Aprit 5, 2005

Human Resources Students at UPEI Number Two in Canada

Crossman, Don MacCormac, Sherilyn Acorn, and Stefanie Moore

A team of students from the UPEI School of Business has carried off second prize in EXCALIBUR, the Canadian University Tournament in Human Resources.

Students from 17 universities competed over two days recently to determine the _ top three teams in Canada. Conducted by the Human Resource Association of Quebec, EXCALIBUR, evaluates the students’ knowledge of HR concepts, as well as their ability to present before a panel of executives and professors.

UPEI team members Sherilyn Acorn of Cornwall, Patrick Crossman of Summerside, and Stefanie Moore of Crapaud, each won $750 for their efforts. Daniel Perry of Stratford, was spare and will be a member of next year’s team.

“They were up against students from the larger universities in Canada, such as, Ryerson, McGill, and Alberta which offer extensive studies in Human Resource Management,” said Professor Don MacCormac who coached the team. “To come in second among such competition reflects positively on our students and the education they receive at UPEI. This experience will further develop their confidence, and prepare them for a rewarding career.”

“T am very proud to have been on the UPEI team; the three of us each have our strong points and we fed off each other in the true definition and spirit of a solid team,” says Patrick Crossman.

In timed exercises, the team- solved problems in case studies of firms with HR issues. This year the major case was based on PEI — the Transcontinental plant in Borden.

“T am thrilled to congratulate, once more, a student team from the School of Business on achieving this highly-regarded prize in such a competitive national tournament,” states Roberta MacDonald, Dean of the School of Business. These students showcase themselves, the School, and UPEI on the national stage.”

Teams from the School of Business have participated in six EXCALIBUR competitions, and have been winners on three of those occasions, carrying off first place in 2000 and in 2002, and second place this year.

“We are very pleased that UPEI continues to develop Human Resources specialists for the future,” says Wayne McMillan, president of HRA and a corporate sponsor of the UPEI team.

THE CADRE ¢ 19

Final Curtain Call for UPEI Theatre Society President

Kimberley Johnston Reporter

Marieve MacGregor, president of the UPEI Theatre Society, is following the first rule of the stage: Always leave them wanting more.

That’s right, after two anda half years of being President, MacGregor is taking a bow and following her heart to film school at York University in Ontario. Ashley Clark, currently the society’s secretary, will take over as President next year, backed with MacGregor’s good wishes.

“Yes, this is my last year at UPEL, after a full two and a half years as El Presidente of the Theatre Society. Ashley Clark will be taking over in my wake, and I wish her all the best and offer all of my support.”

MacGregor said she hopes to stay somewhat involved in the theatre community while she studies a different form of expressive media at York. This year, she has been involved with Jesus Christ Superstar and directed the society’s own Doctor Faustus.

“T’ll be off to York to study film- making in September, and will hopefully get to keep up my own theatre involvement while in Toronto.”

MacGregor said it’s been a great year for the UPEI Theatre Society. The group produced a full-length drama, Doctor Faustus, which played host to the biggest cast and production crew in the society’s recent history.

“The Theatre Society had a great turn out this year all around. Audition numbers were sky-high, audience numbers were up, and we tried to keep as many people as possible involved in our productions. We had the largest cast the Theatre Society has ever seen ina very long time in Doctor Faustus. \t was a lot of fun working

with the girls on dance movements and learning how to ‘walk like devils’. The guys gota lot of physical comedy time and it was sometimes very distracting when their director was in stitches while they were rehearsing!”

“Everyone got dirty at some time or another; be it crawling on floors, making paper maché masks, or putting green and blue Halloween makeup on their hands, face, and feet (and that was just what the girls had to do!) We had one member (Wade Lewis) end up soaking wet onstage every night (on purpose), another member lifted and carried off stage by eight girls (he really didn’t complain) and one member jump on another member’s back while spinning... this took some practice!”

The society did not get to host a variety show this year, but the number of accomplishments far outnumbers the by-passed event.

“Though we didn’t get the variety show off the ground this year, the full-length play, Doctor Faustus, in the first semester and the one act plays (Spoon River, Still Stands the House, Tom and Jerry, and If You,’re Strong- Hearted) in the second semester came together very well.”

Members participated in various activities, and the 2004-05 year didn’t go without its share of prizes for UPEI’s finest theatrefolk, either.

“We were able to send a few students to take workshops with Theatre PEI and we participated in the Island Theatre Festival. Melissa Vloet and Ben Rayner each won ‘best supporting actress/actor’ awards at the gala event at the end of the festival, and we’re very proud of them. Spoon River also played again on April first for the “Best of the Fest” event at the Mackenzie Building.”

Now, that’s entertainment.

Take a bow, Marieve, you’ ve deserved it. [Close curtain]