Peak Trust Company Donates $50,000 to Finance Lab

Peak Trust Company announced this week that it is supporting the College of Business and Public Policy’s new finance lab with a $50,000 donation made possible by the Horejsi Charitable Foundation.

The First National Bank Finance Lab, located on the second floor of Rasmuson Hall, is expected to open in Fall 2023. Peak Trust’s investment will enhance the lab through state-of-the-art technology equipment, hi-tech furnishings, hardware, software, and subscription services.

CONTACT: Matt Jardin

How Black Holes Answer Our Biggest Questions

Erin Hicks, professor in UAA’s Department of Astronomy and Physics, is asking some really big questions — perhaps the biggest question that has ever existed — why are we here?

She may be one step closer to finding the answer.

Last fall, Hicks and her collaborators were awarded observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for two research projects to be carried out as part of a larger effort known as the Galactic Activity, Torus and Outflow Survey (GATOS). Hicks’ JWST research time is focused on studying supermassive black holes. This summer, JWST began providing Hicks and her team with photos and data.

CONTACT: Matt Jardin 

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Newly found photos shed light on 1910 Denali climb

An unexpected find in a University of Alaska Fairbanks archive has revealed more information about the oft-debated April 1910 Sourdough Expedition climb of Denali, North America’s highest mountain.

Photographs found by UAF Geophysical Institute professor Matthew Sturm in the university’s Rasmuson Library archives in October show the climbing party at about 16,500 feet — far higher on the 20,310-foot mountain than previously seen.

CONTACT: Rod Boyce

Ancient moose antlers hint of early arrival

When a great deal of Earth’s water was locked up within mountains of ice, our ancestors scampered across a dry corridor from what is today Siberia over to Alaska. Those adventurous souls may have been accompanied by another creature that needed wood — the moose.

That is the notion of Pam Groves, a scientist who recreates ancient landscapes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She recently wrote a paper on moose occupation of Alaska’s North Slope based on ancient moose antlers and bones she has found during decades of floating northern waterways. Dan Mann and Mike Kunz co-authored the paper.

 CONTACT: Ned Rozell

University of Alaska Southeast

Tidal Echoes elevates LGBTQ2S+ voices in 19th edition

Featured Writer Lin Davis and Featured Artist Chloey Klawk Shaa Cavanaugh are bringing some “unapologetically queer” content to the 19th edition of “Tidal Echoes.”

“Tidal Echoes” is Southeast Alaska’s literary and arts journal, publishing poetry, prose, and artwork from around the region. A quarter of the entries in “Tidal Echoes” are reserved for UAS students.

The journal closed submissions for this year on December 1. 

 CONTACT: Olive Brend, “Tidal Echoes” Fall Editor

UA System Office

Juneau third grader is winner of annual $25,000 scholarship account from Alaska 529

Alaska 529 announced recently that Maxine Peterson was randomly selected as the winner of this year’s $25,000 scholarship account giveaway. 
Maxine, 8, attends Kax̲dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School in Juneau, AK. Alaska 529 surprised the third grader with the announcement during a school assembly. She is the first winner from Southeast Alaska.
Maxine’s parents, Samantha Jenkins and Carl Peterson, were notified shortly after she was randomly selected.

CONTACT: Lael Oldmixon

UA System "Did You Know?"

Did you know that over the last 100 years the University of Alaska has built a tremendous foundation in Arctic research and education?

The university has built a tremendous foundation in Arctic research and education. That foundation is our springboard for the next 100 years of Arctic leadership. The university's biggest strength is excellence in research, teaching, and the emerging focus on Arctic security.
This video explores UA’s expertise and role across the circumpolar North. It is and will continue to be critically important for the university to collaboratively build strategic and scientific knowledge and exert its role in the global Arctic.

CONTACT: Robbie Graham