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Under Construction: UAS Building Projects
By Benjamin Nestler
Whalesong Reporter
UAS
is currently undertaking a series of exciting construction projects
that will increase accessibility and the quality of facilities at
the Auke Bay campus.
The Noyes Pavilion should be ready for student and
community use by April 30, 2003. This $500,000 multipurpose facility
will be used for classes, drama and music presentations, and community
events. The pavilion is being constructed above the UAS campus parking
lot. The 2,800- square-foot pavilion will be equipped with fire
pits and lighting making it a prime location for community gatherings
and events.
Chancellor John Pugh said, “Funds for this project
were all privately raised through generous support from individuals,
foundations, and companies. This was a true community effort.”
The project was entirely gift-funded by the following
donors and contributors: The Lily Noyes Family, Tesoro Alaska, Alaska
Airlines, Key Bank, Rie Munoz Gallery, and the UAS Alumni Association.
John Noyes, whom the pavilion is named after, was Alaska National
Guard Adjutant General when he was killed in a plane crash near
Nome in 1956.
Chancellor John Pugh also commented on the UAS classroom
addition. “We will open the $8-million Egan Library classroom
addition later this fall, in addition we are now going through the
final permitting process for the $5.5 million recreation facility
we will share with the Alaska Army National Guard. UAS is putting
the physical facilities into places that will aid our continued
growth and help us better serve Juneau, Southeast and Alaska.”
Lt. Governor and 2002 Gubernatorial candidate Fran Ulmer
said, “You might think I’m here as lieutenant governor,
but actually I’m here as the parent of a UAS student. My daughter
Amy is here in the MAT program, and I know through her experience
what a quality institution this is.”
Representative Bill Hudson said, “This is a marvelous
addition to our community. It is befitting of our capital city and
it will grow from here. We will find that our children will love
to come here and people will continue to choose UAS as a place to
go no matter where they might live.”
Sahra Clark, a UAS employee, said, “One of the
benefits that will be realized with the classroom addition is a
change in the center of the campus, there is going to be cool places
to hang out.” With a coffee shop, plenty of places to comfortably
sit with friends and relax, the new addition will greatly change
the atmosphere of campus.
Student Government Vice President Jamie Atkinson said:
“It is going to be exciting because it is going to give students
more opportunities for fun activities.”
The UAS recreation center and National Guard Armory
has recently received a conditional use permit, and construction
should begin this spring. Students will be able to use the gymnasium
and track, with access to classroom available, locker rooms and
a student lounge. The National Guard will use its space for storage
and offices. The facility will be located near Auke Bay Elementary
School above the SAC.
With all these great additions being built on campus,
our school is becoming very competitive to other big-name state
universities of the Lower 48. Hopefully, in the next few years more
and more students will come to realize that a great education can
be found just around the corner.
Email Benjamin Nestler at
joker12123@hotmail.com
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