I write to express my appreciation for the leadership of Mayor Koelsch, the Assembly and City Manager Rorie Watt in their support of Univerity of Alaska Southeast and its school of education. Their intervention, along with the voices of Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott and former chancellors Marshall Lind and John Pugh, among others, was determinative in swaying University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen to alter his initial recommendation that the consolidated school of education be headquartered in Fairbanks. These Juneau leaders recognized that the proposed change was an existential threat to the viability of UAS. I also applaud the key roles that Regents Dale Anderson and Ken Fisher played in the outcome. Finally, I salute President Johnsen for his principled and transparent efforts in formulating and implementing Strategic Pathways and his willingness to fundamentally reconsider positions when presented with compelling arguments to do so.
Bruce Botelho,
Juneau