UAF names outstanding graduating students

April 26, 2016

The University of Alaska Fairbanks honored dozens of students on Saturday at its annual student awards breakfast. Each spring, UAF recognizes students who have distinguished themselves throughout their academic careers.

Among those honored were the winners of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award and the Joel Wiegert Award, which celebrate the outstanding graduating senior woman and outstanding graduating senior man, respectively.

Ingrid Dye, of Anchorage, received the 2016 Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music performance.

Dye has earned 160 credits in her four years at UAF, all while maintaining a high grade-point average, working with six different music ensembles and serving as president of the UAF chapter for the National Association for Music Education during the 2015-16 school year. Dye, who plays the flute, has represented UAF in honor groups such as the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Band and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles World Youth Wind Orchestra.

Dye won the 2015-2016 UAF Music Department awards for Outstanding Music Major and Outstanding Graduating Senior. She plans to complete 15 credits of student teaching next fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in music education.

Eli Ward, who was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula, received the 2016 Joel Wiegert Award. He is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering.

Ward spent every semester of his college career on either the dean's list or chancellor’s list, while also volunteering his time to many different organizations. He was involved with the UAF Student Ambassador Program, participating in many recruitment events such as Inside Out for high school students, Kids2College for children in elementary school, and tours with hundreds of potential students to show them what UAF has to offer. His time was also spent with multiple student professional organizations and honor societies, with a goal of helping his classmates succeed and get the most out of their college careers.

After graduation, Ward is planning to work as a geotechnical engineer for the state of Alaska, focusing on the Southcentral region.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Below is a list of award recipients. If a student or department is not listed, it may be that the outstanding student for that department has a confidential hold on his or her academic record.

Scholar Athlete Awards

Nolan Huysmans, sophomore business administration student and hockey player

Kaillee Skjold, junior emergency management student and basketball player

Outstanding students by school and college

School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Mark Young, fisheries

School of Education
Karen C. Paul, elementary education
Emily Lucas, secondary education

College of Rural and Community Development
Monica A. Gustafson, Alaska Native studies
Gerald J. Anvil, associate of arts
Elizabeth Hanson, developmental education
Vernae O. Angnaboogok, rural development
Charlotte Brinkman, tribal management

College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Alyssa Weaver, biological sciences
Stacey Krepel, chemistry and biochemistry
Roberta Glenn, geography
Telayna Gordon, geoscience
Max Hesser-Knoll, mathematics
Amir Raz, physics
Kristen L. Rhode, wildlife biology and conservation

College of Engineering and Mines
Sophia D. Tidler, civil and environmental engineering
Ryker L. Dial, computer engineering
Ann Tupek, computer science
Timothy R. Ballard, electrical engineering
Matthew J. Blake, geological engineering
Eric D. Bookless, mechanical engineering
Jordan S. Hildreth, mining engineering
Daniel Baklanov, petroleum engineering

School of Natural Resources and Extension
Kirsten Maria Williams, natural resources management

College of Liberal Arts
David J. Harris, Alaska Native language
Candace Kruger, anthropology
Aspen Severns, Arctic and northern studies
Brant Schalk, art
Ashton Edwards, communication
Meryem Kugzruk, English
Mallory Wetherington, foreign language
Joseph Decker, history
Kathryn Luper, journalism
Orion Hutchin, justice
Nathan Feemster, linguistics
Ingrid Dye, music
Jesse A. Gray, philosophy and humanities
Alyssa A. Quintyne, political science
Kirsten Pickard, psychology
Dakota Grende, social work
Amy E. Cross, sociology
Ian Buoncore, theatre and film
Daniel Nero, women’s and gender studies

Community and Technical College
Russell G. Smith, aviation maintenance
Michael McKee, professional piloting
Anna McTaggert, applied accounting
Melissa Olson, applied business
Devin Millington, automotive technology
Matthew Sponaugle, computer information technology
Stephanie Harvey, computer information technology (distance)
Geoffrey Scadding, construction management
Jasmine R. Stebbins, culinary arts and hospitality
Terricka Snowden, dental assisting
Douglas Ballard, diesel/heavy equipment
Michael Jones, drafting technology
Amber Rose Hays, early childhood education
Rebecca McPherson, fire science
Nancy “Nina” L. Burkett, human services
Nathan Strong, paramedic academy
Leif Albertson, paramedic academy (distance)
Bethany Wille, paralegal studies
Kamilah Bolling, process technology
Marie Bridgewater, safety, health and environmental awareness
Robin Oh, medical assisting and allied health
Mary Ferguson, law enforcement academy

School of Management
Michelle Galloway, accounting
Alexis Nardone, business administration
Amber Corrigan, economics
Rachael Doniger, homeland security and emergency management
Jason Fegurgur, military science and leadership