Friday Focus: Congratulations abound
The University of Alaska Fairbanks core cabinet leadership team, including the UAF graduate school dean, pause briefly before commencement on April 30, 2022.
May 6, 2022
— by Julie Queen, vice chancellor for administrative services
Congratulations to the UAF Class of 2022!
After a whirlwind week of celebrations it is a pleasure to applaud our graduating students as they “turn the tassel to the left” to become Nanook alumni. This is not only the 100th commencement celebration, but also the first in-person celebration of this magnitude in two years. The amount of pride in each of the graduation ceremonies over the weekend was palpable. Family and friends leaning over the railing with hoots and hollers to take photos of the moment the diploma is actually handed over is always a favorite of mine to watch. Students smiling, and in some cases shedding tears, in an emotional release of pride, joy, nostalgia, or sadness as part of remembering those who were not there to offer congratulations. Above all else, what I heard from the amazing student speakers this year was a message of perseverance. In light of a global pandemic, university budget challenges, uncertain financial or living conditions, loneliness, loss, or other circumstances for each individual (many of whom are first-generation college attendees), they did it. They graduated! Each and every graduate should be so proud of their accomplishments, which will stick with them wherever they go.
This celebration reminds us all why we are here: to support students through their collegiate journey as they transform their lives, find their voices, discover new things, build relationships that will last a lifetime, and open new doors upon graduating that will point back to UAF as that special place where it all happened. It also highlights the magnitude of the event including how many staff and faculty members who helped every student get to that important milestone. Thank you for the hundreds of hours and countless staff and volunteers who planned these graduation festivities for our deserving students. You did a great job and every detail was appreciated.
To highlight another excellent effort as part of appreciating our staff, yesterday was also Staff Recognition and Development Day (SRDD). A committee led by the UAF Staff Council put together a great day focused on supporting others, and recognizing those at one, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and an incredible 40 years of service. This level of commitment is such a testament to UAF and its mission, and to the people who make it great. It is enriching to see how so many contribute to UAF and its diverse work every day. You are valued, the work that you do is valued, and it is a joy to celebrate you.
The SRDD keynote message by Dr. Kevin McClure centered on being able to recognize lower morale in order to talk about it and improve it as part of the organizational culture. Ideas to engage as employees, managers and leaders to avoid burnout and disengagement are helpful. It encourages each of us to set realistic expectations of ourselves, our team and others, and to show compassion and patience with those around us. My takeaway is to think about and pilot new ideas to improve our care as an institution with the student experience or employee impact in mind. Ask questions about current policies or practices to understand the standards and consider whether they will apply to the future as much as they applied to the past. It is by examining our environment that we stay committed to learning and growing, supporting each other as part of the process.
I want to thank all of the dedicated staff, faculty and students we were able to celebrate. Seeing every happy student holding a diploma is uplifting and serves as inspiration for the students yet to come. It keeps us all moving forward. Congrats!
Friday Focus is written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week.