Prince William Sound Community College

photo courtesy: Joseph Hughes

It is a HUGE privilege to announce that Ms. Gail Renardson has been conferred the rank of Professor Emeritus.  This is the highest honor that can be achieved by a faculty member, and carries some benefits as well as prestige.  In conferring this rank on Prof. Renardson, UAA Chancellor Tom Case wrote the following in the letter to Prof. Renardson:

“This high honor is in recognition of your distinguished career at the University of Alaska.  You have served the university long, providing exemplary teaching, research and service.  UAA regards you to be among its most valued assets.  Accordingly, we invite you and encourage you to continue to contribute to your discipline and to the academy. . . . Warmest congratulations to you on your appointment to Professor Emerita.”

PWSCC is lucky to have found Prof. Renardson in 1980, and even more lucky to have held onto her.  Her contributions to PWSCC have been wide and deep, from establishing a chapter of PTK and assisting in the founding of the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, to building a service learning component into her classes and encouraging students to serve their communities.  Her contributions to students’ lives are immeasurable, and her collegiality has been noted by all.

Prof. Renardson will continue to serve PWSCC and its students, teaching part time.  Fortunately, even though she’s retiring, we’re not losing her completely.

Thank you for your service, Gail – and congratulations!

Wellness Center Reception Area (Top) & PWSCC Lobby (Bottom)

The Wellness Center is getting a facelift… and a tummy tuck… and well, everything else too! Over the next several months, the Wellness Center and some other parts of PWSCC will receive a major remodel, resulting in a modern facility that is better able to accommodate the needs of our students and the community of Valdez.

In order to get this started, the Wellness Center needs to move into a temporary space to give the contractor room to work. During the remodel, the Wellness Center will be located at 309 Fairbanks St, which used to house Rexall Drug. The Wellness Center will be closed beginning Monday, April 23 with hopes of re-opening in our new location by Saturday, April 28, pending completion of the move.

After a record breaking season, the Ski for Free program will close this week prior to the move, with the last loans taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18. All items will be due no later than this coming Friday, April 20.

Hours of operation in the new facility will be:
Monday-Friday, 5:00am-8:45pm
Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-7:00pm

Watch for more information next week with updates about our progress. For up to date info regarding the move, call our front desk at 907.834.1684 to speak with someone, or to hear our recorded message which will be updated any time there are changes.

Please help spread the word on the location change and short term closure!

Prince William Sound Community College is pleased to announce that Jed Palmer, Curriculum Coordinator for Chugachmiut and former Principal of Tatitlek School, has accepted the position of Interim Dean of Instruction at PWSCC. Those in Valdez may know Mr. Palmer from his being a finalist for the Principal position at Valdez High School last year.

Mr. Palmer holds an M.Ed. and is currently working on a doctorate. He has significant experience as a capable, enthusiastic, and visionary educational administrator, which is important to this position, but also has the kind of people skills to work effectively with PWSCC faculty, staff, and administration. Mr. Palmer is the kind of person who is focused on the job getting done, and working with others in a cooperative spirit to make sure it’s done well. He values a team approach, and he has a ready sense of humor. Mr. Palmer is the right fit for our college.

Mr. Palmer will begin his duties on Monday April 24, and will serve until a new PWSCC President takes office and Interim President Wes Lundburg returns to the position of Dean of Instruction.