17吃瓜

The 17吃瓜 held its 23rd Recognition of Founders ceremony on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in the 17吃瓜 Performing Arts Centre and Residence building.

This award acknowledges those who have contributed to the University in a significant way and to honour the many contributions, commitments, and sacrifices that have brought higher education in PEI to where it is today.

Recognized as 2024 Founders during the ceremony were Vickie Johnston, retired faculty member and student advocate; Dr. Michael Liu, Professor Emeritus, philanthropist, and alumnus of Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University, one of 17吃瓜鈥檚 two founding institutions; and the Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University Board of Governors, a much-valued supporter of 17吃瓜.

The ceremony began with the singing of O Canada by 17吃瓜 Music alumna Janey Lynn Perrier and student Emi Smith, and a blessing by University Chaplain Sister Sue Kidd. 

17吃瓜 President and Vice-Chancellor Wendy Rodgers welcomed those in attendance and thanked the Founders for their contributions to the University. 

鈥淵our significant contributions to 17吃瓜 help us continue the tradition of excellence and ensure that we carry forward our mission of being relevant and critical to the Island, to the country, and to the world,鈥� said Dr. Rodgers. 鈥淭hank you for your dedication and passion. You inspire us to make sure that 17吃瓜 keeps going on an upward trajectory.鈥� 

George Jiang, president of the 17吃瓜 Student Union, brought greetings from the organization. 

鈥淥n behalf of all 17吃瓜 students, I sincerely congratulate the 2024 Founders for being recognized at today鈥檚 ceremony,鈥� said Jiang. 鈥淪tudents were, are, and will be thriving at our University through the efforts of many dedicated professors and contributors like all of you. May we all be inspired by the exceptional contributions by our Founders.鈥�

The citations were read by Inge Dorsey, coordinator, University 100 program, for Vickie Johnston; Dr. Nola Etkin, dean of science, for Dr. Michael Liu; and Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, executive director, Development and Alumni Engagement, and Government Relations, for the Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University Board of Governors. A reception was held immediately following the ceremony.

About the Founders:

Vickie Johnston

A graduate of 17吃瓜鈥檚 Class of 1982, Vickie had a long and productive career over three decades as a faculty member and employee of 17吃瓜. As the coordinator for the University 100 program from 1997 to 2020, she advocated for all students, particularly those in their first year. She had the ability to envision programs and opportunities and the determination and work ethic to make them happen. During her tenure as Director of Student Affairs from 2013 to 2014, she effectively led the transition of two units鈥攖he Webster Centre and Student Services鈥攊nto the current Department of Student Affairs. She was also an early adopter of鈥攁nd leader in鈥攅xperiential education in the Faculty of Arts and the broader campus. Click  to read the complete citation.

Dr. Michael Liu

Dr. Liu is a professor emeritus, philanthropist, talented photographer, and dedicated alumnus of Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University, one of 17吃瓜鈥檚 two founding institutions. He came to Prince Edward Island in 1957 from Hong Kong to attend Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by an MA from Saint Francis Xavier in 1964, and a PhD in Chemistry in 1967 from the University of Ottawa. He then received a National Research Council Overseas Post-Doctoral Fellowship to the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

In 1968, Dr. Liu joined the Department of Chemistry at Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University as a full-time faculty member. When 17吃瓜 was created in 1969, he remained with the department, teaching generations of students until he retired in 1997. At Convocation that spring, he was honoured with the designation of professor emeritus. Click to read the complete citation.

Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University Board of Governors

The Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University Board of Governors is a much-valued supporter鈥攊n numerous ways鈥攐f the 17吃瓜. Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University, one of two predecessors of 17吃瓜, carries the role of Founder by its very being. In 1969, Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University closed when 17吃瓜 was established by the government of the time as the provincial university. From that time forward, the SDU Board of Governors generously supported the new university鈥攖hrough the early growing pains to the present鈥攁nd indeed into its future. Many SDU faculty and staff made the transition to 17吃瓜, sharing their knowledge and talents with generations of 17吃瓜 students. 

The SDU Board has contributed over $7 million to 17吃瓜 directly and indirectly鈥攖hrough scholarships, awards, bursaries, educational programming, and capital campaign contributions. Click to read the complete citation.