From the Editor

I am one of those beneficiaries. Like many at UAA, I worked full time while earning my undergraduate degree, but even that was not enough to cover everything. Philanthropic support helped bridge the gap. Even now, as I pursue my graduate degree, I continue to benefit from the belief and generosity of others.

From an Alumna

The eight-year For Alaska fundraising campaign comes to a successful close after raising $277 million, while Giving Day prepares for its fifth year of impact after raising $4.4 million.

For many students, scholarships funded by the generosity of donors can mean the difference between debt and a degree. Fundraising efforts like the historic For Alaska campaign, which concluded this year, and the enduring Giving Day event, which continues next year, are critical giving opportunities that ensure students have the financial support they need to pursue higher education.

Funded by an initial $25 gift in 1985, the UAA Alumni Scholarship is now an endowed fund valued at almost $500K and has generated $490K+ in scholarships to support 300+ students.

New Coke. Live Aid. WrestleMania. The year 1985 saw the emergence of many new institutions — some longstanding, while others not so much. One of the more enduring of these was the creation of the UAA Alumni Scholarship, initially funded by a gift of just $25.

In October, philosophy alumnus John Macy began a yearlong clerkship for United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito.

Calling to the bench…John Macy, B.A. Philosophy ’19, in a manner of speaking. In October, Macy began clerking for United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito. As a law clerk, he will assist Justice Alito in determining legal options for the cases that reach the U.S. Supreme Court by conducting research through all manner of court records, files and documents.

“To be a small part of an institution that has had such an enormous impact on our country is an indescribable honor,” said Macy. “In the sphere of my career and honestly my entire life, this is one of the best opportunities that I could be afforded, and I feel just insanely lucky and grateful.”

Overcoming numerous challenges, Emmanuel Tobey transitioned from soccer to medicine after a severe injury. His dedication to serving others shines through his virology research and future aspirations with floating hospital Mercy Ships and Alaska villages.

Emmanuel’s journey from the tropical landscapes of Cameroon to the snowy expanses of Alaska is a testament to resilience and determination. Born and raised in Cameroon, Emmanuel is the youngest of six siblings. His early years were marked by hard work and the struggle to help support his family. “Life wasn’t easy, but we made the best of what we had,” Emmanuel recalled.

When his father left for America to seek better opportunities, Emmanuel and his siblings worked in local sand mines to contribute to the household income. Despite the hardships, Emmanuel remained hopeful. His father eventually settled in Alaska, attracted by the promise of better prospects, and the family reunited after several years.

Fictional depictions of the scientific process usually show lab work being conducted in some nondescript, sterile room, far removed from the communities they are studying and the people they are benefitting. The Building Research Aligned with Indigenous Determination, Equity and Decision-Making (BRAIDED) project hopes to change that perception through the creation of a tribal research program located in the heart of St. Paul, part of Alaska’s Pribilof Islands.

Attendees also enjoyed music from the inaugural UAA Pep Band and a custom ice cream flavor, UAA Cookies ‘n Green, from Motley Moo Creamery, owned by alumna Calesta Ayer, B.B.A. Marketing and Management ’09.

Ragu Bhargava, B.B.A. Accounting ’89, has come a long way from relying on free instant ramen cups from the UAA Student Union to get by. In 2022, Bhargava finalized the sale of his company, Global Upside, to Safeguard Global, handing over the reins to a company he’s been building for over 20 years. Now retired and living in Las Vegas, Bhargava is confident that his company’s new leadership will continue his legacy of workforce development and innovative solutions.

A partnership between UAA and Seattle University School of Law will establish the new Alaska Hybrid Hub, an innovative initiative to provide aspiring lawyers in Southcentral Alaska with access to a complement of resources of a brick-and-mortar law school. The hub enables Alaskans with work and family commitments to complete law school without moving out of state. By providing this flexibility, the goal is to draw many more people into law school and the legal profession, which in turn will address the critical need for legal professionals in underserved regions known as ‘legal deserts’ where there are not enough lawyers to meet community demand.

Awardees will be announced in early March 2025 and will be celebrated in late March 2025 at the annual Alumni of Distinction Celebration.

If you have questions about the nomination process or need assistance, please contact the Office of Alumni and Community Engagement at seawolf.forever@alaska.edu or 907-786-1942.