Spring 2017 • ISSUE 07

UAA BUDGET UPDATE | BRIDGING THE GAP | KRUA: 25 YEARS ON THE EDGE Spring 2017 • ISSUE 07 Published by UAA University Advancement

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 6 ENZINA MARRARI 12 UAA BRIDGES THE GAP 4 From an Alumna Alumna creates community UAA is committed to helping grow a 5 From the Chancellor through art as manager of college-going culture across Anchorage’s public-art program. by bridging gaps for prospective 20 Alumni Life students, maximizing their chances 8 PEDRO MELGAR for success. 24 Alumni News Briefs Meet the critical-care nurse 25 Don’t Miss manager at one of Alaska’s major 16 KRUA: 25 YEARS hospitals. Throwback to Feb. 14, 1992: 26 Class Notes R.E.M.’s ‘It’s the End of the World as 27 Lens on Campus 9 CHRIS ROBINSON We Know It’ was the fi rst song KRUA This Kentucky educator 88.1 FM broadcast. is spending a year at the Smithsonian. MOVING FORWARD IN 18 UNCERTAIN TIMES ERNESTINE HAYES UAA leaders are moving the 10 university forward through a Life as a Tlingit Kaagwaantaan changing Alaska landscape. clan member inspired the work of the Alaska State Writer Laureate.

The online magazine can be found at: tinyurl.com/alumnispirit

ON THE COVER Civil engineering student Connor Eshleman welds UAA’s steel bridge entry for the 2017 American Society of Civil Engineering Pacifi c Northwest Student Conference. Sixteen Seawolves spent spring semester designing, fabricating and Set against a backdrop of the Chugach Mountains, the Parrish Bridge spans Providence Drive to connect practicing the construction of their bridge for the timed competition against 20 regional institutions April 20–22. This ties the Engineering & Industry Building (EIB) and the Health Sciences Building. Alumnus Mike Fierro, B.S. ’89, in to this issue’s theme, “Bridging the gap,” illustrating ways UAA is making college education more relevant for students. M.S. ’01, served as lead structural engineer for the EIB and also designed the Parrish Bridge, named in honor of longtime university supporters Ann, B.B.A. ’78, and Al, Honorary LL.D. ’12, Parrish. Spring 2017 • 3 FROM THE CHANCELLOR We are experiencing dynamic change in our institution and in our state. Yet our UAA 2020 strategic plan, which will see us through the next three years, has rea rmed that we are an institution that is committed to student success, excellence, access Editor and a ordability. (For more on UAA 2020, see page 19.) Jessica Hamlin

Writers In this issue we share how these values are helping us make education and training more relevant. You will also read about Joey Besl amazing alumni making their mark on our ever-changing world. Kristin DeSmith Anne Gore As UAA continues to evolve, we will remain focused on enriching our students’ experiences on their path to higher Tracy Kalytiak education, lifelong learning and successful futures. Kirstin Olmstead Michelle Saport We are all UAA. Together we are setting our course and becoming a better, stronger institution.

Graphic Designer Brett Rawalt Cassidy Davis, B.A. ’10, served as moderator at a UA alumni event in on Jan. 31, 2017. Sta Photographer Philip Hall Tom Case Chancellor UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors Lea Bouton, M.A.T. ’10 Drew Cason, B.A. ’13, B.S. ’13 Mark Filipenko, B.B.A. ’00 Charles Gunther, B.A. ’91 Amy Hart, B.S.N. ’08 FROM AN ALUMNA Leverette Hoover, B.S. ’97 Graduating as a Seawolf is a tie that binds all alumni from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Kersten Johnson-Struempler, It is this common link that has allowed us to pursue success in professional endeavors and beyond. M.Ed. ’03 Beth Mader, B.A. ’94 Leveraging these connections for achievement or maintaining the bridge to one’s alma mater Megan Moore, B.A. ’08 provides a variety of positive benefi ts. Whether it is a contact that opens the door to your next career Rachel Morse, M.B.A. ’08 opportunity or a friendly face to connect with over co ee, continued involvement with UAA can Assistant Vice Chancellor for take place no matter where you are. Alumni Relations Andrea Story, B.B.A. ’95 E orts to engage alumni in the greater Seattle area kicked o this spring with a collective UA networking event and panel discussion centered on leadership. Additional alumni mixers are slated UAA O ce of to take place throughout the spring and into the fall. Alumni Relations 907-786-1942 [email protected] I challenge you to get involved with your local alumni chapter and nurture your valuable green and uaa.alaska.edu/alumni gold network. AlumniUAA UAA Alumni Sincerely,

Cassidy Davis B.A. Journalism & Public Communications ’10 UAA Alumni Association Pacifi c Northwest Chapter

