Past award recipients


Brandon Boylan
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Brandon Boylan is the 2024 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award.

Brandon Boylan

2024 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

In numerous letters supporting his nomination, Boylan’s colleagues and students describe him as a model scholar-educator who upholds rigorous academic standards while offering generous encouragement and support to graduate and undergraduate students and colleagues.

Boylan’s expertise includes international relations and security, political violence, ethnic conflict, separatist movements, and Arctic politics and security. He joined UAF’s Department of Political Science, which he currently chairs, in 2013, and he has served as director of Arctic and Northern studies since 2020. Boylan co-founded the Model Arctic Council, an academic program that involves students from around the circumpolar North in collaborative learning exercises related to Arctic challenges and concerns.

Boylan holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania; a master’s in international studies from the University of Limerick in Ireland; a master’s of business administration from UAF; and a doctoral degree in international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

 

William R. Simpson
UAF photo by Eric Engman
William R. Simpson is the 2024 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award.

William R. Simpson

2024 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

Simpson is an environmental chemist known for his pioneering research into how the cold and dark winter climate of the Arctic affects the atmospheric processing of pollution. To support this work, he has developed novel spectroscopic instruments to measure trace gases and reactive radicals. He also conducts field experiments into Arctic ozone depletion events.

Simpson is the principal investigator for the Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis project, or ALPACA. This groundbreaking collaboration brought together scientists, public servants and community members to investigate how air pollution behaves in Fairbanks’ winter. In letters of support, Simpson’s colleagues noted that the combination of scientific research with community outreach and education produced results with significant implications for public health and policy in urban environments across the Arctic.

Simpson joined the faculty at UAF in 1997. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a mathematics minor from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Stanford University.

 

Katie Spellman
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Katie Spellman is the 2024 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award.

Katie Spellman

2024 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

Spellman is an ecologist and educator known for making science accessible, relatable and inclusive to all people. Born and raised in Fairbanks, she has devoted her career to sharing her expertise and passion for science with the people most affected by the changing climate: Indigenous communities and children.

Spellman has volunteered hundreds of hours mentoring K-12 students’ research, organizing science fairs and co-creating citizen science projects to address pressing local issues. Two example projects, Fresh Eyes on Ice and Winterberry, engage Alaska youths in researching native berry species and freshwater ice conditions to improve health and well-being, food security and safety.

Spellman received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She holds a master’s in biology and a Ph.D. in biological sciences from UAF, where she did her postdoctoral fellowship in education and outreach.


 

Dr. Amy Cooper
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Amy Cooper is the 2023 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award.

Dr. Amy Cooper

2023 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Amy Cooper has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2007; and, as a teacher of accounting, she receives tremendous reviews from students, who cite her creative, enthusiastic class presentations, her attention to individual students and her generous mentoring of student organizations and activities; and  

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper, after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, spent several years working at private firms; and she began teaching at UAF as an adjunct instructor before joining the faculty in 2009; and she completed her doctorate in business administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in May 2023; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper has advised both the student accounting organization and its volunteer income tax assistance program; and she helped create an annual student seminar to promote professional etiquette; and she has led the Alaska Society of CPAs’ effort to create a leadership academy that connects students to the profession; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Amy Cooper; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Amy Cooper, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this eleventh day of May, 2023.

 

Stefanie Ickert-Bond
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Stefanie Ickert-Bond is the 2023 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award.

Dr. Stefanie Ickert-Bond

2023 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Stefanie Ickert-Bond has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2006; and her prolific research has earned her an international reputation; and, as curator of the University of Alaska Museum of the North’s herbarium, she has been a global leader in the digitization of botanical data and images; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ickert-Bond earned her doctorate from Arizona State University in 2003 and conducted research and taught before joining UAF’s faculty; and she has secured $2.7 million in grants to support her and her students’ research; and she has produced 89 journal papers; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ickert-Bond’s research, which integrates molecular approaches with field studies, morphology, anatomy and paleobotany, identifies evolutionary relationships and ancient migration patterns within plant groups, information that, among other benefits, is essential for the ecological studies needed for management of Alaska’s resources; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Stefanie Eckert-Bond; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Stefanie Ickert-Bond, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this eleventh day of May, 2023.

 

John George
UAF photo by Eric Engman
John George is the 2023 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. John George

2023 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Mr. John George has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2008; and he has greatly expanded and improved the quality of the UAF Community and Technical College’s fire science program, benefiting not only its students but also Fairbanks and other communities across Alaska and beyond; and

WHEREAS Mr. George has worked in fire services for 32 years; and he earned an associate degree in municipal fire protection and a bachelor’s in education from UAF; and he is pursuing a master’s in security and disaster management; and

WHEREAS Mr. George, as head of the fire science program, created a system to place student firefighters at volunteer departments and significantly enhanced student recruiting, all of which alleviated severe local station staffing shortages; and he embedded essential training on mental health care, suicide prevention and cancer prevention into the fire program’s curriculum; and, among many other volunteer activities, he serves as a battalion chief at Chena-Goldstream Fire & Rescue;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. John George; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Mr. John George, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this eleventh day of May, 2023.


Margaret Darrow
UAF photo by Leif Van Cise
Margaret Darrow is the 2022 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award.

Dr. Margaret Darrow

2022 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Margaret Darrow has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2008; and, as a teacher of geological engineering, she receives superlative reviews from students for leading unforgettable field trips, for her personalized attention to student needs and for her high standards for written materials; and

WHEREAS Dr. Darrow, after earning her bachelor's degree in geology at the University of Washington, spent almost a decade teaching, both as a secondary teacher in rural Alaska and as a UAF graduate assistant while earning a master's in geology and a bachelor's in geological engineering; and she worked as a geotechnical engineering assistant for the State of Alaska while earning her doctorate at UAF; and

WHEREAS Dr. Darrow not only has been the principal advisor for thirteen master's students but also has guided nearly two dozen undergraduate students in the conduct of high-quality research;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Margaret Darrow; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Margaret Darrow, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this twenty-ninth day of April, 2022.

 

Stefanie Ickert-Bond
UAF photo by Eric Engman
Stefanie Ickert-Bond is the 2023 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award.

Dr. Uma Bhatt

2022 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Uma Bhatt has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998; and her multifaceted investigations have made her an international leader in climate research; and

WHEREAS Dr. Bhatt earned bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering and Russian from the University of Pittsburgh and master's and doctorate degrees in atmospheric sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and at UAF, during just the past five years, she has published 57 peer-reviewed papers while leading or co-leading research projects with grant funding of nearly $24 million; and

WHEREAS Dr. Bhatt's wide-ranging efforts include creation of high-resolution climate data across Alaska, development of methods to predict sea ice extent, explanation of changes in tundra vegetation and creation of methods to seasonally forecast wildland fire conditions, all of which contribute knowledge useful to scientists, resource managers and industries;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Uma Bhatt; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Uma Bhatt, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this twenty-ninth day of April, 2022.

 

John George
UAF photo by Eric Engman
John George is the 2023 recipient of the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. M. Syndonia Bret-Harte

2022 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. M. Syndonia Bret-Harte has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998 and has been a key driver in the success of the UAF Institute of Arctic Biology's Toolik Field Station, now recognized as a world-class facility serving Arctic scientists; and

WHEREAS Dr. Bret-Harte earned her doctorate in biology at Stanford University; and at UAF she has been a highly productive scientist and faculty member while serving as Toolik's associate science director and science co-director; and

WHEREAS Dr. Bret-Harte has contributed to every major decision about Toolik Field Station for the past two decades, during which the station attracted $50 million in U.S. and European funding; has enthusiastically conveyed the station's importance for Arctic science to policymakers, agency leaders and the public; and has served as a reviewer for multiple academic journals and science initiatives, and on The Nature Conservancy's Alaska chapter board;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. M. Syndonia Bret-Harte; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. M. Syndonia Bret-Harte, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this twenty-ninth day of April, 2022.

2021 Usibelli award winners


Dr. Denise Thorsen

Dr. Denise Thorsen

2021 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Denise Thorsen has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2001; and, as a teacher of electrical engineering, she draws superb reviews from students, who appreciate her focus on real-world applications, her incorporation of peer mentoring and her informal encouragement of their individual successes; and

WHEREAS Dr. Thorsen started her career in the aerospace industry before earning her graduate degrees and spending several years as a research scientist; and, as a UAF professor, she has been highly successful in using an innovative “flipped” teaching method where classes focus on problem-solving; and

WHEREAS Dr. Thorsen directs the Space Systems Engineering Program, through which she has helped students create small satellites, develop communication technologies and create ideas for future space missions; and her students in the program have gone on to great career successes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Denise Thorsen; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Denise Thorsen, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of February 27, 2021.


