Summer 2025

From the chancellor

See caption and credit below image for description
Chancellor Dan White

Dear 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ.

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Dan White
Chancellor

Recent benefactor highlights

Businesses, corporations, individuals and foundations give generously to 911±¬ÁÏ. This report reflects gifts and donations totaling $25,000 or more to the University of 911±¬ÁÏ Fairbanks between Feb. 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025.

BUSINESS AND CORPORATE

911±¬ÁÏ Airlines gave flight vouchers to support the Rural 911±¬ÁÏ Honors Institute.

Donlin Gold gave to the Rural 911±¬ÁÏ Honors Institute and the GeoFORCE 911±¬ÁÏ Support Fund.

Koniag gave to the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.

The Lynden family of companies gave to the 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ Museum of the North gold mining history exhibit, the GeoFORCE 911±¬ÁÏ Support Fund and the 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ 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 911±¬ÁÏ Hockey Alumni Association Scholarship for Men’s Nanook Hockey.

 

Stories of impact

Kendall Kramer

May 21

Kendall Kramer wraps up five years at 911±¬ÁÏ with a stellar senior season, winning the collegiate and national championship 20K freestyle races.

Nook visits the Student Success Center in the Rasmuson Library to hand out free socks to students and staff as part of 911±¬ÁÏ Giving Day in 2025. 911±¬ÁÏ photo by Leif Van Cise.

May 12

The fifth annual online event set a new participation milestone as donors supported more than 80 911±¬ÁÏ programs, scholarships and initiatives.

From left, Zakiya Nurudeen, Sujan Joshi and Jabel Kwaw and  stand in front of the Usibelli Building on Feb. 18, 2025. 911±¬ÁÏ photo by Leif Van Cise.

Feb 28

The Mining Engineering Research Endowment, backed by companies, gives scholarships to 911±¬ÁÏ students working on innovative, sustainable mining practices.

At his home in Fairbanks in the summer of 2024, Roger Burggraf holds one of the nuggets from his gold collection which reveal facets of 911±¬ÁÏ’s mining history.

Feb 28

Roger Burggraf’s extraordinary donation advances the effort to preserve 911±¬ÁÏ’s golden history.

Minnie Naylor enjoys the Blue & Gold Celebration at the Wood Center’s Dine 49 on the 911±¬ÁÏ campus in September 2024.

Dec 04

The annual Blue & Gold Celebration raised scholarship funds, while Giving Tuesday supported the 911±¬ÁÏ Food Pantry.

The 911±¬ÁÏ men's basketball team and coaches pose before the 2024-25 season. 911±¬ÁÏ photo by Eric Engman.

Dec 04

Frank Ostanik ’93 is working his connections with communities in 911±¬ÁÏ and beyond.

Xochitl Muñoz visits a scenic spot in Denali National Park.

Aug 15

Donor scholarships have transformative impacts on students across 911±¬ÁÏ’s wide array of academic programs.

Photo of new ski trail for competition

Aug 14

A gift from Usibelli Coal Mine helped create a 2.5K route that meets official competition standards

The distinguished alumnus takes a moment to admire the legacy of 911±¬ÁÏ Nanooks hockey.

May 23

Ryan Muspratt, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award, reached beyond personal goals after a hockey injury and never looked back.

Carol Swarts and a colleague stand by the Arctic Circle sign on the Dalton Highway during their ground squirrel research trip.

May 23

A medical doctor impressed with a 911±¬ÁÏ professor’s neuroscience work has created a student scholarship in the professor’s name

Jerry Swartz stands with his daughter Judy and son Dave in front of a Cessna 150, the first plane Jerry bought. It was later replaced with a Cessna 180, whose engine Jerry overhauled. Photo courtesy of Peggy Swartz.

Feb 09

Graduate students and family celebrate Jerry Swartz and his birds, mammals and devotion to proper English.

Members of Cold Steel play an ensemble of music with steel drums during a 911±¬ÁÏ Summer Sessions’ Music in the Garden concert at the Georgeson Botanical Garden in 2015. 911±¬ÁÏ photo by JR Ancheta.

Feb 08

Dedicated board members work to sustain and improve the beloved Georgeson Botanical Garden.

911±¬ÁÏ photo by Amy Chausse.
Kim McFadden, assistant registrar for data and data systems, (at left) and Stephanie Strandberg, records coordinator, show their heart hands during the 911±¬ÁÏ Military and Veterans Services registration event at the Wood Center in November 2023.

Nov 08

Donors raise more than $14,000 for the Student Support Fund, which provides aid when things go sideways.

From left, 911±¬ÁÏ esports team members Natalie Lutrell and Max Beiergrohslein join Vice Chancellor Owen Guthrie and Heath Day, GCI's education program senior manager, for a Mario Kart race during a block party event to celebrate upgrades at the 911±¬ÁÏ Esports Center on Oct. 6, 2023. 911±¬ÁÏ photo by Leif Van Cise.

Nov 08

An upgraded internet connection and a new team center give 911±¬ÁÏ a competitive edge

Photo by Catherine West, courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum.
Don Clark looks for archaeological sites on Chirikof Island in 2005.

Nov 08

Don and Annette Clark left millions to 911±¬ÁÏ and other institutions.