Student-athletes graduate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

May 13, 2013

University Relations

Photo by Paul McCarthy. Matt Emmons, the 2013 commencement speaker and former Nanook shooter, takes a photo with several graduating Nanooks outside the Carlson Center.
Photo by Paul McCarthy. Matt Emmons, the 2013 commencement speaker and former Nanook shooter, takes a photo with several graduating Nanooks outside the Carlson Center.


Jamie Foland
907-474-6807

Several Nanooks student-athletes took the final step toward earning their degrees as more than 500 University of Alaska Fairbanks students walked across the stage at the 91st commencement ceremony and were declared graduates on Sunday afternoon at the Carlson Center.

Former Alaska shooter and Olympic gold medalist Matt Emmons (Class of 2003) delivered the commencement address and in his speech, urged all of the graduates to “dare to be legendary.” Emmons was not the only former Nanook to get behind the microphone to address the audience as hockey senior Kaare Odegard (Red Deer, Alberta/Business Finance) was the Class of 2013 speaker.

Following the speeches and after each student from all the colleges within the university walked across the stage, each student was declared graduates of the university.

Student-athletes, representing all 10 sports, as well as one cheerleader, one student assistant coach and one staff member, graduated Sunday and the names of all the Nanooks (courtesy of the Commencement program) is listed below, along with their sport, years played and degree.

Taylor Altenburg, women's basketball (2011-13) – B.A., Justice
Erica Gage, women's volleyball (2007-10) – M.Ed., Counseling: School Counseling Elementary
Chad Gehon, hockey (2009-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration: Finance
Jarret Granberg, hockey (2009-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration: Management
Adam Henderson, hockey (2010-13) – M.B.A., Business Administration: Capital Markets
Anna Hjelmevoll, rifle (2010-13) – cum laude, B.A., Political Science
Charlie Hill, compliance (2012-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration: Management and Organizations
Sophia Holton, cheerleading (2011-13) – B.A., Journalism
Rebecca Konieczny, women's cross country & skiing (2008-13) – B.S., Biological Sciences
Tyler Kornfield, men's cross country & skiing (2009-13) – B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Nico Matthews, men's basketball (2010-12) – B.A., Psychology
Sarah Meierotto, women's swimming (2009-13) – magna cum laude, B.S., Biological Sciences
Jarrett Miller, men's basketball (2010-12) – B.B.A., Business Administration: Marketing
Zach Ngawaka, men's basketball (2012-13) – B.A., History
Meghan O'Leary, women's swimming (2009-13) – B.S., Biological Sciences
Kaare Odegard, hockey (2009-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration: Finance
Allison Oddy, women's volleyball (2009-12) – B.A., Social Work
Ondrej Palecek, men's basketball assistant (2011-13) – summa cum laude, B.B.A., Business Administration: Finance
Crystal Pitney, women's cross country & skiing (2008-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration: General Business
Marit Rjabov, women's cross country & skiing (2009-13) – B.A., Psychology
Andy Taranto, hockey (2009-13) – B.A., Communication
Steve Thompson, hockey (2009-13) – magna cum laude, B.S., Psychology
Ian Wilkinson, men's cross country & skiing (2008-13) – cum laude, B.F.A., Art: Ceramics
Nik Yaremchuk, hockey (2009-13) – B.B.A., Business Administration, Management

Congratulations to our newest graduates, the Class of 2013! Go Nooks!

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