Museum of the North director Jonaitis to retire in November
Published Saturday, March 22, 2008
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Aldona Jonaitis is giving herself a pretty fantastic birthday present this year.
After 15 years as the director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North, Jonaitis plans to retire on Nov. 27, her 60th birthday.
“I really feel this is the beginning of my new life, and it’s all very exciting,” she said.
Jonaitis’ departure will mark the end of a busy era for the museum, which saw dramatic growth in its facilities, education programs, budget and staff. She’s also been a productive scholar, gaining a reputation as a Native American art expert.
Paul Reichardt, the retired University of Alaska provost who hired Jonaitis, said her accomplishments have transformed the museum into a facility with a national reputation.
“She and I both believed there were some great opportunities and she was going to do some really great things,” he said. “I don’t think either of us envisioned (the museum) would become what it is today.”
Jonaitis’ tenure will undoubtedly be remembered best for a daunting museum expansion project she oversaw. When Jonaitis was hired in 1993, she said former UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow assigned her just one task — expand the museum.
Fifteen years and 43,791 square feet later, the facility has grown from a cramped tourist attraction to a distinctive Fairbanks landmark. The $48 million expansion, which was completed last year, became a source of both pride and controversy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The gleaming curved structure has won architectural awards and adds a dominant presence to UAF’s upper campus. But the project was also notable because of constant bickering between the university and the building contractor over delays, cost overruns and design changes. UA and the builder, Alaska Mechanical Inc., traded lawsuits before the university agreed to settle with a $4.65 million payment last year.
Jonaitis admitted she grew impatient during a process that lasted nearly a decade, but said she couldn’t be happier with the results. “This is an absolutely wonderful place,” she said.
With the expansion project completed, Jonaitis said it’s the perfect time to step aside. Jonaitis said she was also affected by the death of her older sister last year and motivated to make big changes in her life.
“When that happens, you start thinking about what life is, what death is, what you want to do before you die … I think at this point I want to do things that I really enjoy deeply,” she said.
Jonaitis hopes to pursue an eclectic mixture of interests. She plans to write a book about Native American horse art, will continue working as a museum consultant, and is setting aside time for a lot of dog mushing with her boyfriend, Ken Severin. A longtime culinary enthusiast, she’s also planning to launch a small dessert catering company.
“I just would like to make things like wedding and party cakes and make people happy,” she said with a smile. “Sweet things make people happy.”
Her new life will also include remaining in Fairbanks, a decision that Jonaitis said has surprised some friends and colleagues. She was raised in New York City, and Reichardt admitted he wasn’t sure if she’d last long in Alaska when he hired her.
Fifteen years later, Jonaitis said she can’t imagine leaving.
“Fairbanks is my home,” she said. “I’ve felt more at home in Fairbanks than I ever have in New York City.”
Kerynn Fisher, a museum spokeswoman, said UAF officials have known about the retirement plans for a few months, although they were just made public on Friday. A national search for a replacement is already underway.
Community Discussion
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Not impressed. Excluding the art gallery there is hardly any extra exhibit space. Much of the art is not sited in a manner to be best appreciated. The building, while being distinctive, does not do what the people of Fairbanks asked for: greater display of the museum’s collection. I’ve been to some of the worlds greatest museums. Many have great architecture, that does not make them great. It is the ability to experience their collections that make them great. This sweet fluff is fine on the outside but hollow on the inside. Our ability to experience the collections is hardly improved and our access is limited to a handful of free days a year. The educational aspect is considered so important that even poorer countries often have free admission one day a week when the most people are likely to have a day off work.
I guess now we hire Jonaitis as a consultant while she draws retirement pay.
I couldn't disagree more. I think the Museum is has a wonderful display of art and artifacts. If you actually paid attention to what was inside the museum, you would notice the huge amount of extra work that went into the expansion. I think Jonaitis had a amazing task to accomplish and she did very well. Apart from the expanded space, the 5 extra galleries, hour and a half long audio guide, and everything that is located downstairs in the labs, it also has free lectures all the time. The museum also charges because most of its funding does not come from the state, unlike other museums.
after that monstrous building was completed, I went in for a tour and was surprised the museum exhibits were exactly the same, just a bigger roof over head. huh???
Maybe when Jonaitis is gone, there will actually be some positive publicity about this museum. I'm sure the staff is counting the days before she is gone. I certainly hope the next director knows Fairbanks, Alaska before they are hired.
I'm ready to buy one of her amazing cakes!
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