69传媒

As part of UPEI鈥檚 50th anniversary, the Robertson Library is presenting a lecture series to celebrate the historical roots of higher education on Prince Edward Island and its future. The series is named after educator Frank Pigot, honoured as a 69传媒Founder for his work building the Library鈥檚 PEI Collection and University Archives. The next talk is Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30 pm on the second floor of UPEI鈥檚 Robertson Library. PEI writer Marion Bruce will present 鈥渢he Lion of Prince of Wales: Alexander Anderson鈥擜n Unsung Hero of Prince Edward Island鈥檚 Education System.鈥� Anderson was the principal of Prince of Wales College for almost 40 years, from 1862 to 1901. He was chief superintendent of Island schools for a decade and was much revered by his students and admired by the community. 鈥淥f the many teachers I have known,鈥� wrote Sir Andrew Macphail, 鈥渉e was the best.鈥� L.M. Montgomery wrote,鈥� of all the teachers I have ever sat under, non was to be compared to Dr. Anderson.鈥� Diplomat and scholar Joseph Gould Schurman described Anderson as 鈥渋ncomparably the greatest benefactor the Island has had鈥� in education. Anderson鈥檚 gifts to education did not end at the door of the classroom. Despite decades of struggle鈥攊ncluding chronic underfunding, overcrowding, woefully unprepared products, and threats to the life of the college鈥擜nderson not only developed an institution renowned for excellence, but also helped raise standards throughout the rural school system. He championed equality for female and extended the hand of friendship to Roman Catholic educators in an era of religious strife.