Stories of impact
Winter 2024
From the chancellor
Dear UAF community,
Thank you for your continued support of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Your generosity is a vote of confidence in our work to advance and share knowledge through research, teaching, and public service.
This past semester, we have continued to do just that. This fall, we had over 1,200 students living on campus, some in the newly renovated Moore and Bartlett residence halls, contributing to our vibrant campus culture. As students made full use of the newly opened Student Success Center, our construction crews broke ground on the UA Museum of the North planetarium. The UAF women’s volleyball team set the longest winning streak in program history, and the women’s cross-country team competed at NCAA championships as a team for the first time since 2011. Go ’Nooks! People are busy, facilities are full, and campus is vibrant. In this season of gratitude, I am especially thankful for the UAF community. Your support is vital to the transformative work we do together.
As we reflect on gratitude, we also look ahead to giving. UAF’s top development priority is the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, a groundbreaking initiative that embodies our commitment to student belonging and Indigenous leadership. When completed, the one-of-a-kind facility will proudly house most of UAF’s Indigenous programming and will serve as a hub of learning, gathering, and innovation for generations of UAF students. Home to the first public College of Indigenous Studies in the nation, the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center will cement UAF as a global leader in Alaska Native and Indigenous education.
In 2026, we expect to break ground on the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. This milestone is fast approaching, and we need your help to make it happen. Charlene Stern, UAF’s vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education, is leading the way on this transformative project. Seth Walker, the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center development lead, is bringing new energy to our campaign. I encourage you to reach out to these leaders to get involved in the Troth Yeddha’ Initiative, or contribute here.
Your support of the Troth Yeddha’ Initiative is about more than a building — it’s an investment in the future of education, our students, and Alaska. Thank you for being part of the UAF community and for believing in what we do.
Thanks for choosing UAF.
Dan White
Chancellor
Recent benefactor highlights
Businesses, corporations, individuals and foundations give generously to UAF. This report reflects gifts and donations totaling $25,000 or more to the University of Alaska Fairbanks between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024.
INDIVIDUAL
Catherine F. Cahill gave to UAF Annual Fund, the Geophysical Institute Endowment, the Richard D. Reeve Scholarship in honor of Lt. Col. Alanson Bartholomew, the ACUASI General Support Fund, and the Usibelli Coal Mine Drone Advancement Endowed Scholarship.
Carol and Terence Choy established the Terence and Carol Choy UA Museum of the North Endowment and the Terence and Carol Choy Arts Endowment.
R. Dolly Dieter gave to the Dieter Family Tsunami Bowl Endowment, the Dieter Family Marine Science Research Scholarship and the Ken Turner Memorial Fellowship.
Dorothy and Michael Doyle gave to the John M. Murphy Memorial Geology Scholarship.
Dale A. Durrwachter gave to the Kinross Alaska Future Leaders Endowed Scholarship.
Sandra D. O'Neill established the Patrick H. O’Neill and Sandra D. O’Neill Mining and Natural Resources Endowed Scholarship.
FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION
Bill Stroecker Foundation gave to the Bill Stroecker Brass Scholarship, the Bill Stroecker Petroleum Engineering Scholarship, the Bill Stroecker MBA Scholarship and the Bill Stroecker Accounting Scholarship.
Stories of impact
Dec 04
The annual Blue & Gold Celebration raised scholarship funds, while Giving Tuesday supported the UAF Food Pantry.
Dec 04
Frank Ostanik ’93 is working his connections with communities in Alaska and beyond.
Aug 15
Donor scholarships have transformative impacts on students across UAF’s wide array of academic programs.
Aug 14
A gift from Usibelli Coal Mine helped create a 2.5K route that meets official competition standards
May 23
Ryan Muspratt, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award, reached beyond personal goals after a hockey injury and never looked back.
May 23
A medical doctor impressed with a UAF professor’s neuroscience work has created a student scholarship in the professor’s name
Feb 09
Graduate students and family celebrate Jerry Swartz and his birds, mammals and devotion to proper English.
Feb 08
Dedicated board members work to sustain and improve the beloved Georgeson Botanical Garden.
Nov 08
Donors raise more than $14,000 for the Student Support Fund, which provides aid when things go sideways.
Nov 08
An upgraded internet connection and a new team center give UAF a competitive edge
Nov 08
Don and Annette Clark left millions to UAF and other institutions.
Oct 09
A unique program at UAF’s Honors College draws hundreds of undergraduates to study climate change — and do something about it.