History, Thought and Community

In honor of the 150 anniversary of Gandhi’s birth Hugh Gunner Deery III discusses Gandhi’s life, activism and historical footprint. A leader committed to nonviolent protest through civil disobedience, Gandhi’s relevance today is explored. Hugh Gunner Deery III teaches Intro to Philosophy, Logic, and Ancient and Medieval philosophy in the Philosophy Dept. at UAA. He received a BA in philosophy at Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, MI) and an MA in philosophy from Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). His focus of study centered on Eastern Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Linguistics and Ethics.

Journey for Justice, The Life of Larry Itliong is the first nonfiction illustrated Filipino American history book for children. It tells the story of labor leader Larry Itliong who was co-founder of the United Farm Workers. At this event, explored is his lifelong fight for a farmworkers union, the farmworker's struggle, and the creation of the United Farm Workers. Journey for Justice is written by historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and writer Gayle Romasanta. It is richly illustrated by Andre Sibayan. Introducing guest speaker Gayle Romasanta is professor E.J. R. David. This event is held in celebration of Filipino American History Month. It is sponsored with APO, CCEL, FANHS, and others.

Chad Briggs presents his book Disaster Security: Using Intelligence and Military Planning for Energy and Environmental Risks. Chad Briggs is professor of Public Policy at UAA the new Director of Graduate Public Policy and Administration Programs. Much of his research focuses on post-conflict environmental health and energy reconstruction, disaster planning in the Arctic and Asia-Pacific, and the integration of energy and environmental risks to joint planning and intelligence operations. An architect of U.S. government scenarios by planning various approaches to climate and energy security intelligence and hybrid/cyber warfare, he questions “what does climate change mean for security “and “how do natural disasters depend upon human actions and human vulnerabilities?” Chad Briggs’ previous positions includes Strategy Director for GlobalInt LLC, at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Kosovo and Minerva Chair of Energy and Environmental Security at the Air University, United States Air Force. He received his PhD in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and his Master of Arts in International Relations from Limerick University in Ireland.

Terrence and Dermot Cole share their insights and stories about Alaska with Michael Carey and longtime friends toast Terrence Cole. The book, The Big Wild Soul of Terrence Cole is an eclectic collection of work created to honor Alaska's Public Historian is also highlighted. Published by University of Alaska Press, the inspired collection of essays, authored by Terrence’s students, colleagues and friends. It is edited by Frank Soos and Mary Ehrlander. Terrence Cole is Emeritus Professor of History and Northern Studies, UAF and the director of the UAF Office of Public History. He is author of numerous books and essays, including Banking on Alaska: A History of NBA; The Cornerstone on College Hill: An Illustrated History of the University of Alaska Fairbanks; Crooked Past: The History of Frontier Fairbanks; Fairbanks, Nome: City of the Golden Beaches; and Fighting for the 49th Star: C.W. Snedden and the Crusade for Alaska Statehood. Dermot Cole is a journalist and former columnist for the Fairbanks Daily New Miner. He is author of several book including North to the Future: The Alaska Story 1959-2009; Fairbanks: A Gold Rush Town That Beat the Odds; Frank Barr: Alaskan Pioneer Bush Pilot and One-man Airline. This event is sponsored by Katie Ringsmuth, Tundra Vision, and UAA Bookstore.

Ian Hartman and James K. Barnett present Imagining Anchorage: The Making of America’s Northernmost Metropolis. With over a hundred full-color images and photographs to accompany historical essays, the book Imagining Anchorage brings together twenty renowned contributors to tell pieces of Anchorage’s story. “The essays move through four parts covering some of the major movements in Anchorage: the first people, the arrival of Europeans, the founding of Anchorage, and its transformation into a modern city. The chapters highlight topics such as indigenous history, exploration and early colonialism, the changing demographics of Southcentral Alaska, the rise of the oil industry, the of economic importance of Alaska Native Corporations, the civil rights movement in Alaska, and the role of the military through Anchorage's past and present.” At this event, editors Ian Hartman and James K. Barnet discuss how Imagining Anchorage came together and why unveiling Anchorage’s past is important today. Ian Hartman is an Associate Professor of History at UAA. He is author of In the Shadow of Boone and Crockett: The Politics of Race, Culture, and Representation in the Upland South. James K. Barnett is an Alaska attorney and author of the books Arctic Ambitions: Captain Cook and the Northwest Passage and Captain George Vancouver in Alaska and the North Pacific

