ALASKA AIRLINES SUPPORTS UNIVERSITY WITH $200,000 GIFT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 1996

Fairbanks, Alaska - Alaska Airlines today announced the single largest donation in the company's history, a contribution of $200,000 to the University of Alaska Foundation. Half of the $200,000 is go to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, of which $50,000 is earmarked for the design of a tourism program at UAF and $50,000 to support the expansion of the University of Alaska Museum.

Bill McKay, staff vice president of public affairs for Alaska Airlines, announced the gift and underscored his company's support of the university at the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce luncheon. University of Alaska Foundation Trustee Grace Schaible and UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow were on hand at the luncheon to accept checks from Alaska Airlines.

"We take great pride in our long history of support for this outstanding university system that serves all of Alaska," said McKay. "With this gift Alaska Airlines reinforces its strong commitment to tourism education, to aviation training and to advancement of the arts through support of the museum."

McKay said the remaining $100,000 will be evenly divided between the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Southeast. Of those funds, $50,000 will be used to establish a first-ever weather observation training program for rural Alaska at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The other $50,000 will be used for a tourism program at the University of Alaska Southeast, similar to and designed in cooperation with the tourism program at UAF.

According to UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow, Alaska Airlines has long been a leader in demonstrating support of the university and its mission. "This is an opportunity for UAF to work with our industry partners and to collaborate with others in the university system to provide creative, high quality programs to meet the needs of the visitor industry, of which our museum plays a leading role," said Wadlow.

The goal is to expand the museum by the year 2002. Ranked as one of the state's top tourist attractions, the museum serves as a federal repository for all archaeological and ethnographic finds in Alaska.

CONTACT: UA Foundation Director Scott Taylor, (907) 474-7687, Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications Officer Lou Cancelmi, (206) 433-3170,
                UAF Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations Karen Cedzo, (907) 474-7581, or
                University of Alaska Museum Director Aldona Jonaitis (907) 474-7505

DPD/9-13-96/97-015