Achievement awards archive
The Alumni Association is no longer presenting Alumni Achievement awards, and has made a strategic decision to focus on solely the Distinguished Alumnus and William R. Cashen Service awards. The Alumni Achievement award winners are listed here for historic purposes and to continue celebrating their success.
The Alumni Achievement Awards were created in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduates and former students of UAF. The areas of recognition include community support, university support, and business and professional excellence. A maximum of five awards in each category can be presented annually. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, staff and by the general public. The nomination letter should include information to support the nomination.
The 2016 Annual Awards were presented at the annual awards Rendezvous Dinner on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016.
2016 Alumni Achievement Award winners
- BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
- Sen. Lyman Hoffman `74
- COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Scott Roselius `81
- UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
- Heather Mitchell `96
- Bob Mitchell `90 `98
Business and Professional Excellence
Lyman Hoffman has been a political and business leader in Southwest Alaska for decades, championing affordable energy, well-funded schools and healthy fisheries.
Lyman was born and raised in Bethel and has lived along the Kuskokwim River for most of his life. He and his wife, Lillian, raised two children, Trina and Doug, in Bethel. They are now the proud grandparents of Madilyn, Karis and Elizabeth.
Lyman graduated from UAF with a degree in business in 1974. He served as city manager of Bethel from 1977 to 1985. In 1986, he won election to the Alaska State Legislature’s House of Representatives, representing the Bethel area. In 1990, he won a Senate seat, representing the lower Kuskokwim River region, Bristol Bay and the Aleutian Islands. He continues to represent Southwest Alaska and a large part of the western Interior in the Senate today.
In addition to his legislative work, Lyman serves on the Orutsararmiut Native Council, the Yupik tribal government in Bethel. He has been chair of the Bethel Native Corp. and deputy director of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. He also has held interests in several private businesses.
He served on Bethel’s planning commission and as a board member for the Bethel Family Clinic and the Bethel Prematernal Home.
An influential legislator, Lyman was co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee from 2006-2012. He helped fund a salmon stock identification program to improve fisheries management. He championed numerous changes in education funding, including an increase in the base per-student allocation, expansion of the university’s Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and the addition of a district cost factor to new school funding. He expanded weatherization and energy rebate programs for Alaska homeowners. He was instrumental in developing an endowment fund to pay for the state’s rural power cost subsidy.
After graduating from UAF in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Scott Roselius became a driving force behind the success of UAF’s hockey program.
Originally from Anchorage, Scott came to Fairbanks in 1977 and helped revitalize the dormant UAF club hockey program. He became team captain and was the leading scorer during the 1978-1979 and 1979-1980 seasons. The program moved to the NCAA level prior to the 1980-81 season, Scott’s senior year.
Scott’s advocacy and support of UAF hockey has never wavered. From 1981 to 1988, he volunteered to assist coaches Ric Schafer and Don Lucia. Scott negotiated the first radio broadcast contract in 1989 and then served as the color commentator for 10 years. The Alaska Broadcasters Association gave him and Bruce Cech its Goldie Award in 1994.
In 1993, Scott reformed the defunct UAF Faceoff Booster Club and served as the club’s president for several years. In 2004, Scott led formation of the UAF Hockey Alumni Association, an official chapter of the UAF Alumni Association. The chapter has raised $50,000 annually and has reconnected hundreds of hockey alumni with their alma mater. Scott is currently the chapter’s president.
Scott advocated Carlson Center improvements such as the giant player banners and the box suites, which raise money for the program. He received the Tavis McMillan Hockey Alumni Award and is a 2016 inductee into the UAF Hall of Fame.
Scott has also served on the UAFAA’s legislative fly-in team, volunteering to talk with legislators in Juneau about UAF’s value.
Scott has been a senior account executive at Tanana Valley Television since 2003. At the station, he also coordinates broadcasts of UAF hockey on KFXF FOX7 television.
Scott and his wife Tamara have two sons — Jake, 19, and Gus, 13.
Bob Mitchell `90 `98 and Heather Mitchell `96
Bob Mitchell’s giving to UAF spans more than two decades, beginning shortly after he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1990. Since then, Bob and his wife, Heather, an alumna, have supported numerous funds. They established the North Pole Patriots Scholarship in 2009.
In 2015, Bob agreed to also give his time. He co-chairs the UAF Centennial Scholarships and Fellowships fundraising initiative, which aims to make education more affordable at UAF. Through the initiative, private funds will boost existing scholarships and fellowships while also creating new sources of support for UAF students. This initiative builds off UAF’s centennial celebrations through 2017.
Bob is a second-generation alumnus. He was born in California but remembers, as a toddler, escaping from married student housing to run around campus. He later lived in Los Angeles before graduating from North Pole High School.
As a UAF student, Bob received support through the Honors Program and the North Pole Rotary Scholarship. After graduation, he worked for UAF’s development office. In May 1993, he met Heather during a formal kickoff event for UAF’s first fundraising campaign.
Heather grew up in Maryland and New Jersey. She attended Indiana University, where she earned a degree in secondary education and English. As a national consultant for Sigma Sigma Sigma, Heather came to UAF to colonize its first sorority.
Bob and Heather married in 1994 and settled in Fairbanks. Heather earned a paralegal studies degree, and Bob completed his MBA.
They now live in Juneau, where Bob works as deputy chief investment officer for the Alaska Department of Revenue. Heather works with several nonprofit organizations and homeschools one of their two children.
In addition to supporting UAF, Bob and Heather support literacy for children and the University of Alaska Southeast. Both remain Nanooks at heart!
2015 Alumni Achievement awards
- BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
- Vicki McConnell ’95
- Rockne Wilson ’69
- Sandra Wilson ’72
- COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Toni Mallott ’72
- UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
- Libby Eddy ’92
- Ann Ringstad ’06
Business and Professional Excellence
Vicki S. McConnell ’95
Vicki McConnell was named executive director of the Geological Society of America in March. With 27,000 members, GSA is one of the world’s premier geoscience organizations.
Vicki started her career in geology and volcanology soon after earning a bachelor’s degree in geology from Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, in 1983. She began work as an assistant at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1985. One of her projects at Sandia involved magma energy research at Novarupta Volcano in Alaska.
In 1991, she left Sandia to pursue a doctoral degree in geology at UAF, studying under John Eichelberger. After graduation, she worked with the Alaska Volcano Observatory and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. She conducted geologic mapping of Makushin Volcano on Unalaska Island.
In 1999, Vicki became a field geologist with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. She was named Oregon’s state geologist in 2005.
The Geological Society of America is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Vicki lives in nearby Lafayette, where she enjoys hiking, biking and gardening with her friends and family.
Rockne Wilson ’69 and Sandra Wilson ’72
Rocky and Sandy Wilson are partners in Wilson & Wilson CPAs, a Fairbanks accounting firm. Rocky founded the firm in 1980. It became Wilson & Wilson CPAs in 1991 after Sandy earned her CPA and joined as a partner.
Rocky and Sandy met while attending UAF.
Rocky, a third-generation Alaskan, was born in Palmer but grew up in Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs, where he learned to run sled dogs, trap, hunt and live a rural lifestyle. His early schooling came through correspondence courses taught by his mother in the hot springs lodge’s kitchen.
Rocky graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks as a boarding student and then majored in business management at UAF. After graduating with a U.S. Army commission as second lieutenant and receiving training at the infantry officer basic course in Georgia, he completed a tour of duty in Vietnam as a military intelligence officer and earned several service medals.
Sandy, née Kennedy, was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Fairbanks. At UAF, she majored in art and minored in education. After graduation, she continued her studies in accounting and computer science.
Sandy loves crochet, gardening, crafts, family, reading, traveling, and collecting Native artwork from the gifted and talented people in the rural communities she visits.
Rocky and Sandy are looking forward to their 50th wedding anniversary in just a few years. They have two children and two granddaughters.
Toni Mallott ’72
Toni Mallott taught for more than 20 years in Alaska’s public education system while volunteering with numerous organizations.
Toni’s childhood began in the small village of Rampart on the banks of the Yukon River. She lived a traditional Athabascan lifestyle with her extended family. Like many Alaska Native students, she was sent to boarding school in Wrangell. After graduating from high school in Citrus Heights, California, she attended UAF and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She then earned a master’s degree in education from UA Southeast.
Toni serves on the board of Baan O Yeel Kon, the Alaska Native village corporation established by Rampart residents. As a board member, she serves as chairperson of a post-secondary education scholarship committee for shareholders. She served on the board of the public radio station in Juneau and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. She was chairperson of the Juneau School District’s Indian studies program in the early 1980s.
Toni and her husband Byron, Alaska’s lieutenant governor, have five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Now retired, Toni remains active in community service projects in Juneau. She boats, hikes, travels and creates traditional Tlingit regalia for her grandchildren to wear while participating in dance groups.
