Before last week’s snow put a chill on spring, over 100 UAA students, staff, and faculty picked up trash during the 7th Annual Campus Cleanup in honor of Earth Day. There were some amazing finds, but undoubtedly, cigarette butts led in sheer numbers of pieces of harvested trash. Most of the cigarette butts were concentrated at the entrances to buildings – surprisingly not all that far from the trash cans. Facilities and Campus Services sponsored the event and cooked hamburgers and bratwurst at a free barbecue to thank participants. Thanks to all of you who helped. I can’t wait to see our clean campus once this snow melts!

Have you had an opportunity to see some of the wonderful UAA arts events this month? “She Stoops to Conquer,” from the Theatre Department was professionally acted and a lot of fun. “New Dances 2008” from UAA Theatre & Dance and UAA Dance Club provided interesting and thought-provoking choreography from UAA Dance faculty and students along with guest choreographers Augusto Soledade and Katherine Kramer. And, of course, Professor Mari Hahn and the UAA Opera Ensemble’s presentation of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” was delightful. The arts on campus are nonstop – gallery openings, short plays, and jazz performances – we are fortunate to have so much talent at UAA.

This is the last FAQ before some of you graduate and many of you depart for summer jobs and vacations. I’d like to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this year as your Chancellor. Thank you for your support of my permanent appointment. There are so many wonderful students, faculty and staff and so many amazing programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage. It is truly a privilege to be your Chancellor. I look forward to continuing to work with you to help make UAA grow and thrive.

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