William R. "Bill" Cashen '37 was a former alumni director, professor, and marshal emeritus, historian, public servant, family man, proud alumnus and friend to many Alumni. Cashen set the example for service to the university and its alumni association. This award is designed to recognize and perpetuate his example and inspire all those associated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Eligibility: Alumni and non alumni qualify for the award. Only employees of the UAF Alumni Association are excluded.

Criteria for Selection: Nominees will be judged on the basis of meritorious service at more than one level of alumni activity. This could include, but is not limited to, serving as a chapter officer, serving on the board of directors, assisting with a project, setting up a scholarship, serving on a UAF selection committee or an advisory council.

Born and raised in Houston, Marilyn Romano arrived in Fairbanks in 1992 working for the Fairbanks Daily News Miner as its advertising director. In 1998 she became general manger of the paper and in 2000 publisher, becoming the seventh publisher in the 108 year history of the paper and first woman to hold the position. On Aug. 8, 2011 Romano joined Alaska Airlines as their new regional vice president, for Alaska. Romano oversees public affairs, corporate giving, sales and marketing, and governmental affairs in Alaska, in addition to interacting with the 1,700 employees throughout the state.

Romano’s service to UAF, the alumni association and the Fairbanks community has been immense. She is the chair of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community Advisory Council, has volunteered for the alumni association for multiple years at its Fairbanks chapter Hamburger Booth and helped mentor countless students through the association’s job shadow program held over spring break. Romano sat on the board of directors of the United Way of the Tanana Valley, was chair of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and was involved with multiple other non-profits in Fairbanks.

She received a “Top 40 Under 40” award from the Alaska Journal of Commerce in 1999 and was named as a Woman of Distinction by the Farthest North Girl Scouts in 2006. Romano recently married UAF Alumnus Brian Hove.

It is with great pleasure that the UAF Alumni Association Fairbanks Chapter presents Marilyn Romano the 2012 William R. Cashen Service Award.