Elizabeth ("Betsy") Epperly, in herfirst yearat UPEI. Dr, Epperly berame a leading authority on Island writer L.M. Montgomeryandwas instrumental in establishingthe L.M. Montgomery Institute at UPEI

in 1993. She served as UPEI’s first female President and Vite-(hantellor from 1995 to 1998. (Nexus: University of Prince Edward /s/and Student Union Yearbook, 7970. UPEI Arrhives: Lf3.P85l./4i970 AMH 7970

larger number oflsland high school graduates than usual, wary about UPEl’s future and their own, headed oil—Island to university that fall. But others enrolled. The very first student to register at UPEI came all the way from Virginia. She had applied to Prince ofVVales College, and received a letter stating her acceptance to UPEI. Her father, not believing a new university could emerge overnight, drove her to the Island to check things out. He ended up paying her room, board, and tuition outright, and she, Elizabeth Epperly, went on to become a UPEI graduate and, in 1995, its first female president. ¢X<>

The 1969 UPEI calendar contains a note ofweleome from President Ronald]. Baker. “We are the newest university in Canada, but we build on two of the oldest institutions in Canada..." But then Baker falters, losing his customarily unflappable tone. “in spite of a few dire predictions,” the faculty was working together. We “will have to” work on two campuses this year, and “I am afraid there will be some inevitable inconveniences.... I hope that you will suffer the inconve-

with ti>rebearance.... We all

nienees —» which we will all share

want to be justifiably proud ot‘our university. l am sure that we shall

.‘\l..-\.\' ,\I:\Cl‘,:\ClllCR.\l — 33