The FA Awards and Scholarships Committee (and its sub-committees), and the FA Executive Committee announce the 2020 recipients of the distinguished merit awards.

Were things otherwise, we would have gathered months ago for our annual Faculty Recognition Night. This is an occasion where we mark the end of an academic year and the transition to a
new one, and we toast the promise of summer and perhaps more time for research, writing, and creative work. But most of all, we gather to celebrate the exceptional achievements of colleagues
and to acknowledge the retirements of friends and academic community members. That we have been unable to hold this event this spring will not scuttle this celebration entirely, only delay it. So stay tuned for an announcement in the days ahead.

In the meantime, with tremendous pleasure and heartfelt congratulations, the FA Awards and Scholarships Committee (and its sub-committees), and the FA Executive Committee announce the 2020 recipients of the distinguished merit awards. Please reach out to your colleagues to extend your personal congratulations.

The UPEIFA Merit Award for Outstanding Service:
Vicki Johnston, Department of Psychology and University 1000, Faculty of Arts
James Randall, Island Studies, Faculty of Arts

Hessian Merit Award for Excellence in Teaching:
Susan Graham, Faculty of Business
Richard Raiswell, Department of History and Classics, Faculty of Arts

Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement:
Aitazaz Farooque, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
Trung Dung Ngo, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering
John VanLeeuwen, Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College

Members will note that there is no recipient of a Hessian Award for Sessional Instructors this year. None were nominated, and we must commit to nominating deserving colleagues in this
category next year. Additionally, no nominations for the Scholarly Achievement Award were made in the category of Arts, Business, Education, and Library Science. Again, we must turn
our attention to this next year. Given the lack of a nomination in that category, the Executive Committee agreed to provide an extra award in another category. This was in response to the request of the sub-committee, which argued in favor of the exceptional strength of those nominated. And of course, we share news of the retirement of a number of colleagues.
Each has made significant contributions to their departments and faculties, to the education of their students, to their fields of intellectual endeavor, and to the community that is UPEI. While we look forward to wishing each one well in person, until then we extend very best wishes for joyful retirements to:

Godfrey Baldacchino – May 1, 2020 – Island Studies, Faculty of Arts
Vickie Johnston – May 31, 2020 – Department of Psychology and University 1000, Faculty of Arts
Alexander (Sandy) McAuley – July 1, 2020 – Faculty of Education
Mary Ann McNiven – 31 December 2019 – Department of Health Management, AVC
Anne Muckle – July 1, 2020 – Department of Pathology and Microbiology, AVC
Arthur Ortenburger – May 1, 2020 – Department of Health Management, AVC