FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2000

Fairbanks, Alaska - Forty-two students will complete the Rural Alaska Honors Institute's 18th annual summer academic program Friday, July 7 at 1 p.m. with a formal cap and gown graduation ceremony in room 201 of the Natural Sciences Facility on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The guest speaker for the event will be Albert Kookesh, Alaska State Representative from Angoon.

During the ceremony, students will be recognized for their academic achievement during the program's six-week campus residency. Each student completed eight or nine credits of university course work while experiencing life on an urban campus.

RAHI was organized in 1983 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives to increase the opportunity for college success of Alaska Native students who live in rural Alaska.

"We’re a sort of dress rehearsal for college," says program director Jim Kowalsky, "but the difference is that these students earn real grades that go on a permanent university transcript with long term benefits for academic performance."

Students compete by application to be admitted to RAHI, which is sponsored by UAF’s Alaska Native Studies Program. The curriculum is built around required courses in writing and study skills, and includes elective courses in computer science, chemistry, mathematics, business management, a practical computer course, Alaska Native dance, and swimming. Academic courseload is balanced with a residence program that emphasizes community, responsibility, cultural reinforcements and practical campus and urban survival skills.

This year's graduation ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a reception at 3:30 p.m. in UAF's Wood Center.

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CONTACT: Jim Kowalsky, RAHI Program Director, at (907) 474-6886.

JCS/6-30-00/00-93

RAHI 2000 Roster