Dr. Donald Walker

Dr. Donald “Skip” Walker

2021 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Donald “Skip” Walker has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1999; and his voluminous and much-cited research has made him the world's leading expert on Arctic vegetation and its role in ecosystems; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walker came to Alaska as a oil field roustabout in 1969, began his graduate research on the North Slope in 1972 and has studied Arctic vegetation ever since; and, after coming to UAF, he established the Alaska Geobotany Center, which researches and maps Arctic vegetation and its relationships with geophysical processes; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walker's highly collaborative research has helped illuminate how Arctic vegetation interacts with permafrost, snow, sea ice and disturbances such as roads and petroleum development; and he has helped create international systems to monitor and map vegetation and soils across the circumpolar Arctic;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Donald “Skip” Walker; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Donald “Skip” Walker, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of February 27, 2021.


Dr. Eduard Zilberkant

Dr. Eduard Zilberkant

2021 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Eduard Zilberkant has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1997; and, through his multiple roles, he has sustained the presentation of exceptional musical performances in Fairbanks and across Alaska; and

WHEREAS Dr. Zilberkant, whose family completed a risky emigration from Russia to the United States in the 1970s, earned his doctorate in piano performance and taught at a number of universities before joining UAF's faculty; and, in addition to teaching, he not only serves as music director and conductor of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and Arctic Chamber Orchestra but also performs internationally; and

WHEREAS Dr. Zilberkant enthusiastically nurtures local musicians and attracts prestigious guest artists, sustaining the symphony and ensuring its status as one of the nation's top all-volunteer ensembles; and he has twice brought an international e-piano competition to Fairbanks;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Eduard Zilberkant; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Eduard Zilberkant, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of February 27, 2021.

2020 Usibelli award winners


Diane McEachern

Dr. Diane McEachern

2020 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Diane McEachern has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2004; and, as a teacher of rural human services, her clarity of instruction and incorporation of Indigenous perspectives earns the deep appreciation of her students; and

WHEREAS Dr. McEachern joined the Lower Kuskokwim School District in 1998 as a social worker, serving communities throughout western Alaska; and, as a UAF faculty member and program head at the Kuskokwim Campus, she has taught thirty-two courses in social work and human services, led behavioral health camps for teens, and participated in two large community-based research projects; and

WHEREAS Dr. McEachern teaches groups of primarily Indigenous students who seek to help their communities; and her classes feature hands-on work, small groups, discussion of students' own experiences and the participation of Indigenous elders;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Diane McEachern; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Diane McEachern, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of February 8, 2020.


Katrin Iken

Dr. Katrin Iken

2020 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Katrin Iken has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2002; and her prolific research has established her as a leading authority in the study of high-latitude benthic ecology; and

WHEREAS Dr. Iken began working in the early 1990s in both Arctic and Antarctic waters, where she has since completed almost 40 marine research expeditions; and she has published more than one hundred peer-reviewed papers and helped secure more than $18 million in funding while also guiding multiple graduate students; and

WHEREAS Dr. Iken's studies have illuminated numerous features of northern and southern marine ecosystems, particularly the food webs that support them; and she and her students have recently established the importance of terrestrial material washed into northern oceans as a food source for benthic organisms; and she leads efforts to establish long-term monitoring projects that track northern marine biodiversity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Katrin Iken; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Katrin Iken, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of February 8, 2020.


Jaunelle Celaire

Dr. Jaunelle Celaire

2020 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Jaunelle Celaire has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2003; and, as a professor of voice, her numerous activities have enriched communities across the state; and

WHEREAS Dr. Celaire, after earning her doctorate in Michigan, wholeheartedly joined the Fairbanks musical arts community; and she has presented or participated in dozens of recitals, concerts, productions and competitions not only in Fairbanks but across the globe, all while leading the Choir of the North, teaching, providing private instruction and volunteering on multiple fronts; and

WHEREAS some of Dr. Celaire's activities include organizing an annual concert by local school music teachers, adjudicating state high school competitions, directing high school honor choirs across the state, teaching opera and gospel choir at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, and leading the UAF Summer Music Academy's voice and choral program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Jaunelle Celaire; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Jaunelle Celaire, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of February 8, 2020.

2019 Usibelli award winners


Charles Mason

 Mr. Charles Mason

2019 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Mr. Charles Mason has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1990; and his energy, expertise, enthusiasm and generosity are greatly appreciated by his students; and

WHEREAS Mr. Mason, after earning a science degree, began his career in the 1980s as an award-winning newspaper and freelance photographer locally and nationally; and, as a UAF journalism and art faculty member, he led the transition from film to digital photography, created bachelor's and master's degree programs in fine art photography, and recently developed exemplary online classes; and

WHEREAS Mr. Mason's students describe him as an avid learner who constantly challenges himself; and he leads fast-paced, playful classes where he gives helpful criticism and encourages students to offer and accept the same; and he is generous with his time and expertise, while tailoring his instruction to each student's level;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Charles Mason; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Mr. Charles Mason, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of April 29, 2019.


Katey Walter-Anthony

 Dr. Katey Walter Anthony

2019 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Katey Walter Anthony has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2007; and her research on the climate feedback effects of carbon gases released from thawing permafrost has made her a world leader in the field; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walter Anthony, who first began studying in Russia in the early 1990s as a high school student, completed her doctorate at UAF on methane emissions in Siberian thermokarst lakes, a topic that she has continued to investigate as a research faculty member at the Institute of Northern Engineering; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walter Anthony's studies of the permafrost carbon feedback to climate warming have influenced climate science worldwide; and she has had an exceptionally high success rate in funding proposals and publishing the results; and

she is an outstanding science ambassador, working locally and nationally with media, educators and government leaders;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Katey Walter Anthony; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Katey Walter Anthony, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of April 29, 2019.


Michael West

  Dr. Michael West

2019 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Michael West has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2004; and he has used his scientific expertise to advocate in Alaska and across the nation for better responses to seismic and volcanic hazards; and

WHEREAS Dr. West, after earning his doctorate at Columbia University in 2001, became a highly productive researcher at UAF, studying earthquakes and volcanoes in Alaska and other regions; and

WHEREAS Dr. West, who was named state seismologist and Alaska Earthquake Center director in 2012, has focused his recent work on service; and he promoted passage of three major congressional acts and successfully advocated policy changes to state leaders; and he prioritized public engagement through news interviews, social media, tours and other outreach; and he initiated better coordination between Alaska's earthquake responders;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Michael West; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Michael West, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of April 29, 2019.

2018 Usibelli award winners

 


Patty Martinez Meritt. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Patty Martinez Meritt

2018 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Ms. Patty Martinez Meritt has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1986; and is beloved by her students for her unstinting and personalized support of their individual academic and professional goals, and for inspiring them to excellence through her own demonstration of commitment to the field of early childhood education; and

WHEREAS Ms. Meritt been instrumental in expanding the type and scope of education-related offerings at the University, including professional development projects, instructional videos, community workshops and a bachelor's degree program; and

WHEREAS Ms. Meritt has pursued new teaching avenues as technological advances became available, including developing the first correspondence and web-based classes for early childhood education, thereby expanding students' educational opportunities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Ms. Patty Martinez Meritt; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Ms. Patty Martinez Meritt, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 7, 2018.

 

 


Matthew Wooller. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Matthew Wooller

2018 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Matthew Wooller has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2002; and has been an extremely productive and innovative research scientist, especially regarding isotope techniques in environmental and ecological studies, with a remarkable number of publications in peer-reviewed journals; and

WHEREAS Dr. Wooller has been extremely successful in securing important grants, including one from the National Science Foundation that now provides Alaska with a technology previously unavailable in the State; and

WHEREAS Dr. Wooller excels in teaching students modern methods and applications of stable isotope analysis; and is greatly admired by both colleagues and students for his leadership, collegiality and professionalism;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Matthew Wooller; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Matthew Wooller, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 7, 2018.

 

 


Charlie Dexter. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Mr. Charles N. Dexter

2018 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Mr. Charles N. Dexter has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1985; and has used his enthusiasm and creativity to forge new programs and partnerships that have expanded the educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for countless Alaskans; and

WHEREAS Mr. Dexter was instrumental in the development of a dual high school and college enrollment program, helping to raise many thousands of dollars to help defray the cost to students; and

WHEREAS Mr. Dexter is respected in the community for his blend of business acumen and customer service focus that he employs to help businesses and nonprofit organizations achieve success and recognition; and is well-known in the Interior for his long-running newspaper columns on service and civic engagement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Charles N. Dexter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Mr. Charles N. Dexter, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 7, 2018.

