Thank you for your contributions!

Please join us in Congratulating:

Lawrence Hale – Faculty of Science, Biology (Please follow Link for a special dedication from the FA)

Robert Hurta – Faculty of Science, Biology

Ronald MacDonald – Faculty of Education

Judy-Lynn Richards – Faculty of Arts, Sociology and Anthropology

Larry Hammell – Atlantic Veterinary College, Health Management

Juan Carlos Rodriguez – Atlantic Veterinary College, Pathology and Microbiology

Frederick Kibenge – Atlantic Veterinary College, Pathology and Microbiology

On behalf of the UPEI Faculty Association, we wish you all of the best on your next chapter

Below are some highlights shared with us:

During my time teaching at UPEI, I’m most proud of the deep connection I built with my students through my passion for teaching, unwavering dedication, and genuine respect for each of them as individuals. I approached every class with the goal of not just delivering content but creating a space where students felt seen, heard, and inspired to learn. My passion for the subject matter and education drove me to seek new ways to make learning meaningful and relevant constantly. I took pride in engaging my students through thoughtful discussions, real-world applications, and inclusive teaching strategies honoring diverse perspectives and learning styles. What mattered most to me was fostering an environment where students felt safe to ask questions, challenge ideas, and grow academically and personally. I respected their efforts, listened to their voices, and celebrated their achievements, no matter how small. That mutual respect created a strong sense of community in the classroom, and witnessing their growth and confidence over time has been the most rewarding part of my teaching journey

– Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Our AVC team established an internationally recognized centre for aquatic veterinary epidemiology by connecting our world class quantitative epidemiologists with salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. The aquaculture clinical research I led helped solve many challenges for salmon farmers and on this foundation, we established an international Collaborating Centre recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health in Epidemiology and Risk Assessment of Aquatic Animal Diseases. Using this international collaboration, I participating in many standard-setting training exercises and fish health research studies in warm water aquaculture, most commonly in Southeast Asia but also in South America and Africa. I am most proud of the close professional and personal relationships with AVC colleagues and with other international aquaculture researchers. The graduate students and postdocs who were once my students are now my colleagues and close friends. I am immensely appreciative of the many opportunities to interact with such talented and dedicated people to solve aquatic food production challenges

– Larry Hammell

After 36 years at UPEI, Dr. Fred Kibenge will be retiring from his position as Professor of Virology in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), effective August 31, 2025. As one of his colleagues and collaborators, I collected information of his academic experience to celebrate his rich achievements and success. Dr. Kibenge obtained his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) degree in 1978 from Makerere University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Kampala, Uganda. An internationally trained virologist, he obtained his PhD in Animal Virology in 1982 from Murdoch University in Murdoch, Western Australia, and extensive postdoctoral research experience in virology in the United Kingdom (3 years at University of Liverpool in England) and the United States (3 years at Washington State University and 2 years Ohio State University), prior to joining the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), UPEI, as Associate Professor, Virology, in July 1989. He is also a 1988 diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM), with a subspecialty in Immunology.  As a faculty member at UPEI, Dr. Kibenge has participated fully in the teaching, research and service efforts, making significant contributions to AVC and UPEI. He served as Chair of the Department of Pathology and Microbiology for four 3-year terms (2009-2021). Dr. Kibenge taught veterinary virology in the second year of the DVM curriculum at AVC, as well as virology to senior biology students, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, UPEI. He has made significant contributions to advancing knowledge in virology and aquaculture. He initiated the Aquaculture theme of books, and has published five books by Academic Press to date. He has over 135 peer-reviewed publications and more than 120 abstracts at international scientific conferences. He supervised or co-supervised numerous highly qualified personnel (HQP in form of PhD and MSc graduate students, BSc Honors students, summer URSAs, Post-Doctoral Fellows, Research Associates, Research Technicians and Visiting Researchers). He was recognized by winning several awards including the 2020-2021 Merit Award for Outstanding Service, Faculty Association, UPEI (https://www.upeifa.ca/2021/04/28/2020-2021-faculty-association-award-recipients/), 1992 and 2017 Merit Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement, Faculty Association, UPEI, 2018 and 1993, Zoetis (SmithKline Beecham) Award for Research Excellence, Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI. During his tenure at UPEI, Dr. Kibenge is incredibly proud of his contributions to the university, including serving four 3-year terms as Department Chair, teaching in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, and enriching the academic mission and university community. I am grateful for collaborating with Dr. Fred Kibenge in teaching and research for the last 17 years I have known him, and I am pleased to honour, recognize, and thank Dr. Kibenge for his 36 years as a UPEI faculty member. I hope to continue to benefit from Fred’s presence as an Adjunct Graduate Faculty member at UPEI.

– Dr. Yingwei Wang