Libby Eddy retired as registrar and director of admissions in May 2015 after 28 years with UAF.
Libby was born in Texas and grew up “everywhere” as her dad moved with U.S. Air Force assignments. She came to Alaska in 1977 when her new husband, Ray, was stationed at Fort Wainwright.
Libby started working for the Tanana Valley Community College in 1978. The college offices were in Constitution Hall, where the alumni office is currently located. She was accepted into a short-term program that trained high school graduates for office work.
The short-term position became permanent, and she slowly chipped away at her degree requirements while working and raising her children — Jason, Sarah and Adam.
Over the years, Libby supervised the admissions processing staff as well as the records department. She became the registrar and director of admissions in 2012. She considers herself fortunate to have seen the institution from inside both the classroom and the office.
She and Ray plan to spend winters with family in the Lower 48 and summers with friends and family in Fairbanks. She’ll be supporting UAF and the Nanooks at every opportunity.
Ann Ringstad has been one of the university’s most effective advocates in recent decades.
A lifelong Alaskan, Ann spent more than 10 years as a state legislative aide, learning the University of Alaska budget in the process. She became the university’s state relations director in 1997 and worked as assistant to President Mark Hamilton. In 2004, she was hired as UAF’s legislative liaison and associate vice chancellor for university relations. She has been the development officer for the UAF College of Engineering and Mines since 2012.
Ann worked off and on for 30 years to secure her bachelor’s degree in business and history from UAF. Two years later, she received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington.
Ann has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Alaska Center for Children and Adults and Mt. McKinley Bank. She co-chaired the Tanana Valley United Way campaign while also leading the UAF campaign. While on the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce board, she earned the organization’s Shining Star Award for starting a high school leadership program.
Ann and her husband, John, live in Fairbanks. They have three children and three grandchildren.
2014 Alumni Achievement awards
- BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
- C.B. McNeil
- Dr. John Power
- Col. Jeff Roach
- COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Lynda Sather
- UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
- Gene Therriault
Business and Professional Excellence
Judge C. B. McNeil was the 1959 president of his senior class at the University of Alaska, now the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He received a juris doctor degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 1966 and is admitted to practice before the Montana Supreme Court, U.S. district courts, U.S courts of appeal and the U. S. Supreme Court. A resident of Polson, Montana, he was elected Lake County District judge in 1984 after 18 years in private practice. He retired in 2013.
C.B. was designated a distinguished military graduate, obtained a regular Army commission and attained the rank of captain before being honorably discharged in 1963 to attend law school.
He served as the president of the Polson Rotary, Polson Jaycees, Flathead Lakers, Polson Outdoors, Polson Chamber of Commerce, Salish Shrine Club and Montana’s Legion of Honor (Shriners who are military veterans). He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
C.B. and his wife JoAnn have two children. Son Charles “Chuck” McNeil is a partner in the Garlington Lohn Robinson law firm in Missoula, Montana, and daughter Jolie is western regional manager for the publisher McGraw-Hill.
Col. Jeff Roach entered the Alaska Army National Guard in 1981 as a helicopter mechanic and UH-1 crew chief with the 1898th Combat Support Assault Company. He attained the rank of sergeant before attending the Alaska Officer Candidate School, where he received the Commandant’s Award for Academic Excellence. He was commissioned on May 5, 1989, as an aviation second lieutenant. After attending the aviation officer basic course and flight school, Jeff served as an aviation section leader, aviation platoon leader, medical evacuation detachment commander, aviation company commander, public affairs detachment commander, 207th Group public affairs officer, aviation battalion S3, 207th Infantry Brigade S3 (FWD) and the Joint Forces Headquarters aviation branch chief. He served as the 1-207th Aviation Regiment commander from January 2008 to February 2011. Roach also served as the Alaska Army National Guard chief of staff. He currently is commander of the 38th Troop Command, an Alaska Army National Guard brigade.
During his career as an Army aviator, Roach has flown the UH-1H/V, OH-58A/C and the UH-60A/L helicopters. His deployments include a tour in Europe in support of Operation Joint Guard, as well as tours in Afghanistan and Kosovo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He has a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a master’s degree in management from Webster University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Air Force Air University.
Jeff’s awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Jeff is married to Sherilyn and has three children: Amber, Daniel and Victoria. He lives and works in Fairbanks, where he is the Northern Region planning manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
John Power is a volcano seismologist and scientist-in-charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory. He is supervising geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage.
John received his PhD from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1998. He has a bachelor of arts in geology and geography from the University of Montana and a master of science in geophysics from UAF.
Lynda Sather, ’98
Lynda Sather began working for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as the community and public relations director in 1985 and served in that position for 22 years. In 2008, Lynda joined Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. as the Fairbanks communications manager. She retired in June 2013.
Lynda has served on the United Way of the Tanana Valley board of directors since 2008 and has been board president since 2011. She has served on the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce board of directors. She also has been a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout leader, Fairbanks Curling Club Women’s Association board member, Lathrop High School PTA president and UAF Community and Technical College advisory board member.
Lynda graduate from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in French and English literature and from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1998 with a master’s degree in communication.
Gene Therriault, ’80, ’83
Gene Therriault was first elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1992 at the age of 32. He served in the Legislature for the following 17 years. While in office, his colleagues chose him to serve two terms as co-chair of the House Finance Committee and one term as president of the Alaska Senate.
Following his legislative service, Gene was employed by Gov. Sean Parnell as a senior policy advisor on in-state energy. He worked closely with the governor and agency personnel in efforts to help Alaska navigate toward a more certain energy future.
In January 2011, Gene joined the management team at Golden Valley Electric Association as vice president of resource development and external affairs. He participated in efforts to develop the Eva Creek Wind Project, restart of the Healy Clean Coal Plant and develop natural gas generation in Fairbanks. He also interacted with the state team working on the Susitna/Watana hydroelectric project. Since 2012, he has worked as the Alaska Energy Authority’s deputy director for statewide energy policy development.
Gene is a lifelong Alaskan. He was born and raised in North Pole and is a 1978 graduate of North Pole High School and a 1983 graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He holds an associate degree in computer information systems and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Gene and his wife Jo Kuchle, a fellow 1983 graduate of UAF, have two children, Justin and Jordyn. In his free time, Gene enjoys traveling, particularly internationally. He is always on the hunt for the world’s best roller coaster.
2013 Alumni Achievement awards
The Alumni Achievement Awards were created in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduates and former students of UAF. The areas of recognition include community support, university support, and business and professional excellence. A maximum of five awards in each category can be presented annually. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, staff and by the general public. The nomination letter should include information to support the nomination.
The 2013 Annual Awards were presented at the annual awards Rendezvous Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013.
2013 Alumni Achievement award winners
- BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Peter Probasco, ’79
Doug Schrage, ’85
Lorna Shaw, ’96, ’05 - COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Richard “Dick” McCormick, ’50 - UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
George Plumley, ’90, ’98
Business and Professional Excellence
Peter Probasco, ’79
Peter “Pete” Probasco received his bachelor’s degree in fisheries biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1979. Pete grew up in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley near the community of Palmer. His career in fisheries and wildlife management started in 1975 as a fisheries technician for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and retiring in 2000 as the commercial fisheries regional supervisor for the westward region of Alaska. The majority of his “first career” focused on management and research programs for commercial and subsistence use fisheries in Kodiak, the Alaska Peninsula, and Bering Sea - Aleutian Islands areas.
Pete’s “second career” placed him into positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service covering resource issues on a statewide level. He currently serves as assistant regional director for the Migratory Birds and State Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in Anchorage. He is responsible for restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources for Migratory Bird Management, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
Pete exemplifies fisheries professionals who have studied at UAF and made substantial contributions to management and research of Alaska’s vast fishery and wildlife resources. As a longtime Alaskan, Pete has positively affected many fishery and wildlife programs throughout the state. He has committed many years to the success of economically important commercial fisheries, and at the other end of the spectrum has skillfully guided the Federal Subsistence Board ensuring rural subsistence needs are prioritized for cultural as well as life-giving sustenance. He has used his educational experience to serve the people of Alaska by managing and regulating fish and wildlife resources for sustained yield and beneficial use.
Pete has volunteered in many community activities, notably as past president and in council positions of Saint John Lutheran Church in both Palmer and Kodiak; Kodiak wrestling coach; Alaska USA Wrestling board; Kodiak Little League coach; Palmer Youth Hockey chair and coach; State of Alaska wrestling official; Kodiak Island Booster Club past president; Kodiak Island School Board’s budget review committee member; City of Kodiak Parks and Rec board; past governor, Palmer Moose Lodge 793; and member of Kodiak Rotary and Kodiak Kiwanis.
