UPEI ceremony honours founding members of university community

By Sarah Murphy

Pomp and Circumstance were in order Thursday, September 14, as the university community came together to celebrate the first UPEI Founders’ Day.

This celebration aimed at commemorating UPEI’S past and celebrating its future, was planned and put together by a committee

dressed in gowns. “A university is a great as its incoming students,” said MacLauchlan, who underlined the importance of the first-year stu- dent’s participation in Founders’ day.

“Founders Day reminds us, metaphorically, that we stand on the shoulders of those who came

Photo by Shawn Sears

made up of former and current fac- ulty and staff members in the spring. This year was the first of what will be annual event to be held at the beginning of each new academic year.

“Heritage is such an impor- tant part of the community,” said Norman Webster, university Chancellor, “and nothing is more important than community,” he said emphasising the importance of the university’s heritage.

Remembering UPEI’s past is not the only goal of these festiv- ities assured Bob Gray, Director of Alumni Affairs. “We are hoping to have some fun as a community also,” he added.

The ceremony began with an academic procession of faculty, staff and first-year students, all

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To honour those who came before, three UPEI founders were recognized at the ceremony: Ronald J. Baker, Sister Mary Bernice Cullen, and Milton Wood.

Baker came to UPEI in 1969 as founding president of the university. He was a successful teacher, negotiated collective agreements, chaired Senate, and mobilized numerous campus improvements -— notably the Robertson Library.

“Ron Baker led UPEI through its formative years with vision, courage, grace, and wit,” said Kristen Stavert, Student Union Vice-President Communication, as she spoke of the President Emeritus.

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“Sister Mary Bernice Cullen is a women of firsts,” said BJ McCarville, Student Union President, when introducing the second UPEI Founder. Sister Cullen was one of the first female students to be given the privilege to study at St. Dunstan’s University, and in 1942 she was also its first graduate.

“Sister Cullen’s dedication to her faith and her devotion to her craft have made her both an impor- tant part of our heritage and an eminent member of UPEI’s com- munity,” said McCarville.

Wood, sole commissionaire and mailman of Prince of Wales College in 1965 and the years fol- lowing, was the third UPEI Founder to be honour.

“The warmth of Milton’s welcome extend beyond campus buildings and grounds,” said Steven Forbes, New Student

Orientation Coordinator, as he

Photo by Shawn Sears

spoke of Wood who invited inter- national students to his home to make their stay at the university more enjoyable.

“We recognize Milton

Wood as a ‘UPEI Founder’ for his hard work, dedication and service, but above all, we recognize his contribution in fostering the indomitable spirit of the faculty, staff, and students of UPEI,” ended Forbes.

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“It was extraordinary and very appropriate,” said Frank Ledwell, UPEI Professor Emeritus, commenting on the ceremony. “Brilliant,” he added.

‘Founders’ Day will be a prime event in our annual universi- ty calendar,” said MacLauchlan. “It will be an occasion to build on our sense of community, to celebrate the commencement of the academ- | ic year, and to recognize the many contributions, commitments and sacrifices that have brought higher education in PEI to where it is today.”

“We build this place all

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together.” MacLauchlan said, restating the importance of having such a day to remember.