2017 award recipients

 


Sarah Fowell. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Sarah J. Fowell

2017 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Sarah J. Fowell has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1997; and brings creativity and richness to her classroom by skillfully employing active learning in her courses; and expects her students to think critically but does so in a way that encourages collaboration and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS Dr. Fowell, despite the challenging nature of her classes, receives consistently high ratings in student evaluations; and has also received, among several other honors, the College of Natural Science and Mathematics Outstanding Teaching Award and the Rural Student Services Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award; and

WHEREAS Dr. Fowell's leadership includes service as Department Chair of the Department of Geosciences and as Director of the GeoFORCE program, which encourages rural Alaska high school students to pursue college degrees in the STEM fields;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Sarah J. Fowell; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Sarah J. Fowell, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 1, 2017.

 

 


Eugénie Euskirchen. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Eugénie Susanne Euskirchen

2017 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Eugénie Euskirchen has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2004; and is a highly sought-after collaborator for complex, international studies on how Arctic regions may influence global climate change; and

WHEREAS Dr. Euskirchen's expertise in modeling effects of changes in climate on Arctic and boreal terrestrial ecosystems, and how these effects on ecosystems may feed back to influence the global climate system, has put the University at the forefront of ecosystem modeling; and her field measurements of eddy covariance have made her an international leader in that area, further enhancing the University's reputation; and

WHEREAS Dr. Euskirchen has been extremely successful in publishing papers in prestigious journals and in receiving highly competitive grants; and she has mentored graduate students and postdoctoral associates in interdisciplinary climate research;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Eugénie Susanne Euskirchen; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Eugénie Susanne Euskirchen, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 1, 2017.

 

 


Erin Pettit. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Erin C. Pettit

2017 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Erin C. Pettit has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2008; and is an outstanding science researcher with a deep and abiding commitment to equity in the sciences and to mentoring the next generation of researchers; and

WHEREAS Dr. Pettit developed the highly regarded Girls on Ice program, an annual field research experience through which teenage girls learn about glaciers, glaciology and science in general, but perhaps most profoundly, learn about themselves and their potential for future intellectual pursuits; and

WHEREAS Dr. Pettit has made a difference by explaining the climate-related changes in the polar regions to the general public; and her combined talents as an excellent researcher in her own right and as an outreach expert and scientific community leader resulted in her being named a National Geographic Society Emerging Explorer;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Erin C. Pettit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Erin C. Pettit, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 1, 2017.

2016 award recipients


Mary Ehrlander. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Mary F. Ehrlander

2016 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Mary F. Ehrlander has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2001; and is an exemplary teacher whose mentorship has been instrumental in the successful completion of many students' degrees; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ehrlander's students greatly respect and appreciate her rigorous intellectual standards, expertise in both subject matter and academic protocols, and her unwavering support and judicious guidance; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ehrlander's genuine devotion to the personal and professional development of her students inspires them to emulate her through leadership, team building and effective collaboration in their own fields, to the betterment of all;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Mary F. Ehrlander; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Mary F. Ehrlander, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of December 5, 2016.

 

 


David Newman. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. David E. Newman

2016 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. David E. Newman has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998; and is a world-class physicist who has made seminal contributions to plasma physics, fusion plasmas and complex systems dynamics; and

WHEREAS Dr. Newman's exceptional work outside his primary field has far-reaching implications for a range of vital challenges, including supercomputers and global energy networks; and

WHEREAS Dr. Newman complements his exceptional research by communicating it effectively and widely, such that he was also awarded the Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015; and is internationally recognized for his leadership in research;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. David E. Newman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. David E. Newman, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of December 5, 2016.

 

 


Laura Diane Carsten Conner. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.

Dr. Laura Diane Carsten Conner

2016 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Laura Diane Carsten Conner has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2007; and is a tireless proponent of the importance of learning science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — STEAM — in all age groups, but especially among middle-school girls; and

WHEREAS Dr. Conner's positive attitude, structured and fair approach, attention to detail, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity have made her a respected and sought-after STEAM trainer for teachers and parents; and

WHEREAS Dr. Conner has dedicated her career to engaging students in science and in bridging the gaps between K-12 and college, and between the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the local community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Laura Diane Carsten Conner; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Laura Diane Carsten Conner, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of December 5, 2016.

2015 award recipients

 


David Newman. UAF photo by Todd Paris.

Dr. David E. Newman

2015 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. David E. Newman has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998; and has long demonstrated creativity in, enthusiasm for and dedication to student learning, earning him great respect and high regard from his students and making him a highly sought-after advisor; and

WHEREAS Dr. Newman has taught across the spectrum of the physics curriculum, from undergraduate courses for nonmajors to highly specialized graduate courses and seminars; and

WHEREAS Dr. Newman has extended his educational mission beyond the University, presenting in public forums and teaching in lifelong learning settings; and whose excellence in education led to his being named a Fellow of the American Physical Society;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. David E. Newman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. David E. Newman, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of November 19, 2015.

 

 


Hajo Eicken. UAF photo by Todd Paris.

Dr. Hajo Eicken

2015 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Hajo Eicken has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998, becoming an international leader in the study of sea ice and its role in the climate system; and has been instrumental in helping improve sea ice prediction and information sharing, and international coordination of research efforts; and

WHEREAS Dr. Eicken's research has expanded and embraced other pertinent and related topics, including oil in ice, sea ice hazards, impacts of sea ice change, environmental security in changing maritime environments, and synthesis of local and traditional knowledge in sea-ice research; and

WHEREAS Dr. Eicken's research, interdisciplinary approach and integration of indigenous knowledge with Western scientific practice have made him one of the most respected and sought-after sea-ice experts throughout Alaska and the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Hajo Eicken; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Hajo Eicken, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of November 19, 2015.

 

 


Pat Holloway. UAF photo by Todd Paris.

Dr. Patricia S. Holloway

2015 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Patricia S. Holloway has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1984; and has devoted herself to the study of horticulture in the State of Alaska and its real and potential applications to private and professional growers; and

WHEREAS Dr. Holloway has made her research relevant to Alaska gardeners, sharing her findings and expertise on plants and horticulture with commercial producers and home gardeners alike; and has dedicated tremendous time to providing presentations and guidance to garden clubs, nascent producers and the generally curious; and

WHEREAS Dr. Holloway has been the driving force behind the University's beloved and acclaimed Georgeson Botanical Garden; and, as the first to recognize the commercial opportunities of the peony industry in Alaska, has been instrumental in helping develop the now-burgeoning field;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Patricia S. Holloway; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in public service demonstrated by Dr. Patricia S. Holloway, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of November 19, 2015.

2014 award recipients

Joe Usibelli, far left, joins Chancellor Brian Rogers at right, in a photo this evening at the University of Alaska Museum of the North with the 2014 Usibelli Award Winners. UAF faculty members Roger Ruess was honored for his research efforts, Elena Sparrow for her outstanding service, and Joseph Thompson for exemplary teaching.
Joe Usibelli, far left, joins Chancellor Brian Rogers at right, in a photo this evening at the University of Alaska Museum of the North with the 2014 Usibelli Award Winners. UAF faculty members Roger Ruess was honored for his research efforts, Elena Sparrow for her outstanding service, and Joseph Thompson for exemplary teaching.


Dr. Elena Sparrow

2014 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Elena Sparrow has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1985; and has become an internationally recognized leader in efforts to bring science alive for primary and secondary school students and their teachers; and has creatively engaged these students and teachers through methods that give their imaginations room to explore; and

WHEREAS Dr. Sparrow, as education and outreach director at UAF's International Arctic Research Center, has created multiple bridges to local classrooms; and has been a pioneering force in creating a way for students in Alaska and worldwide to collect research-quality environmental data; and has been an exemplary volunteer at regional and state science fairs; and

WHEREAS Dr. Sparrow, a soil microbiologist, has successfully encouraged fellow scientists to share their knowledge, bringing her expertise in this field to conferences across the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Elena Sparrow; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in public service demonstrated by Dr. Elena Sparrow, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 6, 2014.

 

Dr. Roger Ruess

2014 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Roger Ruess has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1989, becoming an international leader in ecosystem science and boreal forest ecology; and has published more than ninety papers in top academic journals, establishing one of the highest publication rates in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ruess has uncovered details of the carbon and nitrogen cycles in boreal forests, especially how alder trees, which fix nitrogen in the soil with the aid of bacteria and fungi, can both affect and adapt to diverse environments; and has recently extended his research to investigate how insect outbreaks could disrupt the nitrogen supply in salmon streams; and

WHEREAS Dr. Ruess leads the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research program, where he is principal investigator in a multidisciplinary effort to study and model the effects of climate change and how they could affect Alaska's rural communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Roger Ruess; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Roger Ruess, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 6, 2014.

