The University of Prince Edward Island extends its condolences to the family of Charles Scranton, CM, LLD who passed away on December 10, 2013 at the age of 97. Dr. Scranton received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University in 2005.

"Charlie Scranton made an outstanding contribution to his country as a second world war veteran and as a champion of the agricultural sector,' said President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. 'The community has lost a great man who had a long and distinguished career and gave tremendously to his community.'

Born near Guysborough, N.S. in 1916, Charles Stewart Scranton graduated from Guysborough Academy and then studied agriculture at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and business at Northern Vocational School in Toronto.

Following service during World War II, he began a 32-year career with the Federal Government, moving to PEI in 1940. His first position was that of Poultry Fieldman and he was eventually promoted to the position of Inspector in Charge of the Poultry Division of Agriculture Canada for PEI, retiring early to devote his full time to the raising and promotion of Hereford cattle. The high quality Herefords of Scranton Park Ranch achieved national fame.

Dr. Scranton was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1981, served as president of the Canadian Hereford Association in 1983, and was later placed on its honour roll. In 1989, the Hereford show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto was named in his honour. Scranton was secretary-treasurer of the PEI Hereford Association for a decade and represented the province as a director of the Maritime Beef Testing Society for 19 years. He also served on the board for the PEI Federation of Agriculture and the PEI Provincial Exhibition, which presented him with a plaque for 50 years of meritorious service. He became member of the Order of Canada in 2006.

In addition to his contributions in agriculture, Scranton spent many years in service to his community-he was past vice-president of the Maritime Baptist Convention, and was co-founder of Camp Seggie in Rice Point, one of the largest Baptist camps in Atlantic Canada.

In 2010, Dr. Scranton was interviewed for the digitized 'Island Voices' collection as part of the Island Archives at UPEI's Robertson Library. Listen to the interview where he talks about his birth, his ancestors and the family farm, his parents, fishing and farming, the Guysborough area, religion, the Moases Coady Institute, his brothers, his first jobs, his work with poultry, and various other topics.

The University of Prince Edward Island announced today that alumnus, donor, and honorary degree recipient Don McDougall has been unanimously elected as the eighth Chancellor of the University for a four-year term. An installation date is not yet confirmed, but the ceremony will take place early in 2014.

'It is an honour to officially announce Dr. Don McDougall as the University's Chancellor-Elect,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. Abd-El-Aziz, along with UPEI Board of Governors Chair Tom Cullen, co-chaired the Chancellor Electoral Committee.

'The unanimous decision and positive comments regarding Dr. McDougall's leadership, experience, and reputation speaks volumes to his character, and to his expected success in this pivotal leadership position. I congratulate Don on his new role as Chancellor and thank him sincerely for his dedication to the University of Prince Edward Island.'

McDougall spent his formative years in Bloomfield, PEI before attending both St. Dunstan's High School and University. He taught high school in Summerside before moving to London, Ontario to attend the University of Western Ontario (UWO) where he completed his Master of Business Administration degree in 1961. He spent the next 12 years in managerial positions with the Labatt Brewing Company, and then served as President from 1973-79.

He acquired Stratford, Ontario-based Novatronics Inc. in 1983, and over the next 20 years, expanded his aerospace company globally before selling to Curtis-Wright Inc. in 2003. He continued to be involved in a number of private and public companies and organizations including Rambri Management, Burlington's Investments, eJust Systems, Systemhouse Inc., St. Raymond Paper Company, The Science and Technology Fund, and Slemon Park Corporation.

In several nomination letters, McDougall was described as having strong connections to the business community in Canada and exceptional networking skills, with a demonstrated interest in higher education at UPEI, Holland College, UWO, and other Canadian post-secondary education institutions.

McDougall and his wife Marion are no strangers to UPEI. Dr. McDougall is a graduate of St. Dunstan's University (SDU) while Mrs. McDougall is both a PWC and SDU alumna. In addition to having attended the University, the McDougalls have been great benefactors to UPEI, with the innovative Don and Marion McDougall Hall having been named in their honour in 2008. McDougall Hall is home to the Centre for Life-long Learning, School of Business, and Co-operative Education programs.

Nominators also noted McDougall's extensive involvement in the community, including his role as past chair of the Board of Governors of UWO, as well as serving on the Ivey Business School of UWO's Advisory Board for nine years. In 1976, he was elected Canada's 'Baseball Man of the Year' and was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in bringing a major league baseball franchise-the Toronto Blue Jays-to Toronto.

'This is an unexpected, but much appreciated honour. Both Marion and I graduated from UPEI and have a deep debt of gratitude to our Alma Mater,' said McDougall. 'As Chancellor, I will strive to contribute constructively to the governance of the University and will engage with and motivate our students to excel in their chosen professions.'

McDougall and his wife currently reside in Stratford, Ontario and have a summer residence in Ebbsfleet, PEI. McDougall will replace the University's seventh chancellor William E. 'Bill' Andrew who was installed in 2005 and whose extended term concludes in 2013.