In his highly acclaimed book, Facts of the Matter Looking Past Today's Rhetoric on the Environment and Responsible Development, Alaskan David Parish promotes a fact-based approach toward environmental stewardship, responsible development, improved public health, and the elimination of poverty. In it, he examines how the traditional approaches to natural resource development, with the "us versus them" divides, can be bridged. David Parish has worked around the globe as an independent business and nonprofit consultant, lobbyist, and entrepreneur. For over 30 years, Alaska has been his home base for his diverse set of local, national and international clients that include energy and mining industry leaders as well as environmental activists and Indigenous leaders. “His goal is to spearhead a real conversation about environment, economic growth, and the needs of our increasing global population.”

Mikey Huff, founder of the Wool Sock Project, shares his experiences meeting members of homeless communities in California and Anchorage. The Wool Sock Project is a community-centered group with the objective to challenge preconceptions through shared experience. "Our intent is to help each individual we interact with in some small way.” Everyone is encouraged to listen to this podcast and find out how a moment of kindness can change one’s life and how compassion training can influence institutional policies.

What does it truly means for diverse individuals to coexist within the same society? How can individuals begin to heal from negative issues related to diversity? UAA Art professor Thomas Chung and President of the UAA Black Student Union Cheryl Williams lead a discussion on multiculturalism, bigotry, racism and their psychological effects. (Note, event timeline: hang musical peformance, Thomas Chung (4:16-44:40), and Cheryl Cox Williams (48:45-1:48). Thomas Chung, born in New Jersey, received his Masters of Fine Arts Degree from Yale University in 2013 and has been living in Alaska ever since. His work has received national attention and critically reviewed in Art in America, The New Yorker, and Modern Painters Magazine. His exhibit “Everything is Sacred” will be on display at the Anchorage Museum until January 20, 2019. Cheryl Cox Williams is President of UAA Black Student Union and the National Coalition Building Institute Student Club, is a member of the Diversity Action Council and UAA Student Club Council. A retired US Army veteran, she is studying Psychology and Communications at UAA. This event is sponsored by UAA Black Student Union, NCBI, UAA Multicultural Center, and UAA Campus Bookstore

Dr. Steve Konkel presents Alaska Decision Making 2018, Research, Analysis, and Politics. At the event he discusses Alaska government, working with Governor Jay Hammond, and the need for civic engagement. Dr. Steve Konkel teaches in the College of Business and Public Policy at UAA. He has published a statewide inventory and economic assessment of wind generation, and studies of the impact of climate change in Alaska's NW Arctic Borough. In addition, he has testified before the State of Alaska Legislature's House Committee on Energy regarding the need for an integrated grid and economic dispatch in Alaska’s Railbelt area. Dr. Steve Konkel holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from University of Colorado, a master’s degree in City Planning from Harvard, and a PhD in environmental policy and conflict resolution from MIT.

The Search for White Identity seeks to clarify the meaning of “white identity" in our current polarizing times. Panelists include Prof. Dan Kline who discusses "Teutonic Knights in 2018", how white nationalists and neo-Nazis attempt to misappropriate medieval literature and culture. Prof.Forrest Nabors addresses "American Codes and Colors" and Dr. Wenfei Tong examines “The Evolution of White Identity”. Dan Kline is Professor of English and Director of General Education at UAA. He received his Ph.D in Middle English Literature & Literary Theory from Indiana University. Forrest Nabors is Associate Professor & Chair Department of Political Science. He is author of the From Oligarchy to Republicanism: The Great Task of Reconstruction. He received his Ph.D. from University of Oregon. Wenfei Tong teaches in the Department of Biological Sciences at UAA. She received her Ph.D. in Organismic & Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University.

This presenation accompanies the audio podcast, also posted in iTunes, for Robert Poe Jr. presents Rebuilding Power in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, PREPA, and the Future of Puerto Rico. At the event, Robert Poe Jr offers a firsthand account about what happened in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria struck with over 165 mph winds. The problems of competency concerning PREPA (Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority), his current consulting relationship with PREPA, and an analysis of what is needed to rebuild in Puerto Rico will be addressed. Robert Poe Jr. teaches in the Department of Management and Marketing, CBPP at UAA. He has held numerous government positions in Alaska, which include Executive Director of AIDEA and the Alaska Energy Authority and President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). As of March 2018, he and his wife have a second home in Vieques, Puerto Rico which he often visits.

