Summer 2025
From the chancellor
Dear ÐÔÓûÉç community,
Each spring, as the seasons shift on our Troth Yeddha’ Campus, we’re reminded of the powerful transformations that take place when a community comes together. That spirit was clear during this spring’s Giving Day, when over 1,100 donors raised more than $812,000 in just 49 hours to support ÐÔÓûÉç programs, scholarships and research. It was a record-breaking show of unity and purpose.
The generosity of Nanook Nation on Giving Day was especially inspiring in support of the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. Thanks to challenge gifts and a groundswell of individual contributions, we moved closer to realizing a shared vision for a central space for Indigenous knowledge, learning and community rooted in the cultural richness of Troth Yeddha’.
Giving Day is always more than a fundraiser. It is a celebration of our shared values and the future we are building together. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Giving Day such a success. Your support for scholarships and programs fuels our mission and empowers students across the university.
Thank you for choosing ÐÔÓûÉç.
Dan White
Chancellor
Recent benefactor highlights
Businesses, corporations, individuals and foundations give generously to ÐÔÓûÉç. This report reflects gifts and donations totaling $25,000 or more to the University of Alaska Fairbanks between Feb. 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025.
BUSINESS AND CORPORATE
Alaska Airlines gave flight vouchers to support the Rural Alaska Honors Institute.
Donlin Gold gave to the Rural Alaska Honors Institute and the GeoFORCE Alaska Support Fund.
Koniag gave to the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The Lynden family of companies gave to the ÐÔÓûÉç Lynden Diesel and Heavy Equipment Certificate Scholarship.
Tanana Chiefs Conference gave to the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The Nature Conservancy gave to the Tamamta Fellowship.
Wiseman Metals gave to the University of Alaska Museum of the North gold mining history exhibit, the GeoFORCE Alaska Support Fund and the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program General Support Fund.
INDIVIDUAL
An anonymous donor gave to the Charles C. Georgeson Botanical Garden.
An anonymous donor gave to the Huang Family Endowed Scholarship.
Carl S. Benson gave to the Wrangell Mountains and Greenland Research Fund.
Dorli McWayne ’83 and Kesler Woodward gave to the Museum Annual Fund, the OneTree Alaska Project Support Fund, the Charles C. Georgeson Botanical Garden, the Frank Soos Creative Writing Scholarship, the Kesler Woodward Scholarship, the Barry McWayne Fine Art Photography Scholarship and the Marianna Missy Boaz Woodward Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION
An anonymous donor gave to the Inspiring Girls Expeditions Support Fund.
The Gottstein Family Foundation gave to the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The ÐÔÓûÉç Hockey Alumni Association gave to the Nanook Volleyball, Nanook Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Nanook Men’s Hockey, Nanook Running, Nanook Rifle, Nanook Skiing, and Nanook Sports Performance Support funds, as well as the Nanook All-Sports Scholarship, the Nanook Women’s Swimming Scholarship and the ÐÔÓûÉç Hockey Alumni Association Scholarship for Men’s Nanook Hockey.
Stories of impact
May 21
Kendall Kramer wraps up five years at ÐÔÓûÉç with a stellar senior season, winning the collegiate and national championship 20K freestyle races.
May 12
The fifth annual online event set a new participation milestone as donors supported more than 80 ÐÔÓûÉç programs, scholarships and initiatives.
Feb 28
The Mining Engineering Research Endowment, backed by companies, gives scholarships to ÐÔÓûÉç students working on innovative, sustainable mining practices.
Feb 28
Roger Burggraf’s extraordinary donation advances the effort to preserve Alaska’s golden history.
Dec 04
The annual Blue & Gold Celebration raised scholarship funds, while Giving Tuesday supported the ÐÔÓûÉç Food Pantry.
Dec 04
Frank Ostanik ’93 is working his connections with communities in Alaska and beyond.
Aug 15
Donor scholarships have transformative impacts on students across ÐÔÓûÉç’s wide array of academic programs.
Aug 14
A gift from Usibelli Coal Mine helped create a 2.5K route that meets official competition standards
May 23
Ryan Muspratt, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award, reached beyond personal goals after a hockey injury and never looked back.
May 23
A medical doctor impressed with a ÐÔÓûÉç professor’s neuroscience work has created a student scholarship in the professor’s name
Feb 09
Graduate students and family celebrate Jerry Swartz and his birds, mammals and devotion to proper English.
Feb 08
Dedicated board members work to sustain and improve the beloved Georgeson Botanical Garden.
Nov 08
Donors raise more than $14,000 for the Student Support Fund, which provides aid when things go sideways.
Nov 08
An upgraded internet connection and a new team center give ÐÔÓûÉç a competitive edge
Nov 08
Don and Annette Clark left millions to ÐÔÓûÉç and other institutions.