News briefs

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
10/10/08

UAF dean elected to national science fellowship
Lawrence Duffy, interim dean of the graduate school and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UAF, has been elected a SENCER Leadership Fellow by the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement. The fellowship is designed to honor educators for their exemplary leadership and commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction. SENCER, Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities, is a faculty development and education reform initiative sponsored by the National Science Foundation. As part of the program, Duffy is working to encourage SENCER projects through the UAF honors department as well as in the rural community campuses throughout Alaska.

Summer Sessions wins regional award
UAF Summer Sessions recently earned three awards at the Western Association of Summer Sessions Administrators annual meeting in Bellingham, Wash. The program received best website and best catalog awards, as well as recognition for "best stolen idea" for their adaptation of the theme of Brown University’s summer program, Summer@Brown, to Summer@UAF. WASSA draws its members from universities and colleges with campuses west of the Rocky Mountains, including UCLA, Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, the University of Oregon, Washington State University and several others.

Theatre UAF features Winter Shorts
The Student Drama Association at UAF will present its annual Winter Shorts this weekend and next. The performances feature two one-act plays, produced by, directed by and starring UAF students. "Acting Without Words" by Samuel Beckett is an existentialist piece featuring one actor attempting to escape the stage and constantly being forced to return. "The Author’s Voice" by David Greenberg, is about an author whose stories come from an interesting source: a gnome who lives within his walls. Performances will be in the Salisbury Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays. Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 17-18 at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for general admission.

Alaska statehood celebration
The UA Civic Conversation, "Alaska 2058: The Next 50 Years," will take place on Alaska Day, Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2-5 p.m. in Anchorage. The event, part of a celebration of Alaska’s statehood, will be teleconferenced to the Board of Regents’ conference room in the Butrovich Building at UAF, as well as to UAS. A panel of diverse Alaskans will share their visions and views with Alaska’s next generation and answer questions from the statewide audience. The event is free and open to the public.

CONTACT: Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu.

KCK/10-10-08/048brfs-09