MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                     News Directors, Education Reporters and PSA Directors

FROM:                 University Relations

SUBJECT:            Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer Keynote Speaker at Duckering Ribbon-cutting

LOCATION:          UAF Campus

DATE & TIME:     Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at 11 a.m.

The re-dedication of the newly renovated William Elmhirst Duckering Building on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002 at 11 a.m. with Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer presenting the keynote address.

Work on the $13 million revitalization has been going on since June 2000 to bring the building up to code and modernize the labs and facilities available to students. These improvements have allowed all five of the university's engineering programs to consolidate under one roof facilitating cooperation among departments.

The event coincides with UAF’s Engineering Open House on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The open house is the culmination of Engineers Week, a nation-wide focus on the importance of science and technology in our world. Its goal is to demonstrate new ideas and projects underway at UAF and to encourage young people to explore careers in engineering. There will be a science exposition, guest speakers, presentations, demonstrations for adults and hands-on activities for everyone.

While on campus, don't miss the American Society of Civil Engineers Ice Arch, located between the university bookstore and the library. This year's 19-foot tower design was chosen in memory of the lives lost in the destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The raw material to build the tower, with its three supporting arches, was donated by Ice Alaska.

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CONTACT: April Woolery at (907) 452-5643 or e-mail: fnpfw@uaf.edu or Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778 or e-mail: carla.browning@uaf.edu.

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