MORE THAN 900 DEGREES AT CARLSON CENTER COMMENCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2001
Fairbanks, Alaska — The University of Alaska Fairbanks is expected to confer 919 degrees during its 79th Commencement on Sunday, May 13 at the Carlson Center. Preliminary figures show that 547 women and 372 men have applied for graduation. A final count will be known after final grades are tallied.
The oldest graduate is Margaret Workman, 62, who will graduate with an associate degree in Native language studies. Workman is taking classes through the Yukon Native Language Center in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The youngest graduate is Joy Beth Moser, 19, who will be completing her associate degree in emergency services and plans to go on to get her bachelor’s degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer 2000, fall 2000 and spring 2001.
This year will be UAF’s first commencement at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks after nearly 40 years in the Patty Center gymnasium on the UAF campus, but most of the traditions associated with commencement will not be lost. UAF’s first graduation was in 1923, where the sole member of the graduating class, John Sexton Shanley, received his bachelor’s in agriculture. Several members of the UA Board of Regents will help UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind confer degrees, including Joe Usibelli Jr., for who this year marks the 20th anniversary since he graduated from UAF with a bachelor’s of science in civil engineering. UA President Mark Hamilton will also participate in the ceremony.
UAF expects to award 96 certificates, 211 associate degrees, 489 bachelor's degrees and 137 master's degrees. Twenty-seven students are expected to receive doctoral degrees in fields ranging from environmental chemistry to cooperative education and development.
The UAF Inu-Yupiaq Eskimo Dancers will lead the procession of graduates, faculty, retiring faculty, honorary degree recipients and university officials starting at 1:25 p.m. Internationally known geologist Nathaniel Rutter will deliver this year's commencement keynote address and is one of four honorary degree recipients. Also receiving honorary degrees are Native leader Poldine Carlo, former University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Director Arthur Buswell, and medical geneticist Richard Osborne.
The student speaker will be Allison Kelliher. The Athabascan Native from Nome, Alaska will receive her interdisciplinary degree in indigenous medicine. She was recently accepted into the University of Washington Medical School and plans to return to Alaska as a doctor.
The procession's Grand Marshal will be retiring electrical engineering professor John Aspnes, who will also be granted emeritus status. Altogether, 12 retiring faculty will be granted emeritus status on Sunday, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction in teaching, research and public service for at least ten years.
Receiving emeritus status are Japanese professor Karen Colligan-Taylor, history professor Peter G. Cornwall, wildlife management professor Frederick C. Dean, fisheries professor Lewis J. Haldorson, animal science professor Fredric M. Husby, computer application professor Dorothy J. Jones, history professor Claus-M. Naske, marine science professor Augustus J. Paul III, anthropology professor W. Roger Powers, fisheries professor James B. Reynolds and wildlife ecology professor, James S. Sedinger.
Commencement rehearsal for graduates is 10 a.m. Saturday at the Carlson Center. There will also be an open house on campus Saturday, from 2 — 4 p.m. providing an opportunity for graduates to show family and friends around campus. On Sunday, a 10 a.m. Baccalaureate Interfaith Service sponsored by United Campus Ministry will be held in Schaible Auditorium along with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Lola Tilly Commons, both on the UAF campus.
Graduates and alumni are welcome to attend a reception for graduates and their families, hosted by the UAF Alumni Association in the Carlson Center’s Pioneer Room immediately following the ceremony.
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CONTACT: Commencement Coordinator Tiffany Seth at (907) 474-6438 or UAF Public Information Officer Carla Browning at (907) 474-7778.
CJB/5-8-01/01-068