Robert Poe Jr. presents Rebuilding Power in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, PREPA, and the Future of Puerto Rico. At this event, Robert Poe Jr offers a firsthand account about what happened in Puerto Rico when, in 2018, Hurricane Maria struck with over 165 mph winds. The problems of competency concerning PREPA (Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority), his current consulting relationship with PREPA and an analysis of what is needed to rebuild in Puerto Rico will be addressed. Note, the presentation that accompanies the audio podcast is also posted in iTunes. Robert Poe Jr. teaches in the Department of Management and Marketing, CBPP at UAA. He has held numerous government positions in Alaska, which include Executive Director of AIDEA and the Alaska Energy Authority and President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). As of March 2018, he and his wife have a second home in Vieques, Puerto Rico which he often visits. (This event can also be accessed at https://cbpp.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=5b9c3931-8bb8-4221-8c58-a96d01539062)

UAA Archives & Special Collections staff Arlene Schmuland, Veronica Denison and Gwen Higgins discuss the makeup of the archive collections, a treasure chest of community stories and Alaska History. Selected stories and material from 1917-2018 are featured. Everyone is encouraged to come and find out how learning about Anchorage can be fun for all Anchoragites. This event is sponsored with UAA/APU Consortium Library.

The Lives of Spanish Speaking People in Anchorage part highlights the life of Dr. Irasema Ortega. This event brings attention to the lives of Spanish speaking people in Anchorage. Panelist include Attorney Nicolas A. Olano, Lina Mariscal -co-founder of the bilingual newspaper Sol de Medianoche, Dr. Irasema Ortega, Associate Professor of Science Education, UAA School of Education , and Itzel Yarger-Zagal, UAA Department of Languages. .. How each of us can better nurture Anchorage will also be addressed. Dr. Irasema Ortega is a past recipient of the Selkregg community Engagement & service Learning Award from CCEL. She was raised in Venezuela and received her PhD from Arizona State University. Lina Mariscal, a highly respected community leader, is also owner of the French Oven Bakery, a wholesale bakery in Anchorage. Attorney Nicolas A. Olano is an immigration law attorney. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Law cum laude with his Juris doctor in 2001. Today he handles immigration matters in the Nations Law group in Anchorage. Itzel Yarger-Zagel is a recipient of the Individual Artist Award 2017 from the Rasmuson Foundation. Her project is to complete a book of bilingual poems drawing upon the stories of local immigrants including her personal experience emigrating from Mexico.

The Lives of Spanish Speaking People in Anchorage part 2 welcomes Lina Mariscal, Itzel Yarger-Zagal, and Attorney Nicolas A. Olano. This event brings attention to the lives of Spanish speaking people in Anchorage. Panelist include Attorney Nicolas A. Olano, Lina Mariscal -co-founder of the bilingual newspaper Sol de Medianoche, Dr. Irasema Ortega, Associate Professor of Science Education, UAA School of Education , and Itzel Yarger-Zagal, UAA Department of Languages. How each of us can better nurture Anchorage will also be addressed. Dr. Irasema Ortega is a past recipient of the Selkregg community Engagement & service Learning Award from CCEL. She was raised in Venezuela and received her PhD from Arizona State University. Lina Mariscal, a highly respected community leader, is also owner of the French Oven Bakery, a wholesale bakery in Anchorage. Attorney Nicolas A. Olano is an immigration law attorney. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Law cum laude with his Juris doctor in 2001. Today he handles immigration matters in the Nations Law group in Anchorage. Itzel Yarger-Zagel is a recipient of the Individual Artist Award 2017 from the Rasmuson Foundation. Her project is to complete a book of bilingual poems drawing upon the stories of local immigrants including her personal experience emigrating from Mexico.

At the event Cuba in Poetry, History, and Images, Caroline Streff and Prof. Ray Ball discuss their experiences conducting archival and library research in Havana and writing historically informed poetry. Caroline Streff's poetry focuses on the complex issues related to the Revolution’s redistribution of physical space. Dr. Ball’s poetry concerns the ways in which the history of colonialism intersects with how history is told and retold on the island. Caroline Streff majored in English and International Studies at UAA. She plans to study Latin American rhetoric in graduate school. Ray Ball is Associate Professor of History at UAA. She is a published poet and author of Treating the Public: Charitable Theater and Civic Health in the Early Modern Atlantic World.

