December 4, 2011
The National Science Foundation awarded $16.3 million to UAF for the Toolik Field Station operated by UAF's Institute of Arctic Biology. The five-year cooperative agreement, the third from NSF since 2000, will enable the station to improve, among other things, science equipment for scientists and students who conduct research and work at the station.
For the second consecutive year the UAF student phonathon program exceeded its goal. The program raised nearly $60,000 over two years since its inception. A third event is set for spring 2012.
Some 175 people braved record-breaking cold to attend a reception to honor donors. The individual and corporate honorees were Bill and Betsy Robertson; Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; and the Rasmuson Foundation.
The 2011 Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational women's basketball tournament took place Nov. 24-26. This was the bank's 10th year as the title sponsor.
UAF offered two possible options for departments to extend winter break with a soft closure or reduced business hours. December dates offer an opportunity for reduced hours before the systemwide closure Dec. 26 - 30. The dates for soft closure/reduced business hours are as follows:
- Dec. 19 - 23, 2011
- Jan. 4 - 6, 2012
John Walsh and Lawson Brigham have been selected to serve on the National Research Council's Future of Arctic Sea Ice Research and Forecasting Committee. Walsh will co-chair the eight-member committee.
David E. Newman, UAF physics professor, has been elected an American Physical Society fellow. The APS Fellowship Program recognizes those who have made advances in physics through original research and publication, or made significant contributions in the application of physics to science and technology.
UAF culinary student Jewell Cruikshank wrote an article featured in Sizzle online magazine. She recently interned at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. Cruikshank expects to graduate in June 2012.
The Life Sciences Facility is approximately 30 percent complete, with exterior windows and insulation still underway. The recent record-breaking cold forced some crews to stop working in late November, but crews continue to maintain the overall project schedule.
The UAF engineering facility project is moving forward; the schematic design will be submitted at the April BOR meeting. The five-floor facility will be located between Duckering and Bunnell.
Chancellor Rogers and Susan Whitener, dean of UAF's Community and Technical College, hosted a breakfast for the Interior delegation to the Alaska State Legislature Dec. 1.
Chancellor Rogers spoke to a group of students enrolled in the School of Management's Leading Change course taught by Nicole Cundiff and to another group of students as part of Student Activities' Leadership Lunch series.
In early November, the Financial Aid Office planned "I Know I Can" for local second graders. Financial Aid staff, as well as local politicians, fire fighters, police officers and UAF students, visited area schools and discussed careers and college.