2023 Events
2023 Free Events at UAF
2023 UAF LEGACY LECTURE
Honoring Distinguished Alumni
An Evening with MARY EHRLANDER
Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7pm
BP Design Theater (401 Usibelli Engineering Building)
Lecture will be livestreamed. Reception to follow.
Mary F. Ehrlander was raised in Fairbanks and graduated from Lathrop High School. She completed a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Northern Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Mary continued her education at the University of Virginia, earning a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Government. In 2001 she was hired as assistant director of Northern Studies and assistant professor of History at UAF. She retired in 2020 and is Professor Emeritus of History and Arctic & Northern Studies at UAF. Mary is the author of numerous publications, including the books Walter Harper, Alaska Native Son, and Equal Educational Opportunity: Brown’s Elusive Mandate. She, along with Hild Peters, currently have a book in press: Hospital and Haven: The Life and Work of Grafton and Clara Burke in Northern Alaska (University of Nebraska Press, Fall 2023). She received the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award (2016) and the Alaskana Award for her book Walter Harper: Alaska Native Son (2017).
Mondays at 7PM. These events will take place at the BP Design Theater, located in
ELIF 401 in the ELIF building on UAF Campus, located at 1764 Tanana Loop.
All presentations will be recorded and posted to the web following the live presentation.
The Fairbanks Tall Timber Series was created to honor those who have served the Fairbanks community well. Join veteran newsman Robert Hannon either in person or via Zoom as he interviews these stalwart members of our community.
6/12
Barbara Lando
Barbara Lando was born in New Jersey and earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics at Rutgers
University. She came to Alaska in 1969 when she and her husband both accepted teaching
positions at UAF. Barbara not only taught mathematics but was instrumental in starting
the computer science program at UAF. She retired in 1990 as a UAF Professor of Mathematics
and Computer Science, Emeritus. After retirement, she became the Alaska State Director
for Elderhostel and became interested in promoting a lifelong learning program in
Fairbanks. Barbara had the vision and was the driving force behind UAF's now-established
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Recently, she helped establish Aging at
Home Fairbanks, a membership organization offering support for older adults to live
independently and engaged in their community.
6/19
Bev Byington
Bev Byington was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated from
Augustana College. She was a teacher/counselor in Minnesota before coming to Fairbanks
in 1970. She met her first Alaskan friends, Liz and Bill Berry, when she volunteered
at Techne Art and Craft Coop. She volunteered at Crisis Line and was a school counselor
at Lathrop. Bev taught art, psychology, and sociology at West Valley and received
a sabbatical to research study skills and motivation. She also worked at Ryan, Tanana,
and Howard Luke Academy. She created a school focus program on being a successful
student. Bev has volunteered at the Farmer's Market, Georgeson Botanical Garden, and
the Fairbanks Drama Association. Over the years, she has shared her artistic skills
with the community and, in 2022, helped paint street murals in downtown Fairbanks
as part of a grant-funded initiative overseen by the Fairbanks Area Surface Transportation
(FAST) Planning.
6/26
Theresa Reed
Theresa Reed is a retired music teacher, performer, theatrical costumer, and strong
advocate for the arts. She and her late husband, Bill, helped found the Fairbanks
Light Opera Theatre. She served on their board of directors at various times and was
the stage director for many productions. Currently, she helps organize the very large
FLOT costume collection, which is available for loan. Theresa was one of the original
founders of Opera Fairbanks and served as the costume designer for most of their productions.
She was on the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival board for 22 years. In 2006 she was
named one of the Farthest North Girl Scout Council’s "Women of Distinction" and has
received the Interior Mayors' Award for the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award twice.
Directing the choir at Christ Lutheran Church, a weekly singalong at the Pioneer Home,
and being a fill-in driver for Meals on Wheels helps fill her days.
7/10
Simon Rakower
7/17
Terry Reichardt
Terry Reichardt arrived in Fairbanks in 1972 when her husband, Paul, accepted a faculty
position at UAF. Their first child was born a few months after their arrival. In addition
to being a mom of three, homeschooling, and small-scale farming, Terry still found
time to volunteer. She volunteered with the Northern Alaska Environmental Center (NAEC)
and was the board president and Temporary Acting Director. She was a founding board
member of the Alaska Conservation Foundation. After her children started attending
Pearl Creek Elementary School, Terry started Love INC., which she ran for 16 years.
She volunteered at the Literacy Council and developed an adult reading program at
First Presbyterian Church. She has shared her passion for vegetable gardening by teaching
classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UAF and the First
Presbyterian Church. She currently enjoys co-leading a small group Bible study with
Paul and occasionally helps him with the weekly meal program he runs at First Presbyterian
Church for anyone wanting fellowship or food.
7/24
Wendell Shiffler
Wendell Shiffler is a retired high school science teacher who (with his wife Judy)
moved to Fairbanks in 1968 for what they thought was a two-year commitment. 55 years
later, they still call Fairbanks home. In 1981 he was named the Alaska Biology Teacher
of the Year. Wendy retired from teaching full-time in 1990. He was an adjunct instructor
in the PE Department at UAF for 10 years. In 1970, Wendy started volunteering with
the Alaska Arctic Winter Games and was involved in every volunteer role, from making
beds in the athlete village to Chef de Mission for Team Alaska in 1992. He continued
his involvement with the Arctic Winter Games by serving on the AWG International Committee
for 20 years as Secretary and retired from the AWG International Committee as Vice
President in 2014. Wendy developed the Outdoor Experience Program through the FNSBSD.
He volunteered for the ARCO Jesse Owens Games, the Fairbanks Food Bank, FNSB Trails
Advisory Committee and is a former Presbyterian Hospitality House board member.
