FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fairbanks, Alaska - The American Indian Science and Engineering Society University of Alaska Fairbanks chapter was ranked second best in the U.S. at the annual AISES national conference held in December in Denver, Colo. Conference participants and their hometowns are listed below.

UAF's chapter earned high ranking for their peer tutoring program, individual students' academic success and contributions to improve Native educational opportunities. The chapter is no stranger to success, having been named the nation's Distinguished Chapter of the Year in 1994 and 1996.

AISES was established 20 years ago as a nationwide non-profit organization to increase the number of Alaska Native/American Indian college students graduating with degrees in engineering, math, natural sciences, medicine, computer science and the field of education with a math or science emphasis. The underlying goal is to stress the importance of both education and culture for all Native Americans.

Seven students represented the UAF chapter at the conference: Jeff Davis, a computer science senior from Hoonah; Kim Ivie, an Alaska Native studies/education senior from Chevak; Ricardo Lopez, a biological sciences senior from Eagle River; Frank Levno-Chythlook, a journalism senior from Aleknagik; Calvin Moses, a computer science freshman from Allakaket; Adrienne Orr, a chemistry sophomore from Bethel; and Josh Peter, a business/computer science freshman from Nulato.

In addition to recognizing local chapters, scholarship recipients were announced. UAF AISES members Rochelle Zemen and Aaron Marks received scholarships for the 1998-1999 academic school year.

Guest speakers at the conference included Samuel Tso, a Navajo "code talker" who used his native language in World War II to baffle Japanese spies. Other speakers included Native American leaders in the fields of science, engineering and business addressing various topics relating to culture, tradition and education among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The conference also included a career fair, where potential employers met with students about job and internship opportunities.

Several businesses and individuals made it possible for students to attend the 1998 national conference, including: IBM; ARCO; Kuskokwim Architects and Engineers; Bristol Bay Native Association; Doyon Foundation; Kawerak Inc.; Ken Kokjer and Sue McHenry.

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JCS/1-29-99/99-045