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A warm welcome back to school from President Pitney

Sept. 2, 2021

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students --

Welcome to the new academic year! I am always encouraged by the energy that new and returning students bring to our universities, and especially as more of our classes and programs return to in-person delivery. 

I’d like to thank our faculty and staff for all you’ve done - and continue to do - to create an engaging and COVID-safe environment. Your dedication to the university’s mission and programs is much appreciated. 

To our students, thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in us for your education. I hope you find the coming academic year enriching, challenging and rewarding. We wish you much success as you navigate through the school year. 

I urge all of you to continue to follow COVID-related public health guidelines and practice personal responsibility, whether it be wearing face coverings, maintaining appropriate physical distancing, or avoiding gatherings where the virus could spread. Please do your part to protect yourselves and your colleagues. 

I am committed to making this academic year as smooth and successful as possible, and to foster an open, inclusive and vibrant educational experience across the system - the Â鶹´«Ã½ Anchorage, Â鶹´«Ã½ Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast and their community campuses. Together, our universities, our research and our graduates play a critical role in shaping the future of Alaska, and each of you are a critical part of that success. 

Sincerely,

Pat Pitney, Interim President
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