MORE THAN 900 DEGREES AT CARLSON CENTER COMMENCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2002

Fairbanks, Alaska – Officials with the University of Alaska Fairbanks are expecting to confer 941 degrees during its 80th Commencement on Sunday, May 12, 2002 at the Carlson Center. Preliminary figures show that 518 women and 385 men have applied for graduation and some will receive more than one degree. An official count will be known after final grades are submitted to UAF’s registrar’s office.

The oldest graduate of 2002 is Lillian Kinegak, 61, who will earn a certificate in community health. The youngest graduate is Sarah Doner, 19, who will be completing her associate degree in emergency services. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer 2001, fall 2001 and spring 2002.

This year will be UAF’s second commencement at the Carlson Center in downtown Fairbanks after nearly 40 years in the Patty Center gymnasium on the UAF campus. UAF’s first graduation was in 1923, where the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanley, received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture. Several members of the University of Alaska Board of Regents will help UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind confer degrees. UA President Mark Hamilton will also participate in the ceremony.

UAF expects to award 93 certificates, 220 associate degrees, 457 bachelor's degrees and 152 master's degrees on Sunday. Nineteen students are expected to receive doctoral degrees in fields ranging from atmospheric sciences to oceanography and molecular biology.

Members of the Kenneth Frank family and other close friends of Rev. David Salmon, one of this year’s honorary degree recipients, will lead the graduation procession with Alaska Native drumming and singing. Graduates, faculty, retiring faculty, honorary degree recipients and university officials will start the ceremony at 1:20 p.m. Fairbanks born National Public Radio newscaster Corey Flintoff, will deliver this year's keynote address and is also receiving an honorary degree, along with marine mammals biologist John Burns and Czech mathematician Jaroslav Nesetril. The student speaker is athlete and journalism major Amy Woodruff from Gallatin, Mo. Woodruff played forward for the Lady Nanook basketball team and earned All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors while at UAF. She also received the McDonald’s Most Assists with Children, or MAC, award. After graduation Woodruff plans to pursue a career in sports promotions or sports information.

The procession's Grand Marshal will be retiring Professor of Fisheries Albert Tyler, who will also be granted emeritus status. Altogether, seven 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 10 years. Also receiving emerita status is University Registrar Ann Tremarello, who has been associated with the university since 1953 and has overseen 28 of the university’s 80 commencement ceremonies.

Those receiving emeritus status are Professor of Fisheries Brian Paust, Associate Professor of Agronomy Charles W. Knight, Professor of Statistics Pham X. Quang, Professor of Seismology Max Wyss, Professor of Marine Sciences and Water Resources Donald M. Schell and Professor of Art Bill Brody.

Commencement rehearsal for graduates is 10:30 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 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, hosted by the UAF Alumni Association in the Carlson Center’s Pioneer Room immediately following the ceremony.

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CONTACT: Commencement Coordinator Tori Tragis at (907) 474-6438 or UAF Public Information Officer Carla Browning at (907) 474-7778.

CJB/5-9-02/02-068