UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

F R O M T H E C H A N C E L L O R
accolades
Ford Foundation selects the University of Alaska
Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University for
$1,000,000 grant
After a national competition in undergraduate education that
drew more than 675 proposals, the Ford Foundation has selected
a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage and
Alaska Pacific University as one of 26 recipients of a $100,000
grant for projects that promote academic freedom and
constructive dialogue.
UAA graduate student Christine Byl receives
distinguished thesis award from Western
Association of Graduate Schools
The Western Association of Graduate Schools announced that
Christine Byl, a UAA masters degree student, is the winner of its
annual Distinguished Thesis Award. This marks the first time an
Alaska student has received this high honor. Byl’s Master of Fine
Arts in Creative Writing and Literary Arts thesis titled,“Breathing
Under Water: Artist’s Heart, Artist’s Mind” was described by the
selection committee as “exceptional.”
UAA Kicks off 1,000 Giving $1,000
This sustained annual giving program of at least $1million will
fund student, teacher and community programs and scholarships
that will make an immediate and lasting impact on the university.
UAA’s promise, in return for each gift, is a report next year on
how your dollars were used and the impact to our students,
faculty and programs.
College of Education receives full
national accreditation
The University of Alaska Anchorage College of Education’s
commitment to excellence in producing quality teachers for our
nation’s children was recognized in Nov. 2005 when it received
full national accreditation under the performance-oriented
standards of the National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE).
P R O G R E S S I V E
P R O G R A M S
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Discovery extends mammoth
survival 2,200 years
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Recipe for Success
UAA culinary arts program
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UAA Debate Team travels
to international competition
Students learn broadcasting skills
through corporate partnership
T H E U A A C O M M U N I T Y
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Eileen Thompson
Saradell Ard
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to announce the completion of our first-ever
capital campaign. Thank you to the many donors, both
corporate and private, for your commitment and support in
helping UAA to reach well beyond the $12 million goal.
Special thanks to the two co-chairs of the 50th Anniversary
Campaign, Marc Langland and Leo Bustad. This is a
collective celebration.
Funds raised will support UAA Programs of
Distinction, Student Scholarships and Opportunities,
Faculty Excellence, and Facilities. The impact of
campaign gifts is already being felt by those who live,
work, and study on this campus. Students now have
the opportunity to apply for newly endowed
scholarships; faculty can avail themselves of award
and program opportunities; and soon the entire
campus community will have opportunities to gather
in the new Alaska Native Science and Engineering
Program Building.
While many gifts were important parts of this
campaign, we find it especially meaningful that it was
an estate gift (a gift included in a will) that put us
over the top. The legacy of that generous bequest,
arranged more than 20 years ago, will live on in the
endowed, needs-based scholarship and engineering
professorship it created. Similarly, we are planting
Many of you will consider giving $1,000 each year to
UAA because you are alumni and you know that your gift will
continue the legacy of excellence at your alma mater. But
many of you attended other universities. Why should you give
to UAA? Leo Bustad and his wife, Jeanne Davis answer that
question in three simple words: “We live here.” As well as
assisting their out-of-state alma maters, they want to help
young Alaskans to have an opportunity for an excellent
UAA Accolades
Spring 2006
Volume 5, Number 1
Published by the UAA Office of Development
Editors: Megan Olson, Heather Resz
Graphic Design: David Freeman
Photography: Clark James Mishler, Michael Dinneen
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Libby Roderick
Ed and Cathryn Rasmuson
seeds today to broaden UAA’s enduring tradition of discovery,
learning, and achievement.
Supporters of Seawolf Athletics also are making an impact
on campus. A campaign to raise $1 million to endow student
athletic scholarships is underway. You will find additional
details about the Seawolf Legacy Campaign inside this
magazine.
education. They want Anchorage to be a great city with a
great university providing cultural and intellectual events.
They want UAA’s community campuses throughout
Southcentral to strengthen their regions and to enhance this
Great Land.
Many thanks to all for your ongoing engagement with this
vital, growing university. Mort and I are proud to say with all
For more information about stories included
in UAA Accolades, to make a gift to UAA
or to order additional copies, please contact:
University Advancement
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive . Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-4847
e-mail: development@uaa.alaska.edu
S E A W O L F
S P O R T S
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Cross country teams:
reaching new heights
What’s next? We are off to a great start with the 1,000
Giving $1,000 campaign. Our goal is to create and maintain a
base of donors at the $1,000 level, thereby ensuring a
sustained $1 million in annual contributions for long-term
support of student scholarships and programs of excellence.
of you, “We live here.”
Elaine P. Maimon, PhD
Chancellor
To learn more about UAA,
visit www.uaa.alaska.edu
On the Cover: University of Alaska Anchorage senior Michelle Stummer.
Accolades 3