Welcome to the 2017 spring semester

January 19, 2017

We’re in for a busy year as we celebrate our centennial. We kicked off the year with the Sparktacular on Dec. 31. We’ll continue the celebration Feb. 11 at the Blue and Gold Gala, where we will raise money for the Centennial Cornerstone Scholarship and Fellowship Endowment. On May 3, we'll host a community event to celebrate the university’s creation as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines.

We will also be celebrating our people.

The deadline for nominations for the 2017 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Service Awards has been extended to Feb. 3, and the Chancellor's Cornerstone Award staff nominations are due Feb. 10. Please consider nominating your colleagues for these awards.

The search for a new UAF chancellor, chaired by Karen Perdue, is now underway. Candidate applications are due March 1.

Here are a few other important dates.

The decisions for Strategic Pathways phase 1 are complete and work is progressing on phase 2. The third phase will begin soon. The Summit Team received phase 2 options this week. Options will be available next week for you to provide feedback via the website. Phase 3 teams have been identified, and review teams will begin meeting Jan. 30.

Our 95th commencement will be in Fairbanks on May 6. This change to a Saturday follows the common calendar adopted by campuses statewide.

Commencement will be followed by the Week of the Arctic, May 8-14. The week's events coincide with the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Fairbanks on May 11. The U.S. secretary of state and dignitaries from the other seven Arctic nations are expected to attend the meeting.

It's going to be an exciting semester.

Please take time out for yourselves, and take care of each other, as we plan and prepare for the next 100 years.

— Dana Thomas, UAF chancellor