Scholarship Information
Dr. Regis Duffy Academic Achievement Award
Any Faculty
Criteria:
A medallion and cash award will be granted to a graduating student who has demonstrated, to an outstanding degree, the qualities of scholarship and leadership within the University community, and who is not receiving a Governor General's Medal.
A medallion and cash award will be granted to a graduating student who has demonstrated, to an outstanding degree, the qualities of scholarship and leadership within the University community, and who is not receiving a Governor General's Medal.
Background:
This award was created in honour of Dr. J. Regis Duffy. Regis Duffy's roots run deep in the Island's soil. He was born and raised on Earl and Annie Duffy's farm in Kinkora, the eldest in a family of 12. After graduating from the local high school, he attended St. Dunstan's University, one of UPEI's predecessor institutions, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1953. His distinguished career as a scientist began in 1962 when he graduated with a PhD in Chemistry from Fordham University and took charge of the fledgling Chemistry department at St. Dunstan's University. He upgraded the laboratories, expanded the curriculum, and introduced summer research programs for undergraduates. In 1969, he went on to become the first Dean of Science at the newly-established University of Prince Edward Island. The following year, he spread his wings beyond the confines of academia out into the burgeoning entrepreneurial field of chemical manufacturing. This led him to establish his first off-campus laboratory to explore research possibilities in the health care field. From humble beginnings, producing one compound for a U.S. customer with $10,000 in sales the first year, Diagnostic Chemicals has grown into a major manufacturer of fine research chemicals, enzymes, and analytical systems for blood analysis that employs more than 250 people. Biovectra dcl, as it is now known, manufactures and markets more than 400 products with annual sales between $35 and $40 million. Dr. Duffy's company has been listed as one of Canada's Top 100 employers for 16 consecutive years. This recognition highlights his lifelong commitment to the well-being of his employees, as well as the health of the PEI economy. Dr. Duffy has supported UPEI in many ways. In addition to philanthropic support, he chaired the UPEI Board of Governors for 10 years, retiring from that position in 2006. He was conferred the title of Chair Emeritus in 2007.
This award was created in honour of Dr. J. Regis Duffy. Regis Duffy's roots run deep in the Island's soil. He was born and raised on Earl and Annie Duffy's farm in Kinkora, the eldest in a family of 12. After graduating from the local high school, he attended St. Dunstan's University, one of UPEI's predecessor institutions, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1953. His distinguished career as a scientist began in 1962 when he graduated with a PhD in Chemistry from Fordham University and took charge of the fledgling Chemistry department at St. Dunstan's University. He upgraded the laboratories, expanded the curriculum, and introduced summer research programs for undergraduates. In 1969, he went on to become the first Dean of Science at the newly-established University of Prince Edward Island. The following year, he spread his wings beyond the confines of academia out into the burgeoning entrepreneurial field of chemical manufacturing. This led him to establish his first off-campus laboratory to explore research possibilities in the health care field. From humble beginnings, producing one compound for a U.S. customer with $10,000 in sales the first year, Diagnostic Chemicals has grown into a major manufacturer of fine research chemicals, enzymes, and analytical systems for blood analysis that employs more than 250 people. Biovectra dcl, as it is now known, manufactures and markets more than 400 products with annual sales between $35 and $40 million. Dr. Duffy's company has been listed as one of Canada's Top 100 employers for 16 consecutive years. This recognition highlights his lifelong commitment to the well-being of his employees, as well as the health of the PEI economy. Dr. Duffy has supported UPEI in many ways. In addition to philanthropic support, he chaired the UPEI Board of Governors for 10 years, retiring from that position in 2006. He was conferred the title of Chair Emeritus in 2007.
