THENORTHERNLIGHT
April 3, 2012
University of Alaska Anchorage
www.thenorthernlight.org
Graphic by Nick Foote/TNL
UAA “Department of Computer Science and Engineering” merges established programs
By Evan Dodd Staff Reporter
Big changes are coming to UAA’s computer related programs. A merger between the Computer Science and Computer Systems Engineering programs was recently announced by Provost Mike Driscoll. The changes,
proposed entirely by faculty, will create a new department under the School of Engineering known as the “Department of Computer Science and Engineering.” The move is meant to provide students with a more robust selection of courses and will help to consolidate the expertise contained in both programs.
Additionally, the merge will help to eliminate duplicate courses currently offered by both programs. The merge, proposed by university faculty in early January, will move funding and faculty from the current Computer Science program to the School of Engineering for
use with the new department. According to Kim Peterson, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, merging the departments also brings the added benefit of accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. “Students will now see special
accreditation of their programs. The computer science program has never had special accreditation from ABET until now. It will grant more prestige to graduates of the program.” said Peterson. ABET is an international organization that accredits college programs dealing with
See MERGER Page 2
‘Bring Back the Sunshine’ an emotional send-off (with original music written by Professor Mari Hahn), that involves both a traditional cast Scraps of fabric and fur are and puppet characters. The story strewn about in a haphazard revolves around a girl, Elena, who war zone. Plaster faces and half- has to rescue her husband from finished heads are resting on work an evil general with the help of tables, and whimsical garments friends she meets along the way. are adorning mannequins. It’s not In true fairytale fashion, many a Tim Burton of these new workshop friends are you’re animals, and invading, puppets. it’s the UAA “Bring costume shop; Back the the heart of Sunshine” Professor Fran is more Lautenberger’s than a final kingdom for collaborative the past 26 work for years. Lautenberger, Her reach who is also extends far serving as past the the show’s costume shop director. The however, and play is several -- Jonathan Minton years in the this jack-of-alltrades has had making, her hand in every aspect of theater some better than others. at one time or another. Now, after “I started it three or four years two and a half decades of devoted ago as a lark, as a joke; it was service to UAA, she’s cashing in going to make fun of everybody her last paycheck and retiring. I worked with,” she said. “It was But not before putting on one going to be a metaphor for my final show. husband and I, you know, being “Bring Back the Sunshine” is in Alaska. Tra-la-la, and I came an original musical, written by up with this thing, and it was all both Lautenberger and former See SUNSHINE Page 6 UAA student, Jonathan Minton
By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor
UAA professor Fran Lautenberger leaves the Theatre Dept. with one final play
“...to have somebody whose opinion you respect and trust come to you and offer you something that really is a very personal project, and trust you with it; it’s an invaluable experience.”
UAA Professor Fran Lautenberger shows off one of the handmade puppets to be featured in the upcoming performance of “Bring back the Sunshine.’” photo by Krystal garrison/TNL