COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS DEAN LEAVES UAF TO RETURN TO WISCONSIN SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17 , 1998

Fairbanks, Alaska - Gorden Hedahl, dean of the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Liberal Arts since Jan. 4, 1993, has accepted the position of Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Hedahl and his wife Jean Loudon will leave Fairbanks Aug. 1.

Before coming to UAF, Hedahl was the acting dean of the College of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has also served as associate vice chancellor and dean of faculties, department head and professor of theater at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was at UW-Whitewater for more than 20 years before coming to Alaska.

"The position at UW-River Falls was an opportunity for Jean and me to be closer to family and return to an area and a system that is very familiar to me," Hedahl said. "I will greatly miss Fairbanks and the tremendous community support given to the arts in the Interior."

Hedahl has been recognized for his involvement in community activities, including his support of the Fairbanks Summer Fine Arts Festival held annually on the UAF campus. While dean, Hedahl oversaw a restructuring of the College of Liberal Arts, chaired the university's Instructional Working Group, directed theater productions and taught courses in theater, education and the university Honors Program. CLA is the largest college on the UAF campus with about 1,200 enrolled students.

"It is with great sadness that I leave UAF. It's been an exciting time and I will miss this magnificent state and the tremendous mixture of cultures here. I have enjoyed a great deal of support from the community, and from the students and faculty. I strongly believe the College of Liberal Arts has much to offer Fairbanks and the state," said Hedahl.

Hedahl's background in theater includes directing more than 50 dramatic productions and he has produced seven scripts for children's theater. He received the Outstanding New Director Award from the Children's Theater Association.

Hedahl's educational background includes a B.S. in speech and theater, and an M.A. in theater from the University of North Dakota and a Ph.D. in theater from the University of Minnesota.

An internal search committee made up of faculty, staff and students are reviewing a list of possible candidates for the post of interim CLA dean. The committee is expected to forward a nomination to Provost Paul Reichardt, who will name an interim replacement for Hedahl by mid-July.

CONTACT: UAF College of Liberal Arts Dean Gorden Hedahl, (907) 474-7231, or UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron (907) 474-7122.

DPD/6-15-98/98-070