Chancellor's Reports on Philanthropy
Winter 2020
Dear Friends of UAF:

As we head toward 2021, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your commitment to, and trust in, UAF.
There is no doubt that 2020 has been a challenging year. But with challenges come opportunities. Our recent online giving event, “49 Hours for the 49th State,” demonstrated how much UAF means to alumni, donors and community members. A majority of the donors and dollars during this first systemwide campaign were directed to UAF programs, colleges and schools. UAF donors hailed from 47 states and nine countries. To watch the outpouring of support — and the names of friends listed on the website’s “donor wall” in real time — was exciting!
During the giving day event, challenge gifts from generous benefactors inspired others to give. I especially want to thank Usibelli Coal Mine (led by Joe Usibelli Jr. ’81); Dr. Cary Keller and Sarah Keller ’90; Spirit of Alaska Credit Union (led by Anthony Rizk ’90, ’97); Regent Mary K. Hughes ’71; the Hockey Alumni Association; the UAF Alumni Association; Ann Cook ’72; retired Professor Claudia Clark; Alaska 529; Nanooks hockey coach Erik Largen ’10; Matt Varga ’98, ’09, ’10; Great Northwest; Kendall Subaru; and deans Bill Schnabel ’00, Bradley Moran, Ellen Lopez, Mark Herrmann, Kinchel Doerner and Michele Stalder ’97. More than 200 ambassadors helped share the message throughout their social networks, and Sunrise Bagels celebrated UAF with its own special drink and per-cup donation. My gratitude goes to them as well.
The new year is a great time for fresh starts and goal setting. Pre-pandemic, I launched an effort to convert the director of development and alumni relations position (filled in an interim capacity by Kate Ripley) into the position of executive director of university advancement. That effort was postponed largely due to COVID-19, but the goal to move University Relations, Development and Alumni Relations into one integrated department remained.
I am pleased to announce that Samara Taber will be the new executive director of university advancement. A UAF alumna, Samara began her UAF career in 2013 with the Office of Development and has served in a variety of roles over the past eight years, including interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, director of admissions and interim UAF executive officer. Samara starts her new role on Dec. 14.
Kate Ripley ’11 retires from UAF Jan. 1, 2021, with over 15 years of service to the university. My deep gratitude to Kate for all she has done as interim director of development and alumni relations during the past year and a half. The development team, led by Kate, increased giving to UAF during one of the most challenging times of our history. Kate’s relentless optimism, passion for UAF and care for people will be missed by UAF and by me as chancellor. I am confident that we will continue to see Kate’s positive work in the community to the benefit of the blue and gold.
Have a restful holiday season, and thank you for choosing UAF.
Daniel M. White
Chancellor
#UAGIVINGDAY2020
Alumni lead the way to a successful giving day
Billed as “49 hours for the 49th state,” #UAGivingDay2020 drew participation from more than 1,100 individuals across the country.
Read more about #UAGIVINGDAY2020
Dr. Cary and Sarah Keller
Philantropists and advocates
For more than 30 years, Dr. Cary Keller and Sarah Keller ’90 have attended athletic events, advocated for the university and invested their time and money to ensure the quality of its programs.
Read more about Dr. Cary and Sarah Keller
Alaska Nanook Hockey Alumni Association
Inspiring Nanook hockey fans
Since its creation more than 15 years ago, the Alaska Nanook Hockey Alumni Association
has been an avid supporter of UAF’s hockey program.
Usibelli Coal Mine
Over 43 years of supporting UAF
Support for education has been a hallmark of the leadership of UCM President Joe Usibelli Jr. ’81. Over the years, Usibelli Coal Mine has donated more than $5.2 million to the university.
Read more about Usibelli Coal Mine
Pollock Conservation Cooperative
UAF celebrates 20 years of partnership with the Pollock Conservation Cooperative
Over the last 20 years, the Pollock Conservation Cooperative has given more than $16
million to support marine research and education at UAF, including support for the
research center.
2020
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, winter 2020
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2020
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2020
2019
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, winter 2019
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2019
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2019
2018
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2018
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2018
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2018
2017
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, winter 2017
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2017
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2017
2016
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2016
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2016
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2016
2015
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2015
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2015
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2015
2014
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2014
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2014
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2014
2013
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2013
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2013
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2013
2012
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2012
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2012
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2012
2011
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2011
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2011
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2011
2010
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2010
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2010
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2010
2009
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, fall 2009
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, summer 2009
- Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy, spring 2009