UAF celebrates 88th commencement
May 12, 2010
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
5/12/10
The University of Alaska Fairbanks highlighted the accomplishments of more than 1,110 members of the Class of 2010 during its 88th commencement ceremony Sunday, May 16 at the Carlson Center.
The university's first commencement took place in 1923, when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Preliminary figures showed that UAF was to award 1,236 degrees to 1,176 students. According to those figures, 709 women and 467 men applied for graduation; some students received more than one degree. The commencement ceremony included graduates from summer and fall 2009 and spring 2010.
UAF expected to award 44 occupational endorsements, 170 certificates, 216 associate degrees, 511 bachelor's degrees and 222 master's degrees. Forty-five students were expected to receive doctoral degrees, the highest number in UAF’s history, while 30 were expected to receive recommendations for education licensure. Graduates range in age from 19 to 71 and the average age is 31. This class included the highest number of Alaska Native graduates in UAF's history.
Several members of the University of Alaska Board of Regents helped UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers confer degrees. UA President Mark Hamilton also participated in the ceremony and was awarded emeritus status. He is only the fourth president in University of Alaska history to receive the honor.
The Qaluyaamiut Dancers led the processional, which began at 1:20 p.m.
UAF alumnus and Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese gave the keynote address. As CEO of London-based Rio Tinto, one of the largest mining companies in the world, Albanese is known for steering the company toward a philosophy of sustainability, from an environmental, social and economic standpoint. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mineral economics and a master’s degree in mining engineering, both from UAF.
UAF awarded three honorary degrees during the commencement ceremony. This year’s honorary degree recipients are Albanese, arctic researcher Jerry Brown and Yup’ik elder Kangrilnguq Paul John.
The student speaker was Christina Hardman, who will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in music education. Hardman is this year’s winner of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award, which honors the outstanding senior woman. Her commencement speech included a musical montage meant to represent the diversity of her fellow graduates.
Hans Nielsen, professor of geophysics, served as the procession’s grand marshal. Nielsen is among 18 retiring faculty members who were granted emeritus status on Sunday, a title given to those who have served the university with distinction for at least 10 years.
Others receiving emeritus status were: Mark Box, professor of English; Godwin Chukwu, professor of petroleum engineering; Joseph Dupras, professor of English; Rheba Dupras, associate professor of library science; James Gladden, professor of political science; George Happ, research professor of biomedical sciences; William Hibler, research professor of sea ice physics; Ronald Illingworth, professor of English and developmental education; Steven Jacobson, professor of Yup’ik Eskimo; Ron Johnson, professor of mechanical and environmental engineering; John Kelley, professor of marine science; Judith Kleinfeld, professor of psychology and northern studies; Tamara Lincoln, associate professor of library science; Dirk Lummerzheim, research professor of geophysics; Mary Mangusso, associate professor of history; Joseph Margraf, professor of fisheries; and Henry “Hank” Wichmann, professor of accounting.
Class of 2010 student stories
Grace Kirk
Degree: B.A., rural development
Notes: Kirk’s life has been affected by the high rates of accidents, illnesses and injuries in her home region of Northwest Alaska. She has worked toward graduating from UAF as a way to help heal herself and her community. Kirk started taking college classes in 1991 and says that every time she was overwhelmed with her school work she would think about the non-scholastic difficulties faced by her friends and neighbors and that would help her redouble her efforts. Kirk’s graduation from UAF is the culmination of her dream to give back and help improve the lives of the people who live in Northwest Alaska.
Delight Kennedy
Degree: B.A., political science, global studies minor
Notes: Not content to simply sit in classroom and study politics from a chair, Kennedy spent a year studying international law in northern Norway. Back here at home, Kennedy practiced her political skills as a member of the Model United Nations. She was a member of Students in Free Enterprise and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, and helped her family care for her disabled father.
Rinu Ann Samuel
Degree: B.S., geological engineering
Notes: Samuel came to Fairbanks immediately after graduating from high school in Pune, India. When she moved to Fairbanks to study engineering, she reveled in the change of cultures, joined a local church group, and has continued that bridge-building by reaching out to other new students to ease their transition to a campus lifestyle. Samuel is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and graduates at the top of her engineering class.