Chancellor Tom Case addresses faculty To fi nd out more about other alumni in your area or ways to get involved, and sta at a recent UAA 2020 gathering. contact the UAA O ce of Alumni Relations at 907-786-1942 or [email protected]. Spring 2017 • 5 Enzina Marrari, B.A. Art ’05, felt dissatisfied. She was 19 budget to acquire permanent artwork for the site. For “Iyears old truly and had started collegethink in her home stateeveryone of Illinois, projects with budgetscan that exceed create.” $1 million, artwork must but the transition didn’t feel right. Then she heard a friend be selected through a juried public process. talking about Alaska in a passing conversation. Public art tells the story of our community and state, while “Something clicked in my brain,” she said. “I thought, reflecting our sense of identity. “Public art invigorates ‘Alaska sounds like a really good adventure, and I’m craving and revitalizes our public spaces,” she said. “It shows a adventure.’” community that cares about its city, that takes care of its city, that wants its city to reflect its beliefs.” So, Marrari started researching colleges to see if she could transfer. She soon discovered UAA and made the move Marrari also teaches art courses at UAA and coordinates art to Anchorage, a community she found very friendly and shows for Middle Way Café. The café provides local artists supportive. of all stages with a space to showcase their work. “I do it because I love this community,” she said. “I care deeply Professor Hugh McPeck, then head of the UAA sculpture about helping to create a sense of connection. Maybe that program, was one of those supportive people she met here. comes from wanting there to be a space for people to feel He encouraged Marrari to stay focused at the times when they belong to something.” she felt particularly burnt out from the stress of working while going to school. He became her mentor while she “Art matters. I don’t think art is a luxury. I don’t think it’s a was in college and continued to be a friend and advocate commodity. I think it’s a language. I think it makes ideas and following her graduation. His death three years ago was a thoughts and expressions accessible to us. I think it creates a blow to students, both past and present, as well as to the art platform for discussion that other ways don’t.” community. –Enzina Marrari

Marrari said McPeck helped her shape her artistic vision. Today, she uses her art to express personal concepts and ideas to create a shared experience around them.

Her primary message to people who may feel awkward about stepping foot into an art gallery: Art is accessible and available to everyone and doesn’t require any special skills to appreciate. Art is something everyone could do, she said, if they set aside their fears.

“We can always find justification or excuses not to do something, and it’s often fear-based,” she said. “I truly think everyone can create.”

Now, Marrari works as curator of public art for the Municipality of Anchorage and manages the public art program. The program, based on state and federal law, mandates municipal structures or facilities with construction budgets greater than $250,000 allocate 1 percent of the

6 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 7 Chris Robinson, M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’08, broke of Richmond, Kentucky, where Chris teaches at Model down in tears when he started his new job — not because of Laboratory. The K-12 school is part of Eastern Kentucky the stress, but because of its signifi cance. University, where Chris is pursuing a doctorate in education. He mentors education majors in his classroom and teaches As the fi rst full-year teacher-in-residence for the National two nationally unique courses in Egyptology and fi eld Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Chris, an archaeology. educator with Creek and Georgia Cherokee roots, helps the Smithsonian Institution strengthen its educational outreach This year, he’s helping NMAI develop and write curricula worldwide. for indigenous communities of the Western Hemisphere that will be available online through Native Knowledge 360, “As someone with American Indian ancestry, to know that which, like his role, is funded by a Cargill Foundation grant. I’m helping and giving back to the ancestors, it’s just more than I can describe,” he said. Every region of the Americas has an indigenous history, and Chris hopes to create accurate, informative, entertaining After graduating from Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, and easily adopted lessons for teachers worldwide. His UAA Chris taught everywhere from the U.K. to Larsen Bay degree allows him “to see the content not just through before arriving in Anchorage to teach at East High, earn teachers’ eyes but also administrators’ eyes.” his master’s in educational leadership and, coincidentally, meet his future wife, former UAA women’s basketball coach Though he hasn’t broken down in tears again, the impact of Brandi Dunigan Robinson. working at NMAI hasn’t faded. “I walk the galleries at least three or four times a day just to be a part of it, and never Outside of his Smithsonian appointment, Chris and lose sight or lose focus of where I am and what needs to be NURSING GRAD TAKES CARE IN CAREER Brandi are raising their family in the Appalachian foothills done.”

As manager of the critical-care unit at Alaska Native Medical caught his eye, he stayed after to learn more and walked out Center (ANMC), Pedro Melgar, B.S. Nursing Science ’02, with his fi rst job in the fi eld. and his team provide the fi rst line of treatment for the state’s most severe injuries and illnesses. Whether patients arrive Pedro earned his nursing degree in 2002 and quickly found from across the street or across the ocean, due to a stroke or work — maybe too much work. For four years, he worked a sled accident, if it’s an emergency in Alaska, they’re likely full time at both Alaska Regional and ANMC, while raising coming to see Pedro and his team. twin toddlers with his wife. It was intense and, yes, he learned a lot. 365 NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM It’s an extreme environment — medevac patients often arrive on life support — but it suits him perfectly. You learn the Today, his schedule is calmer, even if his workplace isn’t. He KENTUCKY EDUCATOR EARNS SPOT AT SMITHSONIAN most when situations are the most intense, he says. It’s a represents the critical-care unit at hospital-wide meetings lesson he learned as a teenager arriving in Anchorage with and, as nurse manager, makes sure equipment is maintained, zero knowledge of English. supplies are available, and more than 90 nurses are current on skills and training. Any nurse, with any question, can Originally from Arequipa, a dense hilly city high in the come to him for support. It’s a team atmosphere Pedro is Peruvian Andes, Pedro moved north with his parents and happy to be a part of. “I love the unit,” he said. sisters to be closer to family. He’d fi nished high school in Peru, but was still high school age by American standards. And that unit continues to grow as recent nursing grads Rather than start high school again, he turned his attention join the team, many recommended by his instructor friends to UAA, starting with an English as a second language at UAA. “The time I spent at UAA was really great,” he course and branching out to old favorites like chemistry, recalled. “Now I get nurses that come in new to the ICU, biology and math. When an in-class nursing presentation and I see myself in them. You just want to share what you know and help them.”

