Spring 2006
accoladesaccoladesUNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS UAA CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY FROM THE CHANCELLOR accolades
Ford Foundation selects the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University for $1,000,000 grant Recipe for Success After a national competition in undergraduate education that 4 UAA culinary arts program drew more than 675 proposals, the Ford Foundation has selected Dear Friends, a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University as one of 26 recipients of a $100,000 PROGRESSIVE We are pleased to announce the completion of our first-ever Many of you will consider giving $1,000 each year to grant for projects that promote academic freedom and capital campaign. Thank you to the many donors, both UAA because you are alumni and you know that your gift will constructive dialogue. PROGRAMS corporate and private, for your commitment and support in continue the legacy of excellence at your alma mater. But UAA graduate student Christine Byl receives helping UAA to reach well beyond the $12 million goal. many of you attended other universities. Why should you give distinguished thesis award from Western Special thanks to the two co-chairs of the 50th Anniversary to UAA? Leo Bustad and his wife, Jeanne Davis answer that Association of Graduate Schools Discovery extends mammoth The Western Association of Graduate Schools announced that survival 2,20010 years Campaign, Marc Langland and Leo Bustad. This is a question in three simple words: “We live here.” As well as Christine Byl, a UAA masters degree student, is the winner of its collective celebration. assisting their out-of-state alma maters, they want to help annual Distinguished Thesis Award. This marks the first time an Funds raised will support UAA Programs of young Alaskans to have an opportunity for an excellent Alaska student has received this high honor. Byl’s Master of Fine Distinction, Student Scholarships and Opportunities, Arts in Creative Writing and Literary Arts thesis titled,“Breathing UAA Debate Team travels Under Water: Artist’s Heart, Artist’s Mind” was described by the to international competition Faculty Excellence, and Facilities. The impact of selection committee as “exceptional.” campaign gifts is already being felt by those who live, work, and study on this campus. Students now have UAA Kicks off 1,000 Giving $1,000 the opportunity to apply for newly endowed This sustained annual giving program of at least $1million will 15 fund student, teacher and community programs and scholarships scholarships; faculty can avail themselves of award that will make an immediate and lasting impact on the university. and program opportunities; and soon the entire UAA’s promise, in return for each gift, is a report next year on campus community will have opportunities to gather how your dollars were used and the impact to our students, faculty and programs. Students learn broadcasting skills in the new Alaska Native Science and Engineering through corporate16 partnership Program Building. College of Education receives full While many gifts were important parts of this national accreditation THE UAA COMMUNITY campaign, we find it especially meaningful that it was The University of Alaska Anchorage College of Education’s commitment to excellence in producing quality teachers for our an estate gift (a gift included in a will) that put us nation’s children was recognized in Nov. 2005 when it received over the top. The legacy of that generous bequest, full national accreditation under the performance-oriented Eileen Thompson arranged more than 20 years ago, will live on in the standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Saradell Ard Teacher Education (NCATE). endowed, needs-based scholarship and engineering 18 professorship it created. Similarly, we are planting
UAA Accolades seeds today to broaden UAA’s enduring tradition of discovery, education. They want Anchorage to be a great city with a Spring 2006 learning, and achievement. great university providing cultural and intellectual events. Volume 5, Number 1 Supporters of Seawolf Athletics also are making an impact They want UAA’s community campuses throughout
Published by the UAA Office of Development on campus. A campaign to raise $1 million to endow student Southcentral to strengthen their regions and to enhance this Editors: Megan Olson, Heather Resz Libby Roderick athletic scholarships is underway. You will find additional Great Land. Graphic Design: David Freeman details about the Seawolf Legacy Campaign inside this Many thanks to all for your ongoing engagement with this Photography: Clark James Mishler, Michael Dinneen Ed and Cathryn20 Rasmuson magazine. vital, growing university. Mort and I are proud to say with all What’s next? We are off to a great start with the 1,000 of you, “We live here.” For more information about stories included SEAWOLF Giving $1,000 campaign. Our goal is to create and maintain a in UAA Accolades, to make a gift to UAA or to order additional copies, please contact: SPORTS base of donors at the $1,000 level, thereby ensuring a sustained $1 million in annual contributions for long-term University Advancement support of student scholarships and programs of excellence. Elaine P. Maimon, PhD University of Alaska Anchorage Cross country teams: 3211 Providence Drive . Anchorage, AK 99508 reaching new heights Chancellor Phone: (907) 786-4847 e-mail: [email protected] 22 On the Cover: University of Alaska Anchorage senior Michelle Stummer. To learn more about UAA, visit www.uaa.alaska.edu
Accolades 3 FORFOR
Generations of graduates prepare fare around town
at a meal in a restaurant anywhere in Alaska and chances are good it was prepared by someone who learned the trade in the University of Alaska Anchorage E Culinary Arts and Hospitality Division. Construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline fueled demand for qualified people to work in the culinary arts, according to Tim Doebler, director of the culinary arts, hospitality, dietetics and nutrition programs at UAA. In 1972, when the program began, it was very much focused on institutional cooking, Doebler said. That changed in 1993 with the opening of the Lucy Cuddy Center dining room. The Renaissance Project renovated UAA’s Lucy Cuddy Center and the Center's Hospitality and Culinary Arts curriculum. Now another major fund-raising campaign will renovate the program’s instructional laboratories. One of the Cuddy Center’s two kitchens will be closed during May 2006 for renovation. Doebler said the two-year long, $300,000 capital fund drive will replace some equipment that has been in use since the program began in 1972.
