$10,000 USIBELLI AWARD-WINNERS NAMED AT UAF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2001
Fairbanks, Alaska – Teaching, research and public service will be rewarded at the University of Alaska Fairbanks again this year thanks to a $600,000 endowment set up by Usibelli Coal Mine in 1992. The recipients of the 2001 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Public Service awards will recognized for their achievements and contributions with a check for $10,000. Professor of History Claus-M. Naske will be recognized for his research contributions, Professor of Applied Business Charlie Dexter for teaching, and the service award goes to Professor of Civil Engineering Robert Carlson.
Naske, who teaches in the College of Liberal Arts, graduated from the University of Alaska in 1961 with a bachelor's in history and political science. He came on board as faculty in 1969. He has been the director of the UA Press since 1988 overseeing the production of scholarly work on the North. As professor and director of the UA Press he has encouraged the research and writing of many students and budding authors. He has authored or co-authored a dozen books, including biographies of E.L. Bob Bartlett, Alaska's last territorial delegate to congress, and Ernest Gruening, territorial governor of Alaska from 1939-1953 and the state's first junior U.S. senator. "Alaska: A History of the 49th State " has become the standard work on the state. He is co-author of the book "Alaska's Builders: 50 years of Construction in the 49th State. "
In numerous peer-reviewed articles he has recounted the economic and political development in Alaska and the relationship between Alaska and the rest of the U.S.
"Few scholars can even approach his wide experience and achievements, " said Richard Pierce, UAF history professor emeritus.
He's considered one of the state's most prominent historians, known nationally and internationally for his keen documentation of Alaska's development from a Russian outpost to a U.S. Territory and ultimately statehood.
"His contributions to the university in teaching and public service warrant recognition, but I believe that his most distinctive contribution has been in the development of knowledge of Alaska history, " said Jerry McBeath, UAF political science professor.
The recipient of this year's teaching award, Charlie Dexter has been an instructor at UAF since 1985. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Business Administration from UAF in 1977 and 1983 respectively.
Dexter was an adjunct professor at the School of Management until 1989, when he began teaching at the College of Rural Alaska's Tanana Valley Campus.
He's credited with the leadership and vision that has increased enrollment in TVC's applied business department by 300 percent since 1994 and a graduate increase of almost 600 percent. Dexter teaches multiple sections of 27 different business and accounting degree credit courses including six upper division classes.
"Charlie is one of our most sought-after professional development instructors, " said TVC Director Jake Poole. "He has the uncanny ability to excite and challenge his students to learn. "
Dexter has been instrumental in keeping TVC's applied business programs up-to-date by creating new courses and programs that take advantage of new technology and responds to industry needs. Dexter is also a sought-after motivational speaker and professional development seminar presenter. Fairbanks business leaders often cite his ability to get students "fired up " and "crank up the excitement level " to make learning both entertaining and challenging.
"Charlie is committed to building bridges between the university and the business community which has a lasting positive affect, both on TVC offerings and the graduates who are prepared to work in fields that badly need trained professionals, " said UAF Provost Paul Reichardt.
The recipient of this year's service award, Bob Carlson is described as a quiet volunteer and champion of UAF's engineering department. Carlson is active in the community while continuing his work as teacher and researcher in the field of water resources engineering. His students, who say his door is "always open, " nominated him for the service award.
"Dr. Carlson epitomized the goal of all engineers which is to dedicate his 'professional knowledge and skill to the advancement and betterment of human welfare', " said Frances M. Isgrigg, former student and engineering professional.
He helped developed the UAF Engineers' Week Open House to showcase the profession, the department and engineering students, and volunteered his time to lay the groundwork--as well as the surface--for the new West Valley High School track in the mid-1980s. He provided design advice and labor as a building team member of a 3,600-square-foot church building project.
"He works hard at whatever he's involved in and tries to do so without bringing notice to himself, " said Wendy Wenstrom, math teacher and track coach at West Valley High School. "I have known Dr. Carlson for nearly 20 years and can attest first-hand to his involvement in our community and his volunteer efforts to make Fairbanks, Alaska a better place to live. "
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CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Carla Browning, (907) 474-7778 or e-mail: carla.browning@uaf.edu.
CJB/05/04/01/01-068