8 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 9 Photo by Sharyl by Photo Pahe. When MELISSA J. WOLF, B.B.A. ACCOUNTING ’90, passed, her Marshall Memorial Scholarship for students in UAA’s Culinary Arts, husband, Greg Wolf, wanted to honor her memory with something Hospitality & Restaurant Management program. In total, Wolf’s

Photo by Michael Penn. by Photo meaningful and lasting. scholarships have benefi ted close to 30 students and awarded nearly $15,000 in fi nancial aid. “Flowers are nice, but they only last a few days,” Wolf explained. “I wanted our friends and family to be able to contribute to something To raise funds for the scholarships, Wolf solicits donations from that would have a bigger impact.” So, in 2002 he established the friends, family and professional contacts. A lifelong Alaskan and Melissa J. Wolf Memorial Accounting Scholarship to offer fi nancial businessman, he understands the many ways UAA adds value assistance to full-time accounting students in need. to our community, and why the collective support of many is so important. “Melissa got a great education at UAA,” he said. “She had a successful and exciting career and attributed that to the education “All of us benefi t from the university, and all of us are capable UAA ALUMNA EARNS ALASKA STATE WRITER LAUREATE HONOR she got at UAA.” It was his hope that with a scholarship in her of contributing to its success,” he said. “You don’t have to be a name, other students might get that same chance. millionaire. Even a small gift can make a big difference.”

To date, 18 accounting students have received a Melissa J. Wolf LEARN HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR Memorial Accounting Scholarship. But, the impact of Wolf’s vision A STUDENT, OR SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN ANOTHER is much larger. When he saw the difference that even a small scholarship could make for a student in need, he established two AREA OF PERSONAL MEANING TO YOU: more — the Greg Wolf Global Logistics Scholarship for business UAA.ALASKA.EDU/GIVING students specializing in global logistics management, and the Gail 907-786-4847

Sixty-fi ve years ago, Ernestine Hayes, M.F.A. Creative After a long absence from Alaska, Hayes returned at the age Writing ’03, was a Tlingit fi rst-grader living at “the edge of of 40 — homeless, unemployed and broke — and went on the village” in Juneau. The time she spent indoors with her to enroll at the University of Alaska Southeast as a 55-year- grandmother or outdoors with other Tlingits or alone, felt old freshman. Her decision to then pursue a UAA Master of comfortable: “I never questioned that I belonged.” Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Literary Arts and return to Juneau to teach at UAS was more than she could have Hayes then found a parallel world of “unknowable, dreamed. enchanted people who prepared and ate unknowable, enchanted food” — where people treated her with hostility “It’s been plain luck and a lot of determination that has and indiff erence. brought me to this juncture, along with the support and encouragement of many, many people.” Hayes’ books and essays reveal the turbulence and triumphs she experienced as a Tlingit Kaagwaantaan clan member One of those people was UAA writer Sherry Simpson, who ALUMNA growing up in Southeast, and how those shaped her life. served on Hayes’ M.F.A. thesis committee. “She fi nished Her work has appeared in Studies in American Indian a three-year degree in two years through sheer hard work, Literature, Tipton Poetry Review, Alaska Quarterly Review incredible focus, and drive,” Simpson said. “I can’t think and Cambridge History of Western American Literature. of a better person to inspire, teach, and challenge us.” INSPIRES Now, Hayes is the 2017 Alaska State Writer Laureate, the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ second Alaska Native woman the Alaska State Council on For expanded stories on our four featured alumni, visit the Arts and the Alaska Humanities Forum has chosen to tinyurl.com/alumnispirit. receive the honor. SCHOLARSHIP 10 • Spring 2017 GIVING In a world that’s become more cells — in elastic tissue — resemble the College School will be based beginning on campus. They work on science connected and competitive, eye of a peacock feather. this fall once the Anchorage School and engineering projects with UAA has sought ways to make District begins its own middle college at professionals; build a computer; and Every student in that UAA anatomy and the UAA extension in Eagle River. learn how math and science are used UAA college education and training physiology class wore a white lab coat. in real-world careers. ANSEP Middle more relevant for its students Every student appeared professional. “It’s a lot more mature,” she said of School Academy alumni may deepen by giving better value: making AMCS. “In high school there’s always that experience in STEM Career their tuition dollars count, Three, however, were diff erent: They some kid in the back who doesn’t enjoy Explorations, a fi ve-day residential enhancing their eff orts to earn were 17-year-olds who opted to the class and is making it diffi cult. Here, program. timely degrees, off ering classroom participate in Alaska Middle College everyone’s very focused on school and School (AMCS). The Mat-Su Borough supporting each other rather than just ANSEP shepherds these students into SPANS and fi eld experiences that will School District program provides a going because they have to go.” its high school acceleration academies shape them into graduates with bridge between high school and UAA — for kids in grades 8-11 — and expertise that sets them apart. and makes it possible for high school Delta’s goal is to earn an M.D. then into a program that provides Too many prospective students students to earn college credit. a “college and career visioning” are underprepared, however, GIVING KIDS A HAND UP opportunity for graduating high when they fi rst try to take college Delta Summitt was sitting in the AMCS is just one of many community school seniors. Summer Bridge nurse’s offi ce at Palmer High School students enroll in a college math classes they need, costing them collaborations UAA has forged in GAPS last year, talking with someone about recent years to prepare middle- and course and participate in a paid , (and the state) time and money. scholarships, when she fi rst heard of high-school students for college by summer internship in engineering or Here, we’ve written about UAA’s AMCS. “They said, ‘Why don’t you go igniting their awareness of college via science. Students who successfully eff orts to create a college-going to the Alaska Middle College; it’s free,’” summer camps and profession-based or complete that class and internship are culture: sparking kids’ interest in Delta remembered. “I was like, ‘What? enrichment academies. eligible for scholarship funding to college, bridging knowledge and There’s a middle college?’ So I looked attend the University of Alaska. into it.” bureaucratic gaps beforehand • The UAA-based Alaska Native IGNITES Science and Engineering Program • The BP-sponsored Summer and maximizing their chances for Now, she takes a bus twice a week to (ANSEP) brings fi fth-, sixth-, Engineering Academies at UAA and, success once they get here. classes in Eagle River; her A&P lab is at seventh- and eighth-graders to live starting last year, at Mat-Su College, Mat-Su College, where Mat-Su Middle like (supervised) college students give middle- and high-school “What’s a lacuna?” instructor Kayla students a taste of the engineering Sedlacek asked her students, who sat opportunities off ered through at microscope-dotted tables in a lab at UAA — including civil, mechanical, PASSION UAA’s Mat-Su College. electrical, geomatics and computer science. Kids program robots, build “It’s like a little house,” several of her bridges and use a wind tunnel to see pupils responded, in unison. how wing aerodynamics works before creating their own tunnel. “It is a little house,” Sedlacek replied: “It reminds me of ‘Hakuna matata’… • UAA alumna Cessilye Williams, Shaylin Moore builds a balsa wood bridge FOR during a two-week Alaska Native Science & only ‘Lacuna matata.’ If you see cells in M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’02, Engineering Program Middle School Academy a lacuna, you need to think cartilage.” principal of Clark Middle School, on UAA’s campus in January 2017. and UAA Assistant Professor Terry All 11 students appeared engrossed Nelson of the College of Business in their instructor’s lecture as it and Public Policy (CBPP), in 2014, moved from that Lion King reference launched a middle-school-appropriate into a fascinating thicket of science: version of Nelson’s Leadership A UAA health professions academy collaboration with Clark Middle School o ers students a chance to explore descriptions of hyaline cartilage, Fellows program called Leadership LEARNING possible future careers in health care and learn academic steps they’ll need to take to accomplish their goals. Here, isogenous cell nests and the way these Clark students visit the UAA Nursing Simulation Lab. (Photo courtesy of Carey Brown, UAA.) Fellows Juniors.

