NEW HEIGHTS IN PHILANTHROPY e CHANCELLOR’S REPORT FALL 2021UAA Office of Development 3211 Providence Drive, ADM 236 Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4614 907-786-4847 • Toll-free: 877-482-2238 uaa_development@alaska.edu university foralaska .com Left: Nolan Nicholas, B.A. ‘20 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award® winner and 3-time Seawolf Hockey captain Inspired to make a gift this year? Help support UAA students and accelerate thriving futures in Alaska. GIVE ONLINE: engage.alaska.edu/uaa BY PHONE: 907-786-4847 BY MAIL: University of Alaska Foundation 1815 Bragaw Street Ste. 206 Anchorage, AK 99508 Please make checks payable to the UA Foundation. 3 NEW HEIGHTS IN PHILANTHROPY Sean Parnell joins UAA A greeting from the Chancellor ................................................4 Our community rallies behind Seawolf Athletics Seawolf Ski, Hockey and Gymnastics teams celebrate a path forward ..........................................................5 Alaska Airlines helps Seawolf student-athletes soar ...............6 Philanthropy in action A transformative bequest from the late Caroline “Carrie” E.B. Lewis ......................................................9 Gary Klopfer, B.B.A. ’81 and Jane Cuddy Klopfer launch the Student Investment Fund .................................................10 Mary Ann Hautman, Ph.D., RN, establishes Indigenous Nursing Endowed Scholarship ............................12 Alaska Native Studies faculty spotlight. ................................13 The Atwood Foundation shapes emerging journalism and communication professionals.......................14 The Jean Brockel Estate continues a legacy at Kenai Peninsula College .........................................................16 Editors Matt Jardin, B.B.A. ’10 Alex Komar, Lead Editor Catalina Myers Eric Olson, Lead Editor Michelle Saport Graphic Designer Joe Nedland Staff Photographer James Evans, B.A. ’16 5 6 10 13 Note: Some featured photos were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic and the current campus mask mandate.Dear Friends and Supporters of UAA, For more than six decades, career-focused learning, cutting-edge research and a warm community have abounded at the University of Alaska Anchorage. As an anchor institution essential to the state’s present and future, UAA is known for its dynamism and relevance. The university is an economic driver and opportunity creator for Alaska. Across Anchorage and in some of the most beautiful places in the 49th state — home to Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Kodiak and Prince William Sound colleges — our students’ bright ambitions are a springboard for Alaska’s prosperity. As a new chancellor, I am thrilled to thank you for championing UAA, particularly during our For Alaska philanthrop- ic campaign, a comprehensive effort to raise $200 million for the University of Alaska system. From our grassroots Seawolf Athletics supporters to UAA friends making life-changing gifts to scholarships and strategic initiatives, your generosity helps make Alaska an exceptional place to live, work, learn and discover. You elevate the university’s mission to transform lives through teaching, research, community engagement and creative expression in a diverse and inclusive environment. I am committed to advocating for this institution and working with you to build on its incredible history. Your story and the story of many before you, is the UAA story. Your dreams and motivation to support higher education are truly inspir- ing. I believe that education is a transformative gift. I am honored to join you and look forward to the journey! With appreciation, Sean Parnell UAA Chancellor P5 Seawolf Gymnastics reached its year one goal this sum- mer and is poised to compete this winter, backed by more than 700 supporters. However, the work is not finished. The team still needs to raise approximately $300,000 by June 2022 to be fully reinstated. “UAA gymnastics has given me the opportunity to continue in the sport that I love in my beautiful home state. Our COMMUNITY RALLIES BEHIND SEAWOLF ATHLETICS • Hockey and Ski celebrate a path forward • Gymnastics still chasing its $300,000 goal In August, Director of Athletics Greg Myford joined Chan- cellor Sean Parnell in announcing that the Seawolf Hockey program successfully surpassed its fundraising mark of $3 million, buoyed by an organized public fundraising effort, Save Seawolf Hockey — a group of hockey boosters, alumni, fans and community members dedicated to restoring the program. Their advocacy and generosity resulted in the D-I team’s reinstatement, paving the way for the team to resume play in the 2022-23 season. community’s donations are shap- ing the future of the sport in Alas- ka, so that girls like me can receive the same amazing opportunity,” said Seawolf gymnast Brooklyn Kopsack, B.S. Kinesiology ’25. Athletic Director Myford conclud- ed, “The effort made over the last year by our students, our coaches, our staff and our community, near and far, has told the story of