Svaja V. Worthington was recently accredited by the U.S. Department of State as the Honorary Consul from the State of Alaska to the Republic of Lithuania. In her role as such, she will work to promote relations between Alaska and Lithuania. There is a small Lithuanian community in Anchorage and Alaska, and she seeks to locate more Alaskans of Lithuanian descent.
Worthington is a resident of Chugiak and a retired UAA English instructor who still teaches one course per year.
She writes, "The opportunity for this appointment came accidentally: through my California son Gajus' business acquaintance with the Deputy Minister at the Lithuanian Embassy in DC, I was informed that Deputy Satunas was coming to Anchorage for a transportation conference last September. I organized a reception for him with the Lithuanian Community. It was very pleasant, and he E-mailed me afterward and asked me if I would be willing to apply for the position of Honorary Consul. I did, and I was presented the certificate of appointment this February in Vilnius, Lithuania, but it was officially approved by the U.S. just recently.
"There are quite a few Americans and celebrities of Lithuanian descent, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers being one, and he is coming to Anchorage in August to perform."
E-mail her at afsvw@uaa.alaska.edu, svajaw@hotmail.com or call 688-2190.
Press release from Worthington