Pete and his wife, Eileen, currently live in Palmer.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Peter “Pete” Probasco with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Doug Schrage, ’85
Douglas “Doug” Schrage began his career in the fire service as a University of Alaska Fairbanks student firefighter from 1981 to 1985, when he received an associate degree in fire science. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Western Oregon University and a master’s degree in fire and emergency management administration from Oklahoma State University.
After graduating from UAF, Doug went to work for the Anchorage Fire Department where he served for more than 25 years, attaining every rank up to the deputy chief of operations. Doug left the Anchorage Fire Department to return to his alma mater as the fire chief in 2010.
Chief Schrage currently serves as the Western Fire Chiefs Association Alaska vice president and is past president of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association. He is active in the Alaska fire service and education communities and holds several professional memberships.
Doug and his wife, Mary, have raised three sons, Calvin, Benjamin, and Aaron and currently live in Fairbanks.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Douglas Schrage with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Lorna Shaw, ’96, ’05
Lorna Shaw graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1996 with a bachelor of business administration and in 2005 with a master of business administration. Lorna is the external affairs manager for Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo where she oversees community, public and government affairs for Pogo Mine. A fourth-generation Alaskan, Lorna has more than 12 years of Alaska-based mining industry experience.
Prior to joining Sumitomo Pogo, she led community and government relations for Kinross at its Fort Knox mine and other North American operations. Lorna previously served as the executive director of the Council of Alaska Producers, a trade association that represents large-scale hard rock mines and projects in Alaska. She was the 2011-2012 chairwoman of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, where she continues to play an active role. She also serves on the boards for several other industry and business organizations, including Alaska Miners Association, Resource Development Council, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Center for Economic Education. Prior to joining the mining industry, Lorna served for several years as a legislative aide to members of the Alaska State Legislature and as staff for U.S. Sen. Frank Murkowski.
Lorna lives in Fairbanks with her husband, Kelly, and eight-year-old daughter, Rachel.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Lorna Shaw with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Richard “Dick” McCormick, ’50
Richard “Dick” McCormick graduated from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He also left a mark as an athlete and coach, playing basketball for the UA Fairbanks Polar Bears for all four years. In 1947, he was selected as athlete of the year and the most valuable player for the Polar Bears. After graduation, Dick was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He served at Fort Richardson and was discharged in 1953. After leaving the Army, Dick served as an educator, coach, and administrator for more than 28 years.
In 1955, Coach McCormick was hired to teach history and coach both varsity and junior varsity basketball at Fairbanks High School. Soon after Alaska became a state in January 1959, he led the Lathrop Malamutes to the first-ever Alaska high school state championship. Dick left Fairbanks in 1960 to coach and become principal at Nome High School. Through his efforts Nome was the first area outside of Fairbanks or Anchorage to host the Class B basketball tournament.
In 1963, Dick accepted a position as principal and coach at Wrangell High School. From 1965 to 1970 he served as assistant principal at Juneau-Douglas High School and in 1970 he became superintendent of the Wrangell School District where he stayed until he retired in 1977. Coach McCormick was elected to the Alaska High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Richard “Dick” McCormick with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
George Plumley, ’90, ’98
George Plumley is a lifelong Alaskan. He grew up in Palmer and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor’s degree in geography in 1990 and a master’s degree in geographic information systems in 1998.
George works for the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development in the division of community and regional affairs as a planner. He currently focuses on reviewing and distributing community profile mapping projects and mapping for municipal land trustee transactions around the state.
Since graduating from UAF, George continues to support his alma mater. For 10 years, he assisted Nanook athletics with the Top of the World Basketball Tournament, driving to Fairbanks with his own technical equipment to provide statistics and live computer updates for the games. George also served as an elected member of the UAF Alumni Association board for two terms from 1999 to 2005, including the board presidency.
George continues to reside in Palmer with his wife, Chris.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards George Plumley with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2012 Alumni Achievement awards
The Alumni Achievement Awards were created in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduates and former students of UAF. The areas of recognition include community support, university support, and business and professional excellence. A maximum of five awards in each category can be presented annually. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, staff and by the general public. The nomination letter should include information to support the nomination.
The 2012 Annual Awards were presented at the annual awards Rendezvous Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012.
2012 Alumni Achievement award winners
- BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Robert Ritchie, '76
Charles Swanton, '83, '84 - COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Terese Kaptur, '76, '86 - UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
Dan Flodin, ’94, ’97
Business and Professional Excellence
Robert Ritchie, '76
Robert "Bob" Ritchie established himself as a biologist and small-business owner in Alaska in the mid 1970s. His interests focused on conservation of endangered birds, especially Peregrine Falcons. Ritchie received his Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology from UC Davis in 1972 and, mentored by David Klein, his Master of Science degree in natural resource management from UAF in 1976. That same year, Bob co-founded Alaska Biological Research, becoming the sole owner in 1986. Today, ABR, Inc.—Environmental Research & Services employs 60 scientists and staff (including 25 UAF graduates) in offices in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Oregon, and Massachusetts.
One of Ritchie’s passions is his 37-year relationship with ABR. Supported by great employees and business partners, including his wife, Bobbie, Ritchie’s responsibilities include scientific research, company leadership and monitoring the company’s triple bottom-line: economic success, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Although many of ABR’s studies have been environmental assessment studies for industrial developments, others have included long-term monitoring of wildlife and land restoration. ABR is a vibrant research firm offering unique employee benefits: socially-responsible retirement investments, profit sharing bonuses, volunteering support, rebates for hybrid-vehicle purchases, and pay for biking or walking to work. ABR has received numerous awards and commendations from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska State Legislature, and the Alaska Public Health Association for its creativity in the workplace.
Ritchie also is active in the Fairbanks community through work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and supporting and volunteering with organizations like Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption, the Alaska Bird Observatory and the Calypso Farm and Ecology Center. Bob and Bobbie raised three children (Amy, Jacob and Chad) and have been foster parents for a few more in Fairbanks. They regularly mix family vacations with volunteering activities in Australia, Papua-New Guinea, and Africa and now hope to do the same with their grandchildren.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Robert Ritchie with the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Charles Swanton, '83, '84
Charles "Charlie" O. Swanton came to Alaska in 1979 from Lexington, Massachusetts, driven by an interest in salmon. In 1981 he began his career with ADF&G as a fisheries technician, progressing to area and regional research and management positions after completing his formal education. Swanton earned Bachelor of Science degrees in biology in 1983 and in fisheries science in 1984 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a master’s degree from the University of Washington-Fisheries Research Institute with an emphasis in salmon population dynamics and statistics. His graduate and subsequent research efforts involved sockeye salmon but shortly after transitioned to the other salmon species as well. Swanton has served as the director for the Division of Sport Fish for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since August 2007, before which he was involved with field activities and commercial and sport fisheries throughout the state while residing in Kodiak, Fairbanks, and presently Juneau. He met his lovely wife, Deborah Uotila, ’82 while attending UAF. They were married at Harding Lake in 1989 and have two sons, Gus, born in Kodiak, and Owen, born in Fairbanks.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Charles Swanton with the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Terese Kaptur, '76, '86
Before coming to Alaska in 1970 to fight forest fires and live in the woods, Terese Kaptur never wore blue jeans or had tasted moose. She transferred to the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1971, lived in a dry, walk-in cabin for 10 years and earned her Bachelor of Music in 1976 and Master of Arts in Music Composition in 1986 at UAF while being the General Manager of the Fairbanks Symphony. In 1980 she moved to Anchorage for a job in opera and then ran the Bach Festival. A job with an orchestra took her to North Carolina where she instantly realized she had to find her way back to Alaska.
While Outside, she used what she had learned at UAF in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Colorado. “UAF provided me with the job skills and educational foundation to work in arts administration and composition with world-renowned artists at major institutions including The Pittsburgh Symphony, North Carolina School of the Arts, Sphinx Foundation and Bravo! Vail Music Festival,” Kaptur notes. Kaptur was delighted with the opportunity to return to Fairbanks as Director of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in 2009. The intense abundance of arts and culture, the incredibly warm community, the beautiful land and radical weather revived a love affair with Fairbanks that had never waned. In December 2009, Kaptur established the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Caroline A. Kaptur Memorial Scholarship in honor of her mother to benefit UAF’s talented music students.
Kaptur has spent her entire career in arts administration and music composition. Passionate about the use of music as therapy for healing, pain management, relaxation and rehabilitation, she has composed music for use in her own surgery without anesthesia. Her dream for UAF is to someday grow the music program by offering an arts administration and music therapy concentration.