Professor Patrick Dulin discusses his research on smartphone apps and technology in the treatment of alcohol addiction and other addictions. In 2008, he conceived of the idea for the app called Step Away, which is a system for helping people with alcohol use disorders. Step Away leads users through coping strategies, monitors how often they drink, identifies ‘triggers’ and gives weekly feedback reports tracking their progress in kicking bad habits. Dr. Patrick Dulin, is professor in the UAA Psychology Department, Clinical-Community Psychology UAF/UAA Joint PhD Programs. He earned a PhD from University of Utah and a M.A. from University of Colorado.

Rebeca Maseda Garcia discusses new research in gender studies and the book Gender and Violence in Spanish Culture: From Vulnerability to Accountability. The book features contributions from various specialists in violence and gender disciplines and offers an interdisciplinary approach to the debate on patriarchal violence. According to the editors, María José Gámez Fuentes (Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain) and Rebeca Maseda García (University of Alaska Anchorage), for the true exercise of citizenship to occur, gender violence must be eradicated as it is not an interpersonal problem, but an attack on the very concept of democracy. Rebeca Maseda García is Associate Professor of Spanish at UAA. She is the author of Ensayo sobre la contradicción: Virginia Woolf en la pantalla, and she has published numerous articles on film and gender, representations of trauma, and historical memory.

Dr. Steve Konkel presents Are Healthy Sustainable Alaskan Communities Attainable? Change and Innovation in NW Alaska Communities. Today, changes in environmental conditions have accelerated in NW Alaska communities. Given a host of problems, from coastal erosion to melting permafrost to the effects of severe winter storms, it seems improbable that healthy sustainable communities are possible. Dr. Steve Konkel envisions otherwise and offers a refreshing analysis of how Arctic governing bodies in NW Alaska Communities can take hold of their future. Dr. Steve Konkel teaches courses on Arctic policies in the UAA Public Policy and Administration Dept. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering/Univ. Colorado, a master’s degree in City Planning/Harvard, and a PhD in environmental policy development/MIT.

Veronica Howard, Assistant Professor in UAA Department of Psychology welcomes Claudia Lampman, UAA Vice Provost for Student Success and Professor of Psychology, Lorelei Sterling, Assistant Professor Distance Education Librarian at UAA/APU Consortium Library, Penny Kimball, Director UAA Bookstore, and Monte Burton, Textbook Manager UAA Bookstore to discuss factors driving textbook costs. Topics include where the costs originate, unexpected sources of higher textbook costs, strategies to reduce costs and improve access to educational materials, and how partnership between students, faculty, consortium library faculty, and how the UAA Bookstore can reduce the cost of textbooks. Today , the cost of textbooks continue to rise, increasing 73% since 2006, outpacing the rate of inflation four times over (Student PIRG, 2016). These costs create a significant challenge to student success, with many students choosing to go without their course materials to the detriment of their academic success. This event is sponsored with the UAA Innovative Technology Solutions Fund.

Buddhist Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and study of knowledge. At this event, types of knowing linked to Buddhist concepts of self, mental cognition, dependent origination, and causation are explained. Hugh Gunner Deery III teaches Intro to Philosophy, Logic, and Ancient and Medieval philosophy in the Philosophy Dept. at UAA. He received a BA in philosophy at Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, MI) and an MA in philosophy from Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO). His focus of study centered on Eastern Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Linguistics and Ethics. Note: You may have to raise the volume a bit in order to hear. And please do not let the few sounds of paper shuffling detract from the content of the talk.

This is Darren Prokop's presentation for the event United States' Role in the Arctic and What Alaskans Need to Know about Plans and Future Developments with guest speakers Dalee Sambo Dorough, Randy “Church” Kee, and Darren Prokop. It accompanies the audio podcast,that is also posted in iTunes, at(1:09:12-1:24:43). Darren Prokop Professor of Logistics at UAA. He has published research in leading academic journals with topics ranging from: cabotage regulations; air cargo logistics; and supply chain security modelling. Prior to his academic career, he worked in government as an economist and in the private sector in inventory planning. He is author of numerous books including Global Supply Chain Security and Management: Appraising Programs, Preventing Crimes (2017), Concepts of Transportation Economics (2016), and The Business of Transportation (2014). He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

