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University of Prince Edward Island

Coordinates: 46°15′32″N 63°08′17″W / 46.259°N 63.138°W / 46.259; -63.138
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University of Prince Edward Island
Université de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard
Former names
Prince of Wales College (1860); Saint Dunstan's University (1855)
MottoFides, Scientia, Beneficium (Latin)
Motto in English
Faith, Knowledge, Service
TypePublic
Established1969; 55 years ago (1969)
Endowment$40 million (2019)
ChancellorHon. Diane Griffin
PresidentWendy Rodgers, BA, MA, PhD
Academic staff
246 permanent and 28 term faculty
Students5,533[1]
Undergraduates4,983
Postgraduates550
Address
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 4P3

46°15′32″N 63°08′17″W / 46.259°N 63.138°W / 46.259; -63.138
CampusMixed rural/urban
ColoursRust, Green and Gold[2]
NicknameUPEI Panthers
Sporting affiliations
ACU; U Sports; AUCC; AUS; CBIE
MascotPride the Panther
Websitewww.upei.ca

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is a public university in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the only university in the province. Founded in 1969, the enabling legislation is the University Act, R.S.P.E.I 2000.[3]

History

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The university traces its roots back to 1804, when Lt. Governor Edmund Fanning and the Legislative Council of Prince Edward Island called for the establishment of Kent College. By 1820, the first Kent College building, known as "the National School", or James Breading's School was erected. Later succeeded by Central Academy, which received a Royal Charter in 1834.

The Colleges were renamed for the Prince of Wales in honour of the future King Edward VII in 1860.[4] The University of Prince Edward Island also traces its roots back to its two earlier predecessor organizations, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales College, founded in 1855 and 1860 respectively.[5] The two institutions were merged in 1969 by the government of Alex Campbell as part of a campaign to integrate the Island's Roman Catholic and Protestant communities, which had previously maintained the two separate institutions of higher learning. Holland College was later created to fill the void left by the merger of Prince of Wales College into the university. The University of Prince Edward Island is a non-denominational university established in 1969 by the amalgamation of Prince of Wales College (PWC) founded in 1834, and St. Dunstan's University (SDU) founded in 1855.[5] The first student to enrol was Elizabeth Rollins Epperly, who would later become president.[6] Its predecessor institutions ceased to operate although St. Dunstan's still retains its charter and the lands that were home to Prince of Wales became the campus for Holland College. UPEI is located on the former St. Dunstan's campus.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, UPEI received a $500,000 grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund to develop and implement the Island Vaccine Education Program, intended to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among vulnerable families.[7]

Legacy

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On 8 May 2004 Canada Post issued 'University of Prince Edward Island, 1804-2004' as part of the Canadian Universities series. The stamp was based on a design by Denis L'Allier and on a photograph by Guy Lavigueur. The 49¢ stamps are perforated 13.5 and were printed by Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited.[4]

Campus

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An aerial view of the UPEI campus in 2008

UPEI's campus, located at the corner of Belvedere and University Avenues in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island's capital city, is built on 134 acres (54 hectares) of land. The Confederation Trail runs alongside its eastern boundary.

Original SDU buildings in the central quadrangle have been renovated to retain integrity of their exterior aesthetic design while meeting modern standards. Main Building, built in 1854, and Dalton Hall, built between 1917 and 1919, are on the registry of Historic Places of Canada.[8][9]

The War Memorial Hall (more generally known as Memorial Hall) is a landmark building on the campus of UPEI. Built as a men's residence building in 1946, Memorial Hall honours alumni who had enlisted and died in the First World War, and in the Second World War.[10]

Over the past three decades, UPEI has experienced significant growth with many new buildings integrated into the campus, including Central Utility Building (1973), Duffy Science Centre (1967), Blanchard Hall (1973), Bernardine Hall (1968), Robertson Library (1975), Atlantic Veterinary College (1986), Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre (1990), Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall (1990), Food Technology Centre, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre (1997), W.A. Murphy Student Centre (2002), MacLauchlan Arena (2004), Bill and Denise Andrew Hall residence facility (2006), expansions to the Atlantic Veterinary College (2007 and 2009), Regis and Joan Duffy Research Centre (2007), a research and development laboratory which is home to the National Research Council of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and other partners, and Don and Marion McDougall Hall (2008). The most recent addition is the Health Sciences Building, home to the School of Nursing and Applied Human Sciences programs.[11]

In October 2004, the UPEI administration undertook an official campus plan to improve the aesthetics of modern buildings constructed since the amalgamation which do not enhance the original SDU design, and to take overall campus aesthetics into account for future developments on and adjacent to the campus.

