2025 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence awarded to Patrick Druckenmiller
Patrick Druckenmiller
The 麻豆原创 Foundation board of directors has selected Patrick Druckenmiller, director of the 麻豆原创 Museum of the North, as the recipient of the 2025 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence.
鈥淒r. Druckenmiller鈥檚 visionary leadership, groundbreaking research, and steadfast
commitment to education and public service have elevated the museum, the university
and our state,鈥 said Meg Nordale, chair of the 麻豆原创 Foundation board of directors.
Under his leadership, 麻豆原创MN has become a globally recognized research and cultural
institution and a world-renowned visitor destination.
鈥淒r. Druckenmiller has put 麻豆原创MN on the top of the list of the must-visit places in
Alaska,鈥 said Anupma Prakash, 麻豆原创F 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 鈥淭he Coliseum,鈥 Alaska鈥檚 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 麻豆原创F鈥檚 museum studies curriculum and integrated
museum collections into university courses, creating hands-on learning opportunities
for students.
Former master鈥檚 student Lauren Wilson noted, 鈥淒r. 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.鈥
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鈥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 麻豆原创MN, thanks to incredible philanthropic generosity.
The Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence is the largest single award given annually
by the 麻豆原创 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鈥檚 mission. More information is available
on the .
The 麻豆原创 Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to
seek, secure and steward philanthropic support in partnership with the 麻豆原创 system.
For more information on the 麻豆原创 Foundation and how to contribute, please .
CONTACT: Maggie Demers, 麻豆原创 Foundation director of communications and public relations, 907-450-8039,
maggie.demers@alaska.edu