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University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
(907)474-7581 Fax (907)474-6492
fynews@uaf.edu

Fairbanks, Alaska - The University of Alaska's fourth president Dr. William R. Wood, whose love for athletic competition dates back to 1920 when he was a high school basketball player in Illinois, has issued a $15,000 Challenge Grant to the University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic department.

The Wood Nanook Varsity Talent Search and Grant Endowment is receiving $5,000 in private donations from a scholarship incentive program developed by UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow. Athletic boosters throughout the state are being challenged to raise the remaining $10,000 for a full match of the Wood's $15,000 gift.

"The generosity of Dr. Wood and Dorothy Jane is much appreciated," Wadlow said. "Donations like these help UAF stretch scholarship dollars so we can reach more students."

Wood and his wife of 51 years, Dorothy Jane, established the endowment to support three UAF sports programs: men's basketball, women's basketball and rifle. The Woods specifically stressed that the money be used to recruit student athletes. According to the Woods, the intent of their donation is "attracting the rare combination of academic and athletic excellence potential" to America's farthest north university.

William Wood, 91, was the UA system president for 13 years. He retired in 1973, but remains busy in Fairbanks events, including a term as city mayor in 1978.

Wood is also active in the Fairbanks Industrial Development Corp. and Festival Fairbanks, a non-profit group he founded in 1984 to celebrate Alaska's 25th year of statehood. The group now promotes Fairbanks to the state and the rest of the nation.

Dorothy Jane Irving Wood, 78, is an accomplished violinist and founding member of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. Along with her husband, she has been an active supporter of a variety of Fairbanks community events.

The Woods have long been supporters of the university and its students. In 1993, they established the William R. and Dorothy Jane Wood Talent Grant. Each year since then, a $1,000 scholarship has been awarded to a UAF performing arts student.

The UAF College of Fellows, a volunteer arm of the UA Foundation which helps with fund-raising, has held an annual event called "Crossroads" to encourage donations to the Wood Talent Grant. The event takes its name from one of William Wood's poems. Wood, who was named Alaskan of the Year in 1985 and Citizen of the Year by the local Boy Scouts of America in 1992, is a published author of poems and essays. He is also a regular newspaper columnist in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

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CONTACT: UAF Development Director Pamela Davis, (907) 474-6402.

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Last modified June 16, 1998