Hall of Fame to honor Alaska innovators established
by Michelle Saport |
The Statewide Committee for Research (SCoR), a group designed to promote research and development in Alaska, has established the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors Alaska innovators and their inventions or research contributions.
SCoR, co-chaired by former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and University of Alaska Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research Dana Thomas, selected the inaugural class of twenty innovators from the book Northern Innovators: Alaskans Find a Way by Ned Rozell.
Local innovators Jack Hebert, Bernie Karl and Alex Hills were on hand for the induction ceremony held at a Fairbanks Economic Development Council luncheon on Monday, Dec. 1. The luncheon speakers included UA President Pat Gamble, UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers and former Lt. Governor Treadwell who highlighted the importance of fostering innovative thinking and research to deliver economic growth and address industry needs.
Hills, professor emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University, will chair the subcommittee charged with identifying future innovators for the Hall of Fame. Nominations for the next Hall of Fame class will be announced in early 2015.