Students in the Culinary Arts program, from left: DeeDee Fowler, Aurora Wilson, Stephane Kendall, Niki Foreman, Ramon Peralta, and Amy Voss.
4 Accolades Accolades 5 “When the student leaves here, the graduate needs to be ready for work,” he said. That means making sure the equipment they are trained on in the Cuddy Center kitchens matches what industry is using. Combined, First National Bank of Alaska, UAA and the culinary arts department raised $300,000. “I can’t say enough good things about First National Bank,” Doebler said. “They want to make sure that the facility is maintained.” Doebler joined the department in September 1986. He had planned to study accounting in college. That’s what his parents had in mind. But his plans changed when a high school teacher noticed his interest in cooking and told him about career options in culinary arts. At the time, the field of culinary arts was a fairly novel career choice, he said. “My mother thought it odd that I would get a degree in cooking,” Doebler said.
Left: Stephane Kendall and Pastry Chef Instructor Vern Wolfram decorate a cake. Above: Ixchel Carroll, Amy Voss and Alice Landers, front row, smile for the camera. Middle row is, Rebecca Leslie, Grace Huhndorf and Melissa Magnus. Back row is Mercedes Horton, John Layton, Sonya Irwin, and Niki Foreman.
However students find their way into the programs he operates at UAA, many are choosing culinary arts as a second career, Doebler said. The average age of students in the program is 28. Doebler told the story of one man who had always enjoyed cooking and when he retired from Fish and Game, enrolled in UAA’s culinary arts program. Student Jeffrey Hughes called the program one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets. “The distinguished instructors promote a hands-on learning environment that allows each student to develop his or her potential, and exposes students to the many possibilities that exist within the culinary profession,” he said.
6 Accolades Accolades 7 Another group of students comes to the program through culinary Learning hands-on arts programs at Alaska Vocational Technical Center, the Matanuska- The Cuddy Center’s dining room offers service and food equal to any Susitna Borough School District, Kenai Peninsula Borough School fine dining establishment in Anchorage, but under brighter lights. The District and the Anchorage School District’s King Career Center. dining room is open Tuesdays through Fridays for lunch only. High school students in Mat-Su, Kenai and Anchorage districts But in this restaurant the waiter who served the meal and the chef also can earn UAA credits for the class, Doebler said. who prepared it are in class. Industry demand for formally educated culinarians is increasing “This is a service class you are in right now,” Doebler said while across the U.S., he said. sharing a meal at the Cuddy Center with this reporter. “The bakery, Student Dasha King said she continues to benefit from the real- kitchen and this dining room are all instructional laboratories.” world skills she learned at UAA. The idea is that students who complete the two- or four-year "I will always use the techniques they taught me," she said. programs graduate ready for work, he said. UAA offers a bachelor’s in Skilled labor in the culinary arts is in such demand that graduates get hotel management and an associate’s degree in culinary arts. six to eight job offers, Doebler said. Most graduates are starting at “I don’t think there is a student in here who couldn’t leave here and about $12 an hour, he said. go to work in a dining room,” Doebler said. “I can’t turn out enough students to fill the demand,” Doebler said. The program operates under the direction of an advisory committee made up of community and industry leaders. They contribute their Left:: Ramon Peralta sears Cornish game hens. Jeremy Krotochwill is hard at work real-world expertise to make sure students leave with the most relevant in the background. Above: Jeremy Rodriquez, foreground, and Wayne Leith prepare various vegetables for serving. Right: Michelle Stummer serves Amy Green and training possible, Doebler said. Tim Doebler in UAA's Lucy Cuddy Dining room.
A second career in culinary arts David Predeger, 59, has enjoyed preparing and eating nice meals for 30 years. These days the freelance photographer has focused his lens on the culinary arts “I’ve always loved cooking,” Predeger said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to learn more about.” He worked as a news photographer for the Anchorage Times until 1981 when he began “It really is the industry’s training facility,” he said. “We take the working as a freelance photographer. attitude that we’re stewards. “I’ve been cooking and doing nice things “From the flatware to the tables – it was all paid for by industry.” with food for years; now I’m learning it the real Industry also supports the program by hiring students and offering way,” Predeger said.“There were a lot of things I didn’t know.” internships and scholarships, he said. In the culinary arts program, he said he’s Around Anchorage it’s nearly impossible to eat out without learning different types of cooking techniques interacting with one of Doebler’s former students. like grilling, braising and poaching that help him “We have students everywhere,” he said. “Everywhere food is to expand his culinary repertoire. served we either have a student there now or we have had.” “I was doing a lot of nice things before Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage Marriott Downtown, Anchorage school. But I kept doing the same thing,” Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, Costco, Westmark Hotel, Predeger said. Orsos Italian Restaurant and in kitchens on the North Slope are a few He said he plans to pursue opportunities in of the places UAA graduates are working. catering after graduation. “We’ve got generations of people out there now,” Doebler said. “Bon appétit,” Predeger said.
