$15,000 BULLOCK PRIZE GOES TO UAF GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 1997

Fairbanks, Alaska - Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, was named the recipient of this year's Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence by the University of Alaska Foundation.

In addition to the prize, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding work on behalf of the University of Alaska, Akasofu will receive a $15,000 award during a ceremony in his honor May 19 at the home of Chancellor Joan Wadlow and her husband Dick.

Akasofu, a professor of geophysics, is recognized internationally for his research on the aurora; his pioneering work has become the basis of research in global auroral phenomena. Since becoming the director of the Geophysical Institute in 1986, he has initiated a number of research projects and has been instrumental in establishing the International Arctic Research Center on the west ridge of the UAF campus. The 100,000 square-foot research center is expected to be ready for occupancy in 1999.

The author of more than 400 professional journal articles focusing on global auroral phenomena, Akasofu has written or co-authored eight books and was the invited author of six encyclopedia articles on the subject. He joined the Geophysical Institute as a graduate student in 1958, earned his doctoral degree in 1961, and was promoted to full professor of geophysics in 1964.

In 1985, Akasofu was named the first professor to hold the Sydney Chapman Endowed Chair in Physical Sciences, a position created by a special act of the Alaska State Legislature.

Akasofu has been awarded the Chapman Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society of London, the John Adams Fleming Medal by the American Geophysical Union, and the Japan Academy Award. He was chosen the University of Alaska Fairbanks Distinguished Alumnus in 1980, named one of the 1,000 Most-Cited Contemporary Scientists in 1981, and elected the Centennial Alumnus by the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges in 1987. Akasofu received the Japan Foreign Minister Award in 1993.

The Bullock Award was established in 1990. Since then, three UAF employees have been recipients of the award. UAF director of budget and cost records Betty Hoch received the prize in 1991. Marine science professor Tom Royer and geophysics professor Gunter Weller, both of whom are retiring from UAF this year, each received the $15,000 award in 1993. Akasofu makes the fourth UAF recipient of the prize named after Edith R. Bullock, a former territorial legislator and UA Regent who died in 1994.

CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron, (907) 474-7122, or Geophysical Institute Science Editor Kathy Berry , (907) 74-7798.

DPD/5-12-97/97/97-80