Pitney to offer second Olympic torch relay lecture

March 5, 2014

Marmian Grimes

University of Alaska Vice Chancellor Pat Pitney, at right, participates in an Olympic torch relay event on a Russian icebreaker during trip to the North Pole in October. Photo courtesy Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.
University of Alaska Vice Chancellor Pat Pitney, at right, participates in an Olympic torch relay event on a Russian icebreaker during trip to the North Pole in October. Photo courtesy Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.


Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
2/5/14

University of Alaska Fairbanks Vice Chancellor Pat Pitney will speak about her experience as part of the XXII Olympic Winter Games torch relay during a free public presentation Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at the Tanana Valley Sportsmen's Association clubhouse on Boat Street, across from the West Fairbanks Fred Meyer.

In October, Pitney spent 10 days on board a Russian icebreaker, traveling from Murmansk, Russia, to the North Pole with representatives from the eight arctic nations: Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Canada, United States, Iceland and Denmark. In addition to promoting the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, the North Pole torch run leg highlighted cooperation among the arctic nations. During the journey, participants delivered lectures that highlighted various northern and arctic issues.

In addition to her position at UAF, Pitney serves as vice president of UArctic, a cooperative network of northern- and arctic-focused universities, colleges, research institutes and organizations. She won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and was recently inducted into USA Shooting's Hall of Fame.

MG/3-5-14/223-14