 

Dr. Joseph C. Thompson

2014 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Joseph C. Thompson has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1999; and has proved himself an inspiring teacher who applies his own creative methods and research materials to electrify his philosophy and humanities courses; and

WHEREAS Dr. Thompson has transformed courses into stimulating, engaging explorations lauded by students; and has developed concise methods of presenting material, with high but fair expectations for students; and has researched his subject matter across the globe, collecting a library of material that he weaves into his constantly updated lectures; and

WHEREAS Dr. Thompson has taught classes and lectured across many disciplines; has shared generously his teaching methods; and has not only advised the student Socratic Society but also participated in its events as an orator and debater;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Joseph C. Thompson; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Joseph C. Thompson, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 6, 2014.

2013 award recipients

2013 Usibelli award winners with the chancellor, provost and one of the Usibelli family members
Chancellor Brian Rogers, Joe Usibelli, Jr., Jonathan Rosenberg, Catherine Cahill, Jeffrey Freymueller and Provost Susan Henrichs. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.


Dr. Catherine Cahill

Catherine Cahill
UAF photo by JR Ancheta

2013 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award

WHEREAS Dr. Catherine Cahill has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1993, using her knowledge and communication skills to educate the public on air pollution, and working with local and State governments to help shape policy pertaining to the issue; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cahill's research and expertise has benefited the public in many other areas as well, including studies pertaining to impact on military service members of poor air quality in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the development of aircraft-based sensors to warn pilots of potential dangers from hazardous concentrations of volcanic ash; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cahill has served on thirty-six different University service and governance boards and committees, including as Chair of the University of Alaska Faculty Alliance and president of the UAF Faculty Senate;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Catherine Cahill; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Catherine Cahill, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 6, 2013.

 

Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller

Jeffrey Freymueller
UAF photo by JR Ancheta

2013 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award

WHEREAS Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1995; and through his research has established himself as a global leader on studies pertaining to how the surface of the Earth deforms over time; and

WHEREAS Dr. Freymueller's fieldwork has fundamentally changed our understanding of how tectonic deformation is exhibited in Alaska; and whose contributions include sweeping continent-scale summaries of how the Aleutian and the Bering regions interact geologically, and the development and installation of ground equipment that has become the geodetic network that exists across the State; and

WHEREAS Dr. Freymueller has demonstrated that the tectonic collision of India into Asia resulted in shortening the Tibetan Plateau; and he has become well known and influential in China and brought tremendous recognition to the University through his work;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 6, 2013.

 

Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg

Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg
UAF photo by JR Ancheta

2013 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award

WHEREAS Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1993; and has unwaveringly dedicated his career to mentoring, guiding, advising and teaching political science students, from undergraduates to doctoral candidates; and

WHEREAS Dr. Rosenberg consistently receives high marks from his student evaluations; and many of his students who have graduated and gone on to graduate programs or into careers have credited him with being a source of inspiration instrumental in their post-UAF success; and

WHEREAS Dr. Rosenberg has involved himself in many other educational endeavors that have had a profound positive impact on students, ranging from being the coordinator of the legislative internship program to cross-campus curriculum reform;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty, and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 6, 2013.

2012 award recipients

2012 Usibelli award winners
The 2012 Emil Usibelli Award winners are (left to right) Kenji Yoshikawa for Distinguished Service, Debendra Das for Distinguished Teaching and Sergei Avdonin for Distinguished Research.


Teaching

Dr. Debendra K. Das

Dr. Debendra K. Das

WHEREAS Dr. Debendra K. Das has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1984. His teaching contributions to the University and to engineering students in particular stand out among his peers; and

WHEREAS Dr. Das' contributions in the area of student mentoring have been extraordinary. He has included undergraduate and graduate students in his research and has an impressive record of publishing work with his students. His effectiveness as an advisor has been recognized with awards from the University and from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; and

WHEREAS in his twenty-eight years of service to UAF, Dr. Das has taught more than one hundred classes, and has developed new courses to meet the needs of both students and industry. He has received exceptionally high scores in his student evaluations at both the undergraduate and the graduate level;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Debendra K. Das; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Debendra K. Das, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 8, 2012.

 

Research

Dr. Sergei Avdonin

Dr. Sergei Avdonin

WHEREAS Dr. Sergei Avdonin has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2001. His mathematical research activity with the University has been exceptional; and

WHEREAS Dr. Avdonin has built a long and distinguished career in many different research areas in mathematics. His international reputation has enhanced UAF's stature in mathematics and helped the Department of Mathematics and Statistics focus more clearly on its research mission. His extensive publication record is highly impressive; and

WHEREAS Dr. Avdonin's current research is on mathematical studies for glaciology. He has developed new methods that offer a major step towards predictive glacier models, which are important in the study of glacier-climate interaction, dating of ice cores, and assessment of natural hazards. He has collaborated with mathematicians, scientists and engineers around the world in developing his methods;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Sergei Avdonin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Sergei Avdonin, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 8, 2012.

 

Service

Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa

Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa

WHEREAS Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1999. He has launched an extraordinary educational outreach effort directed towards teachers and students in rural Alaska, Canada, Russia and other countries; and

WHEREAS Dr. Yoshikawa has established a network of one hundred sixty-five K - 12 schools to characterize and monitor the state of permafrost across the circumpolar North, an effort that introduces the joy of scientific discovery to children and transforms them into engaged scientists; and

WHEREAS Dr. Yoshikawa has been tireless and innovative in his efforts, whether traveling by snow machine to villages in Alaska, or creating a superhero of the permafrost known as "Tunnel Man";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 8, 2012.

2011 award recipients

2011 Usibelli award winners

The 2011 Usibelli award winners, from left to right, Roger Hansen, Vladimir Romanovsky & Gregory Owens.

Teaching

Gregory J. Owens

Mr. Gregory J. Owens

WHEREAS Mr. Gregory J. Owens has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1987; and has dedicated his career to working with students from traditionally underrepresented populations; and who inspires in many of his students passionate testimonials as to his effectiveness as a teacher and mentor; and

WHEREAS Mr. Owens is a superb and highly innovative developmental mathematics teacher who continuously seeks to improve the quality of his students' experience by analyzing student feedback, course content and materials, and delivery methodologies, and by incorporating in his classes best practices and technologies that enhance student learning; and

WHEREAS Mr. Owens' reach in mathematics education is unbounded by the traditional nine-month academic year, and as a mathematics instructor and academic coordinator, has been an integral part of the Rural Alaska Honors Institute for more than twenty-five years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Gregory J. Owens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Mr. Gregory J. Owens, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 2, 2011.

 

Research

Vladimir E. Romanovsky

Dr. Vladimir E. Romanovsky

WHEREAS Dr. Vladimir E. Romanovsky has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1998; and has developed an internationally recognized program through which he is widely known as one of the world's leaders in permafrost research; and

WHEREAS Dr. Romanovsky's monitoring of the condition of permafrost provides one of the primary records of change at high latitudes, and is critical to understanding the pattern of past change and in making predictions for the future in an era of measurable climate change; and

WHEREAS Dr. Romanovsky and his research group's work stimulates interdisciplinary activities with University faculty members in biology and engineering, spurring development of innovative ideas that incorporate coupled biological and geophysical processes;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Vladimir E. Romanovsky; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Vladimir E. Romanovsky, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 2, 2011.

 

Service

Roger A. Hansen

Dr. Roger A. Hansen

WHEREAS Dr. Roger A. Hansen has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1994; and whose knowledge and willingness to communicate clearly makes him adept at translating science about earthquakes and tsunamis into terms the general public can understand and use; and

WHEREAS Dr. Hansen, as Director of the Alaska Earthquake Information Center, has provided invaluable leadership in maintaining a dedicated staff and a network of seismometers throughout the State to monitor and evaluate earthquakes; and has been an effective advocate for accurate modeling so Alaska's coastal citizens can be better prepared for tsunamis; and

WHEREAS Dr. Hansen has provided his expertise in seismology to a range of regional and national government agencies as well as through participation in many public outreach programs and presentations throughout the State;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Roger A. Hansen; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Roger A. Hansen, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 2, 2011.

2010 award recipients

Teaching

Rich Boone

Dr. Richard D. Boone

WHEREAS Dr. Richard D. Boone has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1995; and is an innovative teacher who successfully implements pedagogical techniques he has acquired through external training and through his own self-assessment and impetus; and

WHEREAS Dr. Boone's dedication to student success and his energetic use of active-learning techniques in the classroom result in consistently outstanding assessment scores from his students; and devotes equal enthusiasm to teaching undergraduates, graduates and lifelong learners; and

WHEREAS Dr. Boone is developing the abilities of others to teach science successfully through the establishment of a graduate course in teaching science at the University; and is seeking to expand excellence in science education throughout Alaska;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Richard D. Boone; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Richard D. Boone, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 3, 2010.

