The University of Alaska (UA) Foundation has selected University of Alaska Anchorage’s Tim Doebler as recipient of the 2015 Edith R. Bullock Prize. Doebler is Program Director of UAA’s Culinary Arts, Hospitality/Dietetics and Nutrition department and has been a faculty member for more than 25 years. The recognition includes $15,000, which can be used as the recipient sees fit and is the single largest award presented by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees each year.

“Edith Bullock made a generous contribution to the university that enabled establishment of this award to showcase the extraordinary achievements of individuals on behalf of the UA system,” said Foundation Chair Susan Anderson. “Tim Doebler has partnered with the Alaska hospitality industry to build a culinary arts and hospitality program that is recognized nationally and meets the industry’s workforce needs while providing opportunities for our students. Its success is measured by the 100 percent placement rate for program graduates.”

The North Pole Jr. and Sr. High School graduate attended the Culinary Institute of America and the State University of New York, before returning to Alaska to earn his master’s degree from UAA. He has been a faculty member with the Culinary, Hospitality, Dietetics and Nutrition Department since 1988 and became the program director three years later.

“As Chancellor, I am proud of the many ways that Tim works to enhance UAA’s Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Dietetics and Nutrition Division. Through Tim’s leadership over more than 20 years, the Culinary Arts Department has gained a reputation for being one of the premier culinary arts programs in the country. Tim has worked steadily with industry partners to create educational programs that make it possible for students to move seamlessly from the university to the workforce,” notes UAA Chancellor Tom Case in his nomination.

The Bullock award was established using a generous gift from the late Edith R. Bullock, whose 30 years of service to the university included stints on the UA Board of Regents and the UA Foundation Board of Trustees. The University of Alaska Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) (3), raises, invests and manages privately donated funds for the sole benefit of the University of Alaska.