Organization

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The current president and vice-chancellor is Dr. Wendy Rodgers, who began her appointment on June 1, 2024.[12] The current chancellor is the Honourable Diane Griffin, who was installed on April 5, 2024.[13]

Academics

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UPEI's seven faculties (arts, business, education, nursing, science, sustainable design engineering and veterinary medicine) and two schools (Mathematical & Computational Sciences and Climate Change & Adaptation) offer a wide range of programs and degrees to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Co-op programs have been established in Business Administration, Computer Science, Physics, and Dietetics. The University is presently developing a Faculty of Medicine, in association with the Memorial University of Newfoundland.[14]

Master's and Doctoral degree programs were first introduced through the Atlantic Veterinary College and, beginning in 1999, a Master of Science degree was offered through the Faculty of Science. In that same year the first students were admitted to the university's new Master of Education program. As of 2010, in addition to the MEd graduate program, the Faculty of Education offered a PhD in Educational Studies. The university also now offers a Master of Arts in Island Studies. Recently the Faculty of Business Administration began offering an Executive Master of Business Administration degree. Since 1998, The Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies has been offering courses leading to a Certificate in Conflict Resolution Studies. The Master of Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) program is coordinated by the Atlantic Research Training Centre (ARTC).

The Faculty of Education offers one-year (12 months) post-degree bachelor's degrees with specializations in international, adult, and indigenous education, French immersion and human resources development, a Master of Education (MEd) in leadership in learning, and a PhD in Educational Studies.

The Department of Applied Human Sciences has an accredited dietitian program. The university is accredited by a professional organization such as the Dietitians of Canada and the university's graduates may subsequently become registered dieticians.

The Faculty Development Office provides professional development courses applicable to many sectors and industries, including development programs for administrative assistants and new managers; collaboration, conflict, and communication training; and, financial management courses.[15]

Rankings

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University rankings
World rankings
Canadian rankings
Maclean's Undergraduate[16]8
Maclean's Reputation[17]37

In Maclean's 2023 Guide to Canadian Universities, UPEI was ranked eighth in the publication's category for "primarily undergraduate" Canadian universities.[16]

Research

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UPEI manages over $17 million in annual research expenditures.[18] The on-campus biosciences and health research facility is used by researchers from UPEI, National Research Council (Canada), and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada.[11]

UPEI houses the L.M. Montgomery Institute, founded in 1993, which promotes scholarly inquiry into the life, works, culture, and influence of the Canadian writer, L.M. Montgomery. The collection consists of novels, manuscripts, texts, letters, photographs, sound recordings and other Montgomery artifacts and ephemera.[19]

UPEI joined with Dalhousie University and Memorial University of Newfoundland to form the Ocean Frontier Institute, a collaborative research initiative aimed at harnessing the vast potential of the world's oceans.

Student life

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Athletics

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Main article: UPEI Panthers

The UPEI Panthers have nine teams playing in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) and the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), including men's and women's ice hockey, soccer, basketball, as well as women's field hockey and rugby union and co-ed swimming.

The UPEI campus provides its students with many athletics amenities typically found on university campuses. The CARI Complex is a public recreation facility located on the campus and includes two hockey rinks (the MacLauchlan Arena as well as a practice rink) as well as two 25-metre swimming pools (a shallow recreational wading pool, and an eight-lane competitive pool with diving boards).[20][21] In 2009 UPEI inaugurated the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place[22] which was built in part to host the 2009 Canada Games. It consists of a "class 2" eight-lane 400-metre running track and rugby field that has spectator seating for 1,335.

