UAF's people created a great centennial celebration

December 22, 2017

University Relations



UAF photo by Zayn Roohi. Emily Drygas, left, and Michelle Renfrew served as co-chairs of UAF's centennial celebration.
UAF photo by Zayn Roohi. Emily Drygas, left, and Michelle Renfrew served as co-chairs of UAF's centennial celebration.


By Michelle Renfrew and Emily Drygas


In 2017, UAF celebrated 100 years as Alaska's flagship university — a century of teaching, research and service built on the grit and determination of our founders. We have had the distinct honor to serve as co-chairs of UAF’s centennial executive committee. With the help of the planning committee and departments and individuals all across campus, we were able to do some incredible things in recognition of this important milestone. Here are a few highlights by-the-numbers:


  • More than 50 events were held.

  • More than 100 volunteers helped UAF.

  • More than 2,000 participants celebrated with UAF.

  • Centennial edition of Aurora magazine was mailed to 21,500 people around the world and emailed to 17,000.

  • Centennial timeline video produced by eLearning and UR was viewed more than 7,700 times.

  • Centennial website received more than 37,200 page views.

  • Our profiles of notable UAF people and their big ideas drew almost 5,000 clicks.

  • Raised more than $120,000 for student scholarships at the Blue and Gold Gala.

  • Received "Happy Birthday UAF" messages from around the world.

  • Engaged with thousands of UAF supporters on social media with #uaf100.




People from across the state, nation and world got involved. We had great participation in the Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion, which moved from fall to midsummer, and included more than 100 guests representing eight different states. Our friends also were generous this year. They supported centennial fundraising efforts for scholarships and and fellowships, the new engineering building, and development of the Troth Yeddha' park and Indigenous studies center. We raised a record amount for student scholarships at the newly branded Blue and Gold Gala.




As we reflect on the year, we believe we’ve accomplished all we set out to do.

Thank you for your ideas, your enthusiasm and your passion for this university. We could not have done this without you.

At UAF, Michelle Renfrew and Emily Drygas are the respective directors of university relations, and development and alumni relations.