 

Research

Tom Weingartner

Dr. Thomas J. Weingartner

WHEREAS Dr. Thomas J. Weingartner has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1991; and is widely known and highly respected for the quality of his research and for his subsequent expertise in Alaska oceanography; and

WHEREAS Dr. Weingartner brings great distinction to the University for his work on matters of great import to Alaskans, especially those of coastal communities; and whose widely cited research informs a range of topics such as fisheries and climate change; and

WHEREAS Dr. Weingartner is sought by government agencies and private enterprise for assistance in understanding the characteristics of Alaska's oceans; and is a gracious and supportive mentor to University students interested in exploring scientific research careers of their own;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Thomas J. Weingartner; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Thomas J. Weingartner, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 3, 2010.

 

Service

Dr. Kara L. Nance

WHEREAS Dr. Kara L. Nance has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1993; and has throughout her career served her students, the University, the Fairbanks community and the public in general with innovation and spirit; and

WHEREAS Dr. Nance has studied, devised and promoted improvements in the teaching of science and technology at all levels of education; and has been especially concerned with the engagement of young, underrepresented students in those fields; and

WHEREAS Dr. Nance has demonstrated tremendous leadership in establishing research and training programs in computer security at the University, the effects of which reach beyond Fairbanks to communities and educational institutions across the Nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Kara L. Nance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Kara L. Nance, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 3, 2010.

2009 award recipients

Teaching

John Fox
Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications

Dr. John D. Fox Jr.

WHEREAS Dr. John D. Fox Jr. has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1973; and has taught an astonishing range of disciplines, from physical and computer sciences and social sciences to applied sciences, all with a view to managing natural resources wisely for human benefit through a rational, science- and ethics-based approach; and

WHEREAS Dr. Fox has led his students by his own example of being a true scholar, investigating many branches of knowledge even beyond his own field; and whose breadth of learning brings a deeper sense of meaning and purpose to all his teaching; and

WHEREAS Dr. Fox has extended his teaching beyond the classroom, using his years of scholarship to share with the general public clear, reliable information about forestry and resources management;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. John D. Fox Jr.; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. John D. Fox Jr., bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 8, 2009.

 

Research

John Walsh
Photo by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications

Dr. John E. Walsh

WHEREAS Dr. John E. Walsh has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 2001; and is internationally respected and frequently cited as one of the world's foremost authorities on arctic climate dynamics and climate change; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walsh has been a prolific researcher and writer, and a highly respected scientific leader whose broad vision has made him invaluable on many national and international committees evaluating the physical and social dimensions of climate change; and

WHEREAS Dr. Walsh's collaborative instinct and scientific acumen have helped establish collaborative ventures among researchers at the University and around the world; and whose outstanding efforts in research and in educating the public about scientific findings has inspired and promoted scientific excellence in many quarters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. John E. Walsh; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. John E. Walsh, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 8, 2009.

 

Service

Richard Seifert
Cooperative Extension Service photo by Jeff Fay

Mr. Richard Seifert

WHEREAS Mr. Richard Seifert has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1982; and has with generosity of spirit and intellect fulfilled the engagement mission of the University through his work at the Cooperative Extension Service; and

WHEREAS Mr. Seifert has provided much-needed practical, research-based information on safe, energy-efficient housing to thousands of people in communities in Alaska and Canada, enabling them to make informed decisions about buying, building or retrofitting homes in the North; and

WHEREAS Mr. Seifert has worked with citizens and organizations throughout the State to help them improve the quality of life for individuals and entire communities, with a focus on environmental sustainability and economic viability;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Richard Seifert; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Mr. Richard Seifert, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 8, 2009.


The above images were taken during the 2009 Usibelli Awards ceremony in UAF's Wood Center May 8.

Photos by Todd Paris, UAF Marketing and Communications unless otherwise noted.

2008 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Marsha Sousa

Dr. Marsha Sousa

Whereas Dr. Marsha Sousa has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1989; and has been a role model for untold numbers of students by virtue of her dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism; and

WHEREAS Dr. Sousa has developed a plethora of teaching strategies that take into account the varied needs, backgrounds and learning styles of the diverse students who enter her classroom; and is known for her deep respect and care for each student as an individual; and

WHEREAS Dr. Sousa is greatly admired by her students both for the depth of her knowledge and for her creative and engaging presentations; and is credited by many for inspiring them to seek successful and fulfilling careers of their own;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Marsha Sousa; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Marsha Sousa, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 5, 2008.

 

Research

Dr. Gerald V. Mohatt

Dr. Gerald V. Mohatt

WHEREAS Dr. Gerald V. Mohatt has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1983; and has been instrumental in establishing an innovative, multidisciplinary program of biomedical health research that addresses issues in Alaska Native health; and

WHEREAS Dr. Mohatt has secured significant grants for the development and continuation of these vital studies; and has been a valued colleague and mentor to other researchers in the program, thereby expanding the breadth and quality of its scope and findings; and

WHEREAS Dr. Mohatt has won the respect of many Alaska Natives for the sensitivity he displays in addressing the particular social and cultural needs and expectations of rural and Alaska Native communities; and for his role in ensuring their close participation in planning, executing and analyzing the studies;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Gerald V. Mohatt; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. Gerald V. Mohatt, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 5, 2008.

 

Service

Dr. John J. Kelley

Dr. John J. Kelley

WHEREAS Dr. John J. Kelley has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1969; and has selflessly devoted his time, intellect and energy in service to science, students and the people of Alaska; and

WHEREAS Dr. Kelley has provided invaluable leadership in helping guide North Slope Borough policy and decision makers through technical and scientific material; and has consistently demonstrated great sensitivity and respect for the culture and needs of the North Slope's Inupiaq communities; and

WHEREAS Dr. Kelley has given further of himself through an astonishing array of programs at many levels, including student academic development, University committees and international scientific organizations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. John J. Kelley; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. John J. Kelley, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 5, 2008.

2007 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Yelena Matusevich

Dr. Yelena Matusevich

WHEREAS Dr. Yelena Matusevich has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1990; and has been the driving force behind the revitalization and subsequent growth of the University's French language program; and

WHEREAS Dr. Matusevich has created and maintained a classroom environment wherein she uncovers and promotes the development of students' talents and abilities; and encourages in them a spirit of critical inquiry and exploration; and

WHEREAS Dr. Matusevich has gone beyond the traditional confines of the classroom to incorporate outside influences and learning opportunities for students and community members alike, through her participation in and development of language and cultural activities with local native French speakers, thereby strengthening the ties between the University and the community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Yelena Matusevich; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in teaching demonstrated by Dr. Yelena Matusevich, bestows upon her the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award on this day of May 7, 2007.

 

Research

Dr. A. David McGuir

Dr. A. David McGuire

WHEREAS Dr. A. David McGuire has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1995; and has brought prestige to the University through research that has improved understanding of the role of terrestrial biological processes in global climate systems, particularly as they relate to high latitudes; and

WHEREAS Dr. McGuire has maintained a vigorous research program that actively seeks the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, availing students of the opportunity to work on innovative research as part of their educational development; and

WHEREAS Dr. McGuire has won international acclaim for his prolific and wide-ranging research; and has been awarded numerous grants, awards and honors; and has established a body of work that will continue to influence the science of global warming for generations to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. A. David McGuire; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in research demonstrated by Dr. A. David McGuire, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Research Award on this day of May 7, 2007.

 

Service

Dr. Shirish L. Patil

Dr. Shirish L. Patil

WHEREAS Dr. Shirish L. Patil has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction since 1983; and has distinguished himself as a volunteer of seemingly limitless energy and enthusiasm; and

WHEREAS Dr. Patil has contributed many hours in service to the University at all levels, in positions as diverse as faculty advisor, Faculty Senate member and department leadership roles; and has represented the University with great aplomb through his work with dozens of local, national and international organizations, committees and boards; and

WHEREAS Dr. Patil has greatly enhanced the University's efforts to recruit a talented and diverse student body through the development of a sister-city relationship with Pune, India, thereby encouraging the enrollment of students from that region at the University;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks takes great pride in the achievements and contributions of its faculty and extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Shirish L. Patil; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University, in recognizing the extraordinary excellence in service demonstrated by Dr. Shirish L. Patil, bestows upon him the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Service Award on this day of May 7, 2007.

2006 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Kelly L. Drew

Dr. Kelly L. Drew

Regarded as an outstanding teacher and mentor of the highest caliber by both students and colleagues, Dr. Drew has been commended for her ability to recognize scientific aptitudes in students who may otherwise have chosen different careers and fields of study. Her insights and emotional support help students identify, clarify and pursue their academic and professional goals, and her care in nurturing the talents of her students fosters a collegial environment that emphasizes mutual respect and recognition of the many viewpoints, skills and interests of the individuals in her classrooms and laboratories.