Recently married to UAF alumnus Mark Sherman, ’80, ’83 at the UAF fire station where he worked when they first met as students in the 70’s, Kaptur is the mother of two daughters. She still enjoys cabin solace, plays piano, writes some, composes a little, and enables the artistic growth and appreciation of others at Festival. She indulges her passion for advocacy for arts and cultural tourism as an economic driver in Alaska through her work with the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Alaska Travel Industry Association.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Terese Kaptur with the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
Dan Flodin, ’94, ’97
Daniel "Dan" Flodin is a lifelong Alaskan. Flodin grew up in Chugiak and graduated from UAF with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Finance and a Master’s of Business Administration. While at UAF, Flodin was involved in the launch of the UAF Student Ambassadors and was heavily involved in campus life with various roles in Residence Life. Dan was president of the UAF Student Investment Fund in the College of Business and Security Management and received the Blue and Gold award as a student. Dan’s academic career spanned 10 years in student, staff, and adjunct faculty roles at UAF. Flodin’s professional career includes 10 summers commercial fishing in Bristol Bay, Kodiak, and Prince William Sound, and 12 years working in business planning and supply chain management at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Since graduating from UAF, Flodin has served for six years on the UAF Alumni Board and five years on the Business Advisory Committee for UAF’s College of Business and Security Management. Flodin has recommended several UAF graduates for hire at Alyeska (with several landing positions and internships with the company) and has actively encouraged and supported Alyeska’s support of UAF scholarships.
Flodin’s most important achievement at UAF was meeting his wife Debbie while they were students living on campus. They have been married for 19 years and have three beautiful children ages 12, 10 and 8. Flodin and his family currently reside in his hometown of Chugiak.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Daniel Flodin with the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2011 Alumni Achievement awards
The Alumni Achievement Awards were created in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduates and former students of UAF. The areas of recognition include community support, university support, and business and professional excellence. A maximum of five awards in each category can be presented annually. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, staff and by the general public. The nomination letter should include information to support the nomination.
Business and Professional Excellence
- Garry Hutchison, '75
- Jo Michalski, '76
Garry Hutchison graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks cum laude in accounting in 1975. While at the university, Garry received the Hagelbarger Outstanding Accounting Student Award. His success continued in his professional career. He is president and senior shareholder of Kohler, Schmitt & Hutchison, Certified Public Accountants. Garry is also part of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was recognized by the Alaska Society of CPAs with the Public Service Award in 1994.
Garry has over 35 years of experience providing professional accounting services that range from financial accounting and auditing, tax preparation and planning to systems consulting. During his career, Garry provided services to both private and public entities across Alaska -- he traveled extensively from Juneau to Barrow and Northway to Nome.
He has been involved in the Fairbanks community since 1986, beginning with the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the board for a number of years and chaired various committees. Garry is currently part of finance and audit committees at the University of Alaska Foundation and the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation. He has also served two terms as an elected member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough -- once in the position of presiding officer and then as chair of finance and audit committees. His other community involvement includes youth sports and the Rotary Club of Fairbanks.
Gary and his wife, Diane (Kennedy) Hutchison, are life-long Alaskans and parents of three grown children.
Jo Michalski came to Alaska in 1971 and received her master of education from UAF in 1976. Her professional career began as the curriculum development coordinator for the Alaska Department of Education in Juneau. Following a move to Anchorage, she began her long history of successful retail businesses. Jo is the owner of two fashionable boutiques -- Classic Woman and Portfolio. She often credits her success in business to her competent and dedicated employees.
In addition to her involvement in the retail industry, Jo is also a leader in many community organizations. Her extensive list of awards and achievements include the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, the YWCA National Women Entrepreneur Award, the Philanthropy Small Business Award and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Gold Pan Award for Outstanding Community Service.
Jo donates countless hours to public service and over the years has served on many non-profit boards including Campfire Boys and Girls, KAKM/KSKA Public Radio and Television, Alaska Junior Theatre, Out North, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage YWCA, The Alaska Community Foundation and the League of Women Voters. She has chaired the boards of the YWCA, The Alaska Community Foundation and the University of Alaska College of Fellows. She currently serves as a trustee for the University of Alaska Foundation Board and also serves on the Homer Pratt Museum Capital Campaign Committee and on the Bunnell Arts Center Board of Directors in Homer.
Jo Michalski is certainly one of the university’s real success stories -- she has used her education and involvements to not only further the development of her own businesses, but also to better the university, Anchorage and Alaska. She is a credit to the UAF Alumni Association.
- Milo Griffin, '70
- Trudy Heffernan, '87
Milo Griffin graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in secondary education. From an athletic superstar at UAF, Milo transformed into a professional coach, serving Fairbanks high schools for more than 30 years.
Milo Griffin graduated from UAF with an all-time leading score of 1,682 points -- a record not broken until 2005, by Brad Oleson. For his accomplishments in basketball, Milo was inducted into the UAF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. His No. 44 jersey is the only Nanook player jersey number retired by the school.
It is in his professional career that Milo demonstrated dedication to the Fairbanks community -- he helped shape Alaska students into athletes and mature individuals. Milo continues to coach basketball and tennis at Lathrop High School and track at West Valley High School. Fairbanks North Star Borough School District activities coordinator Conrad Gonzales writes about Milo: "I have seen him coach athletes from other schools for the love of sports and students. He is involved in the MLK Basketball Tournament to raise funds for scholarships. Milo has best for students on his mind, not what is best for Milo."
Milo Griffin is an excellent example of an athlete using his skill to benefit youth. The university is proud to have him as one of its graduates.
Trudy Heffernan graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a master’s degree in biology in 1987.
After graduating, she worked for U.S. Soil Services, the Alaska Biological Research and the Northern Alaska Environmental Center.
Trudy’s marriage to Will Putnam, Tanana Chiefs Conference forester, her singing and songwriting prowess and the birth of her two children, Liam and Molly shifted Trudy’s focus towards her family and music.
Trudy’s involvement with music continued and it became her outlet to serve the Fairbanks community. Together with friend, Martha "Mace" Mason, Trudy started a business called "Acoustic Adventures" specializing in attracting high quality acoustic acts to Fairbanks. For the past eleven years, "Acoustic Adventures" brought to town numerous fine concerts featuring the very best in bluegrass, folk, singer/songwriter, blues, celtic, country and more. The proceeds from some of these events were directed to support Fairbanks Folk Fest, a non-profit organization that strives to preserve traditional and contemporary folk music.
Outside of her business, Trudy has also been engaged with other musical projects, to include the Anderson Bluegrass Festival and KUAC’s "Banjo Signal", a bi-weekly public radio show running since 1990. Trudy also finds enjoyment in joining her husband for various music configurations.
Laura Bender, '80, '82
Laura Bender graduated with an associate of arts degree in early childhood development in 1980 from the Tanana Valley Campus and from UAF with a bachelor of education degree in early childhood education in 1982. The same year, Laura received an Alaska Type A teaching certificate.
Laura left Alaska in 1984 to pursue a teaching career in Fairfax Va., but the lure of Alaska was too strong so she returned in 1985. In 1986, Laura reconnected to her alma mater when she was hired to provide administrative support to the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. In 1996 she was promoted to coordinator and in 2002 she became the school's manager. Her duties included assisting the dean, associate dean and program heads in all phases of academic programs. She provided oversight of SFOS academic programs, both graduate and undergraduate. Laura was also responsible for the general coordination and management of day-to-day administrative functions, including maintaining student-related academic information for all SFOS students in Fairbanks, Juneau and Kodiak.
In 2004, building upon her experience working with graduate students, Laura was hired as director of the Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Programs. Laura provides leadership, management and administrative oversight of graduate school program operations, recruitment, advertising and supervision of graduate school staff. She also ensures that the administration of all graduate systems and services meets the needs of students, academic departments and the goals of the university. In addition, she administers undergraduate interdisciplinary and general studies degrees. As a dedicated staff member, Laura has been part of numerous university committees, including Staff Council.
Laura and her husband Gary Bender are parents of two daughters.
In moving the website this information was lost.
2010 Alumni Achievement awards
The Alumni Achievement Awards were created in 1991 to recognize outstanding contributions made by graduates and former students of UAF. The areas of recognition include community support, university support, and business and professional excellence. A maximum of five awards in each category can be presented annually. Nominations may be made by alumni, faculty, staff and by the general public. The nomination letter should include information to support the nomination.
