UAF to celebrate record-breaking Class of 2012
May 10, 2012
907-474-7902
5/10/12
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will honor the accomplishments of the largest graduating class in its history during its 90th commencement ceremony Sunday, May 13 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.
The university's first commencement took place in 1923, when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. On Sunday, UAF expects to confer approximately 1,356 degrees on 1,309 students, an increase of 14 percent over last year. Some students will receive more than one degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer and fall 2011 and spring 2012.
The largest increase in degrees is in certificates and master’s degrees, which increased by 100 percent and 30 percent, respectively, from last year. UAF is also breaking its previous record for doctorates with 50 students slated to receive UAF’s highest degree this year. Class of 2012 graduates range in age from 18 to 69. Several members of the University of Alaska Board of Regents will help UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers confer degrees. UA President Patrick Gamble will also participate in the ceremony.
The Dillingham High School Dancers will lead the processional. Graduates, faculty members, honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients, and university officials will participate in the ceremony beginning at 1:20 p.m.
National Endowment for the Humanities chairman Jim Leach will give the keynote address. Leach served three decades in the U.S House of Representatives and had a brief foray into academia at Princeton University and Harvard University before being nominated by President Barack Obama to chair the Endowment. Leach attended Princeton University, the School of Advanced International Studies of John Hopkins and the London School of Economics. He holds 11 honorary degrees and is the recipient of multiple national and international awards.
UAF will award three honorary degrees and three Meritorious Service Awards during the commencement ceremony. This year’s honorary degree recipients are Leach, artist Danny Pierce and Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation CEO H. Robin Samuelson Jr. Meritorious Service Award recipients are Patty Kastelic and Bob and Carrie Uhl.
The student speaker is Jordan Culver, who is receiving a bachelor’s degree in justice, UAF will also honor winners of this year’s awards for graduating seniors: Jordyn Montgomery, the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award; Gail Denning, the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award; and Matthew Robinson, the Joel Wiegert Award.
John Keller, professor of chemistry, will serve as the procession’s grand marshal. Keller is among 12 retiring faculty and staff members who will be granted emeritus status on Sunday, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.
Others receiving emeritus status are: Clara Anderson, director of Interior-Aleutians Campus; David Blurton, professor of justice; Charles Dexter, professor of applied business; Ralph Gabrielli, associate professor of rural development; A.J. Gharrett, professor of fisheries; Thomas Jahns, professor of Extension; Jeffry Leer, professor of Alaska Native languages and linguistics; Debra Moses, associate professor of developmental mathematics; Jake Poole, vice chancellor for university advancement; Larry Roberts, associate professor of justice; and Diane Ruess, associate professor of library science.
Commencement rehearsal for graduates is Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the Carlson Center. There will also be a picnic that day immediately following rehearsal until 2 p.m. at the Carlson Center for graduates and their families and friends to celebrate with Chancellor Brian Rogers. Graduation mass will take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Schaible Auditorium. The Carlson Center will open for guest seating at noon on Sunday. The processional will begin at 1:20 p.m. The event will also be available as a webcast and will be broadcast over UATV via KUAC Channel 9.4. Visit www.uaf.edu/commencement and click on the webcast link.
Graduates, their families and UAF alumni are welcome to attend a reception hosted by the UAF Alumni Association in the Carlson Center’s Arthur Buswell Pioneer Room immediately following Sunday’s commencement ceremony.
University of Alaska Fairbanks commencement
Class of 2012 profile
The following statistics provide a snapshot of UAF’s 2012 graduating class. Please be aware that these are only preliminary numbers, current as of May 10, 2012. Final statistics will not be available until after commencement. With that in mind, here’s this year’s class profile:
1356 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1309 students:
• 31 occupational endorsement
• 196 certificates
• 243 associate degrees
• 550 bachelor’s degrees
• 258 master’s degrees
• 50 doctorates
• 27 recommendations for education licensure
• 1 graduate certificate
• 732 women graduating and 577 men
Diversity breakdown:
• 257 Alaska Native/American Indian
• 52 Asian
• 32 Black
• 53 Hispanic
• 85 Other
• 62 International
• 768 White
Youngest graduate is 18; oldest graduate is 69.
Median age of class: 28
Five programs have graduates for the first time:
AAS, drafting technology, one graduate; BA, fisheries, two graduates; BA, film, three graduates; Certificate, safety, health and environmental awareness, four graduates; Licensure recommendation, post-baccalaureate special education licensure, seven graduates.
MG/5-10-12/244-12