UAF AMBASSADORS RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 1997

Fairbanks, Alaska - For most college students, giving tours at 30 degrees below zero, talking with high school juniors and seniors nationwide about college experiences and leading new students through campus orientation isn't a part of a typical semester - unless those students are involved with the UAF Student Ambassador Program.

Established six years ago to enhance recruitment efforts at UAF, the 22 current student ambassadors represent the university through college fairs, campus tours and high school visits. Prospective students from around the world will soon be able to "chat" about life at America's Farthest North university by linking to the student ambassador homepage, scheduled to go online in February.

Student ambassadors are often the first view prospective freshmen and their families have of UAF, said Saichi Oba, interim director of admissions.

"The best recruiters of students are students themselves," Oba said. "We'd like to show the public the results of a UAF education. What better way than with the people who are the direct beneficiaries of our classroom efforts?"

Among the ambassadors are a high school gymnastics coach, two UAF resident hall assistants and several honor society members. Their academic majors encompass everything from geological engineering to elementary education. One ambassador prepares legal briefs in the morning, then runs a dog-sled team in the afternoon. Another ambassador, when she isn't coordinating tourism services in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, is busy writing short stories - in Japanese - to qualify for a semester exchange program abroad.

The diversity within the ambassador's interests and activities is the program's strength, Oba said.

But student recruitment is just one facet of the program. Ambassadors work on student retention as Orientation UAF leaders, assisting new and transfer students with class enrollment, fee payment and student activities. A freshman mentor program is also in the works for next fall to provide new students with advice. While developing leadership and public speaking skills, ambassadors also act as student liaisons to the Fairbanks community by volunteering at the University of Alaska Museum and writing "Letters from Santa" for children.

Program participants are recognized by their peers as top student leaders and selection is competitive. Applicants must have earned sophomore status with at least a cumulative 2.5 grade point average and go through a rigorous interview process.

The 1996-1997 UAF Student Ambassadors are:

Cori Anthony - Lansing, Mich. John Mink - Anchorage

Jerome Baxter - Fairbanks Christopher Morgan - Anchorage

Jamie Bott - Pinedale, Wyo. Holly Jo Nunn - Nikiski

Tammy Chang - Fairbanks Terry Nunn - Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Daniel Cooley - Anchorage Elizabeth Robbins - Chicago, Ill.

Anna Danell - Uppsala, Sweden Scott Sanner - Salem, Ore.

Jennifer Hopkins - Gresham, Ore. Chandra Stone - Minot, N.D.

Rhiannon Keldarion - Fairbanks Jillian Swope - Phoenix, Ariz.

Rob Kinder - Newport Beach, Calif. Allison Wilken - Fairbanks

Corinna Letasky - Eagle River

Reuben Loewen - Kodiak Advisers:

Greg Lotakis - Eagle River Kristin Presler and Saichi Oba,

Jaqcueline Meumann - Clifton Park, N.Y. UAF Office of Admissions

CONTACT: Saichi Oba, UAF Office of Admissions, (907) 474-7500.

JCS/1-28-97/97-048