12 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 13 Clark, the most diverse middle school COH’s Carey D. Brown, M.P.A. of 15,016 fi rst-year college freshmen the UAA Annual Fund for Excellence in the nation, has a high percentage of ’08, who helms UAA’s partnership from Alaska’s 37 largest high schools to launch UAAspire, a new bridge students who come from lower-income with Clark’s junior health professions required some degree of developmental program to assist and encourage families and also, a signifi cant number academy. coursework, according to a college- students at East, West and Bartlett high of parents who either didn’t attend or readiness study ANSEP conducted. schools. The award off ers personalized didn’t fi nish college. “All of the students get scrubs, a lab assistance at the schools with jacket, stethoscope,” he said of the two- The data show: completing fi nancial aid, navigating These parents might not know what hour, every-other-Saturday sessions. • Students are passing college college admissions and enrollment questions to ask, who to talk to, or “Our thought was that statistics show preparatory courses in high school processes and applying for scholarships. what help they can off er their child the earlier you can get to students, with high grades, then repeating in navigating the intricate process of the better off they’ll be after they’re those classes when they arrive at the The new program is crucial because the getting into college. admitted as freshmen. We expose university. U.S. Department of Education didn’t them to the various health professions, renew a grant that funded programs at Clark’s program gives these students refi ne where their interests might lay. • The state is spending millions of UAA like Educational Talent Search support they’ll need to create fi rm Practitioners talk to them and they dollars annually for students to (ETS), which Lyons said served 750 footing for their futures: learning which do hands-on activities. The students take classes in high school and then students in the Anchorage School math and science classes they’ll need have to take notes on the career, pay paying again when the courses must District, at six middle and high schools. to succeed in high school and college, scale, courses needed to get into it, the be repeated at the university. Two-thirds of the ETS population as well as information about exams, science and math — to get that going in were low-income and fi rst-generation fi nancial aid and scholarship resources, their minds as early as possible.” • Students and their families are students, Lyons said. and social skills. spending millions of dollars in Gillian Galloway, left, and Brennan Easley are high school students earning college credit in a UAA anatomy and GROWING A COLLEGE- additional college costs because their The big picture: Creating a college- physiology class as part of Alaska Middle College School. Clark’s Leadership Fellows Juniors GOING CULTURE students are arriving at the university going culture and an educated quickly attracted faculty and staff at Collaborations between UAA and underprepared. populace. “People have to know not Sedlacek had set up on the tables, “This one I thought was skeletal UAA’s College of Education, College of community schools may help relieve a just that the college exists, but how identifying diff erent types of cells. muscle,” Brennan told her. “You’re Health (COH) and CBPP’s Information serious problem: A majority of Alaska The solution? ANSEP’s study to get here and how to stay here,” she correct!” Sedlacek said. Systems and Decision Sciences high school graduates attending UA recommended developing joint said. “We must retain them, and they’ve Gillian and Brennan peered down Department. schools are not prepared for entry-level long-term goals and milestones got to graduate. Twenty percent of the through the eyepiece of one of those At the next table, Delta said she felt courses in math and English. for improvement within the K-12 people who get a UA Scholars Award microscopes. confi dent about what lies ahead for her, Maximizing the potential for student and university systems, including don’t even go, anywhere.” Access is a in college. success is top of mind for people like From 2006–2015, just under 61 percent aligning the academic curriculum and large part of the reason, she said. “This looks like cardiac,” Gillian said. implementing a quality-control system “I’m almost certain.” “It’s defi nitely made me more mature, that provides useful feedback for all. Having a relationship with the school forced me to grow up faster than I L-R: Aaron As this alignment begins, UAA is district and visiting the schools are Brennan looked at the same cells. “It probably would have, which is a good Rowbotham, Mara smoothing the path to college for high important, Lyons notes. “You’re doesn’t have those little hash marks, thing,” she said. “But I’m two years James, Laura school students from lower-income talking about a mindset that hasn’t right?” he said. “So would it be smooth ahead. I’m going to have 62 [UAA] McDowell and families who are fi rst-generation college conceived college.” While students may Antoinette Street work muscle?” credits when I graduate. And that looks to assist students at students. have the intellect and ability to attend really cool on a transcript.” the Hub in the Student college, they must be able to visualize “This looks like smooth muscle,” Union. UAA’s newly established University themselves here and feel comfortable Gillian agreed. “It looks dense; it has Be sure to check out our online story, Hub aims to encourage high school interacting and making friends. “All of fi bers running in the same direction, which delves into the ways UAA builds students to become college students those things matter.” but there’s no striations.” bridges to the future by fi nding ways to and then, once they’re here, become connect students with undergraduate successful college students. ‘I’M TWO YEARS AHEAD’ Meanwhile, Sedlacek walked around, research and fi eld experiences, mentors, Back in that lab in Mat-Su, Delta, her talking with students she encountered job shadowing, leadership and internship Theresa Lyons, executive director for AMCS colleagues Gillian Galloway and about mesanchymal cells, elastic tissue opportunities and other experiences that Student Outreach and Transition, Brennan Easley, and the other eight and stained cells. move students into careers — sometimes says her offi ce will use an award from students peered through microscopes even before graduation.

