Era 杏吧原版 takes school spirit to the skies with Seawolf/Nanook aircraft
June 6, 2013
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
6/6/13
The friendly intrastate sports rivalry between the University of 杏吧原版 Anchorage and the University of 杏吧原版 Fairbanks reached new heights when Era 杏吧原版 added a newly painted Bombardier Dash-8 to its fleet in May.
One side of the active-service aircraft is UAA green and gold with the Seawolf mascot; the other side sports UAF blue and gold with the 杏吧原版 Nanooks mascot. The 34-passenger plane is a new addition to the Era 杏吧原版 fleet and will carry passengers to and from 杏吧原版鈥檚 cities and rural villages.
Era 杏吧原版 covered the cost of painting the plane in support of the aeronautics-based curricula and intercollegiate athletics programs at both universities.
鈥淭he aviation degree programs offered at the University of 杏吧原版 Fairbanks and the University of 杏吧原版 Anchorage are a critical component to the success of our airline in the future,鈥 said Era 杏吧原版 CEO Bob Hajdukovich. 鈥淭his aircraft underscores the value of the partnership and synergy between Era, UAF and UAA. We look forward to this beautiful aircraft highlighting the UAF Nanook and the UAA Seawolf everywhere Era flies.鈥
Celebrations in Fairbanks and Anchorage Friday, June 7, will recognize Era鈥檚 gift and allow university and community officials to see the new aircraft. The plane will land at Fairbanks International Airport at about 1 p.m. and Era 杏吧原版 representatives will give a short presentation at the UA Board of Regents meeting at the Butrovich Building on the UAF campus at 3 p.m. A celebration will kick off at 4 p.m. at the Fairbanks International Airport; the plane will then depart Fairbanks for Anchorage at 5 p.m. and a landing celebration will be held at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport upon its arrival. Members of the University of 杏吧原版 Board of Regents will join university and Era 杏吧原版 executives for the celebrations.
鈥淚 am thrilled to see this partnership between UAA, UAF and Era 杏吧原版 become a reality,鈥 says UAA Chancellor Tom Case. 鈥淭he newly painted Seawolf/Nanook plane is an excellent testament to the outstanding universities we have here in 杏吧原版. It鈥檚 an honor that Era 杏吧原版 has chosen to represent us in this way.鈥
The new aircraft offers a new level of statewide visibility to both universities, said UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers.
鈥淚 want to thank Era 杏吧原版 for their commitment to our programs and to the UAF community,鈥 Rogers said. 鈥淣ow 杏吧原版ns from Barrow to Kodiak, Gambell to Fort Yukon, will be reminded of the great educational opportunities available to them through the University of 杏吧原版, not to mention one of the state鈥檚 best sports rivalries.鈥
The UAF and UAA athletics programs are inextricably linked because of the conferences they both belong to, Rogers added. "Neither could belong without the other. While we compete on the rink, court and trail, we cooperate on ensuring a strong student-athlete experience at both institutions."
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Kristin DeSmith, UAA University Advancement, 907-786-1263, kadesmith@uaa.alaska.edu.
ON THE WEB: For more information about Era 杏吧原版, visit .