Thanks to UAA Faculty and Staff Association!
A distinguished UAA Faculty and Staff Association group has invited Legislative candidates, including me, to participate in a UAA Alaska Legislative Candidate Fair next Monday, September 22 from Noon until 3 p.m. Since this campaign centers on the University and Hospital area and since we have so many UAA students supporting my New Energy for East Anchorage campaign, I’m hoping to see many of you on the 22nd at the Student Union. Special thanks to the following for extending the invitation: Kim Stanford, President, Student Assembly; Ann Bridges, President, UAA Faculty Senate; Megan Carlson, President, UAA Classified Council; Julia Martinez, President, UAA APT Council; Steve Rollins, Co-Chair, UAA Faculty & Staff Association; and Karl Wing, President, USUAA.
The invitation asks candidates to be prepared to discuss Legislative priorities and, of course, I will look forward to that opportunity since supporting educational excellence at all levels, and funding that effort accordingly, is among my highest priorities.
On a personal note, it will be great to be back in the comfortable University environment. A few months ago I joined my friend, General Tom Case, as a guest teacher for a UAA Masters Class. Last year, Professor Jim LaBelle had me discuss the history of ANSCA and the Alaska Gas Pipeline in his Native Studies Class. I taught Bank Marketing and Public Relations for ACC in the 1970s (with such stellar students as Anchorage banking legend, Frank Reed) and helped start the Alaska Council on Economic Education office here. I created the Howard Rock Journalism Fellowship for UAF when the Tundra Times was having a hard time surviving and when Native students needed assistance. I served as Advancement Director at AMU then Vice President of Advancement at APU. I once served on the UAA Chancellor’s advisory council. My wife’s first Alaskan job was with the UAA Theater Department and my son has acted on the Wendy Williamson stage many times. Of course, my admiration for and friendship with Wendy Williamson and many of UAA’s great leaders, teachers and patrons have made me feel a part of the University family, though saying that out loud now sounds a little presumptious. But at least you now know why it is always such a joy to return to the Campus in yet another capacity.
-Dave