This is Randy Church Kee's presentation for the event United States' Role in the Arctic and What Alaskans Need to Know about Plans and Future Developments with guest speakers Dalee Sambo Dorough,Randy “Church” Kee, and Darren Prokop. It accompanies the audio podcast, that is also posted in iTunes, at (37:59-1:08:27). Randy “Church” Kee, Major General USAF (Ret.) had an impressive 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He is a career pilot and possesses three graduate degrees. In 2016, he became the Executive Director of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center--a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center of Excellence, hosted by the University of Alaska. At the Center, he leads an interdisciplinary team of 40 university and industry researchers to develop and transition technologies, innovate products and educational programs in order to improve crisis response capabilities related to emerging maritime challenges posed by the dynamic Arctic environment

United States' Role in the Arctic and What Alaskans Need to Know about Plans and Future Developments is the topic for this event. Notable guest speakers Dalee Sambo Dorough (4:51-37:07), Randy “Church” Kee (37:59-1:08:27), and Darren Prokop (1:09:12-1:24:43) come together to share their views about Alaska and the changing Arctic, with Q & A (1:25:11-1:48:36. (Note, the presentations from Randy Church Kee and Darren Prokop are also posted in iTunes.) Dalee Sambo Dorough is Associate Professor of Political Science at UAA and specializes in international law, international human rights law, Indigenous human rights standards, and the status and human rights of Alaska Natives. She holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law and a Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Her writings include International Law Association’s Expert Commentary of the Committee on Rights of Indigenous Peoples: http://www.ila-hq.org/en/committees/index.cfm/cid/1024] and United Nation’s Permanent Forum in Indigenous Issues’ Statement on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The present focus of her research relates to Arctic Indigenous peoples and their views on shipping, food security, cultural rights, and other Arctic specific issues. Randy “Church” Kee, Major General USAF (Ret.) had an impressive 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He is a career pilot and possesses three graduate degrees. In 2016, he became the Executive Director of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center--a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center of Excellence, hosted by the University of Alaska. At the Center, he leads an interdisciplinary team of 40 university and industry researchers to develop and transition technologies, innovate products and educational programs in order to improve crisis response capabilities related to emerging maritime challenges posed by the dynamic Arctic environment Darren Prokop Professor of Logistics at UAA. He has published research in leading academic journals with topics ranging from: cabotage regulations; air cargo logistics; and supply chain security modelling. Prior to his academic career, he worked in government as an economist and in the private sector in inventory planning. He is author of numerous books including Global Supply Chain Security and Management: Appraising Programs, Preventing Crimes (2017), Concepts of Transportation Economics (2016), and The Business of Transportation (2014). He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Kim Patterson is former director of UAA Student Support Services, which served first generation, nontraditional, and veteran students returning to school. He is author of Embracing the Homeless Community and the book Swift Justice: Leveling the Playing Field for America’s Re-entry Citizens. With a commitment to renewal initiatives within social and faith-based communities, he founded Connections Alaska, Inc.

In his new book From Oligarchy to Republicanism, Forrest A. Nabors sets out to show how congressional Republicans regarded the work of Reconstruction in the same way they regarded the work of the Founders: as regime change, from monarchy in the one case and from oligarchy in the other, to republicanism. By examining congressional writings and speeches from 1863-1869, Forrest A. Nabors offers a critical analysis of Reconstruction and the nature of Southern oligarchy. Renowned Civil War historian James McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom states, “In this unique perspective on Reconstruction, the political scientist Forrest A. Nabors offers new insights on how the Republicans of the Civil War era drew upon their portrayal of the conflict between freedom and slavery as a struggle between republicanism and oligarchy to shape their program of Reconstruction.” And according to Paul A. Rahe, author of Republics Ancient and Modern: Classical Republicanism and the American Revolution, “If you want to understand the origins of the Civil War, why the North won, the outcome’s consequences for this country, and race relations over the last 150 years, this book is the place to start. It is a masterpiece, and it is going to have an immense impact.” Forrest A. Nabors is Associate Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Political Science at UAA and he received his Ph.D. from University of Oregon.

Members of the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission (AERC) share their work and goals for Anchorage. Initiatives, projects, complaint processes and a general overview of the AERC concerning the equitable treatment of Anchorage citizens is explored. Current topics such as National Origin and Religious Discrimination, Disability Access to the APAC and related Anchorage Assembly legislation are focused on. Everyone is encouraged to learn how AERC protects equal rights in Anchorage.

