Jeffery Scott Murphy was someone I knew well enough to say hi to, but not somebody I knew well enough to be friends with.

We were in the same grade in junior high school at Stone Park Junior High. At Charlottetown Rural High School, although he was a year behind me I would often

see him at various sporting events.:

His older brother John Micheal Murphy was my rugby coach in grade 10 and a member of the 1998 UPEI Championship soccer team.

Jeff was an outstanding ath- lete in his own right. He played for several successful soccer teams in Stratford, and played AA volley- ball and basketball at the Rural for the three years he was there.

I got to know Jeff in my

senior year at the Rural as he and I

each played the second row posi- tion for the AA rugby team. We

were two basketball players out-of-

place on a rugby field, but our height and speed proved advanta- geous and helped our team to an undefeated season.

Last year Jeff began his first year at UPEI. We would always say hi in passing.

Now Jeff is gone. All the details surrounding his death are not known or have not been released, but the fact remains that a young man has passed away.

The Island has lost a good athlete and a good person.

Rest in Peace Jeff.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields where ea CO Ame Coney

DEE: RY And early thugh the laurel grows It whithers quicker than the rose

A.E. Houseman - Te An Athlete Dying Young

September has been an extremely busy month at AVC, as usual. The school year really

began on August 30th, with the return of 1St, 2Nd ang 3rd year stu- dents (4th year fall semester began

August 215),

Week one brought the tradi- tional orientation week activities: the pub crawl, beach party, bar- beque, outdoor games, and mid- night movie.

Participant Trevor Lawson felt the event was a success. “Everyone felt very welcome and the level of participation was high,” said Lawson.

Mid month saw the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA) out in full force for their annual dog wash. This event is held as a fundraiser with monies collected going towards student travel to conferences, bringing in speakers and supporting other groups.

It is a novel twist to the ever popular car wash and there are a lot of people out there who are eager to have a sodden vet student bathe their Newfoundland dog! In fact, the group washed 74 dogs that sunny Saturday, leaving SCAVMA $370 richer.

AVC is home to many “stu- dent chapters of’, and thus, Club

Day was held on the 15¢8, Club Day gives new and returning stu- dents a chance to join one or many groups that they feel will enhance their knowledge and enjoyment of a particular subject of interest.

The Small Ruminant, Equine, Lab Animal, Wildlife and Exotic Species, Critical Care, Bovine and finally Aquatic Species Clubs were all represented at Club

Day. The Critical Care Club appeared to be the big draw, though the true member numbers often don’t come out until collection of dues.

The last week of the month was particularly busy with three important functions taking place; the launching of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre and AVC Recognition Night on the

27'h and Industry day on the 2gth,

The Sir James Dunn Foundation was established by Lady Beaverbrook, the wife of Sir James Dunn, with a 2.2 million dollar donation; the largest private donation in the history of UPEI. Lady Beaverbrook had a special

love for animals and through her generosity, thousands have already been helped by research and proj- ects funded by the Foundation. Each project approved for funding is intended to directly or indirectly better the welfare of companion animals, horses and/or wildlife. The well attended launch included a special thanks to Dr. Alice Crook for her dedication to the Welfare Unit and establishment of the Centre, the unveiling of a plaque by a Labrador Retriever and was covered by CBC’s Compass. AVC Recognition Night is held annually at this time to acknowledge and reward students for excellence in academics and

outstanding leadership. In addition, any student with an average of 80% or better from the previous year is placed on the Dean’s List and invited to the ceremony to receive a certificate indicating their achievement.

The ceremony included special awards for Senator Eugene Whalen and former premier Jim Lee for their exceptional efforts in seeing that AVC became a reality. The event was extremely well attended this year (seating ran out), probably in part due to the fact that eleven new awards were handed out.

Finally, Industry Day was said to be a lot of work, but posi- tively received by participating vendors according to Jon Spears, president of the Society of Atlantic Veterinary Students and man in charge of the day.

Industry Day provides an opportunity for companies in the veterinary business to come and show their wares and answer ques- tions about their products.

In an effort to woo students, lots of freebies are given away and the day is capped off with a number of draws for everything from text- books to hats. However, it was noted that students took time'to ask questions and mingle with repre- sentatives before making off with their goodies which is always appreciated.

The only down side was that there were a fewer booths than past years due to a veterinary con- ference in Quebec at the same time and the fact that Fall Conference was not coinciding with the event.

The month of October will be somewhat less hectic than September, but there is always something newsworthy to come out of the Halloween party!Q