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 |