2010 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
Paul Glavinovich '61, '67
Paul S. Glavinovich graduated from the School of Mines at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in 1961. Following service in the U.S. Army as an aviator he returned to the university to pursue a graduate degree in mining geology, completing that course of study in 1967. Glavinovich then joined the U.S. Smelting, Refining and Mining Co. in Fairbanks and worked in the company’s placer gold dredging operations and mineral explorations in Alaska as well as exploration and mine operations in Canada and the Lower 48. Four years after being transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1970, Glavinovich left U.S. Smelting as the assistant chief geologist to return to Alaska. He landed a job with Noranda Exploration, Inc. as a senior geologist and then as a district geologist with Alaska Exploration. Glavinovich remained in Alaska until 1983 where he was instrumental in the exploration and development of the Green's Creek mine on Admiralty Island. Noranda relocated Glavinovich to Denver, Colo. as a manager, U.S. Exploration in 1983. In that capacity he directly supervised six district exploration offices and participated in projects/assignments in Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Chile, England, Germany, Greece and Yugoslavia. Noranda withdrew from U.S. based exploration/mining in 1986 and Glavinovich returned to Anchorage to establish a private consultancy. He currently provides technical and managerial consulting services to placer and lode mine operators, mineral exploration ventures and financial groups throughout the state. He worked extensively with Sealaska Corporation in the development of their calcium carbonate quarry and with NANA Regional Corporation at their Red Dog mine. From 1992 – 1997 he was the president of Thor Gold Alaska, operating a 125 tons per day underground gold mining operation in the Independence mining district. In addition to his professional duties, Glavinovich has served as a member/officer with the Resource Development Council for Alaska, Alaska Miners Association, Alaska Resources Education, Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (Legion of Honor), Society of Economic Geologists (Fellow), American Institute of Professional Geologists. He was also a part of the Bureau of Land Management Citizens Advisory Council. Glavinovich is a Registered Professional Geologist, Alaska and a Certified Professional Geologist, AIPG. He and his wife Jacqueline currently reside in Anchorage. It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Paul Glavinovich with the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award for Business and Professional Excellence.
Roger Burggraf, '59, is an active and passionate supporter of UAF. A long-time active member of the Alaska mining community, Roger takes great pride in what he gained from his education at UAF, sharing his knowledge of the industry and his support for higher education at every opportunity.
Roger Burggraf left home at an early age and worked on farms and ranches to put himself through school. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brought him to Alaska and during the summers of 1954 – 1956 he worked as a stream guard and fisheries aide in the Southeast. Burggraf secured a job for the next two years through the New York State Conservation Department in game management. From 1957 to 1959, he served active duty in the US Army, returning to Alaska in 1959 with the US Army National Guard as a captain, and he was commander of the Fairbanks National Guard Unit until 1963.
Roger held a career in the banking industry from 1960 –1974 after his military service, working for ABC Finance, Alaska State Bank and First Federal Savings and Loan. He segued into the mining industry in 1972 and has been a strong supporter of the industry ever since. He has been a consultant with Silverado Gold Mines Inc. and Tri-Con Mining Inc. since 1977. He directs Silverado’s external relations with state agencies, ensuring the company meets all environmental and safety standards. He is responsible for obtaining permits, managing claim maintenance, and implementing safety operations for Silverado’s Alaska operations.
Roger has served or is serving on many resource development advisory and advocacy groups over the past three decades, including the Alaska Miners Association, and is an active and long-standing member of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.
Roger holds a B.S. in wildlife management and conservation with a minor in geology from Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Both Roger and DeLois Burggraf, ’89, are generous contributors to UAF in time and financial support. Roger is an active member of the Chancellor’s Fairbanks Community Advisory Council, and a member of the Friends of the UA Museum of the North. Alaska and the university are fortunate to have Roger Burggraf as a dedicated supporter.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Roger Burggraf with the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
The Honorable Fredric "Fred" Brown graduated from UAF with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1964. He also received a master’s of science degree in electrical engineering in 1966 from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from the Columbia School of Law in 1969.
Fred's whole life has involved community service. He has been engaged with multiple cultural and community service organizations and has led the promotion of civic engagement and public discourse in Alaska.
Fred's community service started with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra in the 1950's. He played flute and piccolo and served as the group’s first membership committee chair. In the symphony’s inaugural season he sold all of its memberships.
His service continued as a ham radio operator during the 1967 flood. Fred was on an Air Force Reserve flight into Fairbanks where he relieved net control and augmented the station, providing communications support for the area. He received a citation from the American Amateur Radio Relay Club for his dedication and professionalism.
He was also an active participant with the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre's Bard-a-thon the College Rotary, where he served as president, and the Fairbanks Historical Commission.
Fred has been involved in multiple statewide Democratic Party activities, such as volunteering for numerous campaigns in the 1960’s through 2008. He also was a democratic precinct chair from 1969 –1971, 1984 – 1987, and 1990 – 1994 and a democratic state central committee member. Fred was elected to the Alaska State House of Representatives in 1975 and served four terms, from 1975 –1983. During Fred’s tenure in the legislature, he chaired the Commerce, Labor and Management, and various telecommunication committees. Fred and his wife, Helen, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Alaska Democratic Party in October 2009.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards the Honorable Fred Brown with the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
Jackie Stormer '89
Jackie Stormer began working in the public affairs office (the precursor to today’s UAF Marketing and Communications) in 1983. She had already begun working toward a degree in journalism and eventually earned that degree in 1989 while working full time. With a talent for sharp, clear thinking, she became and remains a tireless advocate for the university, and can be counted on to ask hard questions to get to the best solutions.
Whether chairing a working group, serving on a committee or guiding a project to completion, Jackie is equally at home with simple but important tasks that can easily be taken for granted, like correct spelling and grammar, as she is at solving complex problems, like how to stretch a tiny budget to communicate with a large audience. She maintains big-picture views of what’s good for the university while focusing on the minutiae of clear and concise communication tactics. She has helped create, implement and maintain standards of excellence at UAF for editorial content and design in university publications, online and in print, many of which have won awards.
Jackie is a dedicated professional whose high standards motivate her colleagues to strive for excellence, and a mentor who fosters innate, perhaps undiscovered abilities in others. One of her favorite expressions is, "What do you recommend?" Her emphasis on problem solving and collegiality results in a more effective and efficient department.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Jacquelyn Stormer with the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2009 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
- George Gordon '62
- Gregory Galik '70
- Helvi Sandvik '86
George E. Gordon graduated from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.
Upon graduating and serving a tour of duty in the military, George and a group of Fairbanks business leaders determined sewer services were needed for continued expansion of the city. Keenly focused with a strong desire to succeed and a tremendous zeal for hard work, the group was able to establish College Utilities Corporation to meet the community’s need, and George was selected to be President of the Board in 1970.
In 1997, College Utilities bought and merged its company administrative leadership with Golden Heart Utilities, Utility Services of Alaska, Inc., Blu Vu and U-Liner with George as the president and CEO of the entire organization. Under his leadership, he took the company from a customer base of 1,800 to 8,000 and an office staff from five to 100. In 2007, George retired, but was called back to service when Fairbanks Sewer and Water in partnership with Doyon Properties were competitive awarded a utility privatization contract with the United States Army called the largest and most complex utility privatization project the military has ever awarded. The terms of the contract is $3.8 billion over 50 years and covers all three military posts in Alaska and 12 utility systems. George retired again in July of this year.
George serves on the First National Bank of Alaska board and the 11th Air Force Commander’s Citizen Advisory Council. He established a memorial scholarship named for a former business associate Emery Chapple and was presented the 2000 Business Leader of the Year award by the UAF Associated Students of Business.
Greg J. Galik attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks from 1967 to 1970, learning the skills needed to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Alaska Pacific in 1994.
In the 1970s, Greg started as a cargo loader for Wien Alaska Airlines commuter and eventually rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In the early 1980s, he started Iliamna Lake Lodge Resort, a premier wilderness fishing and Alaska experience lodge located on Iliamna Lake. Built from the ground up and with his hard work, the lodge’s operations topped $1.8 million in revenue in the fourth year.
Greg became President/Partner at Aadland Flint Marketing in Anchorage in 1986, where he developed marketing and business plans for Alaskan industries including airlines, transportation and air cargo, food and beverage, service, banking, insurance, law, state government projects, tourism and destination marketing. Greg developed the images and campaigns for Alaska Grown, Café Del Mundo Alaskan potato chips and UAF along with others. The company received many awards, including the Telly Award and the Zephyr Award. In 2008, he sold the firm to the Flint Group, a large company with headquarters and six subsidiaries in the upper Midwest. Greg stayed with the company and is president of the organization, working with clients in Alaska, Canada, the United States and Asia.
Greg serves as a board director for the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of Alaska, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the World Trade Center, the Career Academy, the Alaska Brands Group and Prosperity Alaska.
Helvi K. Sandvik graduated with a bachelor degree in economics from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1986.
Helvi is the president of NANA Development Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation that serves clientele in a variety of sectors, including engineering and construction, resource development, real estate and hotel development, facilities management and logistics, and information technology and telecommunications. Prior to assuming the job of president, she held various other positions at NANA including vice president of operations for NANA Development Corporation and vice president of resources for NANA Regional Corporation.
Helvi joined NANA in 1995 after twelve years with the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities where her career took her from transportation planner to director of statewide aviation and finally to the position of deputy commissioner.