Accolades 9 8 Accolades ARCHEOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH
DiscoveryDiscovery extendsextends mammothmammoth survivalsurvival 2,2002,200 yearsyears
A discovery by University of
Alaska Anchorage The village of St. Paul on St. Paul Island researchers on St. Paul Island lends weight to the theory that hunting by humans was the main cause of the widespread extinction of large animals worldwide.
10 Accolades Accolades 11 ARCHEOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH Crossen presented the paper at the annual Geological Society of The main question is why mammoths survived out there so long, America meeting in Salt Lake City in October 2005. he said. Qagnax Cave was discovered in 1999 by residents of St. Paul The chamber is 53 feet underground located in a lava tube about Island, one of five islands comprising the volcanic Pribilof Island group 49 feet wide and 39 feet high, which made it a natural trap for in the eastern Bering Sea.The islands are the most remote in North animals, including mammoth, polar bear, caribou or reindeer and America. Arctic fox. People riding four-wheelers found the entrance to the site when “Once you got in you couldn’t get out,” Crossen said. their vehicles nearly fell into the hole,Veltre said. Many of the 1,250 bones recovered from fox, caribou, polar bears, “You can’t really see it from any distance,” he said. birds and at least one mammoth show evidence of being chewed on Locals went down into the tube and sent a photo of a polar bear by other animals – including chewed areas and tooth puncture holes. tooth.When Veltre visited the cave he returned with a Researchers concluded that the cave acted as a natural trap into mammoth tooth. which animals fell, some still alive, to consume bones and possibly the carcasses of previously trapped animals. The research project focused on reconstructing the geologic context, photographing and mapping the cave and the faunal remains, collecting the bones, testing the central debris cone, and dating the mammoth remains.The cleaned and dried materials are currently housed at the UAA Anthropology Laboratory. The dig was funded by a Faculty Development Grant from UAA and the TDX Corp. of St. Paul. TDX, the Aleut village corporation of St. Paul, gave permission for fieldwork and analysis, as well as in-kind support for a research project that began in 2003. UAA Archeologists explore the Researchers brought back more than 100 bags of bones from the site of the mammoth discovery, cave floor, Crossen said. Qagnax Cave on St. Paul Island Mammoth tusks have been found on St. Paul for a long time – including one tusk in the Smithsonian’s collections dated to about 8,000 years ago – but no tusks were found among the mammoth bones and fragments recovered. oolly mammoth remains found in a lava tube cave The assumption is that previous cave explorers removed some of W 53 feet below the surface of St. Paul island have been dated the materials, Crossen said. to about 5,700 years ago.That s at least 2,200 years There’s not much left in the cave now, she said. younger than any previously dated mammoth remains found in “We basically took all of the bones on the ground that we could North America. see,” Veltre said. New evidence suggests that the survival of isolated woolly Crossen said “I felt bad walking anywhere down there because I mammoths on the Pribilof Islands may be closely related to the knew I was destroying things.” Gee, that’s a funny looking tooth absence of human habitation on the islands until the late 18th Researchers said the cave’s cool temperatures year-round While they may be a little funny looking, the century when the Russians brought Aleuts there as forced labor in contributed to the preservation of the bones and make them good woolly mammoth s ridged molars are actually highly specialized to break down the relatively the harvest of fur seals, according to research by UAA s Douglas Yesner said he kept walking by the mammoth tooth sitting on candidates for radio carbon dating and DNA testing. tough, dry grasses they ate. Veltre, Kristine Crossen, David Yesner, and Penn State s Veltre’s desk. And thinking about the late human occupation of “There were foxes curled up in the corner with their fur still on Over time, as these teeth wore, the enamel ridges stood out and worked like grinding mills. Russell Graham. St. Paul. them,” Crossen said. Like modern elephants, six molar-like teeth The location of Qagnax Cave — in the Pribilof Islands, 310 miles That makes the islands a good test case for the idea that The dates from the mammoth bones tested are so close they may developed on each side of the jaw during a lifetime. But due to the limited space in their off the coast of mainland Alaska — makes it an excellent test case in mammoths survived later in areas not occupied by humans. On all be from the same animal; all at least 2,200 years younger than any mouths, mammoths used only two pairs of support of the idea that mammoths most likely survived longer in Wrangel Island off the north coast of Siberia, for instance, mammoths previously dated mammoth remains found in North America. molars at a time. Successive teeth grew forward from the back areas without human occupation, researchers wrote in a paper titled survived until about 4,000 years ago. Yesner said there also is some funding to radio carbon date some of of the jaw replacing earlier, smaller teeth as they Last Outpost of North American Mammoths Found on Isolated “The first dates for human and the last mammoth dates are very the caribou bones to see if they are from the original herds that wore, moved forward, and dropped. Alaskan Island. close,” Yesner said. roamed Alaska or the herds of reindeer that were introduced later.