Student Union

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The UPEI Student Union (UPEISU) is the students' union representing full-time undergraduate students at the university. It is funded by a student fee collected by the university, and provides advocacy, services, and amenities. The UPEISU Executive and UPEISU Council are elected through general elections of the UPEI full-time undergraduate student body. The Executive is made up a President, VP Academic, VP External, VP Student Life, and VP Finance. The UPEISU Council sits bi-weekly throughout the academic semester and includes representatives from faculty and special interest groups.[23]

The amenities and services provided by the UPEISU include: Health and Dental Insurance, Charlottetown Transit System UPASS, Representation and Advocacy - including membership and lobbying in partnership with Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), Inspiring Innovation Fund, Student Academic Enrichment Fund, Off-Campus Housing Coordination, Volunteer Match Maker, Promotions and Advertising, UPEI Student Handbook, and the W.A. Murphy Student Centre (in collaboration with UPEI).[24]

The businesses and operations of the UPEISU include:[25]

  • The Fox and the Crow - A pub and café combo which serves a full restaurant menu as well as coffee, tea, specialty drinks, and fresh baked goods.
  • The Cadre - student-run (and editorially autonomous) newspaper.
  • The Nexus - the official yearbook of UPEI.

The UPEI Student Union publishes the school newspaper called The Cadre, which gained attention by becoming one of the first Canadian publications to print the controversial Muhammad cartoons from the Jyllands-Posten.[26]

Residence

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The University of Prince Edward Island provides student accommodations in four different residence buildings on campus: Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Blanchard Hall, Bernardine Hall, and a mixed-use Performing Arts Centre and Residence. Bill and Denise Andrew Hall has two-room suites with single bedrooms.[27] In Blanchard Hall, each suite has two single bedrooms with a kitchenette and a living room.[28] Bernardine Hall (known as "Bernie" to the students) offers suites with two double bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Although the hall is co-ed, one floor is female-only.[29]

Opened in 2023, the Performing Arts Centre and Residence features two towers of residence apartments and lounges with classroom space and a 400-seat auditorium on the main floor. [30]

UPEI/SDU/PWC notable people

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List of presidents

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In 2015 each of the first five presidents were recognized as Founders of the University.[31]

Being a long-standing university and college in the Maritime province of Prince Edward Island (called the Cradle of Confederation) UPEI/SDU/PWC have been in a position to provide education to a long list of people who have gone to notable achievements. The most well known graduate (of Prince of Wales College) is Lucy Maude Montgomery, author of "Anne of Green Gables" and other books. The most distinguished Saint Dunstan's graduate may be James Charles McGuigan, Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.

Religion

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Medical

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Business

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Prince Edward Island Lieutenant Governor (Viceregal)

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Prince Edward Island Premier

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Prince Edward Island Members Legislative Assembly

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  • Prosper Arsenault - Educator; Politician, Speaker of the PEI Legislative Assembly
  • Cletus Dunn - MLA, Civil Servant
  • Cynthia Dunsford - MLA, Squash Coach, Writer/Performer of CBC Radio comedy show "Parkdale Doris."
  • Paul Connolly - Educator, Politician; Member National Parole Board in 2002, serving for seven years.
  • Jamie Ballem - MLA, Businessman; founded Island Green Power Company to promote the development of wind power on the island
  • Herb Dickieson - MLA, Physician, also grad Dalhousie University School of Medicine; Chief of Medical Staff at Charlottetown Community Hospital
  • Doug Currie - MLA; Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the University of Prince Edward Island.
  • Valerie Docherty - MLA
  • Paula Biggar - MLA
  • Alan Buchanan - MLA, Educational Administrator; Communication Officer with Island Telecom and later Aliant,
  • Kevin MacAdam - MLA, Political Advisor
  • James Warburton - MLA, Mayor of Charlottetown, Physician
  • Jim Larkin - MLA; Executive with Tourism Industry Association of Canada
  • George Dewar - MLA; Physician in private practice and earlier with Royal Canadian Medical Corps in WW II; member Order of Canada
  • Betty Jean Brown - MLA, Nurse Practitioner; Owner of family fur farm
  • David McKenna - Optometrist, businessman and politician, MLA in Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island

Canada national government

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Provincial/local governments of Canada

