President Pitney to Deliver “State of the University” Address

February 17, 2023

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney will deliver this year’s “State of the University” Address on Tuesday, February 21, at the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce’s weekly business luncheon. The address will focus on how the University empowers Alaska, and highlight excellence across the UA System. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the in-person event at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel’s Gold Room. The address begins at 12 p.m. and will be streamed live at alaska.edu/pres/sou.

“The success and future growth of Alaska are inextricably tied to the University System,” President Pitney said previewing her remarks. “Our universities and their campuses are key economic and workforce drivers in their home communities. I’m excited to share the impact they’ve had, and the opportunities on the horizon for the state and UA with continued stability for our system.”

In addition to surveying the university’s contributions to economic and workforce development throughout Alaska, President Pitney’s address will also spotlight the role UA’s world-class research plays in driving the future. From drones to Arctic research to mariculture and more, UA continues to produce research that is helping empower the next generation of Alaska leaders. 

“Our students, staff, and faculty are helping chart the course of our future, and as the nation’s only Arctic state, their research is especially important,” President Pitney said. “I’m grateful to the Fairbanks Chamber for giving me the opportunity to share some of those accomplishments and what they can mean for our state.”

Limited tickets for in-person seating are available on the Fairbanks Chamber website. This will be Pitney’s third State of the University address since being appointed in 2020 as interim president, and her second as the university system’s 17th president.