI:
- Kirk Dalziel, Animal Resources, Atlantic Veterinary College
- J McClure, Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Kevin Mackinnon, Facilities Management
- Natalie Price, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Linda Constable, Dean's Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
- David LeBlanc, School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Faculty of Science
- Perry Mohan, Biomedical Engineering, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Paul McGuigan, Facilities Management
- Shawn McMahon, Security Services
- Debra MacDonald, Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Simon Lloyd, Robertson Library
- Dr. Ann Braithwaite, Diversity and Social Justice Studies, Faculty of Arts
- Malcolm Murray, Philosophy, Faculty of Arts
- Dr. John VanLeeuwen, Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Tracy Manning, English, Faculty of Arts
- Greg Clayton, Facilities Management
- Chris Martin, Information Technology Systems and Services
- Darlene Mahar, Diagnostic Services, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Dr. Laurie Anne McDuffee, Dean's Office, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Liz Rostant-MacArthur, Health, Safety and Environment
- Marven MacLean, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Karen Rumson, Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College
- Dr. Wayne Peters, Faculty of Sustainable Design and Engineering
- Dr. Rabin Bissessur, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Click on this link to hear from some of our 25-year service award winners!