12 Accolades Accolades 13 PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMS
There’s no debating UAA debaters flourish in a winning tradition World Championship environment Fresh from success at World You could make the argument that Championships, UAA debate team spending the winter holiday break in Ireland discussing issues of international significance looks to the future, unwilling to and profound ideology was worth the trip. That is, if you’re a member of the highly rest on laurels touted UAA debate team which returned from Dublin after competing in the World Universities Debating Championship where it finished in the top third of 233 teams from t, Steve Johnson 29 countries, including Russia, South Africa, ok, Rose Helens-Har From left: Chris Koler Seeger, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Eberhardt, Adriel Mathew, Hilary (Head Coach), Lindsay , and Tom Lassen. The eight-day tournament featured more ssistant Coach), Dana Ovsak Chanille Lewis (A than 740 one-hour debates at University College Dublin, where the Seawolf’s four, or UAA communications associate professor world and national against” perspective is derived. Debaters must The key for the individual is focus. But it Johnson believes that this type of exposure is two-person debate teams each competed in F and coach Steve Johnson’s internationally competitions have elevated the program to a be prepared to present arguments on both helps when a competitor is knowledgable about essential in identifying future Seawolf debaters. nine preliminary rounds. Among the schools renowned debate team even a “New York level of prominence far exceeding expectation sides of an issue. a topic, can validate a position, exudes confidence, The team will also host the inaugural Cabin UAA faced in the “Swiss-draw” format that matches teams of similar skills were Oxford, minute” seems long enough to make a point. when it began in 1982. At this year’s world competition, two of the loves to argue and is expecting the audience to Fever Debates intramural competition this Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale. All four Just ask debaters from Harvard,Yale, Oxford, Once a “drifting” college freshman himself, compelling topics of debate were whether a hang on every word. Is it a performance? Spring semester in an effort to promote the art UAA teams finished with winning records Cambridge, MIT, and an array of other Johnson discovered the joy of intellectual legally-enforceable right to a minimum Certainly, but with substance, the coach feels. of debate and enable all UAA students the bettering teams from Princeton, MIT, prestigious colleges and universities that have felt challenge in debate and turned it into a life-long standard of living should be recognized and “It’s all about matter and manner,” Johnson opportunity to compete for prizes and slots in Fordham, Vassar, and Brown. The the pressure applied by a well-turned phrase or passion. “I knew the moment I stepped on stage whether Japan should be given a permanent seat says. “At some point you may realize that your the U.S. Universities Debating Championship. University of Toronto won the championship. UAA’s top two teams included Rose the helpless realization that their UAA and faced the audience in my first debate that I’d on the UN Security Council. opponent has an equally compelling and valid A member of the National Parliamentary Helens-Hart, a senior majoring in opponent is simply a quicker study. There’s just found my life’s work,” he recalls. argument and then it becomes about Debate Association (NPDA), the nation’s largest “Our student competitors are very well journalism and public communications, and no debating success. Determined to share his passion, he has versed on a myriad of topics and have spent strategy and tactics.” intercollegiate debate organization, UAA not Michael Rose, a junior history major; and When asked how a team from remote Alaska taken an upstart program to the upper echelons many hours working issues from all In parliamentary debate, each speaker has only excels as a team, but has produced two Tom Lassen, a political science junior can produce such winning tradition on the world of intercollegiate debate, but not without sacri- perspectives” the coach adds. “In competition, seven minutes, the first and last of which are national rookies of the year. teaming with Chris Kolerok, an economics stage, Johnson says,“UAA has an award-winning fice and perseverance. Funding is always on his once one of our teams is given a topic and protected. During the middle five minutes, While the country typically witnesses the junior. This tandem finished just three points shy of qualifying for the single-elimination debate team. UAF has a nationally competitive mind. But contributions from university alumni perspective for debate we refine our thinking positions are subject to challenge, question, and staged folly of candidate debates during championship round. The Seawolf teams of rifle team. It comes as no surprise to me that and the community, along with support from the and hone-in on the elements of a logical position interruption from the other teams in the round. presidential campaigns, it’s not everyday we’re Lindsay Eberhardt and Dana Ovsak, and Ben Alaskans excel in arguing and shooting.” university, help provide the resources necessary and presentation.” The presenting competitor must decide whether exposed to well thought-out discussion of Ferguson and Hilary Seeger also placed high For more than 10 years, orators from for fielding a team at a world-class level. In recruiting debaters or identifying to acknowledge a challenge or ignore it, making a important issues by a group of bright, articulate, in the tournament. tradition rich, well-endowed schools, have It’s all about being resourceful. The team for prospects it is glaringly obvious when someone team strategy essential. albeit somewhat animated and very opinionated “Championship competition brings out the best in our teams, demonstrating once learned the hard way how talented and focused example, well in advance of competition, has what it takes to be great. Not unlike “An opponent’s challenge often presents an young people in a public forum. Unless, of again that UAA’s debating program belongs Seawolf debaters can be under Johnson’s opportunity to emphasize your own position and course, you’re Steve Johnson who knows better prepares and reviews volumes of material related athletics, music, or theater – talent is talent. with the best in the world,” said coach leadership. A parliamentary debate national to current events, world politics, controversial Johnson’s job is to help refine it, channel it, and we work hard on identifying those situations,” than most how fortunate UAA is to field a Steve Johnson. championship in 2002 and continued success at issues, matters of public policy, and ongoing mold it in a team environment. Johnson explains. debate team that provides a voice for one of the philosophical debate, from which a “for and The UAA faculty-run debate program state’s greatest resources, today’s Alaska periodically displays its competitive prowess on college student. campus debating issues of public policy and by “We have just 15 minutes to prepare once a topic has been announced and only 14 minutes hosting local high school competitions. to articulate our position.Talk about pressure. UAA’s four two-member teams thrive on it.” —Debate team coach Steve Johnson 14 Accolades Accolades 15 PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMS
Partnership broadcasts home hockey games, trains students Fans can ne person’s hockey game is another watch UAA games live Bob Ormberg, GCI vice president of cable he University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Next, the Alaska Family Practice Residency O person’s learning opportunity. marketing and programming, said the partnership T Nursing is leading the nation again. will expand to serve Anchorage and the Mat-Su While one group of University of Alaska on Channel 88 is part of the corporation’s long-term Alaska’s nursing school became the first in the Borough. In the next three-year cycle, two to Anchorage Seawolves pushes the puck from end relationship with UAA. nation in September 2005 to have an Area Health three more centers will be added to expand to end of the ice, another group follows the In addition to the live broadcast of all 18 “Our goal is to continue our community Education Center Program. services statewide. action with TV cameras. home games on GCI Cable Channel 88 in the involvement and support of this university,” Associate director Beth Landon said all other Alaska’s rural and other underserved areas Under a new agreement with GCI Cable, Anchorage and Mat-Su areas, the three-year he said. similar centers are associated with medical schools. struggle with a health workforce crisis. The UAA students majoring in journalism and public agreement makes a simulcast available for GCI The broadcasts will be simulcasts featuring The new education center is part of UAA’s Alaska entire state of Alaska is designated a Health communications will work as GCI interns to run Internet Broadband customers in Anchorage, long-time play-by-play announcer Kurt Haider. Center for Rural Health, she said. Professional Shortage Area or Medically the cameras and produce the live broadcasts Fairbanks, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula. He said the agreement is a win-win partnership. Nationwide, the centers are intended to create Underserved Area, Landon said. from Sullivan Arena. Pearce, who functions as the broadcasts’ “This is real world stuff for our students.” UAA formal relationships between universities and Last year, the State of Alaska funded a UAA Journalism and Public Communications chair producer, helped coordinate the deal between hockey radio broadcasts generally are on AM- community partners to strengthen the health UAA School of Nursing study to look at recruitment costs for 13 Fred Pearce said the partnership provides the GCI and UAA. When GCI decided to begin 550 KTZN, with some games on AM-650 KENI. workforce in underserved communities. first in nation to house distinct provider types in rural health facilities kind of opportunities for television students that sports production, it just seemed like a natural Pearce said plans to expand the program But getting an Area Health Education Center at 330 clinics, hospitals, mental health centers – the Northern Light provides for newspaper arrangement, he said. include a weekly coaches show – The Coach Program in Alaska where there is no medical school an ‘Area Health tribal and non-tribal. reporting and production. “It's good for JPC students, UAA Athletics, Shyiak Show with Haider. The long-time voice of was tricky, Landon said. After exercising a little used Education Center The AHEC Program, including the AHEC Pearce said it’s one of several partnerships UAA, and GCI,” Pearce said. Seawolf Hockey is entering his 10th season. amendment that supports education centers in Centers housed in health agencies across the that provide television production opportunities UAA director of athletics Steve Cobb said Ultimately, the goal is to develop a product nursing schools, Alaska spent nearly a year to Program’ to address state, will achieve its purpose by working in for students. Other partnerships include the the joint venture will dramatically increase that is the “highest evolution” of a “small confirm its eligibility to compete, she said. three areas: encouraging youth to pursue State of Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage, exposure of UAA's flagship athletics program, market” production, Pearce said. Landon said the new center wouldn’t be possible statewide health care careers in health care; facilitating clinical rotation Anchorage School District, Providence Health which saw only nine televised broadcasts “We're not there yet, but the reaction has without support from donors like the Alaska Native shortages opportunities in underserved sites; and Systems in Alaska. last season. been very positive and the students are engaged Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Regional Hospital, improving access to continuing education for Pearce said the opportunities become part of “We’re very excited for our fans and and happy with the product,” he said. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, Ketchikan General In this first three-year cooperative health professionals in underserved areas. students’ production resumes. student-athletes to have this opportunity to Hospital, Providence Alaska Health System, Yukon- agreement, the UAA School of Nursing will Alaska is one of the last states in the nation showcase our program,” he said. Kuskokwim Health Corp. and Valley Hospital.Their initially contract with the Yukon Kuskokwim to get an AHEC program. Only Iowa, Kansas, donations helped to fund the nursing program Health Corp. and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital North Dakota and South Dakota have yet to expansion project, which helped UAA get the new to create AHEC education centers within their establish AHEC education centers. designation, she said. organizations.
