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August 30, 2005 |
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August 30, 2005 |
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Welcome to UAF, from the Chancellor |
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Welcome to fall semester 2005! I’m glad that you’re back with us for another semester or joining us for your first semester at Alaska’s Research University, where you interact directly with world-class faculty at the cutting edge of knowledge. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a great place to be. We are America’s Arctic University, with programs that focus on the biological, physical, and cultural uniqueness of our home here in the high latitudes. You made a great choice in coming back or joining us for the first time. We’re a university that focuses on excellence and student success. We’re a university that is committed to becoming better than we are – in the classroom, in the research lab, in the Wood Center, in the library, and across the campus. I’m so glad that you are a part of our fall semester 2005. Many of you have actually been here longer than I have. I’m beginning my second academic year as Chancellor. I’ve completed my first winter here in the near arctic, and I eagerly await my second. The season is deep and pure, and the beauty is beyond compare. Alaska is a land of incredible beauty and bounty. I’ve watched people throughout the summer visit our campus, visit Denali National Park, visit our magnificent coastal communities, and generally spend lots of money for a once in a lifetime vacation in our magnificent state. I see them, and I think, with some great satisfaction, that now I’m a resident of this great state and live within touch of all that makes it such a special place. Alaska is a special place, and in many ways defined by a special spirit. It’s the spirit and place that also defines our university. Nearly everything we do, our research, our education, and our outreach, is defined by where we are. No other university on the planet is more connected to place than the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I spent nine years at Penn State University and it struck me that if you could move Penn State to Madison Wisconsin, home of the University of Wisconsin, Penn State would not skip a beat. It could offer the same educational programs and conduct the same research in Madison that it does in State College, Pennsylvania. However, try moving UAF to Madison, Wisconsin and we wither and die. Like this great state itself, our university is defined, through and through, by where we are. We have incredible strength of place, and huge competitive advantages to offer our students. You can draw from that strength of place and spirit in crafting your academic program. You can do and experience things here that you can’t do anywhere else in the US, and in some cases anywhere else in the world. Take advantage of all that we have to offer both educationally and recreationally while you are with us. I leave you with a final element of advice. Above all else don’t hesitate to ask for help as a student here at UAF. For example, let us know if you have questions about financial aid. We gave out more than one-half million dollars in privately funded scholarships last year alone. Let us know if you need help with housing, studying, finding a job, getting involved, or if you just need someone to talk to. Again, welcome back or welcome to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We’re grateful that you chose our university. We pledge to you our full support in helping to assure your success as a student. My best wishes to all of you! |
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Sun Star Newspaper • P.O. Box 756640 • Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
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