Northwest Campus concludes nine years of major renovations
October 30, 2018
The Northwest Campus recently held an open house to celebrate the completion of the Leonhard Seppala Arts Building. Attended by university and community leaders, the event also recognized the conclusion of nine years of ongoing renovations that brought the Nome campus’ buildings and facilities up to modern standards.
“This campus is truly yours, to the community of partner organizations and students and adjunct instructors, university partners, departments and schools,” said Bob Metcalf, campus director. “In some ways it is helpful for those of us at NWC to consider ourselves its caretaker, making sure the campus continues serving the region and providing value to UAF.”
The open house was attended by current and former students, faculty and staff, and Nome community members and dignitaries. Also attending were UAF Chancellor Dan White, Vice Chancellor Evon Peter, Alaska Sen. Donny Olson and Alaska Rep. Neal Foster, as well as other officials from the University of Alaska.
The construction project began in 2009. At that time, only a few minor renovations had been made to the campus since the mid-1980’s. The first step was refurbishing the Nagozruk Building and the Emily Ivanoff Brown Library. More than 30 years of exposure to harsh weather exposure had taken a toll on their steel piling foundations. Much of the construction and renovations costs were paid for by grant funding from the U.S Department of Education. The project also received additional money from UAF and the annual State of Alaska general operating budget.
“The investment made into improving Northwest Campus’s infrastructure, buildings and facilities reflect our commitment to postsecondary education in the Bering Strait Region,” said Peter, vice chancellor of rural, community and Native education. “Northwest Campus provides educational opportunities to rural Alaskans in their home communities.”
Throughout the process, NWC collaborated with UAF’s Division of Design and Construction to make the most of the investment into campus infrastructure, buildings and facilities. The project also included interior and exterior renovations of the science lab building, the community outreach building, Education Center and Emily Ivanoff Brown Student Resource Center.
One of UAF’s five rural campuses, NWC serves 15 Alaska Native villages in the surrounding 36,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Indiana. For more information, visit www.nwc.uaf. edu.