17吃瓜

The 17吃瓜 paid tribute today to Alex B. Campbell, former premier of Prince Edward Island, for his central role in the creation of 17吃瓜 50 years ago. The university unveiled the new Alex B. Campbell Terrace in the 17吃瓜 Quadrangle near the W.A. Murphy Student Centre and the creation of an endowment fund in Campbell鈥檚 name for entrance scholarships.

By the 1960s, the Prince Edward Island government began to acknowledge a serious shortage of educated and skilled workers and began a critical study of its post-secondary education institutions, Prince of Wales College (PWC) and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University (SDU). The government, under the leadership of Premier Alex B. Campbell, concluded that forming a provincial university was the desired funding and service model for future students. The PEI Legislature passed the University Act in 1969, incorporating the 17吃瓜. In May 1969, the last classes graduated from PWC and SDU; the institutions were transformed into 17吃瓜, which opened in September. 

17吃瓜 is celebrating fifty years of accomplishment in a variety of ways. 鈥�17吃瓜 at 50鈥� is an especially fitting occasion to consider legacy projects that will help grow and sustain 17吃瓜's institutional memory in the decades ahead. 

Nearly $2 million of the new $3 million endowment has already been raised for the Alex B. Campbell 17吃瓜 Scholarships. The scholarships will be $2000 each and will be awarded annually to first-time 17吃瓜 students who have graduated from a PEI high school. 

The working group behind the scholarship was led by 17吃瓜 Chancellor Catherine Callbeck and John Bragg. The group included Judy Bragg, Don McDougall, Anne Smith, Jo-Anne Schurman, Fred Hyndman, Joseph Spriet, Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, and Christianna Dunn.

The endowment and terrace were announced at a special ceremony this afternoon as part of the Reunion Weekend celebrating 50 years of 17吃瓜. Many key figures from 17吃瓜鈥檚 history were in attendance, including the guest of honour: Alex B. Campbell. Also in attendance were founding president Dr. Ron Baker, president emeritus Wade MacLauchlan, past president Dr. Elizabeth 鈥淏etsy鈥� Epperly, and current president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. Premier Dennis King brought greetings from the province. Phillip Brown, mayor of Charlottetown, and Senator Brian Francis were also in attendance.

The 17吃瓜 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�17吃瓜 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 17吃瓜 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.