Scholarship Information

PEI Home Economics Association "Doris M. Anderson Senior" Award
Faculty: Science
Occasion: Fall
Process: Recommended by Chair of Applied Human Sciences
Scholarship Type: Award
Description: Granted annually to a UPEI student who completed secondary education at a Prince Edward Island high school, is entering the fourth year of study in the Applied Human Sciences at UPEI with a focus on Family and/or Nutritional Sciences, has maintained an academic average of 80% or greater in their previous year of study, has demonstrated a positive attitude toward the profession of family and/or nutritional sciences, and has a record of participating in non-academic activities on campus or in the community.
Background: Doris M. Anderson has had an extraordinary life and an immense impact in the field of home economics. Doris was born in St. Peter's in 1922, the only girl in a family of six children. She attended Prince of Wales College from 1940 to 1942, where she studied sciences, followed by two years at Acadia University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1944 (Home Economics, with honours in Nutrition). Following four years of teaching high school in Quebec, Doris returned to PEI in 1948 to become the first Supervisor of Home Economics in the PEI Department of Education and a Lecturer in Home Economics at Prince of Wales College. She continued in these positions for 18 years, with the exception of a leave of absence to attend Cornell University in 1950-51, where she earned a Master of Science (Nutrition) degree, with a minor in Education. Her expertise on celiac disease would prove invaluable to families in the Maritimes who had children suffering from the disease. Local doctors referred scores of celiac patients to her for consultation and she worked tirelessly to obtain substitute foods which these children could digest. She visited countless Island homes where she counselled mothers and provided them with gluten-free recipes which she had developed. The federal government recognized this work with the mothers of children with celiac disease by awarding her the 1967 Centennial Medal for outstanding service to the nation. From 1966 to 1988, Doris was a professor of home economics at Prince of Wales College and the University of Prince Edward Island. While an elected member of the first Unit 3 School Administration Board (1972 to 1975), Doris served as chair of the Curriculum Committee, and worked hard to promote good school lunch facilities in the schools. Later, from 1976 to 1978, Doris was a member of the Department of Health Advisory Committee on Mental Health. From 1994 to 1995, she was a member of the Indemnities and Allowances Commission of the Prince Edward Island government. Doris was largely responsible for the organization of the Charlottetown Branch of Canadian Federation of University Women in 1955, and was its first president and provincial director. She was chair of the Scholarship Committee from 1968 to 1978, and served in many other executive positions over the years. Doris has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout her career, and notably Doris became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1982. Her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 1995 was the culmination of a distinguished career of service to her community, province, and country. Doris brought the same dedication and energy to her new role that she had given to all her previous endeavours. She served on four standing committees and one special committee. Much background reading was required in order to make a useful contribution, and Doris was heard to say that she had "never worked harder in my life." The PEI Home Economics Association is proud to establish an award at the University of Prince Edward Island in honour of Doris M. Anderson and all that she has accomplished while a member of the organization.
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