the value in having a strong UAA athletics program. Seawolf Athletics — all of our 13 sports — presents points of connectivity, passion and pride to our university.” “Today is about much more than dollars raised. It’s about hope restored and dreams realized,” said Myford. “While the financial support is important and necessary, our community of support- ers refused to let the vision for Seawolf Hockey fade.” Last year, UAA announced the decision to cut men’s hockey, women’s gymnastics and Alpine skiing from the Seawolf Athletics roster in response to state funding reductions of $34 million to the university since fiscal year 2014. ● More than 1,600 donations fueled the teams’ comebacks ● First-time Seawolf donors: 875 ● Average gift: $1,580 A BY THE NUMBERS Up against the prospects of losing collegiate ski and hockey in Anchorage, and Alaska’s only collegiate gymnastics program, supporters across the Seawolf Athletics communities came together. They organized a grassroots, multi-year fundraising marathon, led by coaches, student-athletes, alumni, boosters, community leaders and corporate partners to help restore the teams. The Ski Team, through the 314er Campaign, announced last December that it had raised $628,000 from hundreds of friends and sponsors to stay on the slopes and trails.6 Through decades of critical impact for our students and region, Alaska Airlines shapes premier, open-access high- er education experiences and inspires student-athletes to soar to new heights. Alaska Airlines established the Alaska Airlines Scholar Athletes Endowed Scholarship in 2013 through a $1 million gift to UAA. To date, more than 25 recipients have received over $150,000 in scholarships and student support made possible by the endowment. “Seawolf Athletics’ relationship with Alaska Airlines extends well beyond doing business together,” said Greg Myford, Director of Athletics. “The point of view that they bring to our conversations usually includes, ‘How can we make a difference for you?’ When you have partners like that, you have a good chance of achieving some goals that might otherwise be too far out of reach.” ALASKA AIRLINES HELPS SEAWOLF STUDENT-ATHLETES SOAR “Alaska Airlines is not simply a sponsor of UAA Athletics, but a foundational partner of the program,” Myford said. “In both a literal and figurative sense, Alaska Airlines helps get Seawolf Athletics where we need to go.” In addition to the endowment, Alaska Airlines is a generous sponsor of Seawolf student-athlete travel, as well as a travel voucher program that connects University of Alaska faculty, staff and students to global educational pursuits. Alaska Airlines is the lead contributor to the Alaska Airlines Center, a first-class sports arena and community center serving Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska. Alaska Airlines student-athletes Daryl Bushnell, B.S. ’22; Tobin Karlberg, B.A. ’22; Eve Stephens, B.B.A. ’22; and Tennae Voliva, B.S. ’21 in front of the Alaska Airlines Center. “ Reinvesting in student-athletes helps grow our communities by building our talent pipeline right here in Alaska. That is why we are proud to support UAA and the Alaska Airlines Center.” Scott Habberstad, Director, Sales and Community Marketing, Alaska Airlines7 Eve Stephens - Volleyball, Right Side Hitter B.B.A. Accounting ’22 Career ambition: Still exploring options. Pregame ritual: Before every game our team will “hit that green.” Hit that green means that every player will slap the top of the door frame before leaving the locker room. This team ritual pumps everybody up before each match! Best Seawolf Athletics moment: Winning against West- ern Washington University (No. 2 nationally-ranked) at home during the 2019 season. On staying driven during the pandemic: My support system, drive to be at performance-level and thinking about playing for a championship again. On giving back: The UAA volleyball program hosts camps for kids of all ages, where I help coach along with my teammates. Tennae Voliva - Women’s Basketball, Forward B.S. Psychology ’21, M.S. Clinical Psychology ’23 Career ambition: Children’s behavioral and mental health counselor. Pregame ritual: A nap before games, and listening to J. Cole and Meek Mill before playing. Best Seawolf Athletics moment: Tak- ing a foreign tour to Taiwan in 2018. On staying driven during the pan- demic: I have tried to stay driven as an athlete during the pandemic by finding creative ways to work out and also using this time to work on weaknesses in my game and being a strong leader for my team. On giving back: I try to give back to my community by being a positive role model — someone young female basketball players can seek advice from. Daryl Bushnell - Track and Field, Jumps/Sprints B.S. Kinesiology ’22 Career ambition: Sports coach or a PE teacher at the high school level. Pre-race ritual: I snack on Haribo gummy bears, and the hype song is “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations. Best Seawolf Athletics moment: Winning the distance medley relay at the 2020 Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor championships, where I ran the 400m leg. I was put in as the alternate and had to step up and run. On staying driven during the pandemic: I’ve still been able to run outside and get some solid workouts in, motivated by future races and my roommates who run with me. On giving back: I enjoy sharing my love for sports and physical education with the younger generation. I volunteered with the East Anchorage High School track and cross country running programs. That’s where it all started for me, and it’s a good spot to give back. Tobin Karlberg - Men’s Basketball, Guard B.A. Journalism and Public Communications ’22 Career ambition: Coaching basket- ball at the collegiate level and teach- ing in some capacity. Pregame ritual: Stretching and listen- ing to smooth jazz before games. Best Seawolf Athletics moment: Winning our game in the Armed Forc- es Classic and making our way to the 2020 Conference Championship. On staying driven during the pandemic: Reminding myself that, at some point, the work I’ve put in will be brought to light and will help our team win. I am so extremely excited to play again after an entire year of practicing. On giving back: As an Alaska Airlines student-athlete, I give back by participating in youth basketball camps and by being a leader on my team. I’ve been blessed with so many coaches that have helped me progress a ton. I have so many people to be thankful to, it’s only right that I pay it forward and give back to the Alaska community that invested so much in me!Joseph Cholok takes notes during Associate Professor Rachael Ball’s History of Western Civilization class.9 Earlier this summer, UAA received the largest estate gift in the univer- sity’s history from the late Caroline “Carrie” E.B. Lewis. A longtime university supporter, Lewis passed away on Nov. 10, 2020, at age 90. Her gift, valued at approximately $15 million, will support two en- dowments that build educational opportunities for first-generation college students and foster student success initiatives at UAA. “I am grateful to Ms. Lewis for her devotion to higher education in Alaska,” said Bobi Rinehart, UAA associate vice chancellor for development. “She wanted to help more Alaskans pursue their academic dreams in their home state, and that’s what her gift will do. We are humbled to have the opportunity to carry her vision forward.” Lewis visited Alaska in 1961 and returned in 1962 to make it her home. Her love of the Last Frontier inspired a philan- thropic passion for supporting programs, and educational initiatives focused on building Alaskans’ prosperity and resilience. She had a special interest in health care and learning. Lewis focused on investing in Alaska residents who planned to remain in the state, envisioning her gifts would help students finish their degree programs, secure employment in state and contribute meaningfully to their communities. A committed donor to UAA since 2000, Lewis established UAA’s First-Generation Student Scholarship fund. In 2012, Lewis made significant gifts to endow this fund in perpe- tuity, and establish the Alaska Endowment for Excellence to support the chancellor’s prior- ities. Since its inception, the Alaska Endow- ment for Excellence fund has supported the Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing Program and, most recently, the Alpine ski team at UAA. These programs were personally meaningful to Lewis given her love for Alaska, interest in health care and passion for Alpine skiing. During her lifetime, Lewis’ investments in UAA were anonymous. She specified that long-term use of the Alaska Endowment for Excellence should remain flexible to ensure the transfor- mational gift continues to serve the highest priority needs of the university. UAA’s imme- diate plans for the endowed funds include supporting initiatives that increase access to higher education for first-generation students and advance student success at UAA. Short-term plans include strengthening exist- ing student resources such as the Peer-to-Peer Learning program and the Learning Commons while also investing in new tools such as an Open Educational Resources incentive pro- gram, which would encourage the use of lower-cost educa- tional materials and textbooks. After the first few years, the university will evaluate the success of these initiatives and weigh institutional priorities in order to make decisions about the use of the endowment moving forward. “We are deeply honored to receive an endowment of this mag- nitude from Ms. Lewis, an avid supporter of the university,” said Bruce Schultz, UAA vice chancellor of student services. “This gift will allow us to continue funding programs that fur- ther student success at UAA and ultimately fulfill Ms. Lewis’ aspiration to advance educational attainment in Alaska.” UAA ANNOUNCES LARGEST ESTATE GIFT IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY By Green and Gold News From left: UAA students Abbie Lampman, B.A, B.B.A. ‘21, Maile Johnston, B.A. ‘21 and Daniel Ogden, B.A. ‘20, on the Anchorage campus.Next >