Chancellor Ulmer appointed Chair of U.S. Arctic Research Commission

President Barack Obama announced today that University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Fran Ulmer was appointed Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Read the full press release issued by the White House.

Pat Gamble, president of the University of Alaska System, released the following statement today regarding President Barack Obama's appointment of University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Fran Ulmer to a four-year term as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, an independent federal agency:

"Fran Ulmer has my personal and heartfelt congratulations on this prestigious appointment. I know Fran is going to represent Alaska's interests very well at the commission, which is charged with developing a national policy on integrated Arctic research. Fran's leadership qualities are exceptional, and all of us at the University of Alaska look forward to a continued strong relationship with her as she begins this exciting new position."

Ulmer announced over a year ago that she would retire as UAA chancellor in 2011. Gamble announced in January his choice of former dean of UAA's College of Business and Public Policy, Tom Case, to succeed Ulmer. The two have been working closely since and the transition is expected to be a smooth one.