UPEI Alumni Association names winners of UPEI’s 2026 Distinguished and Inspiring Young Alumni Awards
The UPEI Alumni Association recognized the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards and the 2026 Inspiring Young Alumni Awards at a celebration on September 29, 2026, in Don and Marion McDougall Hall.
“Our alumni continue to make remarkable contributions around the world, and we are proud to celebrate this year’s recipients,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEI. “They embody the excellence and commitment that have always defined a UPEI education, and they inspire future generations of students.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to one or more UPEI alumni for their outstanding contributions to knowledge, the arts, the community, the University, or humanity. The criteria for these awards are based on UPEI’s motto: faith, knowledge, service. The three recipients for 2026 are Heather Auld, BSc 1977; Dr. Betty Anne Younker, BMus 1978; and Alysha Corrigan, BBA 2018.
The Inspiring Young Alumni Award was established in 2011 to honour alumni under the age of 40 who have shown outstanding determination in achieving success at a young age. The recipients for 2026 are Dr. Megan MacLellan, DVM 2011; Spencer Gallant, BSc 2014; Jared Murphy, BBA 2015; and Dillon Wight, BSc 2015.
“Recognizing these extraordinary alumni in front of those who have supported and encouraged them throughout their journeys was truly a privilege,” said Ronnie McPhee, President of the UPEI Alumni Association. “Their individual accomplishments span many fields and disciplines, building on a legacy of alumni excellence through leadership, innovation and service. Collectively, they represent the very best of what our university has to offer.”
ABOUT THE DISTINGUSHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS
Heather Auld, BSc 1977
Heather Auld is celebrated for her outstanding contributions to meteorology, climate science, and climate resilience. Raised in a farming community on PEI, Auld developed an early interest in how weather affects agriculture, inspiring her to study atmospheric physics. After earning a Bachelor of Science in physics from UPEI in 1977 and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta in 1980, she went on to build a distinguished career spanning nearly five decades as a meteorologist, climatologist, and climate change resilience expert. Entering a field where women were vastly underrepresented, Auld became one of the pioneering female meteorologists at Environment Canada and a respected leader in weather and climate science.
During her award-winning career with Environment Canada and later in the private sector, she helped advance climate adaptation and risk management across Canada. She spent more than 26 years developing climate information for the National Building Code of Canada, contributed to national and international climate standards, and supported engineering vulnerability assessments, emergency management planning, and public health initiatives. An internationally recognized expert, she has served on advisory teams for organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the World Meteorological Organization.
Dr. Betty Anne Younker, BMus 1978
Dr. Betty Anne Younker has built an extraordinary career in music education, leadership, and scholarship spanning more than four decades. After earning her Bachelor of Music from UPEI, a Master of Education from Pennsylvania State University, and a PhD in Music Education from Northwestern University, she taught in schools and universities across Canada and the United States, including UPEI, Western University, and the University of Michigan. Renowned as an educator and administrator, Younker became the first female Dean of Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, where she provided transformative leadership, raising $2.3 million and overseeing a major expansion and renovation of the Music Building.
A respected scholar and advocate for music education, Younker has contributed more than 50 publications and delivered over 100 research presentations and keynote addresses worldwide. Her influence extends well beyond academia through leadership roles with numerous national and international music organizations, community arts initiatives, and volunteer service. A dedicated supporter of UPEI and its Department of Music, she has also served on the UPEI Alumni Association Board, including as president and past president. Recognized with numerous awards for teaching, leadership, and community service, she has left a lasting impact on the institutions, students, and communities she has served.
Alysha Corrigan, BBA 2018
Alysha Corrigan is recognized for her historic accomplishments and impact on the sport of rugby, having established herself as one of the most successful rugby players in UPEI and Canadian sport history. After beginning her career with the Charlottetown Rural Raiders, she excelled with the UPEI Panthers, earning multiple AUS All-Star, All-Canadian, and Academic All-Canadian honours while becoming one of the conference’s top scorers. Since joining Canada’s senior women’s rugby team in 2021, Corrigan has emerged as one of the country's premier athletes, representing Canada on the world stage and capturing silver medals at the 2023 Pan American Games, the 2025 Rugby World Cup, and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
At the Paris Olympics, Corrigan played a key role in Canada’s historic silver-medal performance, scoring a try in the championship match against New Zealand. This achievement made her the first woman from Prince Edward Island to win a Summer Olympic medal and only the second UPEI alum to earn Olympic podium honours. She has also enjoyed success as a professional player with Saracens Women in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby and continues to inspire the next generation of athletes through mentorship and community engagement. A four-time Sport PEI Senior Female Athlete of the Year, two-time recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award as PEI’s top athlete, and co-winner of UPEI’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award in both 2016 and 2018, Corrigan has become a role model for young athletes across the province.
