Morrow Named UAF College of Liberal Arts Dean

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
06/02/03

Anthropology Professor Phyllis Morrow has been named dean of the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Liberal Arts. Morrow has been with the university since 1978. She has served as interim dean since July of last year and the associate dean from 1999-2002.

Morrow was chair of the anthropology department from 1996-1999. She was an instructor and field coordinator for UAF’s Cross-Cultural Education Development Program. She’s also served as the director of the Yup’ik Eskimo Language Center at the Kuskokwim Community College and the division head in CLA’s Languages and Cultures Division. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard in 1972 and master’s degree and Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1976 and 1987. Morrow conducted her Ph.D. work in Bethel.

"Phyllis has breadth and depth of experience from her graduate work in rural Alaska, her promotion to professor during her academic career and in administration as department chair and as interim dean," said Brian Barnes, search committee chair and director of UAF’s Institute of Arctic Biology. "The committee was impressed with the level of support for Phyllis. She’s interacted with the staff and faculty and understands the cultural environment of the university and Alaska. She’s smart, fair and thoughtful. It’s clear that she really cares about the college and UAF."

As the dean of one of UAF’s largest colleges, Morrow will oversee 130 faculty and 27 departments and programs.

"You don’t have to look far to see the contributions our talented liberal arts faculty, staff and students make to Alaska. I’m excited and honored to have the chance to foster that work and help it grow," said Morrow.

Two other finalists for the position visited UAF, including Roy Moore, associate dean for graduate studies at the University of Kentucky, and Fred Yaffe, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Frostburg State University.

Note to editors: a high-resolution photo is available at www.uaf.edu/pub/univrel/releasephotos/Morrow_Phyllis.jpg

Contact: Phyllis Morrow, CLA Dean at (907) 474-7231 or Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778 or by e-mail to carla.browning@uaf.edu.