The Rasmuson Photo Lab has permanently discontinued the processing of slide film (E-6 process) due to the ongoing library renovation. All other services will continue to be offered but there may be some delays in processing. All requests will now be received at the lab's temporary location on the library's fifth floor. For more information call 6344.

CRA, RSS and RAHI are moving to the Brooks Building in July and are in need of computer boxes to pack lab equipment for the move. If you have computer boxes you don't plan to keep, call Shirley Sterner at 6442.

UAF celebrated its 80th Commencement May 12, conferred almost 950 degrees on the more than 900 graduates from the class of 2002, including the first 15 students from the TVC Registered Nursing Program. Lillian Kinegak was the oldest graduate at age 61 and Sarah Doner was the youngest at age 19. Seven retiring faculty were granted emeritus status: Brian Paust, SFOS; Charles W. Knight, SALRM; Pham X. Quang, CSEM; Max Wyss, CSEM; Donald M. Schell, IMS; and Bill Brody, CLA. Registrar Ann Tremarello, who is retiring this year, was also granted emerita status.

Three finalists have been selected for the UAF athletic director position. Frank Diskin from Rockhurst University, Sean Casey formerly from the University of Maine at Machias and Len Nardone from Genesee Community College in New York will be invited to Fairbanks later this month for on-site interviews.

Cindy Branley, executive director of the UAF Alumni Association, has announced her resignation effective June 14. Branley came to Alaska in 1988 to attend UAF and graduated in 1992.

The University of Alaska along with the University of Amsterdam and SURFnet, the national computer network for higher education and research in the Netherlands, recently set the new Internet2 Land Speed record. The group was able to send the equivalent of an entire compact disc's contents from Fairbanks to Amsterdam in 13 seconds.

The University Police Department has had several reports of calls coming from correctional institutions where the caller has asked to be transferred to another telephone number. Police warn that any long-distance charges incurred will be charged to the transferring phone. Call 6200 to report phone scams.

The Athabascan Language Development Institute is being held as part of Summer Sessions May 29 - June 19. Courses offered during the institute apply to the Native Language Education or Alaska Native Studies degree programs. For more information contact the Alaska Native Language Center at 7874 or fyanlc@uaf.edu.

The National Research Council panel on "Ecological Dynamics on Yellowstone's Northern Range," chaired by David Klein, professor emeritus of IAB, released its report to the National Park Service and the public in late March.

The Outdoor Adventures program is planning some wonderful trips this summer and has rental equipment available. For more information contact 6027 or fywild@uaf.edu or visit http://www.uaf.edu/outdoor/.

The UAF Orientation program is recruiting motivated students who have a good base of knowledge about UAF for leaders for the fall program. For more information contact orientation@uaf.edu.

The Georgeson Botanical Garden's Surplus Plant Sale will be held May 18 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the UAF farm. There will be annual flowering plants, perennials, small trees and shrubs, house plants, hanging baskets and Alaska native plants for sale. For more information call Jan Hanscom at 6921. The garden is hosting classes throughout the summer. For more information or to register call 474-1070 or visit http://www.uaf.edu/salrm/gbg/.

The TVC Law Enforcement class of 2002 graduation will be held May 24 at 2 p.m. in the gymnasium of the University Park Building. For more information contact John Myers at 2703 or ffjjm@uaf.edu.

The Alaska Sea Grant program is hosting the 20th Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium "Genetics of Subpolar Fish and Invertebrates" in Juneau May 29 - 31. For more information contact fyconf@uaf.edu or visit http://www.uaf.edu/seagrant/Conferences/.

The 8th Annual Campus Flower Planting Day is set for May 30 at 8:30 a.m. The Facilities Services grounds department provides flowers grown in a UAF greenhouse and purchased with the Ruth Hewitt endowment fund. The event is sponsored by the College of Fellows and was established to help beautify the campus for summer visitors and local residents alike. For more information or to volunteer contact Jim Matthews at 457-3537 or Judy Kelliher at 474-0021.

The UA Museum is hosting the fourth annual TOTE Family Fun Fest June 2 from 1 - 5 p.m. There will be hands-on activities for kids of all ages. The museum is also looking for volunteers to help with the fest. For more information or to volunteer call 5484.

The UA Board of Regents is meeting in Fairbanks June 11 - 13 in room 109 Butrovich Building. For more information contact 7908 or sybor@alaska.edu or visit http://www.alaska.edu/bor/.

The University of Alaska is co-sponsoring the "Alaska's Oceans and Watersheds Symposium" June 18 - 19 in Anchorage. For more information visit http://www.oilspill.state.ak.us/events.html.

The 2002 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Public Service Award winners were announced May 6. The winners are recognized for their achievements and contributions to UAF and receive a $10,000 prize. Marty Getz, CSEM, won the teaching award, Larry Duffy, CSEM, won the research award and Jim Douglas, CES, won the public service award.

Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honors Society, was selected as the Outstanding Club of the Year by UAF's Club Council, the unified body for all UAF clubs. The council chose sophomore Travis Veazey as its Outstanding Club Council Member of the Year.

Angela Sensenig, Dene Leonard, Shelley Hicks and Feather Hilger are the spring 2002 Exceptional Student Employee Award winners. For more information visit http://www.uaf.edu/career/.

Student success is our success. A major contributing factor to students' success is the connectedness they experience with the university. Students find positive connections to UAF through their classes, residence life experiences, student employment, academic advising, student activities, etc. Everyone at UAF can be a positive connection that provides a pathway to success for our students.

Let me introduce you to a few "positive connections" at UAF - the 2001-2002 Outstanding Advisors as nominated by the students they serve. Excerpts from students' written nominations lend insight into the nature of the student-advisor relationship and the characteristics that make the relationship a positive connection for the student.

Gerald Berman - Social Work (CLA): open-minded, student oriented; creates a friendly, lively atmosphere; provides me with accurate information.

Cathy Cahill - Chemistry (CSEM): happy to see students; takes time to visit with students; encouraging; truly cares about students.

Claudia Clark - Marketing (SOM): time to learn more about me as a person; cared about my future; asks questions and provides feedback; true asset to UAF.

Meriam Karlsson - Natural Resources Management (SALRM): made planning go smoothly; made sure I felt good about my overall experience; checks on me.

D.J. Kilpatrick - Accounting (SOM): warm and welcoming; easy to talk with; knows who I am and what my goals are; excellent resource for professional development.

Paul Layer - Geology (CSEM): helped me select classes relevant to my goals and locate a related student position; continued to encourage me; gives personal attention to students.

Dani Raap - Psychology (CLA): mentors me; listened to my interests; always willing to listen; plethora of information; does many other things for students at UAF.

Doug Schamel - Biology/Education (CSEM): cares deeply about my academic excellence; stopped by just to say hello to me; greatly contributed to my success; a mentor.

Dan White - Civil Engineering (CSEM): enthusiasm, dedication; dependability; and sincere interest in students; reaches out to students; willingness to help all students.

What fortunate students - to have such caring, attentive advisors. Look at the descriptions carefully. Chances are you can do some of these things. It is not rocket science - it is about being a caring person. You can be a positive connector for a student - no matter what role you play at UAF.