Bryan Talbott Clark presents Dying Badly: Ten Popular Mistakes Made at the End of Life. Bryan Talbott-Clark, LMSW, is Program Coordinator for Providence Connections, a program of Providence In-Home Services that provides support and guidance for patients and their families living with a serious illness. He has 10 years’ experience in palliative care, hospice and medical social work and is a past executive director of Hospice of Anchorage. He earned his MSW at UAA.

In his book, Melting the Ice Curtain, David Ramseur examines how citizen-diplomats bridged a widening gap in superpower relations during the “Friendship Flight” between Nome, Alaska and Provideniya, Russia, in 1988. At this event, David Ramseur discusses where US- Russian relations stand 30 years later and what we can learn from past diplomacy David Ramseur managed federal grants for academic exchanges between Alaska and the Russian Far East for the UAA American Russian Center. He has served as an adviser to Alaska Governors Steve Cowper and Tony Knowles and to Anchorage Mayor and U.S. Senator Mark Begich.

Bianca S. Rauch, Chaplain at Providence Hospice, and Reverend Nathan Rogers, Bereavement Coordinator at Providence Hospice, come together to discuss matters related to death and loss. At this event, death and grief is analysed with humor accompanying a review of contemporary theories and practices governing hospice philosophies. Bianca S Rauch, MA, BCC serves as chaplain for Providence Hospice. She has practiced hospital ministry for over thirty years. Her areas of interest include theology and art, forms of prayer, end of life support and bereavement. Rev Nathan Roger, BCC, CT holds two specialty certifications in grief and loss and has been coordinating the bereavement program at Providence Hospice for five years. He and his wife are originally from Nc. This is an important event where life, mortality and loss is discussed.

UAA Prof. Ray Ball teaches Renaissance and Reformation History. In this talk, she discusses the historical context in which Martin Luther broke with the Catholic Church. In addition, she anaylzes the era of religious reformations and violence, how politicians with a variety of motivations exploited with and sought to constrain these movements, and the legacies of these movements that began 500 years ago. Ray Ball received her BA from the University of Oklahoma, her MA and PhD from the Ohio State University. She is author of Treating the Public, which focuses on the relationships between theater and charity in Catholic Spain and Protestant England and their Atlantic realms.

Alaskan journalist Mike Dunham discusses the United States’ acquisition of Russian America in 1867. Mike Dunham is author of two short biographies, The Man Who Sold: Tsar Alexander II of Russia and The Man Who Bought Alaska: William H. Seward. This event is held in celebration of Alaska Day, which marks the anniversary of the formal transfer of the territory from Russia to the United States and the raising of the United States flag at Sitka on October 18, 1867.

Members of the Anchorage and Alaska Filipino community discuss Filipino American History Month. And in celebration, author Gina Apostol reads from her book Gun Dealers Daughter read via video (starting at 45:57) The novel, set in martial law Philippines, explores links between novel writing and history, between our contemporary times and past, and links between U.S. and Philippine history. Gina Apostol's book, Gun Dealers Daughter won the 2013 PEN/Open Book Award and was shortlisted for the 2014 William Saroyan International Prize. Author of three books, many of Gina Apostol's essays and stories have appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Review of Books, Foreign Policy, Gettysburg Review, and Massachusetts Review. Gina Apostol was raised in Tacloban, Philippines and currently lives in New York City and western Massachusetts. This event is held in celebration of Filipino American History Month. It is sponsored by Alaska Airlines and Alaskero Partnership Organizers of UAA’s Center for Community Engagement and Learning. UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/titleIXcompliance/nondiscrimination

Dr. Sebastian Neumayer, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, UAA, shares his research on the effects of natural disasters on fiber infrastructure. While investigating the survivability of networks in the face of geographically correlated failures, he discusses algorithms that identify the most vulnerable parts of real-world networks to large-scale disasters. In addition to his academic research, Sebastian Neumayer discusses The BTC Ring, an open-source Bitcoin project that integrates jewelry and digital assets. The BTC Ring can mitigate the risk that traditional jewelry has to loss and theft as well as can be used as an alternative to diamond engagement rings.

In Global Supply Chain Security and Management, Professor Darren Prokop examines the relationship between securing a global supply chain, worldwide trade and the role of government as both a partner and policing organization. Historically, the primary goal of supply chain security was guarding against theft and damage. Today, supply chain managers and governments are discovering new roles for various technologies such as tracking devices and Big Data analytics. Global Supply Chain Security and Management: Appraising Programs, Preventing Crimes is published by Butterworth-Heinemann, 2017. Darren Prokop, Ph.D. is a professor of logistics in the College of Business & Public Policy at UAA and is the director of the Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management Program. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Manitoba in 1999.

