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Meritorious Service Awards
Bruce Cech, Maurice “Morris” McGinty, Lisa Putnam and Jack Wilbur will receive Meritorious Service Awards. Meritorious Service Awards recognize significant public, academic, volunteer or philanthropic service to the university or an Alaska community. UAF will celebrate Cech, McGinty, Putnam and Wilbur at the 2026 Gold Ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Davis Concert Hall on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks.
Bruce Cech
For his service and dedication to the university
Bruce Cech has been the enduring "Voice of the Nanooks" for nearly four decades, building a lasting bond between the University of Alaska Fairbanks and generations of fans, alumni and families across Alaska and beyond.
Born in Saginaw, Michigan, Cech began his broadcasting career in his home state before moving to Fairbanks and committing himself to Nanook athletics. After 37 seasons calling Nanook hockey — including three seasons broadcasting remotely from Michigan — his volunteer service has spanned nine head coaches and 18 athletic directors.
Cech was inducted into the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. He is an active member of the Face-Off Club and a steady presence at UAF fundraising events. He has been a key figure in major initiatives, including the Hockey Alumni Association and UAF's 100 Years of Hockey celebration.
Cech is the 2026 recipient of the UAF Alumni Association’s William R. Cashen Service Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to UAF and the alumni association.
Maurice "Morris" McGinty
For his service and dedication to education, youth and community
Maurice "Morris" McGinty is a respected Koyukon Athabascan educator, tribal leader and public servant whose life's work reflects a deep commitment to youth, community and cultural preservation.
Born in 1943 in a winter camp near Kaiyuh, McGinty was raised by his grandparents in Nulato. After serving in the Army and using the GI Bill to pursue higher education, he earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from UAF in 1977 and a master's in educational leadership in 1987.
McGinty devoted decades to the Yukon-Koyukuk School District as a teacher, guidance counselor, basketball coach and principal, instilling in students a love of learning alongside a strong sense of identity and purpose.
He has served on the district's school board since 2006, including 10 years as board chair. He also serves as second chief of the Nulato Tribal Council and has volunteered on councils and committees dedicated to advancing community health, socioeconomic well-being and tribal self-determination.
Throughout his career, McGinty has emphasized community involvement and the preservation of Athabascan cultural traditions, shaping generations of students and earning deep respect across the region.
Lisa Putnam
For her advocacy and philanthropy on behalf of the university
Lisa Putnam has dedicated more than two decades of service to the University of Alaska Fairbanks through leadership, philanthropy and sustained community engagement.
As vice president of public relations for Usibelli Coal Mine and executive director of the Usibelli Foundation, Putnam has helped direct hundreds of thousands of dollars to support student success, workforce development, research and athletics. She helped establish endowed scholarships in applied management and homeland security and emergency management and is a longtime emcee and supporter of UAF’s Arctic Innovation Competition.
A member of the Chancellor's Board of Advisors and the College of Business and Security Management Advisory Council, Putnam brings industry perspective to strengthen academic programs and student opportunities. Prior to joining Usibelli, she served as president and CEO of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, where she advocated for the Interior's economic well-being, workforce development and education.
She is also a passionate advocate for Nanook athletics, recognizing the vital role sports play in enrollment, retention and community pride.
Jack Wilbur
For his leadership and service to the university
Jack Wilbur has built a legacy of service to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Interior through decades of leadership in engineering, community development and philanthropy.
A lifelong Fairbanksan, Wilbur began his engineering career in 1975 and became a registered mechanical engineer in Alaska in 1978. When the firm Ellerbe chose to exit Alaska in 1985, he was among six employees who purchased it, forming Design Alaska. He served as president from 1995 to 2014 and continues today as chief financial officer.
Under his leadership, Design Alaska prioritized hiring UAF engineering graduates and provided tuition support for employees pursuing undergraduate and advanced degrees. Wilbur launched several philanthropic initiatives connecting the firm to the broader community, including the Design Alaska Holiday Concert with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Alaska Live with KUAC and the Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk with Friends of Creamer's Field.
Wilbur has served on UAF advisory boards and committees spanning engineering, economic development and commencement. He was named Business Leader of the Year by UAF's College of Business and Security Management in 2007 and received the UAF Alumni Association's William R. Cashen Service Award in 2009. Throughout his career, he has been a steadfast advocate for higher education, reflecting his deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of a UAF education.