7/31
Ron Inouye
Ron Inouye is a retired University of Alaska Rasmuson Library database editor. An
Alaska and Arctic history enthusiast with broad interests, he co-authored Alaska's
Japanese Pioneers and was the 2013 Contributions to Literacy in Alaska Award recipient.
He is known as an educator, historian, activist, author, and musician and is a board
member of the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, College Rotary Club, Friends of the
UA Museum of the North, and Golden Heart Community Foundation.
8/7
Tom Buntzen
Tom Bundtzen is a Research Geologist and avid mining historian based in Fairbanks,
Alaska. He graduated with both BS and MS degrees in Geology from the University of
Alaska Fairbanks. After retiring as Senior Economic Geologist for the Alaska Division
of Geological and Geophysical Survey (ADGGS), Tom formed Pacific Rim Geological Consulting,
Inc. Tom and his staff have worked throughout Alaska, the Yukon, and the Russian Far
East on a diverse group of geological projects. Tom has been active in the Alaska
Miners Association, and in 1997, Tom and others formed the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame
Foundation to honor Alaska’s mining pioneers.
The Fairbanks Tall Timber Lecture Series is made possible by a generous contribution
from Explore Fairbanks.
Tuesdays at 7PM. These events will take place at the BP Design Theater, located in ELIF 401 in the
ELIF building on UAF Campus, located at 1764 Tanana Loop.
All lectures will be recorded and posted to the web following the live presentation.
6/6
Improving Alaskans' Health: Statewide and "In Your Neighborhood"
Anne Zink, MD, Alaska's Chief Medical Officer and Mishelle Nace, MD, Pediatrics Specialist
6/13
Making Sense of Hearing Health in 2023
Lily Hughes, AUD, Audiologist
6/20
Forgetfulness: When Should I be Concerned?
Scott Luper, ND, Naturopathic Physician
6/27
A Systematic Approach to Considering a Cancer Diagnosis in 2023
Andrew Cox, MD, Oncologist
7/11
The Art of Simulating Health Disasters and the Science of Response
Lori Gilbertoni, RN
7/18
Aging in Place: A Plan for "The Future You" in Fairbanks
Beth Grey, Project Manager, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Fairbanks Senior
Center
7/25
Senior Living Choices in Fairbanks As We Age
Vickie Wilson, Former Director, Division of The Alaska Pioneers Homes
8/1
Determining Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Romel Wrenn, MD, Cardiologist
8/8
Lifestyle as Medicine
Sally Mangum, DO, Internist
8/15
A Whirlwind of Allergy: From Pollen to Pot Roast
Anthony Bonitatibus, MD, Allergist
Healthy Living Lectures are made possible by the generous contribution from Foundation
Health Partners.
Photo by Klara Maisch.
Wednesdays at 7PM. These events will take place at the BP Design Theater, located in ELIF 401 in the
ELIF building on UAF Campus, located at 1764 Tanana Loop.
All lectures will be recorded and posted to the web following the live presentation.
6/7
An Artist’s Journey
Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Professor of Native Art, UAF
6/14
Nuggets of Whimsy: Adventures in Northern Cartooning
Jamie Smith, Assistant Lecturer in Drawing, UAF
6/21
Far North Quilt Trail Project
Somer Hahm, Adjunct Instructor in Drawing, UAF
6/28
Why Scientists Might Want to Work with Artists
Kes Woodward, Professor of Art Emeritus, UAF
7/12
Contemporary Mixed Media Methods for Beginners
Madara Mason, Visual Artist and Associate Director of Teaching & Learning, UAF
7/19
Painting On Location in Alaska: Landscapes in the Context of Change
Klara Maisch, Visual Artist
7/26
What is it About Art?
Scott Holladay, Adjunct Instructor in Sculpture, UAF
8/2
Denali Through Collodion Photography
Charles Mason, Professor of Photography, UAF
8/9
Crafting Community: Creative Community-Building in and Through the Arts
Jess Peña, Executive Director of Fairbanks Arts Association
8/16
Wood Burning Kilns and the Discovery of Glass
Jim Brashear, Professor of Ceramics, UAF
Thursdays at 7 pm in the UAF Georgeson Botanical Garden
Welcome bands begin at 5:30 pm
In case of inclement weather or smoke, Music in the Garden will be moved to the Regents' Great Hall in the Fine Arts Complex, UAF Campus. Please call Summer Sessions at 907-474-7021 to check.
Parking is limited, attendees are encouraged to use a FREE shuttle that departs from the Nenana Parking Lot, located across from the Patty Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
5/25 Fireweed Fiddle (Welcome band: Steve Brown and the Bailers)
6/1 South Cushman Social Club (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
6/8 Fairbanks Community Jazz Band (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
6/15 Red Hackle Pipe Band (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
6/22 Emily Anderson (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
6/29 Cold Steel Drums (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
7/6 Dry Cabin String Band (Welcome band: Sourdough Rizers)
7/13 Jameson Effect (Welcome band: Badger Street Jazz)
7/20 Kinky Slinky (Welcome band: TBA)
7/27 Serevende (Welcome band: TBA)
8/3 Headbolt Heaters (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
8/10 The ET Barnette String Band (Welcome band: Ice Jam)
For more information, or to make an accommodation request at least five days in advance
of this event, please contact the UA HR Accessibility Team at ua-ada-accessibility@alaska.
Music in the Garden Concerts are made possible by the generous contributions of these sponsors: SRS, 529 Alaska, Design Alaska, College Rotary, Toy Quest, Carpenters local 1243, Denali State Bankand the Georgeson Botanical Garden.
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