Short Takes

May 16,1997

The mercury may have dipped to -50 degrees this winter at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, but electrical engineering student Ian Ruiz didn't let that stop him from catching some waves- microwaves, that is.

Ruiz, who graduated May 11 from UAF, spent most of his senior year researching and writing "Airport to Airport Microwave Video Link" for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Annual Student Paper Contest.

Ruiz's undergraduate research on the project has led to a flood of success. His paper was named top IEEE student paper for the northwest during a conference in April, marking the first time a UAF student has earned that honor. Ruiz has been invited to present his paper at the Nov. 4-6 IEEE regional conference in California, where he will compete against college students from 13 western states. IEEE is a national organization for professional electrical engineers. The UAF IEEE student chapter has been active on campus for over 30 years.

Contact: Charles Mayer, Electrical Engineering Dept., (907) 474-6091.

With over 1,500 classes offered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks each semester, choosing which ones to take can be a daunting task. Faculty academic advisers volunteer their time and expertise to assist students with course selection, setting up internships and employment opportunities.

Ten faculty advisers were selected as recipients of the Outstanding Adviser Award by UAF students this year. They are: Tom Bartlett, accounting; Carol Barnhardt, education; Charlotte Basham, linguistics; Larry Duffy, chemistry; Erich Follmann, biology and wildlife; Sue McHenry, Rural Student Services; Laura Milner, business administration; Eric Rexstad, biology and wildlife; Mike Schuldiner, English; and Ron Smith, biology and wildlife.

Contact: Wanda Martin, Academic Advising Center, (907) 474-6396.

Charlie Dexter, professor of business systems technology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Downtown Center, has been selected to participate in a conference on "Quality, Access, Cost: The Financial Future of Public Higher Education in the West." He will represent UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow at the conference and join colleagues from western states to give a faculty perspective on higher education costs during a presentation June 9. The conference will bring together legislators, state government officials, students, faculty and higher education administrators from twelve Western states to Missoula, Mont., June 8-10.

The conference will be a frank and open discussion of financial issues facing public higher education, according to George M. Dennison, president of the University of Montana and organizer of the conference. It will also include presentations by Utah Gov. Michael O. Leavitt, Exxon Corp. Vice President W. Bruce Cook and representatives from the American Council on Education and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.

Contact: Charlie Dexter, Business System Technology, (907) 474-1137.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Rural Student Services program awarded five faculty and staff members with Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Awards at a ceremony May 2.

The Demmert award recognizes individuals who promote UAF as the educational center for Alaska Natives. This year's recipients include: professor Ray Barnhardt, School of Education; Keli McGee, tutor coordinator for the Student Support Services Project; Upward Bound Director Don Lokken; Rural Development Department Head Rick Caulfield; and, business administration associate professor John "Jack" Taylor.

Contact: JoAnn Ducharme, Rural Student Services, (907) 474-7871.

Forty high school juniors from across Alaska will visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks June 23-24 for the 1997 ARCO Science and Technology Camp. They'll bring with them a thirst for science, a penchant for physics and something a bit unusual for summer campers-parents and teachers.

The group, which will also make stops in Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay, will spend two days at UAF to gain a better understanding of practical applications of science and technology. Their tour includes visits to UAF's Large Animal Research Station, the Geochronology Lab, Poker Flat Research Range, the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center and the University of Alaska Museum. The ARCO Science Camp began last year in Anchorage and expanded this year to include UAF.

Contact: Dana Thomas, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Enrollment and Assessment, (907) 474-6990.