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A week from tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the year, Commencement! It is inspiring
to shake the hands of UAF graduates as they walk across the stage and receive the
degrees they have worked so hard for. As students wrap up their finals and offices
across the university prep for one of the biggest events of the year, I am thinking
about the value of the degree that UAF students receive. A college diploma itself
is just a piece of paper, but it symbolizes the achievement of a journey that started
with a decision. A decision based on an analysis of puts and takes, or in other words,
return on investment (ROI). For the past decade or so, there has been a national conversation
about the value of a college degree. People from all different perspectives and backgrounds
have been asking, is a college degree worth it? Before I answer that (spoiler alert
- I am going to say YES), I need to know how you (or they) define "worth it." Continue reading this week's Friday Focus.
 The Alaska Berry Futures Project promotes understanding and sharing of the impacts
of climate change on northern berry species and recently expanded its berry booklet
series to include a third species, the lowbush cranberry. The series has previously
published guides for the cloudberry and blueberry. Read more about the Alaska Berry Futures Project.
Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary sound artist Nikki Lindt will offer a special seminar
on April 26 at 2 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium. Lindt will discuss the trajectory of her art practice, ranging from the exploration
of thawing permafrost in the Arctic Circle to uncovering a world of underground sound
in the parks and natural areas of New York City. Lindt will also share the relationship between her imagery and acoustic recordings
and how her journey of discovery and collaboration led her to new ways of thinking
about the broader ecosystem, as well as the role of art in our rapidly changing world
due to climate change. Learn more about the seminar co-hosted by The MIX, The UAF Music Department, and Center
ICE.
Family programs at the University of Alaska Museum of the North will explore the theme
of spring in May. Read more on the events.
UAF in the News
What the Heck Is Seaweed Mining? (Hakai Magazine)
UAF Innovation Competition awards $45,000 in prizes (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Public Awareness, Engagement Needed to Monitor Risk of Spreading Bird Flu to Mammals (KNOM)
Scientists, communities work together to monitor Alaska ice conditions (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers using drones to measure sea ice (Alaska's News Source)
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