 

Research

Dr. Anthony J. Gharrett

Dr. Anthony J. Gharrett

Dr. Gharrett has devoted much of his investigations to aspects of Pacific hatcheries and fisheries that have direct and profound impact on the ability of Alaska biologists and resource managers to adequately and appropriately care for Alaska's fisheries and marine resources. Students have benefited from their involvement in his frequently cited research projects, and his prolific publication and grant activities have made him a highly regarded leader in his field.

 

Service

Mr. Peter Pinney

Mr. Peter Pinney

Professor Pinney works energetically to improve the social, economic and academic well-being of his students, colleagues and fellow citizens by contributing his time and expertise to a range of community and university programs and initiatives. He is also a highly respected teacher and award-winning advisor. He consistently and creatively seeks ways to establish new relationships or enhance existing ones among individuals, departments and organizations at the university, in Fairbanks and across Alaska.

2005 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Dana Thomas

Dr. Dana Thomas

Dr. Thomas is well-known in the university and Fairbanks communities for his service, however his dedication in the classroom has been consistent throughout his 24-year teaching career. Whether Thomas is demystifying the complex world of statistics or bringing the theoretical to life, student opinions of his teaching abilities remain high from the undergraduate foundational courses to more complex graduate-level courses. In addition to serving on master's candidate committees, Thomas has been active with the graduate school and has shared his knowledge of statistics with students and departments across campus. He also helps develop middle and high school mathematics curriculum.

 

Research

Dr. John Eichelberger

Dr. John Eichelberger

Dr. Eichelberger's research on active volcanoes such as Alaska's Katmai and Unzen volcano in Japan has led to paradigm shifts on the cause of chemically-zoned eruptions and why volcanoes sometimes erupt explosively and at other times produce lava flows. In July 2004, he and his team were able to successfully drill into the conduit of an active volcano, Unzen; the first time this had been done. His leadership of the Active Volcano Observatory (AVO) as the Coordinating Scientist has led to geophysical monitoring of 30 active volcanoes in Alaska making AVO first in the world for number of volcanoes under surveillance. He has published nearly 70 peer-reviewed papers including papers in the journals, Nature and Science. Eichelberger has linked his research to the teaching mission of the university. Under his leadership, AVO supports some 15 graduate students per year in volcano monitoring, research and education. He also founded an international volcanological summer field school that brings students from Russia, Japan and the U.S. together on active volcanoes in Alaska and Kamchatka, Russia.

 

Service

Dr. Abel Bult-Ito

Dr. Abel Bult-Ito

Dr. Bult-Ito is currently president of the UAF Faculty Senate and associate professor of biology with the Alaskan Basic Neuroscience Program. In the past five years, he has served on more than two dozen committees at the departmental, campus and statewide levels. He has worked tirelessly to facilitate effective communication between the Faculty Senate and university administration and played a leadership role in faculty involvement in performance-based budgeting. He has taken a leadership role in ensuring that UAF continues to be an equal opportunity employer and serves on the Chancellor's Campus Diversity Action Committee. His dedication is not limited to the university. He has served as an advisor for students participating in the Statewide High School Science Symposium and was recently reelected president of the Fairbanks Montessori School Board.

2004 award recipients

Teaching

Mr. Ed Husted

Mr. Ed Husted

Professor Husted has dedicated tremendous energy in developing the university's paralegal studies program, ensuring its excellence so that it has been approved by the American Bar Association, a distinction conferred upon only 22 percent of such programs in the nation. He is highly regarded by his students for creating a dynamic learning environment, consistently receives the highest commendations in student evaluations and remains a respected mentor to his students as they pursue their professional legal careers. Professor Husted continues to seek new and innovative ways to impart information to students, from creative explanations in the classroom to distance education opportunities for rural students in virtual classrooms. In addition, he has maintained a close professional relationship with the legal community, so that his familiarity with trends and changes in the field remains fresh and vigorous.

 

Research

Dr. Stephen C. Jewett

Dr. Stephen C. Jewett

Dr. Jewett demonstrates great expertise in marine ecosystems and has devoted considerable effort to increasing scientific understanding of issues of critical importance for Alaska's oceans and coastal regions, including marine contaminants, oil spills and the environmental impact on oceans from factors ranging from changing weather patterns to coastline placer mining. He led the establishment of the university's Scientific Diving Program, now a statewide program recognized by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, which has greatly enhanced the university's reputation as a leading research facility. Dr. Jewett's support of the diving program has laid the groundwork for further study by other scientists, exponentially increasing the impact of his own discoveries. He has also inspired a new generation of researchers through his enthusiastic support of graduate students and their projects.

 

Service

Mr. Kade Mendelowitz

Mr. Kade Mendelowitz

Professor Mendelowitz has provided service to the university through his unflagging support of the institution as an educational and cultural resource for Alaskans. His collaborations with community organizations have enhanced the university's reputation. He has devoted his considerable talents in a variety of ways, from stage production to classroom teaching to university administration. He has enthusiastically applied his creativity to the ever-expanding frontiers of new technology, blending artistry, communication and audience participation in web-based formats and groundbreaking theater productions. Mendelowitz has been named one of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Best Teachers in 2002 and has received the 2000-2001 College of Liberal Arts Teaching Excellence Award and a 1997 Best Production Award from the Alaska Community Theatre Festival.

2003 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Rainer Newberry

Dr. Rainer Newberry

Professor Rainer Newberry brings great enthusiasm and creativity to his courses, paying special attention to the unique talents and interests of each class and tailoring his topics and teaching methods to meet their needs. His dedication was recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education as the Alaska Professor of the Year for 1992. Newberry's pursuit of educational excellence and his dynamic approach to his students and to the art of teaching are a great source of inspiration to many of his admiring colleagues. He has served as teacher, advisor and mentor to countless graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have benefitted from his zeal and expertise to become productive and influential leaders in the field of geology.

 

Research

Dr. Keith Echelmeyer

Dr. Keith Echelmeyer

Professor Keith Echelmeyer is world-renowned for his significant work in glaciology, and has contributed to the establishment of the Geophysical Institute as one of the premier centers of glacier study in the world. He excels not only in traditional scientific methods but has also been an important innovator in developing new techniques that have advanced the science of glaciology, greatly enhancing our understanding of the interaction between glaciers and climate. Echelmeyer demonstrates a keen intellect and ability in the diversity of his research in theoretical developments, numerical analysis and observational methods, making significant contributions in all three areas. His skills as a pilot have vastly increased the range and scope of the university's research opportunities.

 

Service

Dr. Kathleen Butler-Hopkins

Dr. Kathleen Butler-Hopkins

Professor Kathleen Butler-Hopkins exemplifies the spirit of service to the university and the community through her selfless contributions of time, talent and expertise to more than a dozen music groups and organizations throughout Alaska. She has played a vital role in the musical development of many Alaska children and young people by volunteering as a teacher and mentor to many students who have appeared and performed at prestigious regional, national and international competitions and concerts. Butler-Hopkins' efforts to communicate her passion for music have returned ten-fold in the inspired performances of those students and ensembles with whom she has been associated, enhancing the prestige of the university and the acclaim for the Department of Music.

2002 award recipients

2002 Usibelli winners

The 2002 Usibelli Award winners from left to right: Larry Duffy, Marty Getz and Jim Douglas.

Teaching

Instructor Martin P. Getz

Instructor Martin P. Getz believes that teaching comprises an exchange of information between teacher and student, rather than a simple recitation of facts. He has dedicated his career to seeking out new and effective ways of communicating the concepts of mathematics to his students and is greatly respected and admired for his knowledge of the subject, his respect for his students and his concern for their education. Getz constantly strives to identify and practice new methods of explanation and instruction that enhance his students' understanding of mathematics from a historical perspective to its practical application. Instructor Getz's commitment to education extends to himself as he challenges his own talents as a mathematician through the co-solving of proposed problems, five of which have been published in Mathematics magazine.


Research

Dr. Lawrence K. Duffy

Dr. Lawrence K. Duffy has served the University of Alaska Fairbanks with distinction in his multiple roles as teacher, faculty mentor, researcher and administrator, and has provided tremendous learning opportunities to graduate students participating in his extensive interdisciplinary research. His 30 years in research have brought extreme distinction to the University through his work in brain aging, toxicology and environmental science, for which he received recognition from the Alzheimer's Association, which helped lay groundwork for neuroscience research at UAF. Dr. Duffy has secured more than $10 million in funding from outside sources during his career and has expanded his research into areas of particular importance to Alaskans, including both human and wildlife environmental health studies, whose findings enhance our ability to manage and protect our human and natural resources.


