The University of Alaska Southeast has received more than $66,000 as part of a $200,000 donation by Tesoro Alaska to the University of Alaska. UA President Mark Hamilton distributed the unrestricted gift equally between UAS, the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

UAS Chancellor John Pugh said, "A gift this size demonstrates Tesoro's commitment to education in our state. The donation gives UAS the opportunity to bring new levels of excellence to our programs."

Pugh also said that unrestricted gifts, such as the Tesoro donation, gives the university flexibility, "most often for projects where state funding is simply unavailable."

Tesoro Alaska has 142 stations across Alaska including Juneau, Auke Bay, Ketchikan and Haines. Jinny Zutz, public relations administrator, said, "Tesoro Alaska's new slogan for this year is 'Our Future is Now,' and we invest in our future by supporting Alaska's high school and college students."

Zutz said the donation to the university was unrestricted as to its use because "The university has done such a good job in the past and they would know better where this money should be spent."