2026 GI Reunion

GI reunion homecoming brought folks back

An enthusiastic group of Geophysical Institute faculty and staff members — former and current — participated in an all-day event last Friday.  The objective was to honor and acknowledge the contributions of retirees, as well as just spend time telling stories and hanging out together. And to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the GI coming up on July 31!

The 40 or so retirees helped GI Communications staff identify old photos, told stories we'd never heard, listened to talks by Associate Director Jessica Larsen and Syun-Ichi Akasofu, and visited the new Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium. Three current GI graduate student researchers presented excellent flash talks — Kaycee Conder/Space Physics & Aeronomy, Kyra Bornong/Snow, Ice & Permafrost and Zack Williams/Space Physics & Aeronomy. The requisite group photo on the steps of the Elvey Building was made! People dropped by throughout the day to say hello and enjoy tales from the past. 

Thank you to all the GI folks involved in organizing this stellar event! Overall, it was a huge success, and we plan to do it again in the future.

If you have additional photos to share, we'd love to add them here! Please send them to uaf-gi-public-info@alaska.edu with caption and photographer information.