For information:
Nicole Phillips
Manager, Marketing and Communications
University of Prince Edward Island
(902) 566-0947, (902) 388-1832, nphillips@upei.ca

Team Canada's national team, which includes UPEI men's hockey Panthers Chris DeSousa, Matthew Maione, Alex Wall, Wayne Savage and Coach Forbes MacPherson beat Team Russia 2-1 in a semifinal match today at the Winter Universiade in Italy. The team will compete in tomorrow's gold medal game. Fans can watch the action live at www.fisu.tv

Go Panthers Go! Go Canada Go!

Team Canada defeated Kazakhstan 6-2 today in the gold medal match of the Men's Ice Hockey tournament at the Gianmario Scola Arena in Canazei, Italy as part of the 26th Winter Universiade Trentino 2013. Canada also won the Women's tournament yesterday.

The Canadian men's squad, comprised entirely of players from the Atlantic University Sport conference including UPEI Panthers Matthew Maione, Chris DeSousa, Alex Wall, Wayne Savage, and coach Forbes MacPherson, went 5-1 through the tournament only losing to Kazakhstan last Sunday in round-robin play.

'On behalf of the entire UPEI community and Panther fans, I congratulate Matthew, Chris, Wayne, Alex and Coach Forbes MacPherson on a job well done! I am so proud of how our Panthers represented our University, the AUS conference, and the country in Italy,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Abd-El-Aziz. 'We all look forward to celebrating their win with them in the New Year.'

UPEI Panthers defenceman Maione scored the team's third goal at 7:16 in the first period when his long-range shot was deflected to the back of the net.

UNB's Chris Culligan scored two goals while Acadia's Mike Cazzola, Josh Day of St. FX, Nick MacNeil of UNB, and Maione added single markers. MacNeil finished third in tournament scoring with 10 points, including seven goals.

The AUS all-stars also won men's hockey gold in 2007 in Turin, Italy.

Congratulations Team Canada!

Link to CIS News Release

UPEI Men's Hockey Head Coach Forbes MacPherson is pleased to announce that Halifax Mooseheads star forwards Darcy Ashley and Brent Andrews have committed to join the Panthers for the 2014-15 season.

'Our UPEI Men's hockey program is very proud to add top quality individuals and players like Brent and Darcy,' said MacPherson. 'These two guys are winners, they are strong and responsible players in all facets of the game, and they are proud Islanders. This is a great announcement for the future of our program.'

Ashley, a native of Alberton, and Andrews of Hunter River, are completing their final season in the QMJHL with Halifax. The two were key contributors to the Mooseheads' QMJHL Championship and Memorial Cup Championship wins last season.

For Andrews, choosing UPEI for the next step in his hockey career was a decision that came down to a desire to help build a championship team in his home province.

'It will be great to be part of something special at UPEI. Islanders are hard working hockey people and true hockey fans that deserve a championship,' said Andrews, a 6'2,' 205 lb centre and a 7th-round draft choice of NHL's Nashville Predators. 'It will be nice to be able to play at home after five years of being away.'

Ashley said playing with the Panthers is an honour and is hoping to add to his championship résumé.

'After winning (the Memorial Cup), you are always left with a taste for it and the will to keep winning,' said the 5'5,' 175 lb right winger who has scored over 20 goals in each of the past two seasons with the Mooseheads. 'It would be great to win a championship at home and play in front of family and friends on a regular basis. The team has been taking great steps forward and I hope to be a big part of the next steps.'

As for fitting in at the university level, Ashley said he is willing to play whatever role the coaching staff demands of him.

'The AUS is a gritty, fast-paced league. Hard work will take a person a long way and I plan on being ready to produce and help bring the team success,' said Ashley, who was named 2012-13 'Hardest Working Player' in the QMJHL.

Both forwards are in the midst of career-best seasons in the QMJHL. Andrews has 16 goals and 37 points, while Ashley has contributed 14 goals and 41 points. Though they will remain focused on the remainder of their junior season, the pair will be keeping a close eye on the Panthers.

'The Panthers have a lot of talent and character and are an exciting team to watch. Darcy and I often talk about it, and we are excited to be part of it all next season,' said Andrews.

'We are pleased that Darcy and Brent have both committed to UPEI and to Panther Hockey. Having followed both of their careers, there is no doubt that the addition of these two quality individuals will have a significant impact not just in the arena but on the UPEI campus as well,' said UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'This opportunity to add quality individuals with character, talent, and experience, combined with deep Island roots will contribute to a bright future.'

Special holiday offerings are now available from UPEI Athletics and Recreation for a UPEI Men's Hockey season pass for the remaining regular season games for only $99. Purchasers get to pick their seat and have first option on playoff seating. For more information, visit Panther Central or call 566-0368.

For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics & Recreation
(902) 566-0991
annear@upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward Island and the College of Comparative Study at Japan's University of Tsukuba signed an agreement earlier this year that provides students with worthwhile international exchange opportunities.

