JUNEAU, Alaska — Two cruise lines have donated $1 million to programs and projects within the University of Alaska system.
The money from Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. and Holland America Line Inc. will be gifted to programs on three UA campuses over three years, the Juneau Empire reported (http://bit.ly/1frkYSA).
More than half the donation, $585,000, will go toward the renovation of Cuddy Hall at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The university system, in a release, said the hall supports culinary arts, hospitality and nutrition programs and is integral to meeting workforce development needs of the tourism and hospitality industry in Alaska.
Money is also slated for the marine science competition sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which lost its funding this year due to federal budget cuts, and $85,000 for scholarships for rural students in the University of Alaska Southeast’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. A museum exhibit, entrepreneurial program and program designed to help Alaskans develop, use and conserve the state’s marine and coastal resources also will benefit.
UA President Pat Gamble said in a release that the donation will leave an indelible mark on the lives of many UA researchers and students.
In that same release, Bruce Bustamante, Princess’ vice president for community and public affairs, said the company is committed to a healthy environment. “This donation will help us further that goal by funding research and fostering awareness for our oceans and marine systems,” he said. Ralph Samuels, Holland America’s vice president for government and community relations, sees the gift as helping make an investment in the next generation of workers the cruise line wants to hire.
University of Alaska Southeast director of development, Lynne Johnson, said details of the scholarship are still being worked out but they will be available only to students who come to the school from rural areas like Yakutat, Haines and Cordova. She said the goal is to attract students from outside Juneau who struggle to pay for school. While Juneau has many community organizations that fund scholarships, smaller communities often don’t, Johnson said.
“If we can help kids in rural communities come here and get an education and take the knowledge they get back to their community, that makes not just the Southeast economy but our state stronger,” she said.
Some of the degrees UAS offers under its science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs include marine biology, environmental science, pre-engineering and mathematics, Johnson said.
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