Helvi has been extensively involved in the community. She served as chairman of the board of directors for the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, Alaska Energy Authority and United Way. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, as a trustee for the Aqqaluk Trust, and as chairman of the Seattle Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In 2004, she served as one of seven conferees of the Conference of Alaskans and was inducted into the Anchorage Athena Society. In 2007, she was honored as a laureate in the Junior Achievement Alaska Business Hall of Fame.
- Bart S. Lebon '75
- Terrence M. Cole '76, '78
Barton "Bart" LeBon graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1975 with bachelor of business degrees in management and in marketing.
Bart came to Alaska from Los Angeles on an athletic scholarship and became a standout player for the Nanooks men’s basketball team. After graduation, he chose a career in banking and quickly rose through the ranks. He graduated from the University of Washington Pacific Coast Banking School in 1990 and in 2000 became the executive vice president of commercial lending at Mt. McKinley Bank. Bart’s service to the community did not stop with his professional career, but continued in his personal life as he excelled as a leader in community organizations. He has coached youth sports and served in the local and state chapters of the Air Force Association. He has served as a board member for the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Association, the Interior Community Health Center and the Alaska Airlines Community Advisory boards. He was twice elected to the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board and served as board president from 2001-2003.
Bart was named the 2002 Business Leader of the Year by the UAF Associated Students of Business.
Terrence Cole graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1976 with bachelor of arts degrees in geography and in northern studies, and 1978 with a master's degree in history. He continued his education and received his PhD in American history at the University of Washington in 1983.
Terrence's love of Alaska and educating brought him back to the 49th state as he became a professor at his alma mater in 1988. In his 21 years as a professor, Terrence has been instrumental in Alaska and abroad bringing excitement to the study of history. He has authored four books about Alaska's history to include "Crooked Past," a history of the founding of Fairbanks; "Nome: City of the Golden Beaches," a history of the Nome gold rush; and "The Cornerstone on College Hill," a history of UAF. His most recent book "Fighting for the Forty Ninth: C.W. Snedden and the Long Struggle for Alaska Statehood" (University of Alaska Press) will be published later this year. Another recent work which has just appeared this month is an edited and annotated abridgement of James Wickersham's 1938 classic account "Old Yukon."
Terrence is a frequent guest lecturer at conferences and schools ranging from kindergarten through elderhostel. He has appeared on the BBC, NPR, PBS (American Experience), the History, Weather and Discovery channels, and ABC’s Good Morning America.
Terrence twice received the ASUAF Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. He is a recipient of the Emil Usibelli Teaching Award, the Edith Bullock Service Award through the UA Foundation, and in 2006 he received the Governor's Award for the Humanities.
- Joan F. Braddock '77, '83, '89
- Deanna Dieringer '87
Joan F. Braddock graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor of science in biological science in 1977, a master of science in microbial physiology in 1983 and a PhD in oceanography in 1989.
Joan’s interest in sciences continued as she became both an assistant professor in microbiology in 1990 and an adjunct assistant professor at the Water and Environmental Research Center at UAF. In 1996, she became an associate professor of biology and an adjunct associate professor at the Water and Environmental Research Center. In 1999, she became the department chair and coordinator of the graduate programs for the department of biology and wildlife. In 2003-04, Joan was appointed the interim dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics and in September 2005 was named dean of the college.
Joan has been a vital member of the UAF community for more than three decades, as a student, faculty member and administrator. She has shown an unfailing dedication to students and the University's academic mission and has served as a role model for a generation of women in the biological sciences. Joan has served as an advisor for fifteen graduate students and has contributed to the sustained growth of her chosen field. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, the Association of Women in Science, Sigma XI, Phi Kappa Phi and the International Society for Microbial Ecology.
Joan has distinguished herself as a respected global leader in the study of microbial degradation of hydrocarbons and has led a highly productive research career that has resulted in more than forty peer-reviewed publications and numerous presentations at prestigious scientific meetings from regional to international levels.
Joan has maintained high standards of leadership, integrity, excellence and dedication, through her extraordinary service to the University.
Deanna Dieringer graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1987 with a bachelor degree in business administration.
Deanna started her tenure at UAF as a stand out student-athlete at UAF from 1983-1986 as a member of the Nanook women's basketball team and served as UAF's assistant women's basketball coach from 1986-1989. After graduation, she continued her service to UAF for over 20 years working in the admissions office, the registrar office and the financial aid office. She served as co-director of the UAF financial aid office from 2005 to 2007 and in 2007 was the named the university registrar. In 2008, Deanna was appointed as Director of Financial Aid.
Deanna is still very engaged with UAF athletics as she has served on the intercollegiate athletics council for three years and serves on the UAF Hall of Fame committee.
2008 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
Patrick Cole graduated from UA at Fairbanks in 1972 with a bachelor of art degree in speech communications. After graduation, he became a VISTA Volunteer assigned to an outreach program at the old borough library at the corner of First and Cowles.
Pat's love of public policy and public service continued as he pursued and received a law degree at the University of Idaho School of Law in 1978. Upon his return to Fairbanks, Pat continued his work in local government for the Fairbanks community as an attorney, city manager and chief of staff. Pat has worked on a wide variety of issues with multiple Fairbanks city and borough mayors including John Carlson, Bill Allen, Juanita Helms, Bill Walley, Jim Nordale, Wayne Nelson, Jim Hayes, Steve Thompson and Terry Strle.
In addition, Pat has worked with many public servants on the borough assembly and city council and thousands of dedicated local government employees over the past 30 years working to provide quality essential services to our community. From public safety, police protection, fire suppression and emergency medical services to street repair, building code creation and engineering, Pat helps make sure the city runs efficiently as possible.
When Pat is not working for the city, he spends his time as an active KUAC-FM volunteer. He and his bothers Terrence and Dermot host the annual fall "Cole Brothers" fundraiser to assist the station in meeting its funding goals.
Lorena Hegdal graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, becoming the first Native woman in the University's history to receive this degree. She continued on her trajectory working first for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and currently at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company as the engineering director responsible for all engineers covering the 800-mile pipeline.
Lorena's abilities have not gone unnoticed in the state or nationally. She was recognized in May 2008 as a Woman of Distinction by the Farthest North Girl Scouts Council. In 2007 she was the keynote speaker at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society national conference in Phoenix and was recognized as their Professional of the Year. The Alaska Society of Professional Engineers also awarded her Engineer of the Year this spring.
In addition to Lorena's professional achievement in engineering, she works to improve students at UAF by assisting the next generation of Alaska Native and American Indian engineers. She has helped multiple students clarify their goals in engineering by providing information about programs and intern opportunities at Alyeska. Lorena is a fixture at Rural Student Services and UAF athletic events. She has also been involved in the Randy Smith Middle School central council PTA, and as a board member of both the United Way of the Tanana Valley and AISES.
Kay Wallis graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Upon graduation, she was employed by the Tanana Chiefs Conference where she recruited students to attend college.
Kay worked in Juneau as a legislative aide in the early 1980s and after three years
was encouraged to run for state representative. She lost her initial run but was elected
the following term. Kay served for three terms as a legislator and spearheaded passage
of the state's Indian Child Welfare Act and the first Indian repatriation legislation.
Upon leaving the legislature, Kay worked for the Gwichyaa Gwich'in Tribal government
of Fort Yukon as an Indian Child Welfare Act advocate for five years. As an ICWA advocate,
Kay was one of the first Natives to enter the state's court room on par with attorneys.
Breaking trail in the legal area was indeed challenging for a non-lawyer but advocating
for children was her passion. She served for six years on the Family Centered Services
board in Fairbanks assisting children and families with mental health challenges.
Kay continues her career with children by working with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer program of Alaska where she assists children/young people in state custody and promotes their best interest at Office of Children's Services (OCS) hearings, at school and in court.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Pat Cole, Kay Wallis and Lorena Hegdal with the 2008 Alumni Achievement Awards for Business and Professional Excellence.
Merritt Mitchell graduated from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1950 with an engineering degree.
After retiring from a career in water quality engineering with the territorial government of Alaska, the EPA, and the State of Alaska, Merritt began a second career of volunteer work for his community and the university. From 1994 to 2000 he served on the board of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. He designed and helped to build a dock for the center's facility at Peterson Bay and also designed and built a water and wastewater treatment facility with composting toilets to protect the delicate coastal environment. He donated hundreds of hours of his time and the use of his personal boat to this effort and continued after he left the board in 2000. He was a strong advocate for the center and for the environmental education opportunities that the center offers.
Merritt served on the Advisory Board of UAA's Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College from 1994-2005, the last five years as its chair. During his tenure on the board, he was greatly committed to the mission of the Kachemak Bay Campus as evidenced by actively advocating for the development of its facility and program infrastructure. He chaired the building subcommittee, providing much professional and technical assistance.
