Countdown to UA centennial begins
December 13, 2016
By Michelle Renfrew and Emily DrygasCentennial co-chairs, respective directors of university relations and development and alumni relations
It’s the final countdown! We are just a couple weeks away from the start of our centennial year!
UAF’s centennial celebrations will kick off Dec. 31, 2016, with the New Year’s Eve Sparktacular event and continue throughout 2017. It is a time for us to celebrate milestones, share UAF's story and illustrate our crucial role in Alaska.
This year’s Sparktacular will offer a few surprises. The fireworks program will have a centennial flair, and, for the first time, KUAC 89.9 FM will play a music soundtrack that corresponds with the entire program. We hope you will tune in, whether it’s from campus or the comfort of your warm vehicle or living room. If you attend in person, don’t miss out on the hot chocolate generously provided by the University of Alaska Museum of the North! Many thanks to ALL who have been involved in the preparation of this kickoff event, especially our generous sponsors, Mike Thomas of University Chevron and the Fairbanks Curling Lions.
We have a number of centennial events and activities planned for 2017. A special tab outlining these and more will be inserted into the Jan. 29 edition of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. In the meantime, you can find out everything you need to know about UAF’s Centennial at www.uaf.edu/centennial/. Be sure to check out the interactive timeline, video, people profiles and big ideas. These are some of the people and ideas that have helped shape us into the world-class research university we are today … and we’re just getting started.
We cannot express enough our gratitude and appreciation to members of the centennial planning committees and campus community, who have helped create a memorable year of celebrations and activities. A lot of time, thought and effort has contributed to commemorate this important milestone in our history.
Save the date for a few of our signature events along the way. We hope to see you here.
Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Sparktacular kickoff with music on KUAC 89.9 FM
Feb. 11 Blue and Gold Gala
May 3 Anniversary of college creation and Centennial Square dedication
May 6 Centennial commencement ceremony
May 9-11 Week of the Arctic
July 20-22 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion/Golden Days
Nov. 5 Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra performance of commissioned centennial piece
Dec. TBD Holiday gathering and centennial finale
Happy 100th birthday UAF — you have much to celebrate!