October 2013

Happy Halloween everybody!

Dear Community,

It's been an amazing month for Seawolf athletics.

For the second consecutive year, the Seawolf cross country teams swept the individual and team titles at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. This marks the fourth consecutive sweep of the team titles and is the fifth consecutive title for the women's team, extending their GNAC record.

The UAA hockey team is off to a terrific start with a 3-1-0 record—including a pair of victories over nationally-ranked teams. The Seawolves made history by winning their own Kendall Hockey Classic for the third time, with victories over defending NCAA runner-up Quinnipiac and Air Force.

The Seawolf volleyball team is in first place in the GNAC standings with four weeks left in the regular season. UAA received votes in the national poll and has produced three GNAC Players of the Week already this year.

Go Seawolves!

The Green & Gold Bike Share Program, funded by UAA's Green Fee, kicked off with a "Bike Build-a-Thon. Read the "Max and His 50 Bikes" webcomic."

UAA students, faculty and staff on the UAA Smoke-Free Task Force are working toward a smoke- and tobacco-free initiative for the university and have joined the Fresh Air Campus Challenge. On Nov. 5, students will speak for and against a smoke-free campus as part of Engage Week. It's an important topic. I plan to be there and I encourage you to join the conversation. Read the smoke-free campus news here.

It's time for another round of Innovate Awards. This initiative has led not only to the first two start-up companies based upon UAA research, but it has also incentivized collaborative efforts across disciplines that are taking UAA research to new heights. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 12. I encourage you to apply!

Student  notes

Students interested in law school attended a mock law school course on contracts taught by Dean Curtis Bridgeman of Willamette University College of Law.

Kyle Demientieff-Worl, a junior pursuing a degree in anthropology with a minor in Alaska Native studies, received tje Roger Lang Youth Leadership award by the Alaska Federation of Natives.

Alumni note

UAA alum Aaron Leggett co-curated "The Dena'ina Way of Living" exhibit at the Anchorage Museum which runs through Jan. 12. Read the Anchorage Daily News story.

Alumni and students gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Alumni Center, which will be housed in the Social Sciences Building, slated to open in 2014.

                                                                     

Faculty and Staff notes

Dr. Landry Signé, the newest professor in UAA's Political Science Department, received Stanford University's 2013 Recognition Award. Dr. Signé, a Banting Fellow at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, will give a free public lecture Nov. 17, in LIB 307 at 7:30 p.m., titled "Why Has Democracy Proven Good for Africa?"

Ryan-Jasen Anders Henne, M.Ed., is UAA's new director of the Department of Residence Life.

Michael Hawfield, Kachemak Bay Campus associate professor of history and political science, received the President's Award from the Alaska Historical Society.

Terri Cowart, Kenai River Campus Learning Center adult basic education instructor, received the Alaska Adult Education Association's Educator Award.

Grant notes

The University of Alaska Center for Economic Development was awarded a $200,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant and $70,000 in funding through a Rural Business Opportunity Grant. Both grants support services to historically underserved areas of Alaska including Bethel, Bristol Bay and the Dillingham regions.

Advising and Counseling notes

The new division of Student Access, Advising and Transition is launching "My Major Discovery" program to support the nearly 850 undeclared majors attending UAA. The program is designed to encourage undecided majors to find a degree program right for them, help students commit to their degree and tailor a degree tract that fits their needs.

A Mandatory Orientation and Advising pilot is also underway that includes 774 first-time freshmen. The goal is for all advising centers to meet with at least 90 percent of their advisees before spring registration opens Nov.15. These efforts are important to help keep students on track for graduation.

Publication notes

The New Yorker published on its website a major excerpt (16 pages) from Alaska Quarterly Review's fall and winter 2013 edition.

The Summer 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles on reducing sales of alcohol to underage persons, leading causes of death including homicide and suicide, experience of racism in Anchorage, selection and evaluation of Alaska judges since 1984 and an update from the Criminal Justice Working Group.

UAA held its annual night-time campus safety walk this month identifying potential safety issues, including lights out and trip hazards. This is a good time to do your own "safety walk."  Change your tires, clean your lights and watch out for ghosts and ghouls walking the streets tonight!

Go Seawolves!

Best regards,

Tom Case