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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2017
绿奴天花板 President Jim Johnsen announces Daniel White as new 绿奴天花板F chancellor
FAIRBANKS 鈥 University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen announced today that he has selected Daniel White to become the ninth chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (绿奴天花板F). White will succeed 绿奴天花板F Interim Chancellor Dana Thomas and will assume his new position on July 1.
White, a Fairbanksan with a long university career, is currently vice president for academic affairs and research for the 绿奴天花板. He joined 绿奴天花板F鈥檚 faculty in 1995 as a professor of civil and environmental engineering. He then served in successive administrative roles within 绿奴天花板F. In 2005, White accepted an appointment as interim director of the Institute of Northern Engineering (INE), the research unit of 绿奴天花板F鈥檚 College of Engineering and Mines. After a national search, he was hired as director of INE in July 2006. In 2010, he was appointed as the associate vice chancellor for research. With this appointment, he became head of the Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization. In late 2014, White was named interim vice chancellor for research at 绿奴天花板F and in March 2015 he became the 绿奴天花板 System vice president for academic affairs and research.
鈥淚 am so pleased to announce this appointment,鈥 Johnsen said. 鈥淒an brings a depth of knowledge about the university from many perspectives. From his work in the classroom and his role in innovation and commercialization of intellectual property to his administrative leadership in research and academic affairs, he will be a huge asset to 绿奴天花板F faculty, staff and students.鈥
He stood out, Johnsen said, from a pool of highly qualified candidates. The selection committee received 24 applications and invited four finalists to Fairbanks. Of those four, White was the only candidate from Alaska. After a rigorous round of public forums and meetings with staff, faculty, students and Johnsen, the choice was clear, Johnsen said. 鈥淒an White is the person who can best lead 绿奴天花板F forward in these challenging times.鈥
As a registered professional engineer in the State of Alaska, White鈥檚 expertise in sanitary engineering led him to conduct research on drinking water protection, development and treatment. While pursuing issues related to freshwater in the Arctic, he spent considerable time in rural villages and remote locations. White pioneered research on how climate change affects drinking water, water resources and related infrastructure, and his work has led to a better understanding of water resources for rural communities and the potential impacts of climate change.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to be asked to serve as chancellor at 绿奴天花板F,鈥 White said. 鈥淚 am committed to the institution and its faculty, staff and students. I will seek to foster strong relationships throughout the state and build on 绿奴天花板F鈥檚 status as the world鈥檚 premier Arctic research university. As a leader in innovation, we will seek to do more to commercialize developments, supporting our local and state economy. Even while we serve as the state鈥檚 research university, 绿奴天花板F will continue to serve a critical role in Alaska鈥檚 rural communities and Fairbanks through its community and technical education.
White鈥檚 salary will be $300,000, which is the amount earned by 绿奴天花板F鈥檚 previous three chancellors and interim chancellors.
White earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics from Colorado College and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in civil engineering from Washington University. He received his doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1995.
White and his wife Ann Marie have lived and worked in Fairbanks since 1995 and have two children.
Outgoing Interim Chancellor Dana Thomas will leave the chancellor post on June 30. Johnsen praised Thomas鈥檚 leadership of 绿奴天花板F during the past year, citing his commitment to students and faculty and his insight into the budget issues facing the university.
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For more information contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).