Four-year college plan gains support

February 3, 2006

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - A little over a year ago, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly joined forces with the director of Mat-Su College to develop a goal for the year.

They emerged with the lofty goal of establishing a four-year college campus in the Valley.

Last week, they garnered the biggest supporter they could for their ambitious plan, when University of Alaska President Marc Hamilton addressed the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce. He stated that he, too, liked the idea of a four-year college in the borough.

&#8220The Mat-Su Borough will be the next site for a four-year college as part of the University of Alaska system,” Hamilton told the gathering of business people. &#8220In fact, it is the only site we are considering.”

Despite his statement of support, Hamilton did not mention any timetable for the establishment of a four-year college in the area.

Following the meeting, he departed on a tour of various facilities in the borough that could be used to help the college expand and move toward the four-year college desired by Mat-Su College director Paul R. Dauphinais and the borough assembly.

Hamilton was joined by Borough Manager John Duffy for a tour of the former school district administration building and the soon-to-be-vacated Valley Hospital facility in Palmer.

&#8220He liked what he saw,” Duffy said.

&#8220It was encouraging to hear his commitment to a four-year college in the Valley and also the desire to utilize existing buildings to accelerate the transition.”

&#8220It was exciting to hear Hamilton make a commitment to the Mat-Su College plan,” assembly member Cindy Bettine said.

&#8220Not only did he support the idea of a college in the borough, he also said that the Mat-Su was the best place for the university to expand, too.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.