Rose Leger, fourth-year arts student at UPEI, was selected for the exchange program and will spend a semester in Japan, before returning home in February. Leger was also the lone student selected by the University of Tsukuba to receive the Takase Scholarship for visiting students, which will help support her stay in Japan. She will be focusing on gender and cultural studies and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be exposed to Japan's culture.

'I do not know if my slight understanding of Japanese culture is Hollywood based from movies and TV shows, so I am looking forward to experiencing the culture firsthand,' said Leger before departing for Japan.

Japanese students Aya Jonen and Koudai Kai arrived in PEI for the Fall semester and immediately noticed the friendliness of both UPEI and PEI. For fourth-year student Jonen, her love for Anne of Green Gables brought her to PEI, as she is currently working on an honours thesis on Lucy Maud Montgomery's fictional character. Kai, a third-year student who studied religion, politics, history, and women's studies while on PEI appreciated UPEI's course structure as it fit in nicely with his schedule, and provided him with the opportunity to get involved in campus-life activities.

'This is the beginning of a longstanding relationship, with plenty of opportunities for students from Canada and Japan, now and in the future,' said UPEI International Partnerships Coordinator Sherilyn Acorn-LeClair.

The UPEI and University of Tsukuba agreement has been in effect since the Fall semester, and will remain in effect for an initial five-year period. Interested students are asked to contact Sherilyn at (902) 894-2837 or sdacorn@upei.ca.

UPEI congratulates Panther curling skips Veronica Smith and Kyle Holland who claimed the PEPSI Provincial Junior (Under 21) Curling Championships with their respective teams on Monday, December 23, 2013. Smith defended her title while Holland beat the defending champion Tyler Smith and his Montague Curling Club team. These wins certainly boost the teams' confidence as they get set to take part in the 2014 Atlantic University Curling Championship (AUCC), January 3-5, 2014 at the Capital Winter Club in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The tournament, hosted by the University of New Brunswick, will see six women's teams and five men's teams compete for the right to represent Atlantic Canada at the national CIS/CCA University Curling Championship.

The UPEI women's curling team consisting of skip Veronica Smith, third Jane DiCarlo, second Emily Gray, and lead Aleya Quilty, will take on Saint Mary's University in their first game of the competition at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2014. The winner will then compete against St. Francis Xavier University on Saturday, January 4 at 9:00 am. The women's team is coached by Paul Smith.

On the men's side, skip Kyle Holland, third Connor MacPhee, second Andrew Cameron, and lead Taylor McInnis will meet Memorial University in their first match on January 3 at 7:00 pm. The winner will advance to the semifinal match on January 4 at 7:00 pm.

UPEI wishes both teams the best of luck as they compete for one of two spots to represent Atlantic Canada at the CIS/CCA University Curling Championship, March 19-23 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Go Panthers Go!

For information:

Ron Annear

UPEI Athletics & Recreation

(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca

The UPEI Wind Symphony performed its final recital of the Fall semester at the end of November at the St. Dunstan's Basilica in downtown Charlottetown. The change in venue ensured all Wind Symphony patrons were able to attend and can take advantage of the architectural and aesthetic beauty that St. Dunstan's offers.

Under the direction of Dr. Karem Simon, the Wind Symphony performed several symphonic masterworks of the wind band genre-one of the most ambitious Fall programs in its history. Among the featured works was 'Endurance' by the American composer Timothy Mahr. According to the composer, the work is a musical reflection upon the infinite endurance of the human spirit, the religious spirit, and the spirit of the earth. Initial inspiration for the piece came from a book of the same title by Alfred Lansing documenting the amazing story of the ill-fated expedition of the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914-1916. His ship, the Endurance, became ice-bound and eventually sank, stranding Shackleton and his crew of 27. They experienced over 15 months of life exposed to the unrelenting, dangerous Antarctic weather, and, miraculously survived to tell it. The strength of character exhibited by these men in enduring incredible hardships is truly awe-inspiring.

Click here for a video of the performance that drew crowds - young and old - as part of the UPEI Wind Symphony's community outreach and engagement.

Over 400 guests were welcomed by a large group of international students and treated to some food from different countries at the University of Prince Edward Island's New Year's Day levee, reflecting UPEI's growing multicultural campus.

UPEI Alumni Association President Bruce Davison, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, and UPEI Board of Governors Chair Tom Cullen hosted the annual New Year's Day event in Don and Marion McDougall Hall's Schurman Market Square.

At the next Research on Tap, join us for a discussion about gender, sex, and equality. Dr. Ann Braithwaite, associate professor and coordinator of Women's Studies, will lead a discussion titled 'What is equality anyways?'

The event discussion begins at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 7 at The Pourhouse, above The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Charlottetown.

Sound interesting? Join us.

Research on Tap is a series of public discussions with UPEI researchers. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson at 620-5117, or datkinson@upei.ca

For information:
Dave Atkinson
Research Communications
Officer, UPEI
(902) 620-5117, datkinson@upei.ca