Service

Professor Jim R. Douglas

Professor Jim R. Douglas, in his role as University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service agent, has been described as a "leader, role model and advocate for young people"during his 18-year career with CES. He has worked diligently to fulfill the University's mission as a Land Grant institution by promoting the ties between the University and 4-H, at the same time providing a vital educational opportunity for 4-H teens to be involved in the public policy process through the UAF for Youth Campaign. Professor Douglas further extends his service to Alaskans as the Community Resource Development and Horticulture Agent, offering to non-profit groups courses in volunteer management and board training, thereby encouraging and empowering citizens to contribute to their communities in effective and innovative ways.

2001 award recipients

Teaching

Mr. Charles N. Dexter

Applied business and accounting professor Charlie Dexter is an extraordinary example of what a teacher should be. He has been an educator and mentor to literally hundreds of students, fellow faculty members, local business leaders and community members across the state of Alaska. Through his persistent efforts to freshen current courses and create new ones based on the most up-to-date information available, Mr. Dexter has demonstrated a rare and treasured commitment to providing quality and applicable instruction to his students. He has been praised highly and consistently for his expertise and enthusiasm as a teacher. His passion for business education extends beyond the classroom into professional development training, a role for which he is repeatedly sought after by the most prominent businesses and organizations in Fairbanks.


Research

Dr. Claus-M. Naske

Claus Naske, through his extensive research and published works documenting Alaska's historical and political development, has garnered a reputation as one of the state's most prominent historians. He has provided a foundation for classroom instruction on Alaska's history, both within the state and beyond its borders. Dr. Naske, a distinguished alumnus and emeritus of the institution, has captured respect and attention on local, state, federal and international levels with regard to his expertise on numerous topics within the realm of Alaska's history, from its position as a Russian outpost to a U.S. territory and ultimately statehood. Through his service as executive director for the University of Alaska Press, Dr. Naske has supported the research and publication efforts of many others at the institution and has led the organization to a position of dominance among publishers of books on the Circumpolar North.


Service

Dr. Robert F. Carlson

Bob Carlson is highly recognized and respected by his students as an educator of the highest caliber. Through his rare and treasured open-door policy and his dedication to ensuring that his students are well-equipped with the knowledge they need for academic, professional and thus personal fulfillment, he has become known as a champion for student achievement. Dr. Carlson has humbly exceeded his duties as a faculty member and has routinely used his expertise in engineering to promote the advancement and betterment of human welfare to an array of audiences. Among other things, Dr. Carlson was instrumental in founding UAF's annual Engineering Week and continues to take a lead role in its coordination. He has also been an active participant with several professional organizations. Dr. Carlson's broad and exemplary service to the community has included extensive volunteer efforts for area youth, athletic and church programs, for which his engineering skills and his passion for public service have been integral components for success.

2000 award recipients

Teaching

Mr. John Bruder

Mr. Bruder has set a standard for excellence in teaching, particularly through distance delivery to rural Alaska students. His deep knowledge and obvious passion for mathematics, and his belief in putting "students first" have enabled him to motivate and educate with great success. Mathematics is a subject that relies heavily on visual aids. Mr. Bruder has invested many hours developing distance delivery methods to ensure that these visual challenges are met and the subject matter is taught effectively and with enthusiasm. His teaching has extended to local high school students and has fostered a sizeable increase in college attendance among them. Mr. Bruder is highly regarded as a caring and outstanding teacher by students, colleagues and community members alike.


Research

Dr. Terry Chapin

Because of his extensive research in plant physiological ecology, and his significant and major contributions to research on global change, Dr. Chapin has garnered a reputation as one of the top ecosystem ecologists in the world. He has one of the highest publication records at the university, and possesses the ability to share his methods and findings with a multitude of audiences. He's also noted for his cross-disciplinary accomplishments. Dr. Chapin leads the research efforts of the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program and serves on numerous committees and editorial boards around the globe. He's an award-winning researcher who still makes time to work with students, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows.


Service

Dr. Jenifer Huang McBeath

Dr. McBeath is highly recognized and respected for her contributions to Alaska's agricultural community. Her devoted work in plant pathology and entomology has fostered a notable improvement to the quality of seed potatoes in Alaska. Because of her background in Oriental culture and customs, Dr. McBeath single-handedly cultivated new and promising Pacific Rim export markets for Alaska's potato and carrot growers, a task usually handled by state bureaucratic agencies. Her service to UAF and the community extends far beyond the laboratory into local greenhouses, garden clubs and the general public, where she often assists individuals in finding remedies for diseased and pest-infested flowers and produce.

1999 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Richard L. Benner

Dr. Benner has dedicated himself to excellence in teaching; he provides undergraduate students with individual instruction, exemplary classroom teaching and invaluable laboratory experience. He has mentored graduate students, including them in his research projects and as co-authors in his publications. Dr. Benner played a key role in overhauling the Atmospheric Science graduate program, enabling students to better integrate their chemistry studies into this fast-growing field. Dr. Benner has invested many hours in visiting local classes, making his expertise in science and air pollution topics available to primary and secondary school students, and has been featured as a speaker many times as he continually seeks to educate Alaskans about his field.


Research

Dr. Glenn E. Shaw

Dr. Shaw has dedicated himself to the discovery and understanding of the Arctic Haze phenomenon, and has spent a large part of his career assessing its human health and climatic impacts. He has been recognized internationally as a leader in his field, has testified before Congressional committees on global climate change, and has served as an Institutional Trustee for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and on the U.S. Polar Research Board. Dr. Shaw is highly published, holds two patents, and, with the help of his students, developed an instrument to better measure cloud condensation nuclei, and played an instrumental role in UAF's new International Arctic Research Center.


Service

Ms. Cecilia Rose Ulroan Martz

Ms. Martz is internationally known for her contributions to cross-cultural education, Alaska Native studies, and the teaching of the Yup'ik and Cup'ik languages, and has shared her extensive knowledge through numerous presentations and courses. She has served on countless committees and boards, as an Extended Team Member for the Smithsonian Institution and as a member of the Canadian/Alaskan Indian Teacher Education Program Steering Committee, and has served the University as student advisor and as trusted advisor to her colleagues. Ms. Martz's service to the Foster Care program, the Fetal Alcohol Effects Task Force, and the Anchorage Museum of History and Fine Art, has touched the lives of people throughout the world.

1998 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Thomas P. Clausen

Dr. Clausen's passion for teaching is reflected by his ability to motivate his students to fully appreciate the complexities of organic chemistry. He is also distinguished by his research into the chemical interactions between plants and animals, a field in which he is considered a leader. Dr. Clausen has further served the community and the University by co-founding UAF's Science Potpourri and by securing grants for equipment to enhance the student experience, such as the $200,000 National Science Foundation-funded magnetic resonance spectrometer.


Research

Dr. R. Terry Bowyer

Through his research, Dr. Bowyer has made significant contributions to the field of wildlife behavior and mammalian ecology. His pioneering work in the area of sexual segregation of large mammals and in the area of environmental factors affecting wildlife reproduction has proven essential to the basic understanding and management of wildlife resources. His research of river otters in Prince William Sound following the Exxon Valdez oil spill produced breakthroughs in the assessment of the environmental health of other wildlife species. Dr. Bowyer strongly believes that educating students is as important to the future of scientific research as are new discoveries, and he involves his students in much of his research and publications of major findings.


Service

Dr. Theodore DeCorso

Dr. DeCorso's numerous contributions to the arts in the Fairbanks area are significant and lasting, and his devotion to promoting the importance of the arts to the University, to the community and to the State of Alaska was recognized by the State's highest official with the 1998 Governor's Award for the Arts. His position as music department head at the University, along with his service as student adviser, teacher and mentor, and his directorial role of the Summer Fine Arts Camp since 1979, demonstrate his dedication to sharing the beauty of the arts with students of all ages. Dr. DeCorso's efforts have connected the public to quality music and to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

1997 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. F. Lawrence Bennett

Dr. Bennett guided the development of the Engineering and Science Management Program since 1968, during which time he has mentored almost 200 graduate students to successful completion of their studies. Dr. Bennett has earned the respect and admiration of his students for his superb organization, extremely well-planned lectures, and obvious concern for and attention to the needs of his students while carrying a heavy teaching load. Dr. Bennett has been a pioneer in the development of distance delivery of education within Alaska and across the U.S. through the National Technological University.


Research

Dr. Davis D. Sentman and Dr. Eugene M. Wescott

The collaborative research of Dr. Sentman and Dr. Wescott has made significant contributions to science through their observations, analyses and publications on atmospheric and space physics, especially investigations of optical flashes in the upper atmosphere known as Red Sprites and the discovery of Blue Jets, which have brought widespread recognition to UAF. Dr. Wescott has distinguished himself in geophysical research ranging from exploration geophysics for geothermal energy to space physics, and Dr. Sentman has had a distinguished career as a physicist and is a leading authority on atmospheric phenomena triggered by lightning. Dr. Sentman and Dr. Wescott's research has not only made unique contributions to the body of knowledge and to the understanding of these phenomena, their efforts have also inspired their students.