“ We’re very excited for our fans and student-athletes to have this opportuni ty to showcase our program.” UAA di rector of athletics Steve Cobb
Accolades 17 16 Accolades THE COMMUNITYUAA
ileen Thompson is passionate in her support of E UAA. That passion has made Eileen a tireless ambassador for the university in the Anchorage community. It also earned the class of ’94 graduate the UAA Alumni Association’s highest honor: the Alumni of the Year award. The education Eileen received in getting her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Communications at UAA has served her well in her position of marketing director for Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union. Typical of Eileen, she chose Eileen Thompson to “pay it forward” through service and commitment to the Alumni Association and the work it does in promoting the university in the community and in fund raising to support student scholarships. Eileen has served on the UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors for three years. The projects she has spear-headed or been deeply involved with including: the annual Raffle, the Seawolf license plate, the Pendulum Campaign, partnering with Green & Gold Fridays, and recently, the highly successful Alumni Curtain Calls. She was instrumental in Denali Federal Credit Union members having the opportunity to support UAA through their use of the ‘Seawolf’ checks.
hough Saradell Ard, 86, retired from the T University of Alaska Anchorage more than 20 years ago, two scholarships given in her name continue to impact art students. Saradell Ard A leader in the Alaska arts scene for more than 30 and Scholorship recipient years both as a painter and educator, Ard is the Chih-Chiang Lo matriarch of the university’s art department. After a decade of teaching at Alaska Methodist University, now Alaska “I really feel one of the duties in life is to pass it on,” Ard said of the Pacific University, Ard accepted an offer to help launch the art department scholarships her will provides in perpetuity. “That’s building for posterity.” at the Anchorage Senior College in 1973, which eventually became UAA. The first award assists a bachelor’s of fine arts candidate whose work In her second year, Ard was appointed chair of the humanities division. shows the most promise during his/her junior year for use during his/her Over the next few years she added speech, drama, music and journalism senior year at UAA. classes to the school’s offerings. She served as the Dean of the College of The second award goes to an art major who has returned to college to Arts and Sciences from 1976-77. And retired from UAA in 1985. prepare for a second career. These scholarships are talent scholarships and The scholarships that carry her name, Saradell Ard Art Scholarships, no consideration will be given to financial need. offer financial assistance for tuition and other educational expenses for During her many years with the university, Ard earned a reputation as a two full-time UAA students who are formally admitted into a leading expert on circumpolar Inuit art. degree-seeking art program.
18 Accolades Accolades 19 THE COMMUNITYUAA
The Alaska Associated Press followed that with a story in September 2005 that was picked up by media out- lets ranging from the New York Times to ABC News and the Hindustani Times. The CNN story prompted Roderick to he Business Education Building, affectionately known as BEB and a Foundation is one of the largest in the Northwest with $425 million in release a 10-song compilation CD titled T UAA landmark, received a grown up new name in September - assets that fund arts and culture, health and human services, community “How Could Anyone.” It’s her sixth Edward and Cathryn Rasmuson Hall - honoring the Rasmusons for their development, and education efforts throughout Alaska. release, so far. matchless contributions to the University of Alaska, the state, and the Community service is an important value for the Rasmuson family and Over the years she’s received hun- community of Anchorage. both Ed and Cathy have served over many years on numerous boards and dreds of e-mails and letters from people Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich joined the Rasmusons, UAA committees. Ed is only the second Alaskan recipient of the Boy Scouts of telling their personal stories about how Chancellor Elaine P. Maimon, UA President Mark Hamilton, and the UA America Distinguished Scout Award recognizing Eagle Scouts who, after they are using the song. Board of Regents at the re-naming ceremony. 25 years, have distinguished themselves in their life’s work and in sharing “We have bags full of letters and Ed Rasmuson, a prominent Alaskan banker, now retired, is the chair of their talents with their communities. He is the only individual to have stories,” she said. “It just sort of took off the Statewide Advisory Board for Wells Fargo Bank and is also chair of served on the boards of all three of the state’s universities: the University all over the world.” the Rasmuson Foundation, established by his grandmother in 1955. The of Alaska, Sheldon Jackson College, and Alaska Pacific University. Roderick said the song’s universal message of belonging has Libby Roderick been used in every conceivable format and venue, from videos, films, niversity of Alaska Anchorage program manager for the Center for and slide shows to hospitals, prisons, kindergartens, marches, U Advancing Faculty Excellence Libby Roderick has spent years as a peace gatherings, weddings, funerals and shelters. songwriter, performer, writer and activist, but it’s 42 words she penned for The simplistic three-minute song has just 42 words, but a friend in 1988 that have brought international acclaim to this seems to contain the power to change hearts, Roderick said. life-long Alaskan. “How could anyone ever tell you In recognition of her cumulative