Media Advisory

TO                          Assignment Editors, Business and Education Reporters

FROM                     UAF University Relations

SUBJECT                Gov. Knowles Proclaims "Rasmuson Day" in Alaska

LOCATION              Schaible Auditorium, UAF Campus

DATE & TIME          Friday, May 5 at 4 p.m.

The public is invited to join UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind at a special, multi-media event honoring the contributions made by three generations of Rasmusons to the state this Friday, May 5 at 4 p.m. in the Schaible Auditorium. Gov. Tony Knowles has proclaimed May 5, 2000 as "Rasmuson Day" throughout Alaska.

Friday is also the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library on the UAF campus. Following opening remarks by Lind, UAF history professor Terrence Cole will give a presentation on nearly a century of Rasmuson family contributions. After Cole's remarks, a special film presentation made from clips of rare footage contained in the library's archives and preserved largely due to efforts by the Rasmuson family will be shown.

Elmer is the son of Jenny Olson and Edward A. Rasmuson, who met in 1905 while both were missionaries of the Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church in Yakatut. In 1918, just one year after UAF was founded, E.A. Rasmuson took control of a small territorial bank in Southeast Alaska that would later became the National Bank of Alaska, this state's largest financial institution. Elmer Rasmuson succeeded his father as head of the bank in 1943 and retired in 1974, when his son Edward B. Rasmuson became president. Edward continues as chairman of the board and on Sunday, May 7, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree during UAF's 78th Commencement ceremony, the same honorary degree his father received from the university 30 years ago. Father and son will attend Friday's special presentation at the Schaible Auditorium.

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CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron, (907) 474-7587 or by email at fynews@aurora.alaska.edu.

DPD/05-2-00/00-073ma