UAF math and computer science students Rachel Krieg, Christopher Granade and Seth Chadwick created a sophisticated sudoku puzzle to win top honors among more than 1,000 teams in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, a worldwide applied math competition.

The University of Alaska Museum of the North cataloged its 100,000th mammal specimen, an Alaska marmot, in April. The mammal collection is the 10th largest in the nation, and holds more Alaska mammal specimens than all other museums combined.

Nanook athletes in all sports earned high academic team honors this year. A total of 37 student-athletes were recognized with all-conference academic honors.

The Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center provided more than $500,000 for study of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. Funded by the fishing industry and administered through the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, the PCCRC has contributed more than $8.5 million for marine research and education at UAF.

The Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Service Awards for 2008 were presented to Marsha Sousa, associate professor of allied health, for teaching; Gerald Mohatt, professor of psychology and director of the Center for Alaska Native Health Research, for research; and John Kelley, professor of marine science, for service.

The UAF steel bridge team took top honors at the 2008 regional Student Steel Bridge Competition at the American Society of Civil Engineers/American Institute of Steel Construction Pacific Northwest Conference. The six-member team was among 16 teams from universities across the Pacific Northwest competing in the annual contest.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society named UAF the chapter of the year for the sixth time since 1994. UAF alumna Lorena Hegdal was named the National Professional of the Year. Hegdal is the engineering director at Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and has been a supporter of AISES at UAF since its inception.

The Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites research program included UAF, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy. More than 250 scientists collected data on the condition of the Arctic’s atmosphere in April.

Construction projects underway on the Fairbanks campus this summer include ongoing work on the state virology lab, code corrections in the Fine Arts Complex, interior renovations at Cutler Apartments and renovations at the Tanana Valley Campus Center. Other projects are underway at Lena Point in Juneau and the Chukchi and Kuskokwim campuses.

Summer Sessions’ offerings will enliven and enrich the season for residents and visitors through programs such as weekly Discovering Alaska lectures; three film series: Reel History — Documenting Alaska, Summer Sessions Cinema, and Projecting World Cultures: Japanese, Russian and Hispanic Film; and five Beluga Nights concerts.

The Ninth International Conference on Permafrost June 29 – July 3 will draw more than 800 researchers from around the world to UAF. The conference, convened by the International Permafrost Association, is taking place during the International Polar Year, a two-year initiative focusing international research efforts and public attention on the Earth’s polar regions.

The Second City Touring Company will perform at the Salisbury Theatre Saturday, July 12.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program will provide between $1,000 and $5,000 for baccalaureate-degree-seeking students whose education has been interrupted for five years or more. The new scholarship is funded through a $50,000 donation from the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Celebrate Nanook Pride at the Alumni Association reunion Sept. 25 – 27. This year’s reunion honors graduates from 1958 and 1983.