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  • David Laird - 1st Lieutenant Governor of Northwest Territories, Canada; Indian Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Keewatin
  • Bob MacQuarrie - Ontario MLA
  • George Washington McPhee - Saskatchewan Member of Parliament of Canada; Attorney, King's Counsel
  • Robert Deschamps - Member National Assembly of Quebec; Parti Québécois member and supporter of sovereignty of Quebec
  • F.H. Auld - Agricultural Scientist, Saskatchewan Deputy Minister of Agriculture, 1916–46
  • Harold Lloyd Henderson - Presbyterian minister, Mayor Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; also grad McGill University
  • John Salmon Lamont - PWC and Princeton University, Reeve of Assinibola, Manitoba
  • John K. McInnis - Mayor of Regina, Saskatchewan
  • Maurice DeLory - MLA in Nova Scotia House of Assembly; Surgeon
  • Alexander Campbell - represented St. John's in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, 1928–32; also grad Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the University of Vienna.

Arts and letters

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Education

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Philanthropist

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Prince Edward Island law/legal

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Other Canada law/legal

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U.S. government

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Prince Edward Island local government

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Military

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Athletics

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Honorary degrees

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Following is a partial list of Past Honorary Degree Recipients from UPEI:[33]

Notable UPEI faculty and administration

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  • Angus Bernard MacEachern - Founded St. Andrew's College; 1st Bishop of Charlottetown (incl Magdalen Islands); studied theology in Spain.
  • Bernard Donald Macdonald - 2nd Bishop of Charlottetown; Supervisor of construction of Saint Dunstan's College
  • Wade MacLauchlan - 32nd Premier of PEI, President UPEI; grad University of New Brunswick and Yale University with Masters of Law
  • William E. Andrew - Chancellor UPEI
  • Ronald James Baker - 1st president of UPEI; British Air Force WW II; Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal; grad University of British Columbia and School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London
  • Lou Hooper - Professor of Music from 1975; jazz pianist in Harlem, Yew York, Michigan, and Canada. Played with Billie Holiday and Paul Robeson; Taught piano to Oscar Peterson, 1936–39
  • Dave Nutbrown - Varsity basketball coach; conference all-star player at University of New Brunswick; recruit of New York Knicks
  • Gustave Gingras - Chancellor of UPEI, 1974–82. Physician; Consultant to United Nations, World Health Organization, and Canadian Red Cross
  • George Wastie Deblois - Merchant; MLA; Trustee of Prince of Wales College; Land agent for Samuel Cunard, founder of the Cunard Line of ships
  • Richard Raiswell - Historian and Professor of Medieval and Renaissance History; commentator on Smithsonian Network's "Treasures Decoded;" Cricket enthusiast and writer about the sport
  • Kenneth Ozmon - Professor and Dean of Arts; Officer of the Order of Canada; later 13th President of Mount Allison University
  • Godfrey Baldacchino - UNESCO Co-chair in Island Studies and Sustainability at UPEI (in partnership with the University of Malta)
  • Doris Anderson - Chancellor of UPEI, 1992-96: editor Chatelaine magazine; Member of Trilateral Commission; Companion of the Order of Canada; President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women
  • Paul Boutilier - Instructor of International Marketing; Member of the 1983 Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders and seven year NHL player
  • David Bourque - Associate Professor of Music (Spring 2008 term); teacher of clarinet and bass clarinet; member of Toronto Symphony Orchestra; accompanist in several US films, e.g., Academy Award-winning Norman Jewison's film "Moonstruck"
  • Reginald C. Stuart - History Professor at UPEI, 1968–88. Distinguished Chair in North American Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Institute Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, Jun-Jan, 2005
  • Jamie Muir - Instructor of Education; Ph.D. in education from University of Virginia; also an MLA in Nova Scotia
  • David Staines - Professor of English; Scholar in Medieval, Victorian, and Canadian literature; grad of Harvard University (M.A. and Ph.D.)
  • Louis Groarke - Professor of Philosophy; Writings in Ethics, Logic, Political Philosophy, and Aesthetics
  • Anne Simpson - Author and poet; author of seven books, four of which are in the Toronto Globe & Mails Top 100 Books of the Year, i.e., "Falling" (2008) and "Canterbury Beach" (2001) (Short term Writer-in-Residence)
  • Vianne Timmons - Professor at UPEI; President of the University of Regina (Alberta)
  • Edward MacDonald - Associate Professor of History, teaching about Canadian political history, Atlantic Canada and Prince Edward Island
  • Colm Magner - Canadian actor, director and writer
  • Richard Covey - Canadian composer and Assistant Professor of Theory/Composition
  • Ian Dowbiggin - Professor in the Department of History and writer on the history of medicine. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
  • Paul Boutilier - Instructor of International Marketing; Retired professional ice hockey defenceman who was a member of the 1983 Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.
  • Silver Donald Cameron - Writer-in-Residence; writing focuses on social justice, nature and the environment
  • Sam Gindin - Intellectual and activist known for his expertise on the labour movement and the economics of the automobile industry
  • Hilda Woolnough - Artist who exhibited in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and North America; member of Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
  • Robyn MacPhee - Virology technologist at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI; Gold Medalist 2001 World Junior Curling Championships
  • Marcia Anastasia Christoforides - Established the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at UPEI with gift of 2.2 million dollars. Wife of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook with honorific as Dowager Lady Beaverbrook.
  • Sir Charles Dalton – Silver fox breeder; Owner of the Charlottetown Guardian newspaper; Donated and built Dalton Hall at SDU; Knight Commander in the Order of St. Gregory the Great

