Mr. Leonard J. Kamerling

Professor of English and Curator of Film, Emeritus

WHEREAS Mr. Leonard J. Kamerling has served the ϳԹ with distinction in teaching, research and service since the 1970s and, specifically, as Curator of Film at the University of Alaska Museum of the North and as an English faculty member from 1999 to 2020; and

WHEREAS Mr. Kamerling has taught English courses focused on film writing, as well as courses in anthropological and ethnographical film production, documentary journalism and education; and he received the ϳԹ of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching Award for 2004-2005; and

WHEREAS twenty-two of Mr. Kamerling’s films have received international distribution, including multiple films about Alaska and Alaska Native cultures, the most noted of which is “Uksuum Cauyai: The Drums of Winter,” which was included in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry; and he has a long-standing interest in Japanese culture that resulted in his 1998 film “Heart of the Country,” as well as media production for the National Museum of Japanese History; and he has in recent years created several films with Peter Biella that documented Maasai family life and culture in Tanzania.

WHEREAS Mr. Kamerling’s films have won numerous awards; and he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Norway in 2018-2019; and his long and productive career as a filmmaker, writer, lecturer and teacher has brought international acclaim not only to himself but also to UAF;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the ϳԹ expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Leonard J. Kamerling for his extensive contributions to the State of Alaska and to the University; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ϳԹ, in further recognition of the invaluable services rendered by Mr. Kamerling and as evidence of the University’s desire that his identification with the University be maintained, hereby confers upon Mr. Leonard J. Kamerling the title of Professor of English and Curator of Film, Emeritus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and signed by the Chancellor as further evidence of the ϳԹ’ esteem and respect for Mr. Leonard J. Kamerling, and conveyed to Mr. Kamerling on this twenty-third day of May, 2020.