Merritt served two separate terms on the UAF Alumni Association Board of Directors in the 1980s and 1998-2004 and served as UAFAA board president for two terms in 1999-2001. He began the efforts and hard work to reconnect the alumni association and UAF which have proven to be very successful with the UAF alumni relations office being re-established in 2005.
Merritt has been an advisor to three UAF chancellors (Wadlow, Lind, and Jones). His wisdom and expertise have been invaluable to UAF and its leadership. He has been identified as a potential member of Chancellor Rogers' new Board of Visitors. Merritt has also been an exceptional mentor to UAFAA executive directors and to the UAF vice chancellor for university advancement. The UA Board of Regents has sought Merritt's counsel on numerous topics over the years.
As a past president of the alumni association, Merritt was involved in the UAF Vision Task Force, which is shaping the university for the future. His ideas and counsel have been a great help to the university as we build the 2017 vision.
Merritt has also advocated for the university and encouraged many students to attend UAF while serving as the admissions point of contact for UAF in the Homer area.
Marie Matsuno Nash graduated from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1967 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and was named student of the year.
Upon graduating from UAF, Marie followed her love of public policy as she first served Governor Hammond as his executive secretary, then was staff assistant on boards and commissions and ultimately deputy commissioner of Community and Regional Affairs. After leaving the Hammond administration Marie worked for U.S. Senator Ted Stevens in both his Washington D.C. and Anchorage offices where she retired after 29 years of service in November 2005.
Marie has been a leader with multiple organizations in Alaska. She has served on the Bristol Bay Native Corporation for 11 years and has chaired the corporation's education foundation for six years. Marie served on the Ugashik Traditional Village Council where she was vice president. She also served with the First Alaskans Institute as a member and treasurer.
Richard "Tark" Tarkiainen graduated from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1970 with a bachelor of arts degree in education.
As an undergraduate Tark played club hockey and in his last year as a collegian he played in the first intercollegiate hockey game in the state's history when UAF played Alaska Methodist. Tark was awarded the most sportsmanlike player award that year even though he was the most penalized player.
Tark's love of hockey continued as he began his career as a teacher in the Fairbanks North Star Borough and also coached hockey. Tark was instrumental in having men's hockey recognized as a high school sport in Fairbanks and he led the charge to establish the first men's league, both in 1974-75.
After leaving Lathrop High School, Tark went to West Valley where he was the boys' hockey coach until 1988-89. As the coach of the Wolfpack his teams went to state often and finished as high as second in the state in 1983-84.
In 2004 Tark was admitted to the Pioneers of Alaska and was elected to the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Merritt Mitchell, Marie Matsuno Nash and Richard "Tark" Tarkiainen with the 2008 Alumni Achievement Awards for Community Support.
Mike Sfraga
Mike Sfraga graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, and in 1997 with an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in geography and northern studies.
Mike has worked at UA and UAF for 23 years in several administrative, academic and research positions. He is the current and founding director of the University of Alaska's geography program. Before accepting the position, he was an associate vice president for the UA statewide system office.
Mike chairs both the Denali Education Center and the UA International Polar Year Community Outreach and Engagement committees. He also serves on several community and national boards to include the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Alaska Geographic Association, Interior Issues Council, and Institute of the North. He is also a former board member of the UAF Alumni Association.
Mike is an accomplished author having written "Bradford Washburn: A Life of Exploration" (2004), the first comprehensive biography of celebrated American explorer Bradford Washburn. Sfraga lectures frequently about Washburn's work and legacy. His next book covers the history of the first ascent of Mount Fairweather.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Mike Sfraga with the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2007 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
Kelly Drew graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1981 with a bachelor degree in psychology. She received her doctorate in pharmacology from Albany Medical College. Following postdoctoral work at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, she joined UAF in 1990, was appointed assistant professor in 1998 and promoted to associated professor in 2002.
Kelly has had a tremendous impact nationally in the field of neuroscience for her work on neurodegeneration and stroke, especially the development of hibernation as a model of neuroprotection. Kelly has more than 45 publications including five major book chapters. She was highlighted in both Scientific American and US News and World Report. She also organized eight national and international conferences and serves as a reviewer and consultant for many organizations.
In addition to Kelly's professional achievement in neuroscience, she works to improve Alaska and UAF by training the next generation of scientists. She has helped multiple students clarify their goals about health careers or science majors by providing information about programs on campus and intern opportunities at other universities including the National Institutes of Health. She presents options at the local American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) meetings and assists students who want to create their own degree through the undergraduate interdisciplinary option.
Kelly is a member of multiple professional and academic societies. She has received the Sven Ebbesson Award for Excellence in Neuroscience, the Dennis Demmert Award for Mentoring, the Carol Feist Advising Award and the 2006 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award.
Thaddeus Dumas graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and in 1972 with a master's degree in educational administration. He received a doctorate of educational administration at the University of San Francisco in 1990.
Upon graduation, Thaddeus stayed in Fairbanks and worked as a teacher at Fort Wainwright and Main Junior High School. He later became both an assistant principal and principal at Ryan Junior High School eventually working his way to principal of his alma mater, Lathrop High School in 1974. After leaving Alaska in 1976, Thaddeus was selected by the Rockefeller Foundation as one of five individuals chosen nationally for training as a large system superintendent. He served as an administrative intern for district superintendents in Berkeley and Oakland Unified School districts. He then led middle school education (500 middle schools) and the high school partnership network in 180 high schools. He also served as "chair of chairs" for the National Middle School Association (NMSA) directing and providing input to all NMSA standing and ad hoc committees.
Marvilla Davis
Marvilla Davis graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1987 with a master of art degree in music. She recently retired after teaching music for more than 41 years in public schools in Montana and Alaska, at UAF, and through private voice lessons.
Marvilla came to Alaska in 1974 to teach in the Fairbanks school system. After earning her degree at UAF, she accepted a part-time position in general music at Weller Elementary School while also teaching as an adjunct professor at UAF.
In 1992 Marvilla sought permission to start a new group, initially called the UAF Chamber Singers. After several years the name was changed to the Alaska Chamber Chorale. She provided expert leadership and training to the group that has garnered national attention for its beautiful performances. Under her direction the group performed not only in Alaska but also in Portland and New York City. The executive director of the American Choral Directors Association (ACA) stated that the Alaska Chamber Chorale under the direction of Marvilla Davis was one of the top five community choirs in the nation.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Marvilla Davis with the 2007 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
Sue McHenry
Susan I. "Sue" McHenry graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in psychology, and in 1976 with a master's in education focusing on college student personnel administration. She has taught student success courses geared toward college first-year students and has been a Rural Alaska Honors Institute instructor.
Sue has been with Rural Student Services for 29 of the 32 years of its existence. She has made an impact on literally hundreds of Alaska Native people and rural Alaskans. She has represented the university at rural college and career fairs and is involved with the UAF American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) as an advisor raising the stature and self-image of aspiring students. She is constantly engaged in the efforts that create a network of support for students.
Sue received the 2001 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence from the University of Alaska Foundation. She received the Denali Award from the Alaska Federation of Natives for her efforts as a non-Native person whose work has been of great benefit to the Alaska Native community. She received the UA President's Make Students Count Award in May 1999, the Associated Students of UAF Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award in April 1994 and the UAF Outstanding Advisor Award in 1993 and 1996.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Susan I. "Sue" McHenry with the 2007 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2006 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
Margaret Nelson graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Since her graduation from UAF, Margaret has had a tremendous impact on our state as a news reporter, public relations officer and corporate executive in the travel industry, especially in cultural tourism. She has 24 years of combined experience in management, with emphasis on financial stability, operations and start ups; 16 years in executive management, and more than seven years in corporate development and implementation. Margaret is currently a realtor for Prudential Real Estate in Anchorage where she provides services for residential and commercial real estate sales and real estate management throughout Southcentral Alaska. Before her entry into the real estate business, she was a consultant for Susitna Development & Consulting and was the president/CEO for the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
She has received numerous awards as a result of her dedication as a business leader. In 2002, she received the Seymour Award from the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau; in 1999 she received the Outstanding Enhancement of Tourism Award from the Alaska Land Managers Forum; in 1994, she earned the service award from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. On top of earning and achieving awards she has served on numerous boards and is an active volunteer. Nelson is an active member of Rotary International and the Municipal Light & Power Trustee Commission. She is an active board member for the Hospice of Anchorage and was a previous board member of the Alaska Visitors Association, Hospice and Home Health Care of Juneau, and Goldbelt, Incorporated.
Eric McDowell graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 1966 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, and then went in to complete a master's of business administration in marketing and market research from the University of Oregon Graduate School of Business.
In 1972 Eric developed The McDowell Group, a professional consulting and research firm. The firm specializes in economic and market analyses, public issues research, Native business, cultural issues, and organizational advisory services. He is the leading authority on Alaska's tourism market and the Alaska economy. He was principal in the design of the Alaska Visitor Statistics Program, the largest state tourism market study in the country. Currently he is designing and implementing an on-going Alaska travelers survey program.
