MILLION DOLLARS BOOSTS UAF FUND-RAISING EFFORTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 1996

Fairbanks, Alaska - Usibelli Coal Mine President Joe Usibelli Jr. has announced his company's decision to give $1 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The announcement came during the UAF College of Fellows annual dinner at the home of Dick and Jo Scott Wednesday, June 12. The major portion of the Usibelli gift will be for the University of Alaska Museum's expansion efforts.

Usibelli said his family and the company have been long-time supporters of UAF. "The decision for the family and the board of directors was easy. We believe in UAF and most of us are UAF alumni. We wanted to give something back and believe this is a way to make a lasting contribution to a much-needed project. The University of Alaska Museum is a treasure house for the entire state. Our goal is to see more of these treasures on display," Usibelli said.

The company's board of directors recently agreed to commit to a total gift of $1 million over a six-year period, and Usibelli presented a $150,000 check to UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow at the dinner as the second payment toward that million. He also presented another check for $50,000 to benefit the UAF Honors Program.

The Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) has been a leading contributor to the university. Joe Usibelli Sr. spearheaded UAF's $13 million "northernMOMENTUM" fund-raising campaign with Grace Schaible and Bob McMillen four years ago, and UCM funded an endowment for excellence in teaching, research and

service awards for outstanding UAF faculty. He is now chairing the UA Museum of the North Expansion Campaign Committee.

Usibelli Coal Mine kicked off the fund-raising campaign for the museum with a $100,000 check presented last year at a May art auction to benefit the museum.

To recognize the company's commitment and contributions from the Usibelli family and friends, the new art gallery in the expanded museum on UAF's main campus in Fairbanks will be named for Rose Berry, the grandmother of Joe Usibelli Jr.

Museum Director Aldona Jonaitis said the UCM gift is affirmation that the expansion is vital to the protection of Alaska's heritage. "The University of Alaska Museum is unlike any throughout the U.S. Its educational and research missions are well-integrated with its public outreach responsibility. This gift and expression of support are invaluable to the museum's future and the display of a breadth of art work is important to Alaska," Jonaitis said.

Members of the Museum Campaign Committee include Joe Usibelli Sr., chair; Hugh Fate; Jim Lund; Paul Massey; Craig Salisbury; Jo Scott; and Jinx Whitaker of Fairbanks; and Augie Hiebert and Mike Burns of Anchorage. Arnold Espe is the Seattle liaison.

The goal is to expand the museum by the year 2002. Earlier this year supporters flew to Palm Springs to lay the groundwork for fundraising outside of Alaska. Last October Chuck and Marguerite West of Seattle pledged their gift of $1 million for the museum in front of 600-plus delegates to the annual Alaska Visitors Association convention.

The College of Fellows is a support group for UAF affiliated with the University of Alaska Foundation.

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CONTACT: University of Alaska Museum Director Aldona Jonaitis (907) 474-7505.

DPD/6-12-96/96-086