Memorial reception for Brina Kessel is Friday
March 7, 2016
Professor and ornithologist Brina Cattell Kessel Roof passed away on March 1, 2016.
Brina came to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1951 after earning her Ph.D. from Cornell University. She rose quickly from instructor to full professor and was appointed head of the Department of Biological Sciences in 1957. She was named dean of the College of Biological Sciences and Renewable Resources in 1962 and held the position until 1972. After serving in other positions, in 1980 she declined further administrative responsibilities in order to concentrate her efforts on research and the development of the University of Alaska Museum.
Brina published numerous ornithological papers and books and received many honors. She was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1960 and given fellowship in the American Ornithologists' Union in 1973. She was also a fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America. In 1993, a Friends of Brina Kessel Committee established the Brina Kessel Medal for Excellence in Science to be awarded annually to honor an outstanding University of Alaska undergraduate science student.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Alaska Foundation (fund 40815), P.O. Box 755080, Fairbanks, AK 99775, to support Brina's "Birds of Alaska" project. A reception will be held on Friday, March 11, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., with a short program from 4-4:15 p.m., at the conference room of the University of Alaska Museum of the North.