14 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 15 Generations of KRUA students know Center. For year 25, KRUA featured Whatever happened to those voices on your that tidbit by heart, but they’re more three acts at the Wendy Williamson, radio? See what KRUA staffers have pursued likely to tell you a station manager from including DJ Spencer Lee (Spencer since graduation. Asterisks indicate a journalism the ’90s went on to date Steven Tyler. Shroyer ’09), yet another KRUA grad. and public communications graduate. Glenn Hagberg ’87* KRUA culture launched in town, too Many volunteers have scrawled their Event manager, Bayshore Country Club, and DJ, — station managers assembled zine- name on the studio wall, and the station Tunemasters Mixed drinks in the laboratory. Frosted- KMPS. That’s an unofficial name, he calmed local broadcasters anxious over like bulletins via Adobe PageMaker, left its mark in return (see sidebar). Anchorage blue eye shadow. Capes and lasers. No, noted. “We didn’t need call letters. You the new addition. DJs took shows live to a dance hall in “KRUA launched my career. There is it’s not some glam superhero origin could hear us shout better than you Spenard. no doubt about it,” said Raffetto, who Wolf Kurtz ’87 story ... just three among hundreds of could on the transmitter.” The transition took several years, and produced radio pieces for U.S. Sen. Ted Engineer, Seward Public Radio shows aired on KRUA since it launched delays continued through to launch “It was really cool to see we actually Stevens’ D.C. press office after college, Seward Feb. 14, 1992. The reception was weak. Every song day. While Raffetto was experiencing had a scene and to learn about it and thanks to Hiebert’s help. Pearson, too, Margaret Knowles Pease ’89, ’97* came with a low persistent hum. “It technical difficulties at the Hillside to be part of it,” said Sam Trout ’98, credits Hiebert for encouraging her to who started volunteering as soon as he seek a graduate degree at UAA. Sr. Service Support Lead, Nintendo College radio first came to Anchorage was probably helping students learn the tower, future station manager Suzi Redmond, Washington in 1987, at 50 watts on the AM dial, business more than it was entertaining Pearson ’94 was ill and resting in the finished high school. “It was definitely one of the best experiences I had, “I didn’t realize it at the time, but it and only near campus buildings. “That on the other end,” he said. office, not at her post in the studio (the John Raffetto ’92* was the antenna, the building itself,” engineer, meanwhile, grew increasingly through college and even afterwards was the radio station that gave me the CEO, Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications explained Glenn Hagberg ’87, first “[KMPS] was more of an experimental anxious, as he’d made Valentine’s Day … We were a tight family, so many relationships and the know-how to Seattle, Washington station manager at lab,” recalled John Raffetto ’92, promises to his wife). different personalities involved. It was do great work the minute I got out of KRUA’s first FM manager. “Suddenly just an amazing time.” college,” Raffetto noted. “More than Suzi Pearson ’94*, ’04 the prospect that the entire Hours behind schedule, Raffetto any single class or professor, it was the Executive director, AWAIC women’s shelter Anchorage bowl could tune in and Pearson finally connected to flip Recent station manager Audriana radio station.” Anchorage was electrifying.” the switch (this is the era before cell Pleas ’14 dittoed that. “I can’t count Sam Trout ’98* phones). KRUA volunteers, dispatched how many people I’ve met through Now in Seattle, he still tunes in when the station,” she said. “When you go he’s back in Anchorage. “It’s exactly Freelance illustrator and designer Ambitious students had citywide like sentinels, turned their Seattle, Washington support from community dials to The Edge, 88.1. “It was crazy,” through KRUA, you have a family what we had envisioned when we forever.” Like alumni before her, she started.” mentor Augie Hiebert, an Pearson laughed. “Suddenly we had a Matt Hopper ’03 Alaska media pioneer who college radio station in Anchorage.” makes a point to stay connected. “She Singer-songwriter spent his 70s encouraging is our spiritual advisor,” joked Wright Listen live from anywhere in the world Portland, Oregon / Phoenix, Arizona / Wasilla UAA’s plucky pink-haired The first song — fitting of the Franklin, current station manager. at kruaradio.org. teenagers on their FM quest. transition — was It’s the End of the Kamala Derry Stiner ’03 He donated equipment and World as We Know It, by R.E.M. At its second birthday, KRUA brought Nurse and director of VivaVoom Brr-Lesque engineers, had his D.C. lawyer the Violent Femmes to the Egan Anchorage help with FCC licensing and Neil Torquiano ’07* Producer, WJXT-TV Jacksonville, Florida

Audriana Pleas ’14* UAA Academic Innovations and eLearning staff member, freelance journalist and DJ Eagle River

Share your KRUA memories with us at [email protected] or Facebook.com/AlumniUAA.

