MPA
ON-LINE NEWSLETTER

February , 2007 --- vol.9 no.6 --- Jonathan Anderson

• MPA COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER CLARK GRUENING
• SUMMER ELECTIVES
• NEW: ONLINE TUTORING SERVICE
• SABBATICAL YEAR FOR ANDERSON
• PERSONAL NOTES
• THE GUARDIAN
• Miscellany

For the past 8 years the MPA program has held its own Graduation Commencement broadcast over the satellite and streamed over the internet so that those who cannot come to Juneau can still participate in graduation -- along with their friends and relations around the world. The 2007 MPA Commencement will be held Monday May 7 from 6-7 pm Alaska time. Our guest speaker will be Clark Gruening. Mr. Gruening is the grandson of Ernest Gruening, Alaska’s Territorial Governor, US Senator, and for whom the Gruening Award for outstanding MPA graduate is named. Clark Gruening has also been an prominent public servant, serving two terms in the Legislature in the 70s and was a framer of the Alaska Permanent Fund.   We are honored at his participation and invite everyone to mark the date on their calendar.

Thanks for the replies to my query last month on your preferences for summer electives.  We plan to offer:

PADM 125 Economics for Public Managers taught by Tim Ewest  Web based  5/21- 8/3
This course satisfies the micro and macro economic prerequisite requirements for PADM 625 and PADM 628
PADM 635 Natural Resource Policy taught by Jim Powell Satellite/ Mondays  5/14-7/30  6-8:45pm
PADM 671 Non Profit Management taught by Kathy DiLorenzo Satellite Thursdays  5/17-8/2 6-8:45pm
PADM 675 Leadership Communications taught by Jonathan Anderson
This class focuses on the crucial skills of oral and written communication. It includes an intensive face to face segment in Juneau- dates TBA.

Alert students have noticed a new element on our UAS Online class websites.  In the Resources section under the Egan Library links is an Online Tutoring link.  This new service provides e-tutoring in a number of subjects including economics, statistics, writing and finance.  Take some time to explore the site. 

Professors at UA are eligible for sabbatical leaves every 6 years or so for “study, formal education, research or other experiences of professional value…. The objective of such leave is to increase the unit member's value to the University and thereby improve and enrich its programs.”  After 8 ½ years at UAS -- and after gaining an outstanding colleague in Kathy DiLorenzo -- I applied for and was granted a sabbatical leave for the 2007-2008 school year.  During that time I will study state budget and financial issues, particularly those impacting municipalities.  I hope to collaborate on various projects with ISER (Institute for Social and Economic Research) and the Alaska Municipal League (AML).  So during the 07-08 year I will not be teaching classes and will leave the administration of the program in Dr. DiLorenzo’s capable hands. 

Barbara Ruckman- (current student from Kenai) - has been awarded Alaska’s “Businessman of the Year” award by the National Republican Congressional Committee and will travel to Washington DC in March to meet with various dignitaries, including President Bush, and will serve as Honorary Chairman of the House Republican Trust and 2007 Republican Business Summit.  Congratulations Barbara.