Eric has authored three handbooks on tourism development in Alaska communities and Native villages. He is a certified counselor in Alaska and has assisted clients with internal issues. He authored the original Alaska Statistical Review, a statistical history of Alaska's economy. He has been appointed to the Governor's Fishery and Policy Task Force, and has held membership in the International Travel and Tourism Association, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Visitors Association. He serves on the board of Alaska Pacific Bank, Juneau Recovery Hospital, and the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Margaret Nelson and Eric McDowell with the 2006 Alumni Achievement Awards for business and professional excellence.
Bernice Joseph
Bernice Joseph graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and in 1998 with a master's degree, also in business administration.
She is currently the executive dean of the College of Indigenous Studies, a position she has held since 2001. As the executive dean, Bernice is responsible for six campuses, three departments and over 3,500 students. She also served as an assistant professor in the Department of Alaska Native and Rural Development at UAF from 1995-2001, worked for the Doyon Foundation, Fairbanks Native Association and has served as the deputy commissioner for the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development under former Governor Tony Knowles.
Bernice's involvement in Alaska communities includes: the Make-a-Wish Foundation board; Midnight Sun Council of the Boy Scouts board; State of Alaska State/Tribal relations team; Commissioner, Alaska Commission on Agin; Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation board and many other organizations.
Bernice was recognized in 2001 by the Alaska Native Education Summit for her commitment to Native education. In 2003 she was selected as Doyon, Limited “Citizen of the Year” and in 2005 she gave the keynote address, “Native Ways of Knowing-Follow the Lights” at the Alaska Federation of Natives Conference.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Bernice Joseph with the 2006 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
Dana Thomas
Dana Thomas graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences and received a masters of science in statistics and a doctorate in philosophy from Oregon State University.
Dana returned to UAF as an assistant professor of statistics in 1981, and has become an invaluable member of the university community. Dana has chaired the department of mathematical sciences since 1999 and has been responsible for a $1.1 million budget. On the university level he has served as co-chair of the institutional accreditation steering committee, he was the special assistant to the chancellor for enrollment and assessment, he chaired the campus-wide educational effectiveness evaluation team, was a member of the diversity team and the faculty senate. Dana also has contributed his expertise to many national reports, abstracts and publications.
Some of Dana's honors include UAF Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1982; Outstanding Volunteer, U.S. Embassy, Sana'a, Yemen, 1990; Golden Key Honorary Member 2000; UAF Merit Award for Leadership in Accreditation Review 2002; and the 2005 Emil Usibelli Award for Distinguished Teaching.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association presents Dana Thomas with the 2006 Alumni Achievement Award for University Support.
2005 Alumni Achievement awards
Business and Professional Excellence
Edward Thomas graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in education. Through his professional career he has become one of the most powerful business leaders in Alaska today. Thomas has been president and CEO of the Tlingit & Haida Central Council since 1984 where he is responsible for over 200 employees, $24 million in programs, $10 million in the Tribal Trust Fund and the implementation of general administrative policies of the tribe of over 25,000 citizens. Thomas has also met with five sitting U.S. presidents between 1988-2004 on Native issues. He was selected to meet with Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Gali in 1993 and 1994.
Before Thomas became president of the Central Council one could say he lived a rich professional life already as he was director of Indian education for the Ketchikan School district, executive director of the Ketchikan Indian Corporation, president of the Klawock Island Dock company, seine boat skipper for Columbia Wards Fisheries and a high school counselor for the Craig School District.
Thomas was recognized with the Kake Tribal "Top Dog" Award in 1996. He was the 1995 keynote speaker for the Alaska Federation of Natives Conference, he received the Tlingit Haida Citizen of the Year Award in 1991 and the Ketchikan Native Citizen of the Year Award in 1978.
Elaine Woodruff graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1969 with the institution's first master's of fine arts degree in creative writing. She has continued to enhance her learning and the learning of others. In 1989 Woodruff received her Ph.D at the University of Denver with an emphasis on poetry. She became an assistant professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1989. In 1993 Woodruff became an assistant professor at Colorado Christian College where she was promoted to full professor of English in 2004.
Woodruff has published one book, is awaiting publication of her second book and nine of her poems have been published. She has been invited to present papers and hold poetry readings at more than 15 conferences including the Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities at Cambridge University in 2005, the Mount Hermon 35th Annual Christian Writers Conference in Santa Cruz, Calif., in 2004, the International Conference on Short Fiction in Salamanca, Spain, in 2004 and at the Iowa Writer's Workshop in 2004.
Some of Woodruff's honors includes two nominations for Poet of the Year in 1996 and 1997 from the International Society of Poets, induction into the International Poetry Hall of Fame in 1997, nominated Poet Laureate of Colorado, 1996. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Poetry from the National Library of Poetry and the Editor's Choice Award in 1996.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards the 2005 Alumni Achievement Awards for Business and Professional Excellence to Edward Thomas and Elaine Woodruff.
Billie Blanchard graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 with two associate's degrees and in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
She is currently the president and CEO of the Military and Civilian Credit Union (MAC), a position she has held since 1999.
Blanchard is known for her active involvement with the military community in Fairbanks. She currently serves as the president for the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) - Polar Bear Chapter, the co-chairperson of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and as a member of the Civilian Advisory Board to the Alaska Congressional Joint Armed Services Committee. Blanchard has helped spearhead efforts to organize military appreciation events including Project Partnership which matches civilian organizations with military units.
Charlie Dexter graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1977 with a theatre degree and in 1983 with a master's degree in business administration. He is currently a full professor of applied business at UAF's Tanana Valley Campus in downtown Fairbanks.
Dexter has been a very active member of both the university and Fairbanks communities. He was the recipient of the 2001 Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award, the 1999 Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Faculty of the Year Award and the 1998 College of Rural Alaska Nancy Mendenhall Award for Exemplary Leadership/Service Awards.
Dexter serves on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Early Childhood Development Commission, the Salvation Army Corps Council, the Northern School Federal Credit Union Board of Directors and he has a bi-weekly business column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Billie Blanchard and Charlie Dexter with the 2005 Alumni Achievement Award for Community Support.
Richard Caulfield graduated from the University of Alaska in 1986 with a master's degree in education. He has been a very active member of the university community as his list of accomplishments continues to grow. During Caulfield's 21 years of service to UAF he has helped students, staff and faculty succeed and has assisted in making the university more user-friendly.
Caulfield began his career at UAF as a professor in the Alaska Native and rural development department. He later became associate dean of the College of Rural Alaska and was recently selected to lead the Tanana Valley Campus. Caulfield has served on the UAF Master Planning Committee, the UAF Strategic Planning Committee, Chancellor's Task Force on Enrollment Management, UA Statewide Research Advisory Committee, UAF Graduate School Steering Committee on Leadership, UAF Provost's Marketing Alaska Committee, College of Rural Alaska Faculty Council and UA Learning Cooperative Distance Learning Committee. He has also been a faculty advisor for the Alaska Native Leadership Project field study courses, the College of Rural Alaska Curriculum Council and was chair of the School of Education dean search committee.
Some of Caulfield's honors include UAF Honors Program recognition for teaching excellence 2000, UAF Outstanding Advisor Award 1996 and he was awarded the student-nominated Dennis Demmert Award for Excellence in serving Alaska Native Students in 1996 and 2000.
Scott McCrea graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Since 2000 he has been the marketing and community relations coordinator at UAF's Tanana Valley Campus. Since McCrea's arrival back on campus he has stayed involved and engaged in campus activities.
McCrea has served as president of the UAF Staff Council, been a member of the UA Staff Alliance, former UAF Alumni Association board member and president of the Fairbanks chapter of the Alumni Association, former chairperson of the UAF Athletic Director Search Committee, UAF representative and vice chairperson of the Carlson Center Advisory Board, member of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee and Top of the World Classic Organizing Committees. He was former chairperson, UAF Advocacy committee, member of the organizing committee, UA Museum of the North Chocolate Bash and member of the organizing committee for the Association of College Unions international region 14 conference.
McCrea did not just sit on committees though--he has also been the master of ceremonies for the UAF rifle team fundraiser, the UAF College of Fellows fundraiser in 2004 and the UAF student awards ceremony twice, in 2003 and 2005. He also developed and organized the Welcome to UAF new employee orientation and developed community outreach events including UAF Day at the JP Jones Community Center in 2001-2002 and the annual UAF Day at North Pole to bring the university closer to the Fairbanks North Star Borough community. In 2002 McCrea was a member of the Provost's Academic Leadership Academy and in 2003 he received the Chancellor's Recognition Award for Employee of the Year.
It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association awards Richard Caulfield and Scott McCrea the 2005 Alumni Achievement Awards for University Support.