UAF to host 101st commencement ceremony

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will honor the Class of 2023 during its 101st commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 1 p.m. 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 Saturday, UAF expects to confer approximately 1,088 degrees on 1,023 students. Some students will receive more than one degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer and fall 2022 and spring 2023.

University of Alaska Vice President Paul Layer; UA regents Dennis Michel, Ralph Seekins and Karen Perdue; UAF Provost Anupma Prakash; and UAF Graduate School Director Richard Collins will help UAF Chancellor Daniel White confer degrees. The Troth Yeddha’ Dancers will open the event.

The student speaker will be Tasina Luta Win (Marsha Jean Thomason-Oss) who is graduating with an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. This year’s outstanding students are Riley von Borstel, recipient of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award honoring an outstanding bachelor’s degree candidate, and Kalen Moore-Thomas, recipient of the Joel Wiegert Award honoring an outstanding associate degree candidate.

Eric Heyne, professor of English in the UAF College of Liberal Arts, will be the procession’s grand marshal. He is among 18 retiring staff and faculty members who will be granted emeritus status, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.

Others receiving emeritus status are: Katherine Arndt, associate professor of library science; Sandra Boatwright, proposal and publications office manager; Richard Scott Carr, professor of English; Cecelia Chamberlain, executive officer for finance; William Cox, director of utilities; Kim Davis, Aurora managing editor; Cary de Wit, associate professor of geography; Peter DeCaro, associate professor of communication; Alexandra Fitts, professor of Spanish and vice provost; Phillip Harrington, executive officer; Santanu Khataniar, professor of petroleum engineering; Richard McDonald, professor of computer information systems; Patricia Martinez Meritt, professor of early childhood education; Vikas Sonwalkar, professor of electrical engineering; Michele Stalder, dean of the Community and Technical College; Kimberly Aragon Stewart, instructor of Spanish; and Mark Young, associate professor of applied business and accounting.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson and Helen (Dick) MacLean. Carl Benson, Joan Braddock, Jason Gootee and Ron Inouye will receive Meritorious Service Awards.

Honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients, emeriti, the student speaker and student award winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on Friday, May 5, at 5 p.m. in the Davis Concert Hall on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks. UAF will also host a Ph.D. hooding ceremony on May 5 at 11 a.m. in the Davis Concert Hall.

On Saturday, the Carlson Center will be open for guest seating at noon, and the processional will begin at 1 p.m. The event will stream live on the UAF YouTube channel and the UAF Facebook page.

Graduates, their families and UAF alumni are welcome to attend a reception hosted by the UAF Alumni Association at the Carlson Center Pioneer Room immediately following the ceremony.

 

Class of 2023 profile

The following provides a snapshot of the UAF 2023 graduating class. These are preliminary numbers, current as of April 24, 2023. Final statistics will not be available until early September.

1,088 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1,023 students:

• 76 occupational endorsements
• 133 certificates
• 190 associate degrees
• 435 bachelor’s degrees
• 176 master’s degrees
• 32 doctorates
• 47 recommendations for education licensure

Diversity breakdown:

• 610 women, 393 men, 20 specified other genders
• 57 Alaska Native/American Indian
• 41 Asian American
• 38 Black or African American
• 71 Hispanic or Latino
• 590 Caucasian or white
• 12 Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 89 other or unknown
• 24 international
• Average age: 33; median age: 30

 

2023 commencement schedule

The following is a schedule of commencement activities. Times with asterisks are estimated.

Friday, May 5

11 a.m. — Ph.D. hooding ceremony, Davis Concert Hall

5 p.m. — Honoree recognition ceremony for honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients, emeriti, student speaker and student award winners, Davis Concert Hall

Saturday, May 6

Noon — Carlson Center opens for guest seating; students arrive

12:30 p.m. — Graduates, stage party and faculty line up

1 p.m. — Academic procession begins; ceremony follows

*4 p.m. — Alumni reception, Pioneer Room, Carlson Center

 

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Kristin Summerlin, 907-474-6284, klsummerlin01@alaska.edu.

172-23