Tim Rawson’s book is picked as

"One of the Best"

Liberal Studies Professor Dr. Timothy Rawson’s book, "Changing Tracks: Predators and Politics in Mount McKinley National Park" (2001), has been included in "Alaska 67: A Guide to Alaska’s Best History Books," compiled by the Alaska Historical Society. Society members and other Alaskan historians were asked to recommend their top book picks which tell the tales of Alaska’s history. Over 600 books were submitted for consideration. The list was narrowed down to 67 – a number chosen to commemorate 1867, when the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia. Books included in the list range from "Gold Rush Women" by Claire Rudolf and Jane G. Haigh (1997), to John Muir’s "Travels in Alaska" (1915). Dr. Rawson’s book covers the "challenges of protecting the wildlife (Mount McKinley National Park), and the politics and policies of the people making the decisions." Dr. Rawson’s book is available in area bookstores or through online booksellers.

Dr. Timothy Rawson is an associate professor of history in the Liberal Studies program. He has taught at APU since 1998 and was the founding director of the very popular Early Honors program.

Alaska Pacific University

Improves Its Ranking To #47

Alaska Pacific University is ranked #47 among master's level universities in the West in the 2007 edition of U.S. News & World Report Guide to America's Best Colleges. This is the third year APU has been ranked in the highest echelon of master's level universities, and it continues APU's status as the highest ranking master's level university in Alaska.

"We are proud that APU continues to move up the rankings, from its position at #52 last year to #47 this year" said APU President Dr. Douglas North. "It's great to have an outside entity reaffirm that our students are receiving a first-rate education. This is particularly true because APU's approach focuses so directly on student learning and involvement, a non-traditional approach that does not always match up well with traditional ranking metrics."

Colleges are ranked on 15 indicators of academic excellence including peer assessment, retention, and percentage of freshmen who are in the top 25 percent of their graduating class, student-to-faculty ratio, faculty resources, selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate, and alumni giving. APU has consistently scored high in several of these areas, especially its student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1 and 95 percent of classes that have fewer than 20 students.

APU is one of 557 universities that were considered in the rankings, by geographic area. All of these colleges provide a full range of undergraduate and master's programs, but offer few, if any doctoral programs. For more information, visit http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php

APU's Accreditation Reaffirmed

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has reaffirmed the accreditation of Alaska Pacific University. The accreditation assures APU's educational quality and institutional integrity. Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process of quality assurance and institutional improvement and it is required for access to federal funds to support teaching, research and student financial aid.

"This accreditation reaffirms what we have worked for over the last 10 years - to bring APU back to financial health, to grow the expertise of the faculty and to provide a quality education based on active learning, for Alaskans and out-of-state students," said APU President Dr. Douglas North.

APU was notified of the accreditation in late-July, following considerable review and a site visit this spring. The accreditation process is a ten-year cycle with continual review, preparation of an extensive report that looks at all aspects of the college, then an on-site visit by a committee of peers.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is one of six regional organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions in the U.S. The Northwest region includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Learn more at www.nwccu.org

APU Nordic Ski Center Under New Leadership

The APU Nordic Ski Center recently welcomed the new snow as well as new coaches. This fall, Coach Erik Flora was named director of the APU Nordic Ski Center. He is joined by coaches Frode Lillefjell and Holly Brooks. The three are responsible for all aspects of the Nordic ski program including coaching student athletes such as Olympian Kikkan Randall, and coaching Masters, Junior level and the Elite athletes. Erik Flora says, "This is an exciting time for APU Nordic Ski Center. We have put together an exceptional staff, an unparalleled athlete roster, and received uncompromising dedication and support from our Masters group and the Alaska ski community. This is going to be a great season!"