System News Releases

If you would like to subscribe to the latest news release information from the University of Alaska System, please email mmusick@alaska.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2024

UA President Pitney appoints Wayne Mowery, Jr. as next General Counsel

(FAIRBANKS) - University of Alaska (UA) President Pat Pitney announced today that she has appointed Wayne Mowery, Jr. to serve as the university’s next General Counsel, following his service in an interim capacity since the departure of Matthew Cooper in September. 

“The General Counsel is a vital part of the university leadership team, serving as the chief legal officer to the Board of Regents, system leadership, and all campuses throughout the system,” said President Pitney. “Wayne has been an important part of our legal team for the last four years, and I have great confidence in him and his leadership in this position.”

Mowery joined the university’s legal team in November 2020 as an associate general counsel, having practiced law with a focus in higher education, intellectual property, and international trade compliance for more than 25 years. In his tenure in the General Counsel Office, Mowery provided legal advice and support for university regulatory and investigatory activities, including human resources, Title IX, student affairs, institutional compliance, risk, and research integrity issues; advised on intellectual property matters; served as a principal legal resource for portions of the university’s COVID-19 response; negotiated contracts; and assisted in a variety of other legal matters. He regularly served as acting General Counsel when needed, including his recent appointment as Interim. 

Throughout his professional career, Mowery also obtained national recognition as an expert in several areas of knowledge, practice, and skill, including numerous local, regional, and national speaking engagements at professional conferences, workshops, and webinars. 

Immediately before joining the Office of General Counsel at UA, he served as Senior Director of Compliance, University Export Compliance Officer, Empowered Official, and Federal Procurement Ethics and Compliance Officer at Penn State. In these roles, Mowery helped develop, implement, and operate various centralized ethics and compliance programs. 

“Please join me in congratulating General Counsel Wayne Mowery, Jr. and thanking him for his committed service to the university,” President Pitney said.

The University of Alaska inspires learning, and advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples. A land-, sea- and space-grant system of higher education established in 1917, the UA system’s three universities (UAA, UAF, and UAS) are separately accredited institutions with 13 community campuses and extended learning centers across the state of Alaska.

– 30 –

For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.