May 14, 1973
Emeritus status given to Terris Moore, James Leekley
Release date: 5/14/73
FAIRBANKS --Emeritus status is to be conferred on former University of Alaska president
Terris Moore and James Leekley, retired biologist in charge of the university's Petersburg
fur farm since 1941, at the Fairbanks campus' 51st commencement Sunday (May 20).
Such status means the two will retain the titles they held before retirement, on an
honorary basis, for their significant contributions to the university.
Moore was the university's second president, after Dr. Charles E. Bunnell, serving
from 1949 to 1953. During that period, the university's enrollment quadrupled and
its physical plant doubled.
During his tenure, university programs were established at military installations
and groundwork was laid for the community college system. Under Moore's leadership,
the teaching and research programs of the university were greatly expanded and strengthened.
Since leaving the presidency, Moore has continued to support the university, serving
on the advisory committee of the Geophysical Institute, obtaining substantial grants
for the university, and by giving of his own wealth for its benefit. He is scheduled
to testify this month before the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee's Public
Lands Subcommittee on behalf of the trans-Alaska pipeline.
I.eekley, who has directed the Petersburg fur farm since 1941, retired at the end
of 1972
upon the closure of the farm. Declining interest in commercial fur farming in the
state and a pressing need for funds to conduct research in support of other segments
of Alaskan agriculture were cited as reasons for the decision to close the farm. It
had been founded in 1938 when there were hundreds of fur ranches in Alaska and has
contributed greatly to knowledge of fur animal biology.
Improved methods of housing and feeding fur bearers under Alaskan conditions were
developed at the farm under Leekley's direction. Specific accomplishments of the facility
include development of methods of maximizing the proportion of fisheries wastes which
can be incorporated in the animals I diet, and the recognition and treatment of deficiencies
affecting fur quality. Providing advice to new ranchers and supplying improved breeding
stock were other important aspects of Leekley's work.
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New UA president starts in mid-August
Release date: 5/14/73
FAIRBANKS-- Dr. Robert W. Hiatt, chosen by the University of Alaska's Board of Regents
to succeed Dr. William R. Wood as president of the state institution, expects to take
up his new duties in mid-August.
Dr. Hiatt, 59, currently is counselor for scientific affairs at the U.S. Embassy in
Tokyo. He plans to resign that position July 1, spend some time in Washington renewing
academic contacts, and then spend a few weeks in Hawaii before coming to Alaska.
Dr. Wood, who has guided the university for 13 years, retires on June 30.
Dr. Hiatt retired from the University of Hawaii after 26 years at that institution
as teacher and administrator. He was acting president in 1968-69 and retired in 1969
under an early retirement option.
The educator, born in California, is married and the father of three children. He
recieved his A.B. degree from San Jose State College, his Ph.D., in marine zoology,
from the University of California at Berkely.