Chancellor Lind Receives AFN Denali Award

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
10/28/02

UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind and Gov. Tony Knowles each received the 2002 Denali Award, the top honor given by the Alaska Federation of Natives bestows to non-Natives, at the AFN annual convention last week.

Lind was noted for his commitment to serving the educational needs of rural and Native Alaskans dating back to 1961 when he moved to Kwigillingok as a first-year teacher for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was nominated by JoAnn Ducharme, director of the UAF Rural Student Services program.

"Lind has dedicated much of his personal and professional life to Alaska Native people in many different arenas," said Ducharme.

Included in the nomination packet were several pages of signatures from people around the state who supported Lind’s nomination. In her letter Ducharme praised Lind for attending every RSS function and volunteering for many student-related events on campus.

"The Linds do not ’make appearances’ at our events," wrote Ducharme. "They come to visit, to laugh, to participate with us."

Lind was commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education from 1971-1983, and again from 1986-1987, serving under four governors for a combined total of more than 13 years. During his tenure as commissioner he was involved in the creation of the Regional Educational Attendance Areas and the implementation of the Molly Hootch Consent decree. He was the superintendent of schools for the Kodiak Island Borough School District from 1969-1971.

"Marshall Lind came into the land of Alaska and taught by word and conduct," said Native leader Walter Soboleff in a letter of support. "His presence extended beyond the class, office and school grounds. He became a part of the community and its hunting lifestyle."

Lind received his Ph.D. in educational administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., his master’s degree in education from the University of Montana in Missoula, and his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He is the recipient of a distinguished alumni award from Northwestern.

Lind has served on various national committees including a United States presidential appointment to the National Adult Education Council. He has also served as an executive board member of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

He has been an active member of Rotary and serves on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Economic Development Commission. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska SeaLife Center. He and his wife, Lois, have three children and three grandchildren.

Contact: Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778 or JoAnn Ducharme at (907) 474-7871 for more information.