Friday Focus: Big things are happening at UAF

March 1, 2024

— By Theresa Bakker, interim executive director of university advancement

Big things have always happened at UAF, from hosting the state’s constitutional convention to rocket launches in pursuit of geophysical research and a unique dinosaur discovery on Alaska’s North Slope. Even small things can be big, like the microgrids in development at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power.

More recently, the University of Alaska Board of Regents approved two projects at its February meeting that will reshape this university’s Troth Yeddha' Campus: the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center and a planetarium addition at the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

One comment I keep hearing is how big these projects are for UAF. This work, the culmination of many hours of planning and nurturing relationships with partners and benefactors, will transform the shape of campus and the student experience. And at the heart of both projects is philanthropy, one of the pillars of university advancement.

One of the biggest philanthropic events on campus is happening later this month. UA Giving Day starts at noon on March 26 and will last through 1 p.m. on March 28. From the beginning we knew that a mere 24-hours could not contain this day of support, so we made it #49HoursforAlaska.

Last year, every UAF college and school participated in Giving Day by sharing student stories and recruiting champions to help spread the word. Champions shared their stories on social media — reminiscing about their time at UAF, posting pictures and connecting their experiences with their current success. UAF’s top fundraising goal, the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, drew gifts from 165 donors, the largest number of people to give to a single UAF program in the history of Giving Day.

Our champions are also our students, staff, faculty and alumni who share their stories during Giving Day to help spread the word and find new areas to support. You can sign up to be a champion now and find out how to earn prizes and help unlock another successful Giving Day for UAF.

For the past few months, a team led by Katie Straub, alumni storytelling manager, has been working to plan this year’s event. This group represents every school and college, plus programs from across Nanook Nation. Our development team has been working with deans, directors and donors to confirm more than 50 challenges. In addition, Chancellor White is offering to make a donation to the UAF fund that gets the most alumni gifts during Giving Day.

The UAF alumni team gets ready for the “Look for Nook” activity during this year’s Giving Day on March 26-28. Theresa Bakker, left, is the interim executive director of UAF University Advancement, Felicia Burud is the acting alumni relations director and Katie Straub is the alumni storytelling manager.
The UAF alumni team gets ready for the “Look for Nook” activity during this year’s Giving Day on March 26-28. Theresa Bakker, left, is the interim executive director of UAF University Advancement, Felicia Burud is the acting alumni relations director and Katie Straub is the alumni storytelling manager.

Unlocking such challenges can motivate others and increase the likelihood that a person who visits the Giving Day site makes a donation by as much as 30%. The sponsors of these challenges believe in a quality education and want to leverage that gift to inspire others.

This year, we are expanding the presence of Giving Day across UAF campuses. It will start on March 18 with "cash cabs" on UAF shuttle buses. On random trips during the week, Giving Day champions will surprise bus patrons with trivia questions and other opportunities to win prizes, including our new Nook socks.

Next, is the Giving Day kickoff event on March 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the UAF Wood Center. Join us for a special photo opportunity with Nook at 1 p.m.

Throughout this 49 hours of giving, be sure to "Look for Nook." This special event sponsored by the UAF Alumni Association features stuffed bears tucked away on several UAF campuses, including Troth Yeddha', CTC and the five rural campuses. Anyone who finds a bear can pick a Giving Day fund to receive $250 from UAFAA.

You are all invited to find out more about Giving Day. Visit the website to learn more. I hope you’ll join Nanook Nation for this opportunity to show your pride and share your version of the big things happening at UAF.

Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF's leadership team every week.