16 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 17 UAA FY16 There is often a difference between the House-proposed • Advance a culture of institutional excellence that How the university budget budget and the Senate-proposed budget. Before the inspires and enables student, faculty and staff success. budget works sources legislative session ends in mid-April, House and Senate Identify and remove significant barriers to student, faculty and 25% members meet in conference committee, decide on a staff success; Improve access to and satisfaction with academic advising; Employ process efficiencies (improvements) that lower the University Budget 101 tuition combined budget, pass it, and then present it to the governor & fees cost per award As a public university, the University of Alaska (UA) is 42% for final approval. If the Legislature is still in session, the governor has 15 days — Sundays excluded — to veto any partially funded by the state of Alaska. These funds — alaska • More students persist and complete their educational portion of the budget; if the Legislature has adjourned, the along with private donations, tuition and earned revenue — legislature goals. help support programs at all UA campuses. The budget is governor has 20 days, excluding Sundays. The budget then Increase the ratio of credits students earn to credits attempted (a developed in two categories: one-time capital requests and becomes law. component of Satisfactory Academic Progress) by 5 percentage ongoing operational expenses. 33% points by 2020; Increase new entering student retention from Though running a university requires a significant investment their first fall to the subsequent fall to 55% in the third goal year; various from the state of Alaska and those who choose to attend, the Increase the rate at which students persist from their second to UA’s budget-planning process for the upcoming fiscal various sources sources Includes private return on that investment is strong. A college degree holder third year to 45% in the third goal year year begins in the spring with UA President Jim Johnsen, donations, scholarships, statewide staff and university leadership discussing grants, rental fees, earns a lifetime average of $1 million more than a person bookstore sales, etc. • Graduate more students to fill Alaska’s needs. $32.2m who only earns a high school diploma. The state can count institutional priorities to meet state needs. In June, the Increase number of graduates in high-demand job areas by 2% per physical plant on a high return on its investment, too; a highly trained and president and administrative staff lead a discussion with year; Improve traditional graduation rates to 35% by AY25 educated local workforce returns several millions of dollars the Board of Regents to build the upcoming operating and $30.5m capital budgets. how UAA’s institutional each year to Alaska’s economy. Funding higher education is FY16 budget support definitely an investment in Alaska’s future. Strategic Pathways The funding priorities for the budget are based on a number was spent Strategic Pathways, an initiative the Board of Regents and 11% $25.4m University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen launched in of factors, including student success efforts, industry and auxiliary How the university state needs, and program demand. Each university submits 10% services February 2016, is a framework to help guide academic- and its budget request to Statewide in August. Later in the is responding administrative-restructuring budget reductions while still month, there is a systemwide budget meeting to discuss the investing in programs of quality and excellence. In Phases priorities at each university and the budget is submitted to 8% UAA 2020 1 and 2 of the Strategic Pathways process, committee the Board of Regents for a first review at the September UAA 2020 is UAA’s new strategic plan headlined with members reviewed seven academic areas and eight Board of Regents’ meeting. The board approves the budget 60% three ambitious yet achievable goals for the next three years. administrative units, respectively. In Phase 3, currently at its November meeting and submits it to the governor for 6% Informed by critical reflections on UAA’s planning processes underway, committees are reviewing the final academic and consideration. $16.6m from its accreditation self-study, UAA 2020 provides focus administrative areas. In-depth information, including areas 5% public service for this institution in the short term. The three goals are: reviewed, can be found online (link below). The governor can choose to forward the budget to the $180.1m Alaska State Legislature as it is, or modify it to reflect his or instruction/ $15.7m her priorities. After the Legislature receives the governor’s student-related research proposed budget in January, it can make additions or How to get involved subtractions. Much discussion and debate goes into this instruction/student-related Includes academic support, instruction, student services, library services, scholarships and athletics. The voices of alumni, faculty and staff have been critical to this process. Visit these websites for detailed information on these part of the budget-approval process. Students, faculty, staff physical plant Includes maintenance, repair, renovations and utilities. initiatives and what you can do to make your voice heard. Stay informed about the university’s budget and legislative matters and alumni often travel to Juneau to meet with legislators institutional support Includes administrative expenditures such as human resources, business offices, facilities planning, information technology and administration. by subscribing to the Capitol Report at alaska.edu/state/report. Please continue to engage in this important process. about the needs of the university. The Alaska community auxiliary services Includes student housing, food service and dining halls, bookstore, vending machines and other also participates in the process through public testimony special services. public service Activities whose primary purpose is to make available to the public the various unique resources and ua Budget and Uaa 2020 strategic pathways and other communications with their legislators. capabilities of the university in response to community needs or problems. legislative resources uaa.alaska.edu/uaa2020 alaska.edu/pathways research Activities directly related to scientific and academic research. Non-general (grant) funds support most of UAA’s research. alaska.edu/state

18 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 19 find them pursuing their dreams all over PAGE 20: Imran Chaudhry ’16 celebrates his December graduation with a winter trip through the Middle East and Africa, including this stop at Aït Benhaddou in Morocco. Matt Hopper ’03 (right) performs with friend (and fellow alaska, the united Alaskan) Eric Tollefson at The Triple Door in downtown Seattle. (Photo by Christina Birkbine) education grad alumni life states and the world. Sara Guhl ’06, ’07 teaches piano in her classroom at Wasilla High School.