Dr. Vivian Gonzalez discusses the lack of evidence for the notion that American Indians and Alaska Natives have a particular genetic predisposition for alcohol use disorders (aka the firewater myth) and her research on the effect of the firewater myth on drinking behavior among American Indian and Alaska Native college students. Dr. Vivian Gonzalez received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of Hawaii in 2004 and then completed a three-year NIAAA funded postdoctoral training program in alcoholism etiology and treatment at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions. She is an Associate Professor in the UAA Department of Psychology. Her research interests include a) alcohol and other substance abuse etiology and treatment, b) predictors and prevention of suicidality, and c) the functional associations between suicidality and alcohol.

Professors Elizabeth Dennison and Erika Monahan share insights into the meaning of the Russian Revolution in 1917 and its enduring relevance in 2017. Revolution as a response and the many responses to revolution will be highlighted. How did anarchists respond then? Is there reason to celebrate now?" Dr. Elizabeth Dennison is a professor of History at UAA. Her area of expertise is Russian History and anarchist movements. Dr. Erika Monahan is Associate professor of History, University of New Mexico. She is author of The Merchants of Siberia: Trade in Early Modern Eurasia.

Professor Karen Strid-Chadwick, UAA Department of Music, explores the extraordinary life and accomplishments of American jazz and song vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. Everyone is invited to listen and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the “First Lady of Jazz", Ella Fitzgerald. This event provides an excellent introduction to American jazz for music lovers everywhere.

Longtime Alaska reporter Mike Dunham has written a pair of short biographies that tell the stories of the most important diplomats in the 19th century—Tsar Alexander II of Russia and American Secretary of State William Henry Seward. At this event, a fresh look at the lives of the men who arranged the United States’ acquisition of Russian America in 1867 will be offered. This event is held in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the purchase of Alaska

Truth, Truthiness, and Post Truths: Strategies for Navigating Our Media Landscape examines how the information landscape is changing. At the event, UAA English Professors Jackie Cason and Heather Adams offer ways to understand news and various media. What drives our choices in how we share news and what remains useful in “old school” strategies is discussed Professor Jackie Cason is the Composition Coordinator for the Department of English at UAA. Her research focuses on ways to embed information literacy throughout the writing curriculum. Dr. Heather Brook Adams specializes in, and teaches courses in, rhetoric and gender, rhetorical theory, and feminist historiography.

Seta Kabranian-Melkonian discusses ethical concerns with refugee research and human services administrators conducting refugee research. According to Seta Kabranian-Melkonian, the number of refugees and internally displaced people is rising every minute worldwide. Furthermore, new categories of refugees, such as climate refugees or nuclear refugees, are adding to the traditional groups of natural disaster and war refugees. Implementing research with this complicated group poses numerous ethical issues for researchers. Seta Kabranian-Melkonian is the Practicum Specialist at UAA Human Services Department. In addition to her Ph.D. in Armenian Literature, currently she is completing her Master of Fine Arts degree at UAA in creative writing that emphasizes a literary approach to exploring and redefining relationships between people and place.

Margritt Engel shares her father’s letters dated Nov. 1917-Dec. 1918 from Riga, Latvia written to his parents in Saxony. In addition, she examines her father’s diary written during WWII, dated from November 1941 to March 1945. Deemed unfit for combat due to a riding accident, Margritt Engel’s father spent both wars in the food supply service. His is letters and diaries offer a fascinating and intimate glimpse into the life of an East German during two world wars. Margritt Engel translated, Journal of a Voyage with Bering, 1741-1742 by Georg Wilhelm Steller; with O.W. Frost and History of Kamchatka with Karen Willmore, published by UA Press. She is Professor Emerita in the Department of Languages at UAA.

The two party system, Donald trump, Hilary Clinton, the electoral college ,and global politics are topics discussed at this informal event. Guest speakers are Dr. James Muller, professor of Political Sciences at UAA and a renowned Churchill scholar. Prof. Muller is editor of numerous books by or about Churchill including Great Contemporaries: Churchill Reflects on FDR, Hitler, Kipling, Chaplin, Balfour, and Other Giants of His Age. Joining him is Dr. Forrest A. Nabors, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UAA whose book, The Great Task of Reconstruction, will be published in fall 2017.