RAHI students make good choices

 

RAHI students make good choices

Submitted by Denise Wartes
Phone: (907) 474-6886

06/30/05

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Rural Alaska Honors Institute will honor the accomplishments of 42 RAHI students at a graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday, July 8 in the Schaible Auditorium. A public reception will follow in the Brooks Building Gathering Room.

Debbie Mekiana Toopetlook from Anaktuvuk Pass, a RAHI alumna, will be the keynote speaker. Debbie received her bachelor’s degree in Alaska Native Languages, with an emphasis on Inupiat Eskimo. She also earned a second bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Community Psychology, all from UAF.

The RAHI program is aimed at rural and Alaska Native students who have completed their junior or senior year of high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Proposed in 1982 by the Alaska Federation of Natives and the University of Alaska, RAHI emphasizes a challenging university curriculum and a residential program to acquaint students with college life and expectations. More than 275 students, after participating in RAHI, have gone on to earn associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees. Many RAHI alumni have joined Alaska’s professional workforce with many more are in the postsecondary pipeline.

"We attempt to build a supportive community in which students participate in a rich academic setting, build a university transcript, and develop a long-term supportive network with peers, staff and instructors," said Denise Wartes, program coordinator.

The RAHI curriculum includes university courses funded in part by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, UAF’s Alaska Natives Into Psychology program and UAF’s Business Administration Program. Students in a new course this summer-video production, a joint venture between RAHI and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District-will produce a DVD chronicling the RAHI students’ experience. Courses in writing at the college level make up the centerpiece of the curriculum, along with a choice of biochemistry, geoscience, math or psychology. Each student earns between seven and 11 credits at UAF, giving them a head start on college. Instruction in computers, Alaska Native dance, video production, online investing, swimming and study skills round out the college preparatory residency. RAHI is sponsored by UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development.

Note to editors: Student list attached.

Contact: Denise Wartes or Carol Hollingsworth at (907) 474-6886, toll free at 1-800-478-6886, e-mail fyrahi@uaf.edu or visit the RAHI website at http://www.uaf.edu/rahi.

RAHI 2005 Student List
Avaiyak Aamodt Barrow
Daisy Barnes Dillingham
Aaron Brown Nunam Iqua
Jennal Burgett Galena
Jessie Dybdah Hoonah
Harlan Esmailka Allakaket
Alicia Ferreras Barrow
Konrad Frank Angoon
Tami Frankson Point Hope
Irene Gallahorn Point Hope
Carolyn Gamechuk Manokotak
Megan Gregory Kake
Hannah Henderso Metlakatla
Rebecca Herington Kake
Jaclyn Hoover Kasigluk
Rebecca Ignatoc Barrow
Kristina Jackson Kwethluk
Elena John Toksook Bay
Emma Johnson Point Hope
Alicia Kanayurak Atqasuk
Louise Kangas Ruby/Fairbanks
David Kunat Gustavus
Maggie Lane Point Hope
Brentina Lincoln Toksook Bay
Crystal Martin Barrow
Glen Marunde Northway
Shane Mullins Port Alsworth
Lyle Nashookpu Point Hope
Fanny Newton King Cove
Brent Pete Stebbins
Megan Richards Kandik River
Raina Saxton Barrow
Nicholas Schmidt Nome
Lawrence Shoogukwruk White Mtn/ Soldotna
Joyelyn Sommer Galena
Lindsay Standish near McGrath
Rami Totemof Tatitlek
Michael Ulroan Chevak
Serita Unin Bethel
Dorothy Walker Holy Cross
Charles Wong Atqasuk
Mark Young Soldotna