PAGE 21: Paramedic grad Matt Sabelman ’07 (right) provides medical support for outdoor events around Bend, Oregon, through his company, Adventure Medics. (Photo by Joe Viger Photography) Natalie Hanson ‘16 sets a national weight-class record in women’s powerlifting — 578.7 pounds! — at a January event in Milwaukee. (Photo by Adam Palmer, 9for9 Media)

20 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 21 PAGE 22: “Hiking the Eklutna Lake Trail with my M.B.A. buddy, Sarah Warrington ’15,” Elena Harman ’10, alumni life ’14, writes. Artist Elizabeth Ellis ’11 hangs a solo show at Dos Manos Gallery in Anchorage. Josh Brown ’06, ’14 (right) who volunteered with Honor Flights this fall, escorts veteran Alvin Rogers from his Soldotna home to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

PAGE 23: Former Skiwolves Eric Heil ’91, ’95 (left) and Dan McKay ’09, ’11 wax skis before competing at Arctic Man. Meredith Mapes ’16 marshals the 2017 Junior Iditarod. She will make her Iditarod debut Have pics of your life after next year. UAA? Send them to [email protected].

22 • Spring 2017 Spring 2017 • 23 ALUMNI NEWS BRIEFS DON’T MISS EVENTS AT UAA

For Keefer, this was degree number three from friend or family member and commemorate uaa UAA. She earned her bachelor’s in 2004 after a special occasion such as graduation, birth or to do Anchorage Mayor’s University Sinfonia playing volleyball for the Seawolves. All four anniversary. Bricks range in size and cost from Spring Commencement Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. women hold master’s degrees in nursing from $250–$350. The brick campaign ends May 1; Sunday, May 7, 1 p.m. Marathon & Half The University Sinfonia, led by Oleg UAA. don’t miss this chance to leave your mark. Each Center Marathon Proskurnya, will delight audiences with brick purchase supports UAA Athletics and all Join UAA in welcoming a new class of Saturday, June 17, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. classical pieces for string instruments. contributions are tax deductible. Contact 907- alumni. Years of hard work and dedication Bartlett High School / Delaney Park Strip 786-1211 or [email protected] for details. culminate in this timeless academic tradition A summer solstice tradition, the Mayor’s Jazz Combos and celebration of student achievement. Marathon returns for its 44th year. The course Wednesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. Commencement could not happen without runs from Muldoon to the Delaney Park Strip Karen Strid-Chadwick’s Jazz Combos are Volleyball team volunteers who contribute their time and downtown — off ering sweeping views of the back in action for their fi nal concert of the reaches national final energy to make this day a success. Volunteer to city and the Chugach Mountains along the semester. Playing jazz standards from Chick be a part of the celebration at uaa.alaska.edu/ way. Race fees benefi t UAA Athletics. Details Corea, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, The UAA volleyball team wrapped its best commencement. RSVP required to attend. Richie Diehl ’08 competed in his fi fth consecutive season in program history at the Division II and registration: goseawolves.com. Volunteers the Jazz Combos are sure to have you singing Iditarod this spring, fi nishing in 24th place. National Championship in South Dakota. are needed to help with setup, aid stations along! The nationally ninth-ranked women’s team and more. Mother’s Day with Guitar Ensemble Alumni at the Iditarod These women were the fi rst to receive D.N.P. diplomas hosted the West Regionals in Anchorage, then Alaska authors Sunday, April 30, 4 p.m. Aniak’s Richie Diehl, B.S. ’08, returned for his from UAA. advanced to the national fi nals before falling Saturday, May 13, 1–3 p.m. UAA Music Recitals Armin Abdihodžic and the UAA Guitar fi fth consecutive Iditarod this spring, after to Concordia-St. Paul in the title game. The UAA Campus Bookstore The UAA Department of Music is winding Ensemble are known for putting on eclectic fi nishing a career-high 12th in 2016. Rookie team boasted record crowds all season long, UA alumni forum Celebrate an early Mother’s Day with Alaska down for the semester with a series of performances of music ranging from Sérgio Roger Lee, M.S. ’02, made his fi rst attempt including the highest cumulative attendance authors as they discuss their works. Speakers performances featuring students, faculty and Assad to Led Zeppelin. Look for several alumni in 2017, but had to scratch in Shaktoolik, fi ve in Seattle among nearly 300 teams in Division II, as well include: Alice Wright, M.Ed. Special Education alumni. All four recitals will take place in the to join in and provide solo pieces. checkpoints shy of the fi nish line. Theatre grad Alumni from across the University of Alaska as highest average attendance — 1,128 fans ’96, retired teacher and author of Alaska UAA Recital Hall. Tickets are available online at Meredith Mapes, B.A. ’16 (page 23), marshaled system gathered at Seattle’s U.S. Bank per game, nearly 500 more than any other Animals, We Love You, a children’s book of ArtsUAA.com and by phone at 907-786-4TIX. Chamber Ensemble this year’s Junior Iditarod — an event she Centre for a leadership panel on Jan. 31. The program. songs and poems; Lizzie Newell, B.F.A. Studio Wednesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. completed four times as a teenager. Theatre event — held on the 34th fl oor overlooking Art ’97, who writes and designs science fi ction One of the department’s most prolifi c Department Chair Dan Anteau, B.A. ’96, had his Puget Sound — included networking, novels, including her newest release, The performers, John Lutterman, will lead his students help Meredith sew 1,000 dog booties reconnecting and an alumni panel moderated Tristan Bay Accord; and Lael Morgan, journalist, chamber ensemble in its fi nal concert of the in the UAA costume shop this fall. Meredith by Cassidy Davis, B.A. Journalism and Public author and co-founder of Epicenter Press. semester. Audiences can expect a classical has qualifi ed for the 2018 Iditarod. Communications ’10 (page 4). Don’t miss the next Seattle meetup. Get in touch at seawolf. repertoire from Bach to Mozart. [email protected]. Doctors, nurses, originators Leave your mark Four women — Jyll Green, Jill Rife, Leigh Keefer and Robin Bassett — became the on campus with a fi rst class of graduates to accept Doctor of Seawolf brick Nursing Practice degrees from UAA at fall Become a permanent and visible part of the commencement in December. The D.N.P. is UAA volleyball team members celebrate their best UAA campus by purchasing a personalized, season in program history. (Photo by Skip Hickey.) UAA’s second doctoral program (after clinical- engraved brick to be located outside the community psychology) and launched in 2015. . Show your Seawolf pride and buy one for yourself, or honor a

