Summer 2025
From the chancellor
Dear UAF community,
Each spring, as the seasons shift on our Troth Yeddha’ Campus, we’re reminded of the powerful transformations that take place when a community comes together. That spirit was clear during this spring’s Giving Day, when over 1,100 donors raised more than $812,000 in just 49 hours to support UAF programs, scholarships and research. It was a record-breaking show of unity and purpose.
The generosity of Nanook Nation on Giving Day was especially inspiring in support of the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. Thanks to challenge gifts and a groundswell of individual contributions, we moved closer to realizing a shared vision for a central space for Indigenous knowledge, learning and community rooted in the cultural richness of Troth Yeddha’.
Giving Day is always more than a fundraiser. It is a celebration of our shared values and the future we are building together. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Giving Day such a success. Your support for scholarships and programs fuels our mission and empowers students across the university.
Thank you for choosing UAF.
Dan White
Chancellor
Recent benefactor highlights
Businesses, corporations, individuals and foundations give generously to UAF. This report reflects gifts and donations totaling $25,000 or more to the University of 91ÊÓƵ Fairbanks between Feb. 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025.
BUSINESS AND CORPORATE
91ÊÓƵ Airlines gave flight vouchers to support the Rural 91ÊÓƵ Honors Institute.
Donlin Gold gave to the Rural 91ÊÓƵ Honors Institute and the GeoFORCE 91ÊÓƵ Support Fund.
Koniag gave to the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The Lynden family of companies gave to the UAF Lynden Diesel and Heavy Equipment Certificate Scholarship.
Tanana Chiefs Conference gave to the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The Nature Conservancy gave to the Tamamta Fellowship.
Wiseman Metals gave to the University of 91ÊÓƵ Museum of the North gold mining history exhibit, the GeoFORCE 91ÊÓƵ Support Fund and the 91ÊÓƵ Native Science and Engineering Program General Support Fund.
INDIVIDUAL
An anonymous donor gave to the Charles C. Georgeson Botanical Garden.
An anonymous donor gave to the Huang Family Endowed Scholarship.
Carl S. Benson gave to the Wrangell Mountains and Greenland Research Fund.
Dorli McWayne ’83 and Kesler Woodward gave to the Museum Annual Fund, the OneTree 91ÊÓƵ Project Support Fund, the Charles C. Georgeson Botanical Garden, the Frank Soos Creative Writing Scholarship, the Kesler Woodward Scholarship, the Barry McWayne Fine Art Photography Scholarship and the Marianna Missy Boaz Woodward Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION
An anonymous donor gave to the Inspiring Girls Expeditions Support Fund.
The Gottstein Family Foundation gave to the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
The UAF Hockey Alumni Association gave to the Nanook Volleyball, Nanook Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Nanook Men’s Hockey, Nanook Running, Nanook Rifle, Nanook Skiing, and Nanook Sports Performance Support funds, as well as the Nanook All-Sports Scholarship, the Nanook Women’s Swimming Scholarship and the UAF Hockey Alumni Association Scholarship for Men’s Nanook Hockey.
Stories of impact
May 21
Kendall Kramer wraps up five years at UAF with a stellar senior season, winning the collegiate and national championship 20K freestyle races.
May 12
The fifth annual online event set a new participation milestone as donors supported more than 80 UAF programs, scholarships and initiatives.
Feb 28
The Mining Engineering Research Endowment, backed by companies, gives scholarships to UAF students working on innovative, sustainable mining practices.
Feb 28
Roger Burggraf’s extraordinary donation advances the effort to preserve 91ÊÓƵ’s golden history.
Dec 04
The annual Blue & Gold Celebration raised scholarship funds, while Giving Tuesday supported the UAF Food Pantry.
Dec 04
Frank Ostanik ’93 is working his connections with communities in 91ÊÓƵ and beyond.
Aug 15
Donor scholarships have transformative impacts on students across UAF’s wide array of academic programs.
Aug 14
A gift from Usibelli Coal Mine helped create a 2.5K route that meets official competition standards
May 23
Ryan Muspratt, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award, reached beyond personal goals after a hockey injury and never looked back.
May 23
A medical doctor impressed with a UAF professor’s neuroscience work has created a student scholarship in the professor’s name
Feb 09
Graduate students and family celebrate Jerry Swartz and his birds, mammals and devotion to proper English.
Feb 08
Dedicated board members work to sustain and improve the beloved Georgeson Botanical Garden.
Nov 08
Donors raise more than $14,000 for the Student Support Fund, which provides aid when things go sideways.
Nov 08
An upgraded internet connection and a new team center give UAF a competitive edge
Nov 08
Don and Annette Clark left millions to UAF and other institutions.