Rural Alaska Honors Institute graduation celebrates 25 years

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
07/09/07

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Rural Alaska Honors Institute honored the accomplishments of 69 RAHI students at a graduation ceremony, July 11 in the Schaible Auditorium.

Ulric Ulroan, a 1994 RAHI alumnus from Chevak, was the keynote speaker for this year’s graduation. Ulroan is the mayor for the city of Chevak and owner of Chevak Bird and Cultural Tours.

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, RAHI emphasizes a challenging university curriculum and a residential program to acquaint students with college life and expectations. More than 350 past participants of RAHI have gone on to earn associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees. Many RAHI alumni have joined Alaska’s professional workforce.

Courses in writing at the college level make up the centerpiece of the curriculum, along with a choice of classes in petroleum engineering, business management, biochemistry, geoscience, math or rural development. Each student earns between seven and 10 UAF credits, giving them a head start on college. Instruction in computers, Alaska Native dance, swimming and study skills round out the college preparatory residency.

The curriculum includes university courses funded in part by Wells Fargo, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Funding through NIH supported RAHI II, Next Step, which brought five students from across Alaska this summer to do genetics research with UAF scientists.

RAHI is part of UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development.

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

RAHI 2007 student roster
Jennifer Albano, Kodiak
Christina "CJ" Aloralrea, Chevak
Angelia Alstrom, St. Mary’s
Candice Amaktoolik, Golovin
Sara Amos, Mekoryuk
Solomon Askoak, Russian Mission
Hannah Brower, Haines
Charice Brown, Golovin
Kallie Brown, Galena
Ben Bromiley, Newhalen
Ashley Burgett, Galena
Brittany Burns, Kaktovik
Reuben Butteri, Tok
Norman Carlo, Tanana
Amanda Carroll , Circle
Cori Eide, Nome
Lydia Fawcett, Hydaburg
Staci Fawcett, Metlakatla
Julian Ferreras, Barrow
Deborah Fiala, Kodiak
Angela Folger, Tanana
Brittany Foster, Hope
Mikki Foster, Noorvik
Carrie Gallahorn, Anchorage
Samantha Grimes, Barrow
Stasha Guthrie, Hydaburg
Bessie Hausmann, Galena
Blaine Hayward, Metlakatla
Kathleen "Katie" Herzner, Nome
Gracelyn Johnson, Kotlik
Chris Jones, Noatak
Denise Katongan, Unalakleet
Curt Kokrine II, Fairbanks
Deven Lisac, Dillingham
Alan Lonewolf, Kotzebue
Lelani Luhrs, Togiak
Jennifer Martelle, Barrow
Diana Merlino, Koliganek
Sheldon Myers, Pilot Station
Erin Nelson, Kotzebue
Jimmie Mae Pedginski, Kenai
Mark "MJ" Roseberry Barrow
Sasha Ruesch, Eagle River
Andrea Sampson, Noorvik
Tara Schmidt, Nome
Ralph "Skip" Sinnok, Shishmaref
Jennifer Smith, Delta Junction
Sirena Soots, Bethel
James Sparks, Nome
Luava Tagarook, Wainwright
Kenneth Vaska, Russian Mission
Brandon Walker , Kotzebue
Katya Wassillie, White Mountain
Billy Westlock, Emmonak
Kehaunie Williams, Klawock
Riza Yatchmeneff, King Cove
Sul Hwa Yuk, Kotzebue
Carolyn Zibell-Barger, Noorvik