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2022–2023 Full-Time plus Part-Time Enrolments" (PDF). Association of Atlantic Universities. 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  2. ^ "Visual identity and graphic standards guidelines". issuu.com. University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "University Act, R.S.P.E.I 2000" (PDF). Province of Prince Edward Island. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "University of Prince Edward Island, 1804-2004". postagestampguide.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "University of Prince Edward Island". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  6. ^ "UPEI honours Dr. Elizabeth 'Betsy' Epperly through plaza dedication". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. ^ Public Health Agency of Canada (2022-10-12). "Immunization Partnership Fund". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  8. ^ "Main Building - University of Prince Edward Island". Canada's Historic Places. Parks Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "Dalton Hall - University of Prince Edward Island". Canada's Historic Places. Parks Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "Memorial Hall". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "UPEI". Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  12. ^ "About the President". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "About the Chancellor". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Chang, Arturo (8 October 2021). "UPEI creating medical school 'co-degree' in partnership with Memorial University". CBC News. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Faculty Development Office". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Canada's Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities for 2025". Maclean's. Rogers Media. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Canada's Best Universities in 2025 by National Reputational Ranking". Maclean's. Rogers Media. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Research - About Us". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Welcome to the L. M. Montgomery Institute". University of PEI. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Aquatics Facility Description". Capital Area Recreation Inc. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  21. ^ "Hosting History" (PDF). Capital Area Recreation Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  22. ^ "UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place". University of Prince Edward Island. Archived from the original on 20 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  23. ^ "UPEISU Council". upeisu.ca/council/. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  24. ^ "UPEISU Services". upeisu.ca/services/. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  25. ^ "upeisu.ca/businesses/". UPEISU Businesses. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  26. ^ "P.E.I. student paper publishes cartoons of Prophet". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-02-08. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  27. ^ "Bill and Denise Andrew Hall". University of PEI - Residence Services. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  28. ^ "Blanchard Hall". University of PEI - Residence Services. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "Bernardine Hall". University of PEI - Residence Services. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  30. ^ "Performing Arts Centre and Residence". University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  31. ^ Phillips, Nicole. "UPEI honours all past-presidents as Founders of the University". University of Prince Edward Island. Marketing and Communications.
  32. ^ "Morrison, Dr. Heather G." Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  33. ^ "Past Honorary Degree Recipients". University of PEI. Retrieved March 21, 2019.

Histories of the University

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  • Bruce, Marian. A Century of Excellence: Prince of Wales College, 1860–1969. Charlottetown: Prince of Wales Alumni Association/Island Studies Press, 2005.
  • Bruce, Marian. Pets, Professors, and Politicians: The Founding and Early Years of the Atlantic Veterinary College. Charlottetown: Atlantic Veterinary College/Island Studies Press, 2004.
  • MacEachern, Alan. Utopian U: The Founding of the University of Prince Edward Island, 1968–1970. Charlottetown: University of Prince Edward Island, 2005.
  • Moase, Lorne Robert. "The Development of the University of Prince Edward Island, 1964-1972." M.Ed., University of New Brunswick, 1972.
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