John ‘Craig’ George
Degree: Ph.D. biological sciences: wildlife biology
Notes: George has revolutionized the study of bowhead whales by publishing his research showing the animals live to be 150 years old. George has been studying at UAF for the past 10 years and lives in Barrow, where he works for the North Slope Borough.
Tripti Macias
Degree: B.B.A., accounting
Notes: Macias’ studies are not ending when she receives a degree today. She will continue studying business at UAF as a graduate student. Macias, who is from India, is a professional certified flight instructor and, after Sept. 11, 2001, joined the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. After being injured in a helicopter crash, Macias set her course on a college degree.
Kimberly Giroux
Degree: B.S., biological sciences
Notes: From inner city Detroit, Giroux began her college education at the University of Alaska Anchorage in the early 1980’s but put school on the back burner when she got married and gave birth to a son, who graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2008. Giroux says she has struggled with traditional classroom settings since she was a child, but decided to return to school and complete her degree. After graduation, she plans to work in science education outreach for inner city youth.
Charity Curlee
Degree: B.A., psychology, early childhood minor
Notes: Curlee moved from North Carolina to Fairbanks to study at UAF, along with her husband and their two children. Her husband is in the process of finishing a master’s degree in Northern Studies and Curlee plans to continue her education with a graduate degree from UNC Charlotte. Curlee was recently featured in a documentary about how people work and raise a family and go to school at the same time. She plans on using her graduate and post-graduate education as an Upward Bound director.
Alison Holleman
Degree: B.A., social work, psychology minor
Notes: Holleman found success in an education method that is difficult for many students. While raising her family, Holleman completed most of her UAF coursework in social work and psychology through distance education, a delivery method that historically has a low pass rate. She is graduating with a grade-point-average of more than 3.0 and plans on pursuing graduate studies in social work after spending a few years working in her field.
Christine Simko
Degree: Interdisciplinary B.A., imageries in health science, creative therapies minor
Notes: Simko’s life as a student does not end as she graduates from UAF. She has already been accepted to Bastyr University in Seattle to study for a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Over the course of her studies, she has circumnavigated the globe on a Semester at Sea and took some time to learn from the faculty at Western State College of Colorado. Simko worked full time to pay for tuition at UAF and plans to use her education toward graphic design and fine art creation during medical school.
DeVonne Koppenberg
Degree: B.A., psychology
Notes: Thirteen years after earning her associate degree in early childhood education from UAF, Koppenberg is once again walking as a graduate. She is wearing the same cap and gown she wore in 1997. Koppenberg, 70, was a nominee for the 2010 Flint Hills Golden Heart Award and is author of the book, “Why Would Grandma Move to Alaska?”
Class of 2010 profile
The following statistics provide a snapshot of UAF’s 2010 graduating class. Please be aware that these are only preliminary numbers, current as of May 12, 2010. Final statistics will not be available until after commencement. With that in mind, here’s this year’s class profile:
• 1236 awards expected to be conferred on approximately 1176 students
• 44 occupational endorsements
• 170 certificates
• 216 associate degrees
• 511 bachelor’s degrees
• 222 master’s degrees
• 42 doctorates
• 30 recommendations for education licensure
• 709 women graduating and 467 men
• Diversity breakdown:
• 265 Alaska Native/American Indian
• 42 Asian
• 23 Black
• 47 Hispanic
• 17 Other
• 44 International
• 738 White
• Youngest graduate is 19; oldest graduate is 71.
• Average age of class: 31
2010 schedule for media
Following is a schedule of commencement-weekend activities. Asterisked times are estimated.
Saturday, May 15
10:30 a.m. – Commencement rehearsal at the Carlson Center
12:30-2 p.m. – Graduate picnic at Wood Center
Sunday, May 16
10:30 a.m. – Graduation mass at Schaible Auditorium
Noon – Carlson Center opens for guest seating
12:20 p.m. – Graduates line up at Carlson Center
12:45 p.m. – Faculty, administrators and stage party line up
1:20 p.m. – Academic procession begins
1:30 p.m. – Ceremony begins
*4:30 p.m. – Reception begins in Arthur Buswell Pioneer Room at Carlson Center
ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/commencement
MG/5-12-10/225-10