contributions, Rep. Ethan Berkowitz You were anything less than beautiful? presented her with a citation from the 24th Alaska Legislature on Oct. 22. How could anyone ever tell you “Throughout her career, Libby Roderick has given back to Alaska and You were less than whole? to her many causes through insightful songs, workshops, performances and How could anyone fail to notice commentaries as well as by her ever-present activism,” Berkowitz wrote in That your loving is a miracle? the citation. “How deeply you're connected to my soul.” He said he’s known Roderick’s parents Jack and Martha Roderick since “The message is people are beautiful and how can anyone her father was the Greater Anchorage Borough Mayor from 1972 to 1975. tell them something else,” Roderick said. “I picked her because she does good music for good causes,” It speaks to a universal part of the human experience, she Berkowitz said. “I’ve always liked her music.” said. Everyone has felt like they are “less than” others at some Roderick is one of a handful of Alaska musicians who is as well known time in their lives, Roderick said. More fame and fortune may internationally as she is at home. be on the horizon for this Alaskan. She said the producer of Mostly, her notoriety centers on her signature song “How Could the CNN piece wants to do a documentary about the impact Anyone,” which has been translated into several languages and performed “How Could Anyone” has had on people throughout the by countless groups worldwide. world. They are in conversations now with HBO to produce The hopeful anthem has generated so much buzz that in August 2005, a documentary. CNN’s global news program Anderson Cooper 360 did a five-minute segment on the worldwide healing impact of her song. Ed and Cathryn Rasmuson
20 Accolades Accolades 21 SEAWOLF SPORTS LOOKING BACK
n a sport where peaking at the right time is essential, the UAA men’s and I women’s cross country teams reached new heights in 2005. After a men’s title and a women’s runner-up finish at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships both Seawolf squads focused on the all-important NCAA Div. II West Regionals where the top three teams in each race qualify for the NCAA Championships. The Seawolves answered with their best performances of the year. While the 14th-ranked men took third-place, it was the unranked women’s squad who provided the drama, edging GNAC rival Seattle Pacific by just five points for the final NCAA berth. It was the second straight Nationals for the women’s program, while the men earned their third trip since 2001. UAA became the first GNAC school to send both its men’s and women’s teams to the NCAAs in the same season. At Nationals in Chino, Calif., the women responded with another outstanding race, placing 12th, led by junior Mandy Kaempf’s 46th-place effort. The men had a tougher time but still managed 20th-place, as fresh- UAA men’s and women’s From Left: Beth Leffingwell, cross country teams man David Kiplagat finished 47th. A total of 256 Division II schools Robert Barnett, David Barnett and compete in women’s cross country, while 236 field men’s teams. Bernadine and Donald Barnett reach new heights Coach Michael Friess, in his 16th year, was named GNAC Coach of the in 2005 Year for men’s and women’s team, honors he has earned multiple times. But, he was most pleased by the individual achievements of his student athletes and pleasantly surprised by the success of the teams. Above: Freshman David Kiplagat leads the pack on his way to victory at the UAA Invitational, Oct. 8 at “From the start, the team showed a willingness to work,“ Friess said. Kincaid Park. The Kenyan was GNAC runner-up and While there are no guarantees, the chance for success is low without hard Historic photo I.D. parties bolster Conference Freshman of the Year, helping the Seawolves work, according to the coach, and this year’s group understood that, helping to their third NCAA berth in five years. Right: Senior make them winners. UAA’s archival photo collection and Eagle River native Stacy Edwards races along with freshman Laura Carr at the UAA Invitational. Edwards Meanwhile, the prospects for staying atop the GNAC are even better, as A walk down memory lane is easily triggered by a photo. But earned the fourth GNAC All-Conference finish and third Friess loses just one senior among the top five runners on both teams, and when memories fade, a photo may be all that remains to tell Academic All-Conference honor of her career. reloads with another outstanding recruiting class. the story. And, as important as the photo is in preserving a story, only when matched with written narrative is it guaranteed to endure. UAA archivists maintaining the university’s photo collection UAA cross country runner and skier, Mandy Kaempf maintained a 3.88 GPA in UAA has an exciting and vibrant athletic program with 11 competitive teams know this only too well, and have recently begun a program to sociology while becoming the first Seawolf skier ever to capture multiple in a broad array of intercollegiate sports. Each year, athletic programs help preserve the stories behind the photos they harbor. The national titles when she swept the 5-K classical and the 15-K freestyle races at improve, as does the competitive environment. Of the 151 total student- concept is simple, but successfully facilitating the process the 2005 NCAA Ski Championships in Vermont. athletes, UAA currently offers aid equivalent to nearly 75. A scholarship requires lots of help from the community. Simply identifying A premier Seawolf basketball player, Peter Bullock (UAA ’04) captured back endowment will ensure that funds are available now and in the future to people in the historical photos is often a good start according to back All-West Region and All-GNAC hon- cover the tuition, room, board, books and partial fees of to Steve Rollins, dean of the UAA/APU Consortium