Short takes: people and programs at UAF

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
04/26/07

UAF journalism students win national recognition

The University of Alaska Fairbanks journalism department’s student online publication Extreme Alaska, won a Pacific Northwest regional Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Extreme Alaska took first place as Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication. The collection of stories, "Surviving the Cold Rush," addresses village financial difficulties arising from soaring fuel and utility bills. The project was put together in spring 2006 under the direction of professor Lisa Drew. The awards were handed out March 24 during the SPJ spring conference held at Gonzaga University.

Art instructor wins Japanese digital competition

University of Alaska Fairbanks assistant professor Miho Aoki received the grand prize at the 2006 TORAY Digital Creation Awards. This is the first time Aoki has entered the contest, which is one of the three biggest digital art shows in the world. A Japanese synthetic fabric company runs the show. Aoki is planning on attending the awards ceremony in Tokyo in June. More information, including pictures of Aoki’s work, is available here.

Kleinfeld publishes work with graduate student co-authors

Northern studies director Judith Kleinfeld recently published three papers with graduate students as co-authors. "Postsecondary education gender disparities among Inuit in Alaska: A symptom of male malaise?"? was published in Etudes. "The Gender Gap in Higher Education in the Arctic"? was published by Kleinfeld in the journal Arctic. Both papers were written with Justin Andrews as second author. "Taking it to the Home"? was published in School Counselor magazine with graduate student Ryan Tilbury as first author. Kleinfeld and her graduate students have two other publications in the peer review process in two peer-reviewed journals.

SIFE team members do well in regional competition

The UAF Students In Free Enterprise team won recognition as Rookie of the Year at the SIFE regional competition earlier this month in Seattle. Sherri Wall, as faculty advisor, was awarded the Sam Walton Free Enterprise Fellowship. UAF’s SIFE team is dedicated to establishing a variety of community outreach programs that teach free enterprise. At the competition, the team presented a project on financial literacy involving local K-12 and university students. A second project involved the formation of a new UAF student organization called SWEET, or Students Who Enjoy Economic Thinking. The last project UAF’s SIFE team presented showcased the team’s utilization of e-communications to increase awareness and discussion on economic and public policy issues. SIFE team upcoming projects include launching a recycling program for elementary school children, teaching senior citizens computer literacy and facilitating entrepreneurial ventures in Alaska villages.

English professor receives Fulbright

George Guthridge, professor of English at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bristol Bay Campus, has been awarded a Fulbright to teach at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College on St. Lucia next year and to set up a unique, career-oriented creative writing program. The emphasis will be on using fiction writing to enhance sales skills, especially in tourism and in real estate. Recently Guthridge received national recognition for his latest book, "The Kids from Nowhere," which is about teaching and triumph in rural Alaska. Royalties from the book will go to build a school in the earthquake-devastated area of Pakistan.

Contact: Marmian Grimes, public information officer, at (907) 474-7902 or e-mail marmian.grimes@uaf.edu for more information.