Remembering Joan Wadlow

Dec. 15, 2021

UAF Chancellor Dan White issued a message to the UAF community Dec. 15 recognizing the passing of former UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow. 

"I was saddened to learn that Joan Wadlow died last week," White wrote in his statement.  "My condolences go to her family and friends, and to the staff and faculty who knew her."

Joan K. Wadlow became UAF chancellor on July 1, 1991. During her tenure she developed a long-range strategic plan to lead UAF into the 21st century; completed the university's first-ever private fundraising campaign, which raised $12.1 million; spearheaded public and private partnerships to address Alaska and Arctic issues aggressively; and sought alternatives to maintain momentum during a decade of shrinking budgets.

Before becoming UAF chancellor, Wadlow spent her professional career at three other major public universities: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Wyoming and the University of Oklahoma. She was a professor of political science, and has been a dean, vice president of academic affairs and provost.

In 1998, she participated as a member of the University President's Mission to Israel and as a panel member for "Opening Our Own Doors: Women and Higher Education in Wyoming" at the American Heritage Center's 7th Annual Symposium, "Schoolmarms and Scholars: Women Educators of the American West" at the University of Wyoming.

Wadlow received several teaching and community service awards, and published on topics such as U.S. foreign policy, international education and educational equity.

Wadlow held Ph.D. and baccalaureate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; and a certificate from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was a Rotary scholar.

She retired in 1999 and was awarded the title of chancellor emeritus.

If you or someone you know is struggling with this loss, please don’t struggle alone. Free help is available. Employees are eligible for free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. Please call 1-888-993-7650, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.