June 2011

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

June is filled with two of what I think of as UAA's "crown jewel" events: the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference and the Prince William Sound Theatre Conference. More than 100 people attended the 10th annual Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference, founded by Kenai Peninsula College's Kachemak Bay Campus director Carol Swartz. Although I couldn't make the writers' conference this year, I was delighted to be among the 300 people who attended the 19th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. It was a wonderful experience. I plan to go to both next year and encourage you to as well!

This year, for the first time ever, Mat-Su College hosted the Machetanz Art Festival. More than 200 people attended this event--another "jewel in the crown."

Many thanks to our community partners who make these events possible.

Frank Collison and McKinley Belcher III in the evening reading a Reginald Edmund's 1850-set South Bridge, a play that was featured in the 2010 Play Lab and brought back this year by Los Angeles' Moving Arts Theatre Company to PWSCC Theatre Conference.

Just this month

• The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities approved UAA's new College of Health. The College of Health will include all units and programs in the UAA College of Health and Social Welfare, plus, the WWAMI School of Medical Education and the School of Allied Health, and is effective July 1, 2011.
  
  
• UAA hosted the Japan Relief Concert, raising $7,000 for the Japan Red Cross. Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Music, the concert featured UAA's Dr. Timothy Smith accompanying internationally renowned tenor John Ken Nuzzo, and the Anchorage Youth Choir. Six hundred people attended the concert sponsored in part by Alaska Airlines, BP, First National Bank and the Alaska Association of Teachers of Japanese.
  
  
• UAA's Athletic Program ended the year ranked in the top 10 percent of all Division II schools in the country.

Last week we were honored to host dignitaries from Anchorage's sister city, Incheon, South Korea, including Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Dong-keun Shin, along with Jay Jackson, special assistant to Mayor Sullivan, and Greg Wolfe, executive director of the World Trade Center Alaska, to talk about expanding opportunities and educational ties. Deputy Mayor Shin delivered a letter from the president of the University of Incheon expressing the desire to build upon our existing relationship. Photo credit: Angelina Estrada-Burney, Public Involvement Coordinator, DOWL HKM.

Overall, UAA fared well in the legislative session this year. We are grateful to the governor and the legislature for funding many of UAA's priorities. Read the article in the Alaska Daily News. We are also proud and grateful for community support evidenced this year. We look forward to continuing to be a good steward of the state's resources and contributing to Alaska's future development.

Note of pride

A preliminary report from Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies, Chris Brems, shows that in FY 11, UAA received more than 320 awards totaling nearly $52M. Of the awards about 67 percent supported the areas of Research (74 awards for about $10.3M), Public Service (75 awards for just over $8M), and Instruction (68 awards for nearly $9.3M). The remaining awards were received in support of scholarships and fellowships, academic and institutional support, and student services. Final numbers will be available by the end of next month.

UAA now has four major research projects that are supported by National Institutes for Health (NIH) RO1 grant awards, which are highly competitive and long-term grants. In addition, UAA faculty received grants from the State of Alaska to conduct research in vital areas such as domestic violence and sexual assault, suicide prevention and teenage pregnancy.

We will continue to update you on the important research being done at UAA -- research that directly benefits Alaskans.

Strategic Planning notes

This month we are taking the first steps toward a strategic planning exercise with the statewide system. Terry MacTaggart, a nationally recognized consultant who previously reviewed UA's statewide system in 2008, traveled to UAA, UAS and UAF this week to begin talks about how the process will unfold. As he described it, the process will be broadly inclusive of our internal and external communities and provide opportunities for full participation over the next five to six months. Stay tuned.

Student Success notes

Preliminary numbers show that the Anchorage campus awarded 164 more degrees and certificates in 2010-2011 compared to 2009-2010. Total degrees and certificates in 2010-2011 equal 1,928. Including occupational endorsements, the increase is 193 with degrees, certificates and endorsements totaling 2,022.

Nick Pennington, president of the Kodiak College Student Government Association, is the new speaker of the Coalition of Student Leaders.

Faculty and Staff notes

Justice faculty Dr. Ron Everett and Prof. Deb Periman publish article in the June 2011 Alaska Law Review.

The article, "The Governor's Court of Last 'Resort': An Introduction to Executive Clemency in Alaska," provides an overview of the history of clemency from antiquity to the present and traces the development of clemency in the United States.

Grants and Awards notes

Grant awards to the Consortium Library total $355,372: The Alaska State Library extended and added to the Digital Pipeline 2011 grant; Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association extended its agreement with the Library until Dec. 31, 2012 authorizing another $151,000 funding; the Alaska State Library awarded $82,291 to the Library for managing the Alaska Library Network; and Archives was awarded $13,145 by the Alaska State Library to provide better access to the Pomeroy Family Papers.

Program notes

We invite you to participate in the Creative Writing and Literary Arts summer literary reading series which runs July 10-19 and opens with visiting writer, Richard Rodriguez, contributing editor of Harper's Magazine and for nearly 20 years, a television essayist on the PBS "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Visit the CWLA website for details.

Public Square notes

UAA hosted the Color of Justice (COJ) program again this year. COJ brings diverse youth from across the state together for exciting workshops and activities designed to encourage them to consider legal and judicial careers. This collaborative program creates an important connection to students from across the state as well as to Alaska's legal community.

Development notes

This year's Seawolf Auction raised $28,000 for student athlete scholarships. Thank you!

Development goal exceeded. As of May, 31, UAA has raised $9.677M, ahead of its FY12 goal of $9.3M, and 68 percent over what was raised last year at this time. Wonderful news. Thank you to UAA's great development team and our tremendous supporters!

Safety notes

During the month of May, UAA had three (Non Recordable, No Lost Time Injuries), and Prince William Sound Community College had two (Non Reportable, No Lost Time Injuries) All but one injury was office related: back strain moving equipment, tripping over an open drawer, dropping material on a foot and bumping a head on a door. We also had one hand/wrist pain repetitive use injury from landscaping activities. UAA offers Skillsoft Courses on Office and Back Safety at UAA online -- we encourage employees to take advantage of these. It's always a good idea to brush up Secure Information for Employees. These course are great way to prevent injuries.

Safety tip. The July 4th weekend is a good time to remember that it's always a good idea to file a trip plan with a friend or family member when you venture out to enjoy Alaska wilderness. Anchorage is just 10 minutes from the wilderness: Be bear and moose-wise; when boating, wear your PFD. Be a safe Seawolf!

Community Campus notes

Kenai Peninsula Borough will provide KPC with $657,791 in FY12 for programs and positions including advising, tutors and tuition waivers. KPC has received $7.5M from the Borough since 1990 when voters approved that up to 1/10th mill of property taxes could be directed to the college.

Prince William Sound Community College's team in the Relay for Life raised over $4,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. The team was the third highest team fund raiser out of 12 teams, and team co-captain, Wendy Goldstein, was the third highest individual fund raiser, bringing in over $1,000. PWSCC President Doug Desorcie was presented with the Community Champion award for his years of exceptional service and dedication to the Valdez Relay for Life and the fight against cancer.

---

I am honored to serve UAA and to continue the culture of collaboration and service to our students, our community and our state. Thank you for all you do to make UAA a great university!

Best regards,

 

Tom Case