24 • Spring 2017 Spring 20152017 • 25 Class Notes LENS ON CAMPUS

1979 1984 research at national and 1998 assault prevention. She international conferences. lives in Rockaway Beach, Liz O’Connell, B.A. Je Roach, A.A.S. She writes, “I greatly Chris Anderson, Oregon. Journalism & Public Agriculture, received appreciate receiving my A.A.S. Foodservice Communications, the American Association B.S. and M.S. degrees at Technology, cofounded is project director for of Airport Executives UAA, for it allowed me Coachella Valley Brewing 2009 Frontier Scientists, an (AAAE) Certifi ed Member to realize my passion for Co. in 2013. Chris is well Bust your way through education program that accreditation. Airport my career and provided known for his award- the galaxy on Broken shares Arctic research executives complete a solid foundation for winning farm-to-glass Space, a block-breaking with the public. With an examination and community service, artisanal beers. Coachella adventure game from more than 30 years of application process research, teaching, and Valley Brewing Co.’s brews Anchorage-based career experience in to become an AAAE always searching for a can be found in California, Spiff yware. The game broadcast media, Liz now certifi ed member. Jeff is better solution. I have Arizona and Nevada. — designed by Jazon works to produce and the airport manager at been extremely blessed Burnell, B.S. Computer promote visual stories Fairbanks International in my life with my family 2006 Science — is now of groundbreaking Airport, where he and my career and am so available for Apple research in the Alaska oversees all airport very thankful! Hats off to products in the App Arctic. Take a look at activities. UAA!” Store. Learn more at frontierscientists.com. brokenspacegame.com. 1985 1989 Victoria Schultz, B.S. Susan Weingartner, 2012 Sociology ’83, M.S. A.A.S. Nursing, has Daniel Gallagher, A.A.S. Social Sciences ’85, worked at Lourdes Fire and Emergency is in her 25th year as a Hospital in Binghamton, Chris Anderson ’98 digs into Services, wrote “since psychology instructor at New York, for 27 years. the hops at Coachella Valley graduating in 2012 with Wharton County Junior She was recently Brewing Co. in Thousand my associate degree, my Palms, California. College in Wharton, recognized for her wife and I had our third Texas. She’s directed the distinguished service in Valerie Bundy, B.A. child and have moved college’s Human Services oncology nursing, earning Psychology, was recently quite a bit. I graduated program since 2005, been the hospital’s 2016 named executive director from UAF in December named faculty of the year Honored Nurse award for of the Tillamook County 2016 from the Homeland Liz O’Connell ’79 (left) digs and received the school’s clinical practice in direct Security and Emergency at an archaeological site in Women’s Resource Center, Excellence in Teaching patient care. a nonprofi t agency Management program.” Gates of the Arctic National award. In addition, Park and Preserve. focused on domestic she has presented her violence and sexual

Aviation maintenance students take a practical DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING laboratory fi nal as part of a capstone course YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE at the UAA Aviation Complex at Merrill Field Airport. WITH YOUR ALMA MATER? With a 100 percent job placement rate, graduates CONTACT ONE OF US TO Joey Besl Jason DeLozier ’13 are quick to secure jobs in the fi eld and Alumni Communications Specialist Alumni Outreach Specialist work in practically all aviation SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE, businesses throughout SHARE A PHOTO OR UPDATE [email protected] [email protected] Alaska. Also, four of the YOUR INFORMATION. 907-786-1845 907-786-1941 program’s seven faculty and staff are graduates of The online magazine can be found at: tinyurl.com/alumnispirit the program. Nonprofit Organization Photo by Jaad McElroy ’09 at US Postage Casa Grande Ruins National PAID Monument, Coolidge, Arizona. Permit No 107 Office of Advancement Anchorage AK Jaad lives with her family in University of Alaska Anchorage Maricopa, Arizona. An early 3211 Providence Drive, ADM 236 • Anchorage, AK 99508 childhood development grad, she now travels Arizona with First Things First, a state-funded initiative providing health and education programs for children from birth to age 5.

seawolves by southwest We want to see the world from your water bottle, your hard hat or your mountain bike. Contact the Alumni Center and we’ll send you stickers in the mail (but don’t forget to show us where the stickers end up)!

Alumni Center | 907-786-1942 | [email protected] | Facebook.com/AlumniUAA