UAF to host 2018 commencement ceremony
May 3, 2018
Jeff Richardson
907-474-6284
The university's first commencement took place in 1923, when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. On Saturday, UAF expects to confer approximately 1,414 degrees on 1,314 students. Some students will receive more than one degree. The commencement ceremony includes graduates from summer and fall 2017 and spring 2018.
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen, and UA regents John Davies, Jo Heckman and Karen Perdue will help UAF Chancellor Daniel White confer degrees.
The Acilquq Dancers will lead the processional. Graduates, faculty members, university officials, and honorary degree and Meritorious Service Award recipients will participate in the ceremony beginning at 1:20 p.m.
This year’s honorary degree recipients are business and civic leader Jacob Anaġi Adams Sr.; Oglala Lakota teacher and advocate Loretta Afraid of Bear-Cook; and Alaska musician James “Hobo Jim” Varsos. Former UAF alumni director and U.S. Senate aide Althea St. Martin will receive a Meritorious Service Award.
The student speaker will be Aaron Cottle, a Navy veteran who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. This year’s outstanding students are Bobbie McNeley, recipient of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award honoring a graduating senior woman; Luke Rogers, recipient of the Joel Wiegert Award honoring a graduating senior man; and Erica Nardella, recipient of the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award honoring a graduating nontraditional student.
Lawrence Kaplan, professor of linguistics and director of the Alaska Native Language Center, will serve as the procession’s grand marshal. He is among 20 retiring staff and faculty members who will be granted emeritus status on Saturday, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.
Others receiving emeritus status are: Douglas Christensen, professor of geophysics; Terrence Cole, professor of history and Northern studies; Paula Cullenberg, professor of marine science and director of Alaska Sea Grant college program; Debendra Das, professor of mechanical engineering; Roxie Rodgers Dinstel, professor of extension; Robert Gieck, research professional; Douglas Goering, professor of mechanical engineering and dean of engineering; Cynthia Hardy, professor of developmental education; Susan Henrichs, provost; Terry Johnson, professor of fisheries; Gary Kofinas, professor of resource policy and management; Gordon Kruse, professor of fisheries; Joy Morrison, director of faculty development; Anthony Nakazawa, professor of extension; Terrance J. Quinn II, professor of fisheries; William Smith, associate professor of library science; Kari Van Delden, professor of extension; and Thomas Weingartner, professor of oceanography. Joseph Thompson, associate professor of philosophy, will be honored with emeritus status posthumously.
The Carlson Center will be open for guest seating at noon on Saturday, and the processional will begin at 1:20 p.m. The event will be televised by GCI on channels 1 and 907. It will also be available as a webcast at www.uaf.edu/commencement.
Graduates, their families and UAF alumni are welcome to attend a reception hosted by the UAF Alumni Association at the Carlson Center Pioneer Room immediately following the ceremony.
Class of 2018 profile
The following statistics provide a snapshot of the UAF 2018 graduating class. Please be aware that these are preliminary numbers, current as of May 1, 2018. Final statistics will not be available until early September.
1,414 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1,314 students:
- 94 occupational endorsements
- 183 certificates
- 276 associate degrees
- 553 bachelor’s degrees
- 197 master’s degrees
- 55 doctorates
- 36 recommendations for education licensure
- 1 graduate certificate
Diversity breakdown:
- 714 women and 595 men
- 223 Alaska Native/American Indian
- 28 Asian-American
- 28 African-American
- 67 Hispanic or Latino
- 262 other or unknown
- 35 international
- 661 Caucasian or white
- 11 Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- Youngest graduate is 16 with an occupational endorsement in basic carpentry; youngest baccalaureate graduate is 20 with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies; oldest graduate is 75 with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies.
- Average age: 31; median age: 29
2018 schedule
The following is a schedule of commencement weekend activities. Times with asterisks are estimated.
Saturday, May 5
Noon — Carlson Center opens for guest seating
12:20 p.m. — Graduates, faculty, administrators and stage party line up, Carlson Center
1:20 p.m. — Academic procession begins
1:30 p.m. — Ceremony begins
*4:30 p.m. — Alumni reception, Pioneer Room, Carlson Center
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Marmian Grimes, 907-474-7902, mlgrimes@alaska.edu.