Hamilton names Rogers to permanent post

Submitted by Kate Ripley
Phone: 907-450-8102
05/14/09

University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton today announced that Brian Rogers will serve as permanent chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

"Brian is the right person for this position," Hamilton said. "And this is the right time to appoint him. I cannot justify an expensive, lengthy national search involving multiple candidates that would, I’m convinced, lead me to the person I have on the job right now."

Hamilton said he made the decision after consulting with the UA Board of Regents and meeting with students, community members, elected officials, business leaders, staff and faculty members, and alumni. All have shown tremendous support for Rogers. He said Rogers has proven that he has the skills necessary to lead the complex research and teaching institution.

"UAF has a talented faculty, a diverse community of students, hard-working staff and dedicated alumni. I’m honored to serve as permanent chancellor," Rogers said. "My goal is to build on our strengths to make UAF the most student- and community-friendly institution we can be, while still maintaining our tremendous presence in arctic research, a quality education and solid workforce training."

Rogers is a longtime Fairbanks resident and state leader. He served for seven years as the UA system’s finance vice president, four years in the Alaska State House and eight years as a member of the UA Board of Regents, three of those as chair. A former UAF student, he attended Trinity College and Brown University before receiving his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

In 1996, Rogers formed one of Alaska’s leading economic and public policy consulting firms, Information Insights. He served as principal consultant and chief financial officer prior to being named interim chancellor a year ago.

UAF operates campuses in Fairbanks, Nome, Kotzebue, Bethel and Dillingham as well as rural centers in Fort Yukon, Galena, McGrath, Tok and Unalaska. The Tanana Valley Campus in downtown Fairbanks also belongs to the UAF family of campuses.

UAF is the UA system’s research hub, responsible for more than 90 percent of the federal research grants UA researchers secure each year from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. It also is home to a significant community outreach component through the statewide Cooperative Extension Service and 4-H program.

Rogers, 58, is married to UAF alumna Sherry Modrow. They have two grown sons, including one UAF graduate. Rogers is a member of numerous community organizations including the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Fairbanks Downtown Rotary and many others. Annual salary for the position is $262,707.

CONTACT: Kate Ripley, UA public affairs director, at 907-450-8102 or kate.ripley@alaska.edu. Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or marmian.grimes@uaf.edu.