Library. ors while at UAA. He was the first Seawolf to our excellent student athletes. In the past year, UAA and the College of Fellows Library Committee make three Shootout All-Tournament teams Seawolf Legacy: This endowment will allow these funds to be have hosted four “Historic Photo ID Parties” to help identify the photos included in the library’s large collection of historic Alaska photos. The “parties,” which have been Recognize anyone? and left UAA with seven school records. An dedicated in perpetuity for the sole purpose of Athletics Launches a $1,000,000 held on campus at UAA’s new library, as well as with the Pioneers of Alaska,Anchorage Christine McClain (center front), with Alaska honors student, Bullock majored in economics providing scholarship assistance for athletes. The first Campaign to Establish a Student- Women’s Club, and at Chester Park, have offered the chance for many to connect with Communications System (ACS) employees, and was twice his team’s scholar-athlete award of four phases, the academic year 2005-06 seeks to raise old friends and with the memories captured in these photos. These gatherings have poses for the camera in this 1954 era winner. Peter is considering a career in law Athlete Scholarship Endowment $1,000,000. Subsequent phases have goals of $1.5 resulted in the positive identification of more than half of the photographs reviewed. photograph from the Christine McClain or education. million each. Fund at UAA “It is very important to identify as much as possible in the photographs found in (1915-1989) Collection. If you know anyone Year after year, UAA recruits and educates UAA competes as a member of the National our archival collections. The more we know about a photograph, the more valuable it else in this photo contact Steve Rollins at talented student-athletes who prove they can Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in four is in documenting Alaska’s history and in preserving the past,” Rollins says. “A [email protected] balance competitive and educational requirements at the college level. These conferences: the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Great Northwest documented photograph can be an effective teaching tool, as well as a valuable and athletes are successful students who on average maintain a 3.0 grade point Athletics Conference, Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association and the unique resource for historical or genealogical research.” average (GPA), or better. Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. UAA will continue efforts to identify more photographs from its extensive archival This fall, UAA Athletics introduced The Seawolf Legacy – a $1,000,000 Contact Seawolf Athletics at 786-1250 to learn more about how to collections. All are welcome at the next Historic Photo ID Party on Saturday,April 22, campaign to establish a student-athlete scholarship endowment for each sport. support the Seawolf Legacy campaign. 2006 at the UAA/APU Consortium Library from 2-4 p.m.
22 Accolades Accolades 23 GENEROUS DONORS
Family Gives UAA $300,000 for teaching career right away. She worked as a dental assistant, Education Scholarships small business owner, real estate agent, and a bookkeeper Largest Individual Contribution to before substitute teaching. As a substitute teacher Patty had a preference for the Promote Alaskan Careers special needs programs. She loved special education and in Education returned to school to complete her master’s degree in special education from the University of he family of Patty McManamin Washington in 1992. She spent the next T donated $300,000 to UAA’s College 10 years working for the Anchorage of Education to help fund 12 scholarships School District as a teacher in the a year for students pursuing a career in adolescent unit at Alaska Psychiatric education. It is the single largest Hospital. individual donation the university Diagnosed with breast cancer on has received. Christmas Eve 1999, her four-year battle The generous gift was made in honor with the disease included surgeries, of the former Anchorage special chemotherapy, radiation, and more education teacher who died of breast chemotherapy. As a testament to her cancer in 2003. The Patty McManamin commitment to her job, she spent her Education Endowment was created by vacations undergoing the major her family in recognition of her passion treatments in order not to interfere for teaching. with her teaching. Throughout her The first scholarships will be awarded illness, she rarely missed a school day, this spring. and worked up until 10 days of her Mary Snyder, dean of the College of Patty McManamin death, passing away on March 6, 2003. Education, said 85 percent of Alaska’s The family’s $300,000 gift is the teachers come from outside the state largest individual gift made to UAA. right now. Patty’s husband, Jerry Ulmer, and her “This will allow us to encourage Alaskans to become brother John P.McManamin chose to donate funds from the Alaskan teachers,” she said.“Having good teachers is critical estate of her mother Mary Jean McManamin to create to the economic health and welfare of the whole state.” the endowment. McManamin was born in 1952, while her parents were on “Patty brought true passion to her work and continually a business trip to Seattle. After graduating from high school in demonstrated genuine care and concern for her students and Santa Barbara, CA, she earned a bachelor’s degree in theater co-workers,” her family said. arts and journalism from Northern Colorado University Because of her devotion to teaching, her family created an in 1974. endowment in her name to provide scholarships for students Upon returning to Anchorage, McManamin completed her who might one day carry on her dedication to education. student teaching at Bartlett High School, but did not begin her
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