Alumni Tour of Alaska

Alaska: Environmental Frontier

June 12 – 21, 2027

Explore the dynamic ecology and geology of Alaska with hands-on learning about processes that shape the land and people in this environmental frontier. We will explore geological processes such as mountain building and glaciation and connect those processes to numerous Alaskan biomes, ecosystems, and cultural history of the peoples of Alaska. Sites will include Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks along with rural and urban centers. The trip starts and ends in Anchorage. Travel will be by vans, lodging will be a mix of hotels and cabins, and most sites will require walking moderate distances.

Virtual Information Sessions

Curious about this once-in-a-lifetime, uniquely Allegheny travel opportunity? Join President Cole and Professor Venesky for one of our upcoming Zoom information sessions to learn more. Attendees will receive first access to the registration form for this very limited tour. We anticipate the tour will fill quickly, so we encourage all interested alumni to attend one of these virtual sessions.

If capacity remains after the information sessions, a registration link will be added here. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis until all spaces are filled. If the tour reaches capacity, interested alumni may add their names to a waiting list, no deposit required.

Please note: single occupancy is not available for this tour.

Important Trip Details

Itinerary

This unique, one-of-a-kind tour has been planned and designed by our Allegheny faculty. Anticipate multiple stop-and-learn opportunities throughout your travels, with abundant geology- and biology-themed roadside excursions.

Saturday, June 12

Arrive in Anchorage and check into an Anchorage-area hotel.
Opening group dinner.

Sunday, June 13

Morning at in Anchorage.
Afternoon, travel by private van to with geology and biology-focused sightseeing opportunities along the way.
Check into Healy-area cabin lodging.

Monday, June 14 – Tuesday, June 15

Denali National Park: Excursion options include a Denali National Park , instructor-led and self-guided hiking, and dogsled kennel tours and demonstrations.

Wednesday, June 16

Check out of the Healy-area cabin and travel by private van to Matanuska Valley, with geology and biology-focused sightseeing opportunities along the way.
Evening: Check into Sheep Mountain Lodge and group dinner.聽聽

Thursday, June 17

Morning: Professional guided hike on the .
Afternoon, self-guided tour of the .
Check into Palmer-area hotel.

Friday, June 18

Check out of the Palmer-area hotel and travel by private van to Seward, Alaska.
Opportunities to visit and the , with the possibility of an instructor-led hike through the tidal zone (if the tidal schedule permits).
Check into Seward-area hotel.

Saturday, June 19

Full day Kenai Fjords National Park with viewing of glaciers, whales, and wildlife.聽

Sunday, June 20

Check out of Seward-area hotel.
Visit Exit Glacier or an instructor-led hike through the tidal zone (depending on the activities on Friday).
Travel by private van to Anchorage.
Group dinner and check into Anchorage-area hotel lodging.

Monday, June 21

Transportation to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and departure.

Attendance Capacity

Capacity for this tour is 16 alumni and guests, along with two Allegheny faculty co-leaders. Guests must be 18 years or older. Alumni are responsible for their guests.

Health and Activity Level Recommendations

Alaska is HUGE and traveling from site to site results in long van rides (typically 3-4 hours of travel and occasionally up to 6-8 hours, which includes stops). Restroom stops will be available, but limited.聽

Picnic lunches will be served on the majority of days. While the instructors will try to meet all dietary-restrictions of participants, shopping options in remote areas of Alaska might present challenges in meeting all dietary-restrictions.

While at the stops, travelers must be able to walk distances of approximately 1-2 miles and stand unassisted for extended periods of time. Some of the hiking opportunities involve hiking approximately 4-6 miles and will cover significant elevation change.

For safety and wellness reasons, this trip should not be taken by individuals who are pregnant, or have mobility issues, serious pre-existing physical/mental health conditions, or life-threatening dietary allergies. If you need considerable assistance walking, or require wheelchair assistance, we apologize, but this tour cannot offer accommodations for the same.

Pricing

Pricing

$5,900 per person, based on double occupancy.聽 Please note, single occupancy is not available for this tour.聽

Please note that quoted prices are estimated based on current costs and a minimum of 16 participants and are subject to change. Does not include round trip airfare.

Price includes:

Ten days of the private Allegheny tour led and organized by faculty co-leaders
Nine nights of accommodations, including a mix of hotels and cabins
Daily continental breakfasts and picnic lunches, as well as three group dinners
All entrance fees, tolls, and costs for excursions detailed in the itinerary
Private van transportation for the duration of the tour, including ground transport to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to lodging location

Price does not include:

Round-trip airfare to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Extra meals and beverages not covered by the itinerary, including six dinners
Personal incurred costs during free hours
Travel insurance

Payment Schedule

All payments are non-refundable. Check is preferred. Accommodations for payment via credit card can be made, but will include an additional 4% surcharge to cover fees and handling costs.

Registrants confirmed by Allegheny鈥檚 Alumni Office are required to make an initial non-refundable deposit of $1,200 per person to finalize their reservation no later than October 23, 2026.
The remaining non-refundable balance of $4,700 per person is due no later than February 15, 2027.

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis until spaces are filled. If the group is full, interested parties can add their names to a waiting list, without a deposit.

How To Make a Payment

Make the check out to 鈥湸笙笫悠碘€� and add 鈥淎laska Alumni Trip鈥� in the memo line.

Mail checks to:
Sara Pineo
大象视频
Box 44
520 N. Main Street
Meadville, PA 16335

Any questions regarding payments can be directed to Sara Pineo at聽spineo@allegheny.edu.

Faculty Leaders

大象视频 President Ron Cole walks during the July 3 parade for USA 250 in Meadville, PA

Dr. Ron Cole, President

Dr. Ron Cole ’87 is the 23rd president of 大象视频, after serving as provost and dean of the college for seven years and as a faculty member in the geology department for 20 years. In 2021, Cole was recognized by the Council of Independent Colleges with their Chief Academic Officer Award. He received the 大象视频 Thoburn Award for excellence in teaching and has received research grants from the National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society, and the American Chemical Society, with over 100 published articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. His scholarship includes over twenty years of research in Alaska with Allegheny students focused on sedimentary, volcanic, and tectonic processes that formed the Alaska Range and Talkeetna Mountains. After earning his B.S. at 大象视频, Cole went on to earn his Ph.D. and M.S. in geosciences from the University of Rochester. Cole is married to fellow Allegheny alum Nancy Frambes ’87, and is the proud parent of Kelsey and Zach ’20, and grandparent of future Gator, Emerson.

大象视频 Professor Matthew Venesky stands in a marsh holding a net

Dr. Matthew Venesky, Professor of Biology

Dr. Matt Venesky joined the faculty at 大象视频 in fall 2013 and is a professor of biology. He is a strong advocate of undergraduate research and scholarship and served as the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities at 大象视频 from 2022-2026. Venesky鈥檚 own research investigates the ecology of wildlife diseases and he has published 45 peer-reviewed articles, many on this topic. He earned his B.S. at Gannon University, a M.S. at John Carroll University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Memphis. Venesky and his wife Leanne reside in Meadville, and their son, Sam, attends Meadville Area High School. 聽