April 10, 2023

Dear UAF students, faculty and staff,

I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Steve Okkonen. At the time of his passing, Dr. Okkonen was an active faculty member of physical oceanography at UAF’s College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

Okkonen served on the research faculty at UAF since January 1997. He worked alongside fellow researchers and biologists examining why the Utqiagvik region is a feeding hotspot for bowhead and beluga whales. His dedication to the research led to the expansion of the study to identify potential relationships between ocean currents and bowhead whale migration.

If you or someone you know is struggling with this loss, please don’t struggle alone. Free help is available.

For students, the Student Health and Counseling Center can provide support or counseling. Call 907-474-7043 to speak with someone, or, for more information, visit the student counseling services webpage. Employees are eligible for free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. Please call 1-888-969-0155, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

— Dan White, chancellor