Service

Professor Kesler E. Woodward

Professor Woodward has generously given of his considerable talents, skills, time and artwork to support and promote the arts at the University, in Fairbanks and in the state of Alaska. Professor Woodward has provided extraordinary service to UAF and the community through his work with myriad educational programs, the state arts council and projects to benefit the arts. Professor Woodward has made his expertise available to the broader public through his work with numerous museums and the resulting books, articles and exhibition catalogs which he has collaborated on or written.

1996 award recipients

Teaching

Professor Peggy Shumaker

Professor Shumaker's teaching, and her intense love of learning about a wide array of subjects, have inspired many students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and she offers to her students and colleagues an exceptional example of lifelong learning. As a poet, Professor Shumaker shares her talents and skills with those around her, and by doing so has created a community of learning and creativity that extends beyond the students in her classes and under her tutelage. Professor Shumaker's generosity compels her to give not only within the confines of her craft, but to the University and Fairbanks community as well.


Research

Dr. Wilford F. Weeks

Dr. Weeks has a long and distinguished career as an arctic scientist and is one of the world's most respected researchers on the topic of sea ice. His research has been widely studied internationally and he has made significant contributions to environmental safeguards for offshore drilling, among other marine issues. Dr. Weeks' work as Chief Scientist for the Alaska Synthetic Aperture Radar Facility moved the Geophysical Institute into environmental satellite-based research.


Service

Dr. William S. Schneider

Dr. Schneider's expertise in, and dedication to, the UAF Oral History Program, Alaskan citizens, especially Native Alaskans, have had the opportunity to leave a permanent record of how their lives, activities and cultural heritages have shaped Alaska. His development of Project Jukebox has allowed communities throughout Alaska to develop, with his assistance and the assistance of the student interns who work alongside him, an enormous resource of information about their villages, people and environment, a resource also used by the National Park Service. Dr. Schneider's love of story, and his respect for the telling of it, make him an important contributor to the University's role as historian.

1995 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Mark W. Oswood

Dr. Oswood has been teaching at the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 1977 and is considered by faculty and students to be one of the finest teachers on campus because of his exceptional ability to communicate to students irrespective of their background. As a professor in the Department of Biology and Wildlife, Dr. Oswood has directed one of the most productive graduate student programs at UAF. Dr. Oswood was central in the development of the new core curriculum and organized the group "Friends of 100 Series Courses" that works to ensure core courses of the Department of Biology and Wildlife remain top quality.


Research

Dr. John P. Bryant

Dr. Bryant's pioneering research in the fields of chemical ecology and plant-animal interactions is highly respected nationally and internationally. His models are widely used in several fields including agronomy, agroforestry, range science, animal husbandry, the drug industry and medical professions. Dr. Bryant's enthusiasm and leadership at the Institute of Arctic Biology continues to build the University's reputation for excellence in ecosystem ecology which has been instrumental in the recruitment of new faculty and graduate students. Dr. Bryant has been a Fulbright Research Fellow, maintains a highly respected and prolific publication record, facilitates numerous collaborative research programs and is much sought after as a lecturer at worldwide conferences and universities, all while teaching a wide range of courses and advising a large number of graduate students.


Service

Dr. John D. Aspnes

Dr. Aspnes has completed numerous public service projects in the electrical utility industry, including workshops and presentations to various national and international electric utilities engineers and committees. He is an internationally recognized expert in cold regions power engineering. Dr. Aspnes has contributed significantly to the community's musical life through the Arctic Chamber Orchestra, the Fairbanks Symphony Association and Alaska Brass. As a certified search and rescue dog handler, he is extensively involved in the Personnel Available for Wilderness Search (PAWS) and Wilderness Search and Rescue organizations.

1994 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Terrence M. Cole

Dr. Cole's boundless enthusiasm for history and its essential relationship to our lives today inspires the undergraduate and graduate students he teaches at UAF. His dedication to the field has resulted in numerous articles, monographs and books on a wide range of historical subjects, demonstrating to his students the importance of a rigorous approach to research and publication. Dr. Cole makes himself readily available to students and faculty and encourages active participation in classroom discussions and strong writing skills, which he has himself practiced as author, editor and historian.


Research

Dr. Lou-Chuang Lee

Dr. Lee's pioneering contributions to the fields of space physics, plasma physics and astrophysics are highly respected nationally and internationally. As one of the foremost theoreticians in space physics at the UAF Geophysical Institute, Dr. Lee is currently producing theoretical and simulation studies involving the aurora, solar wind magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction, solar flares and sunspot formation. He is a dedicated, well-respected and very active teacher, teaching a wide range of courses, guiding a large number of graduate students and still maintaining a very rigorous, highly productive and well-respected publication record.


Service

Mr. Douglas L. Schamel

Mr. Schamel's public service leadership in the area of science has inspired students and many others in the Fairbanks community to become more involved in scientific endeavors such as the District Science Fair and the Alaska Statewide High School Science Symposium which he co-founded. His enthusiastic leadership among elementary schoolteachers has provided science training and has helped transform two local schools into showcase science programs. Mr. Schamel believes in the importance of getting university students involved in the community and is himself overseeing the development of the Fairbanks Science Center. He is involving many of his students in this effort, among other community projects.

1993 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. John Zarling

Dr. Zarling's teaching and research in the area of engineering have inspired University of Alaska Fairbanks students for seventeen years. His dedication to his students is manifested in the range of courses he teaches, and his commitment to helping build a high quality of student life is demonstrated through his development of the student chapter of the mechanical engineering professional society, among other groups. In recognizing the importance of a healthy School of Engineering, Dr. Zarling is simultaneously the Associate Dean of the school and the Director of the Institute of Northern Engineering, and still carries a full teaching load and continues a robust research program.


Research

Dr. Judith Smilg Kleinfeld

Dr. Kleinfeld's research has resulted in a better understanding of many child-related topics. Her study of alcohol-affected children, her work on the case method in teacher education, and her development of programs designed to help teachers learn how to teach in multi-cultural settings are admired and studied internationally. Dr. Kleinfeld has created and directed many programs, including the Teachers for Rural Alaska Program and the Northern Studies Program, and she has researched a wide range of topics including educational and northern policy issues and has made her knowledge accessible to the public through numerous brochures and newspaper articles.


Service

Dr. Gerald McBeath

Dr. McBeath has served the University by developing the first seminar for teachers in Alaska to study civics education, government and politics, and has, through his involvement in faculty development, helped to guide the University to a new baccalaureate core curriculum and lead the establishment of Pi Sigma Alpha on the campus. Dr. McBeath has contributed untold hours to the operation of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as an elected member of the Board of Education. He has employed his knowledge of government and politics to aid the district in raising educational standards, keep class sizes low and support healthy life skills education programs and has worked to develop ways to increase parental involvement in the schools.

1992 award recipients

Teaching

Dr. Gary Gislason

Dr. Gislason's teaching and research in the area of mathematical sciences has inspired University of Alaska Fairbanks students for twenty-two years, his innovative teaching style has given his students an expanded appreciation of the potential of mathematics in our changing world, and his mentoring guided the University's first two Doctor of Philosophy students in mathematical sciences. In recognizing the importance of providing students far from Fairbanks with the opportunity to learn about the concepts and applications of mathematics, Dr. Gislason has attracted funding for a grant for distance education equipment, has taught mathematics in Barrow at the Arctic Sivunmun Ilisagvik College, and continues to offer distance education courses through the University.


Research

Dr. Keith Van Cleve

Dr. Van Cleve's research of the Taiga forests of interior Alaska has resulted in a better understanding of the taiga forest ecosystem, contributing to the establishment and success of the Long Term Ecological Research program site located at the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest, considered one of the premier programs in ecosystem research in the United States. Dr. Van Cleve has earned the respect of his colleagues, friends and students, is recognized as a distinguished scientist nationally and internationally in the field of forest soils and forest ecology, and has demonstrated his ability to conduct world class research while mentoring and strengthening the abilities and talents of younger scientists.


Service

Mr. Wayne Vandre

Mr. Vandre has benefited thousands of Alaskans with the creation of the Alaska Master Gardener Program of the Cooperative Extension Service in 1978, which is taught in most major communities, has been adapted into a correspondence course, has trained hundreds of volunteer educators and provides important horticultural information to tens of thousands of residents. By establishing the Integrated Pest Management and Pest Scout Program, Mr. Vandre has helped save thousands of dollars, had a significant impact on the quality of life in Alaska and reduced the dependence and impact of pesticides on the environment; this program reaches thousands of growers, landowners and homeowners each year with vital information on pests and pest management.