Remembering Senator Ted Stevens

Dear UAA Community,

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens.

All Alaskans have benefitted from Senator Stevens' more than five decades of public service. From his work as a U.S. Attorney in Fairbanks, solicitor in the Department of the Interior, state legislator and 40 years as Senator, Senator Stevens has had a vision for the economic and social growth of Alaska and the commitment and tenacity to make it happen.

I had the privilege of working with him on telecommunication issues when I served as Lt. Governor. He was a vigorous advocate for policies and programs like the E-rate which expanded internet access for schools, library and health facilities.

He has also contributed greatly to higher education in Alaska. At UAA we are very grateful for the support he provided a number of very important programs including: ANSEP, Division of Aviation Technology and its simulators, the 49th State Fellows program, Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN), Alaska Natives in Psychology (ANPsych at UAA and UAF), Supply Chain Management and the American Russian Center, to name a few.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Senator Stevens' family and close friends and to the family and friends of the four others who died in this tragic accident. Alaskans have lost one of the great leaders of our first 50 years of Statehood.

Sincerely,
Fran Ulmer, Chancellor