News briefs: People and programs at UAF

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
02/05/08

UAF, University of Lapland to partner on UArctic graduate program

The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Lapland in Finland have begun work on a partnership to develop a graduate program for the University of the Arctic. The initiative will build on the UArctic’s existing undergraduate program and will incorporate the UArctic Field School and the UArctic Ph.D. Network. The partnership’s first goal is to develop a memorandum of agreement to foster the education and research relationship within the University of the Arctic’s cooperative network of 110 universities, colleges and other organizations committed to higher education and research in the North.

CLA researcher awarded $100,000 grant

The Triad Foundation has awarded College of Liberal Arts professor Judith Kleinfeld a $100,000 grant to develop a group mentoring program with The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, an organization that works to provide support and improve the quality of life for African-American youths. Kleinfeld is a psychology professor at UAF and director of The Boys Project, a UAF-led program that aims to increase the achievement of boys nationwide. The grant will allow Kleinfeld to develop a gender-specific program model and curriculum for group mentoring.

Hartmann named associate dean of College of Liberal Arts

College of Liberal Arts Dean Ronald Davis has named Anita Hartmann the new associate dean for the college. Hartmann has, for the last eight years, served as director of the college’s research development office. She holds a doctorate in neuroscience from UAF and has been affiliated with the psychology department since 1993.

Griscavage to serve on national program committee

Maggie Griscavage, director of the UAF office of grants and contracts administration, has been selected to serve on the program committee for the National Council of University Research Administrators’ 50th annual meeting. As one of the 19 committee members, she will help plan workshops and sessions for the November 2008 meeting.

Student physics society honored by national organization

The UAF chapter of the Society of Physics Students was recently recognized as an outstanding chapter for the 2006-2007 school year. Outstanding chapters are selected based on the depth and breadth of chapter activities in areas like research, science outreach, tutoring programs, hosting and representation at physics meetings, and social interaction. The society is a professional organization that aims to build skills such as networking, presentation at conferences, communication and leadership. The UAF chapter is the only one in the state and has received the recognition, given to no more than 10 percent of chapters annually, three times in the past seven years.

CONTACT: Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu.