FAIRBANKS — University of Alaska President Pat Gamble plans to donate his recent 8.5 percent pay raise, awarded by the UA Board of Regents, to fund student scholarships.
The $25,000 raise, which boosted his salary from $295,000 to $320,075, in his second year as president of the statewide institution, caused controversy even though the executive pay remains 10 percent below the national market median.
The president’s intention was declared in a casual conversation, said Kate Ripley, UA spokeswoman, when she asked him what he planned to do with the extra income.
“He said he was going to donate it to student scholarships,” she said. “I expect that it will be distributed very equitably.”
Ripley said there are a number of different student scholarships and Gamble’s donation most likely will be spread out to help the most students.
Gamble, the former Alaska Railroad chief and U.S. Air Force general, took over the top job at UA in June 2010.
