Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Dietetics & Nutrition Division recipient of a Seymour Award

Faculty & staff of the culinary arts and hospitality & restaurant management programs
L to R: Amanda Yauney, Anne Bridges, Naomi Everett, Tim Doebler, Vern Wolfram, and Amy Green



The Seymour Awards recognize leaders in Alaska's tourism industry. The awards feature nine categories, and winners are selected on the basis of excellence in their products and services, exceptional contributions to the industry, or enhancement of Anchorage's image as a visitor destination.

The Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Dietetics & Nutrition Division received the Member Contribution to Visitor Industry Award for their commitment to training and education. Graduates of the division's culinary arts and hospitality & restaurant management programs continue to bolster the state's hospitality and tourism industry through their work.

"I am very pleased to announce that my faculty team and staff were recognized by Visit Anchorage for our contribution to the Alaska visitor’s industry through our role as educators," said Tim Doebler, director of the division. "It is quite an honor to receive a Seymour Award, and we are all very humbled."

Read the article on Visit Anchorage.

Students' capstone project examines the future of aviation - unmanned aircraft systems

Aviation Technology Administration 492: Air Transportation Seminar is the Aviation Technology Division’s integrative capstone course which requires students to demonstrate their ability to apply all of the knowledge, skills, and competencies they acquired during their coursework into practical application working on a real-world project.

ATA 492 students from L to R: Fumihiro Kato, Dae-yun Won, Travis McMahon, Professor Charlene Derry, Juan Guevara,
Dezarae Bascome, UAA Chancellor Tom Case, Amanda Reimann, Derek Ables, UA President Patrick Gamble, Shawn Frost, Logan Riis, Clinton Ellson, Travis Durtschi, Eric Zimmermann, (not pictured Hans Klodt)

On April 30, University of Alaska Anchorage students in the Air Transportation Seminar were joined by key university, industry, and government leaders for an impressive presentation of their semester-long research project “Practical Implementation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” 

The term unmanned aircraft systems references an unmanned aircraft and the communication links and other components needed for its safe operation by a pilot on the ground. While these unmanned aircraft come in all shapes and sizes, they are used for aerial reconnaissance, monitoring, and information-gathering. Initially designed for military purposes, the use of these systems has evolved to include other commercial and educational applications such as scientific study and rescue missions.

The students chose to focus on mandates established by Congress in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 directing the FAA to develop a test program to integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system at six test ranges. The ranges will be selected based on several factors including their diversity in climate and geography.

During the presentation, the students discussed many aspects of this legislation related to testing and integration as well as the bill's requirements to implement unmanned aircraft systems operations in the Arctic. They also looked at policy and regulatory progress and impediments.

More broadly, they examined current research and development being conducted to enhance unmanned aircraft systems. They also explored government and commercial applications of these systems and used a specific business case model to illustrate the commercial market for them.

The project has special significance to students in Alaska because the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration is competing for one of the six test range sites. Ro Bailey, the center’s deputy director attended the presentation.

Professor Charlene Derry, faculty and mentor for the Air Transportation Seminar, commended students on their outstanding work.

“As a result of the quality of the presentation, aviation industry officials in attendance offered to assist students in setting up a student chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives,” said Derry. “Officials were also interested in establishing a new collaboration to enhance employment opportunities for our aviation graduates with the aviation industry in Alaska.”

University and industry leaders in attendance at the presentation include the following:

• Patrick Gamble, President, University of Alaska
• Tom Case, Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage
• Karen Schmitt, Dean, Community & Technical College
• Rocky Capozzi, Director, Aviation Technology Division
• Ro Bailey, Deputy Director, Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration

More Information

• FAA Fact Sheet

Mel Kalkowski receives JPC Alumni Award

Mel Kalkowski is the director of Military Programs at the Community & Technical College. On April 26, the Department of Journalism and Public Communications honored Kalkowski with a JPC Alumni Award. Individuals who receive this honor are selected based on their contributions to the journalism and mass communications industry and to the community. The annual award was launched during the 2011-2012 academic year. Kalkowski is its second recipient. 

Mel Kalkowski, Director of Military Programs

Paola Banchero, associate professor and chair of the Department of Journalism and Public Communications, highlighted the accomplishments noted in Kalkowski’s biography during the award ceremony.

About Mel Kalkowski
Melvin P. Kalkowski is the director of Military Programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Prior to his current role, he served as UAA’s chief public affairs officer and subsequent director of electronic communications. He has also taught radio, television and public relations courses in the Department of Journalism and Public Communications as an affiliate professor.

Kalkowski has participated in the implementation of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout for all 34-years of the annual tournament, which brings some of the best college teams in the nation to Alaska.

He has a long history of service to the community of Anchorage attaining the rank of major as an Anchorage Police Department reserve officer. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the Three Barons Renaissance Fair, Special Olympics 2001 World Winter Games, and Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. He is the official race announcer for the World Championship Sled Dog Race. He is currently the Flotilla Commander for the Eagle River Flotilla, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Kalkowski has received two Aurora Awards of Excellence and two Aurora Awards from the Public Relations Society of America. He is also a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and a Certificate of Appreciation from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

He is a recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Community Service. In 2005, then Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich honored Kalkowski by declaring June 30, Mel Kalkowski Day in recognition of his contributions and achievements.