Dr. Megan McLellan, DVM 2011:
Dr. Megan MacLellan has built an exceptional career in veterinary radiology, earning recognition as a leader in one of the profession’s most specialized fields. After graduating from the Atlantic Veterinary College, she completed a highly competitive internship at Tufts University and secured a diagnostic imaging residency at the University of Minnesota on her first application. Following her residency, she joined BluePearl Pet Hospital, the world’s largest network of specialty and emergency pet hospitals, where she advanced from practicing radiologist to Medical Director of Radiology. A board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, MacLellan is also a published researcher, peer reviewer, and respected mentor known for her expertise, professionalism, and commitment to lifelong learning.
Long before her professional success, MacLellan distinguished herself as an outstanding student-athlete. While studying at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College and later at UPEI, she earned Academic All-Canadian honours for excelling both academically and athletically as a soccer player. Her drive for excellence extended beyond the classroom and playing field, including a fourth-place finish in the team competition at the 2014 CrossFit Games. Through her remarkable accomplishments in academia, athletics, and veterinary medicine, MacLellan has become an inspiring role model whose contributions to animal health and diagnostic imaging continue to have a lasting impact.
ABOUT THE INSPIRING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS
Founded in 2019 by UPEI alumni Spencer Gallant, Jared Murphy, and Dillon Wight, Lone Oak Brewing Company began with a vision to showcase Prince Edward Island’s local talent, ingredients, and hospitality while helping revitalize Gateway Village in Borden-Carleton. Their first location welcomed visitors arriving via the Confederation Bridge and quickly became part of a growing entrepreneurial success story.
Despite opening just before the COVID-19 pandemic, the co-founders adapted and expanded the business into a thriving operation with five food and beverage locations across central PEI. Their commitment to innovation and community has earned provincial recognition, including the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 People’s Choice for Community Impact Award, while their continued support of UPEI students, alumni, and Athletics reflects their lasting connection to the University.
Spencer Gallant
Spencer Gallant earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from UPEI in 2014, where he also excelled as a member of the UPEI Men’s Rugby team, earning both MVP and Man of the Year honours. His passion for brewing began during his undergraduate years; he was already working professionally as a brewer and quality control supervisor before he graduated.
Building on his scientific background, Gallant pursued graduate research on Maritime hops, earned a diploma in brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, and held leadership roles with PEI Brewing Company and Gahan Brew Pubs. His expertise in brewing science and operations helped lay the foundation for the success of Lone Oak Brewing Company.
Jared Murphy
Jared Murphy came to UPEI as a soccer recruit and distinguished himself as both an athlete and student, earning three AUS all-star selections and multiple Academic All-Canadian honours. In 2014, he helped lead the UPEI Men’s Soccer team to a historic CIS bronze medal, scoring the game-winning goal and earning Sport PEI’s Intercollegiate Male Athlete of the Year award.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2015, Murphy worked in marketing and communications before turning his attention to entrepreneurship. As co-owner and CEO of Lone Oak Brewing Company, he helped guide the business from a startup venture into one of PEI’s most successful hospitality brands.
Dillon Wight
Dillon Wight graduated from UPEI in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree and established himself as a key contributor to the UPEI Men’s Soccer program. He was named Team MVP in 2011–12 and was a member of the squad that captured a historic bronze medal at the 2014 CIS national championships on home turf.
Known for his selfless leadership and strong work ethic, Wight was committed to the team’s success in ways that extended beyond the scoresheet. Those same qualities, combined with his experience in hospitality, helped him co-found Lone Oak Brewing Company and contribute to its growth as a respected Island business and community partner.
