April 12, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2017

Johnsen announces retirement of 绿奴天花板A Chancellor Tom Case

ANCHORAGE 鈥 University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen announced today that University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Tom Case plans to retire effective June 30, 2017. Case has served as 绿奴天花板A chancellor for six years, and previously served as dean of 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 College of Business and Public Policy for six years. Chancellor Case has led 绿奴天花板A with great integrity and distinction, Johnsen said.

鈥淭om has served the university with integrity, good humor and dedication,鈥 Johnsen said. 鈥淚 have long admired his commitment to student success, campus safety, and the opportunities he created to advocate for faculty and students. I will miss his steady hand and great diplomacy.鈥

Case enjoyed many accomplishments during his 12 years at 绿奴天花板A, including:

  • Establishing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice program
  • Establishing a joint Pharmacology Doctorate program with Idaho State University, keeping students in state for their entire education
  • Opening the Alaska Airlines Center, the Engineering and Industry Building, Health Sciences Building, Glenn Massay Theatre at the Mat-Su Campus, the residential halls on the Kenai Peninsula Campus and completing and dedicating the bridge across Providence Drive, the Parrish Bridge (for Al and Ann Parrish)
  • Appointing Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith as first Rasmuson Chair in Experimental Economics

 鈥淭here鈥檚 no doubt that Tom has changed the lives of many for the better,鈥 Johnsen said.

In addition to the work done to expand programs and enhance 绿奴天花板A facilities, he also oversaw the growth of the Seawolf Debate Team, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering program and tirelessly cheered on the national success of 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 intercollegiate athletics teams. Case was recently elected to a three-year term as a commissioner for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Northwest region鈥檚 accrediting body, and he serves on the NWCCU executive committee.

Case served 绿奴天花板A as College of Business and Public Policy dean from 2002-2008. He then served as president and chief operating officer of the state-owned, independently operated Alaska Aerospace Corp. from 2008-2011. He returned to 绿奴天花板A in 2011 as chancellor.

Prior to his state and university service, Case earned the rank of Lt. General, serving as deputy commander in chief and chief of staff of the U.S. Pacific Command among other high ranking positions. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Case earned a Master of Science degree in systems management at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the National War College, U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, U.S. Air Force Air War College and Emory University鈥檚 advanced management program.

A committee will be formed to lead the search for Case鈥檚 replacement. In the meantime, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Sam Gingerich will serve as 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 interim chancellor.

鈥淚 have confidence in Sam鈥檚 ability to lead 绿奴天花板A while we convene a search committee to permanently fill this important post,鈥 said Johnsen.  鈥淪am鈥檚 deep professional experience in academia and university administration make him an invaluable resource for 绿奴天花板A, 绿奴天花板 and Alaska.  I am looking forward to working closely with Sam in the coming months and am grateful for his willingness to step into this interim role.鈥

鈥淏ut for now, I鈥檇 like to thank Chancellor Case for all that he鈥檚 done for 绿奴天花板A, and for the entire university. I believe his legacy will be long celebrated. We will miss you, we will honor you always and we wish you and Susan much joy and happiness in the months and years ahead.鈥

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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).

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