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2025 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence awarded to Patrick Druckenmiller

The University of Alaska Foundation board of directors has selected Patrick Druckenmiller, director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North, as the recipient of the 2025 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence.

“Dr. Druckenmiller’s visionary leadership, groundbreaking research, and steadfast commitment to education and public service have elevated the museum, the university and our state,” said Meg Nordale, chair of the UA Foundation board of directors.
 
Under his leadership, UAMN has become a globally recognized research and cultural institution and a world-renowned visitor destination. 
 
“Dr. Druckenmiller has put UAMN on the top of the list of the must-visit places in Alaska,” said Anupma Prakash, UAF provost and executive vice chancellor emeritus.

In addition to his role as director, Druckenmiller is an internationally respected paleontologist. He continues to lead fieldwork and publish in top journals. In 2023, he contributed to a major discovery called “The Coliseum,” Alaska’s largest dinosaur track site. And, in May 2025, he was published in the Journal of Science about a discovery of birds nesting in the Arctic 73 million years ago.
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he revitalized UAF’s museum studies curriculum and integrated museum collections into university courses, creating hands-on learning opportunities for students.
 
Former master’s student Lauren Wilson noted, “Dr. Druckenmiller works tirelessly to contribute to the well-being of the university and shares his knowledge through outreach programs, documentaries and welcoming any interested volunteer to the museum.”
 
A passionate advocate for public engagement, he leads behind-the-scenes tours for legislators and donors, speaks at schools and civic groups, and supports K–12 STEAM education, reaching more than 9,000 students annually. He also oversees virtual exhibits, podcasts and family programs, and plays a key role in the development of the planetarium that is currently being added onto UAMN, thanks to incredible philanthropic generosity. 
 
The Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence is the largest single award given annually by the UA Foundation board of directors. Established in 1989 through a gift from Edith R. Bullock, the prize includes a $20,000 award and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the university’s mission. More information is available on the . 

The UA Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to seek, secure and steward philanthropic support in partnership with the UA system. For more information on the UA Foundation and how to contribute, please .
 
CONTACT: Maggie Demers, UA Foundation director of communications and public relations, 907-450-8039, maggie.demers@alaska.edu