Happy Holidays, Seawolves!

As winter break and the holiday season draw near, I'm excited to share some exciting updates and say a big thanks for all your support. Your kindness makes a big difference for our students and the community, and I'm deeply grateful for your loyalty.

I am delighted to share the news of our recent Giving Tuesday initiative and express my heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to its success. Thanks to Ragu (B.B.A. '89) and Gita Bhargava's generous $5,000 matching gift, and everyone who joined in, we not only beat our participation goal but also raised an impressive $8,750 to fight hunger on campus.

Thinking about the impact of Giving Tuesday, I’d like to remind you to mark your calendars for UAA Giving Day, taking place from March 26 to 28. Let's keep making a big difference together. Your support means a lot, and I'm thankful for your dedication to our shared vision.

We had a special visit from the Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors on campus. It was wonderful to show them how their amazing donations, totaling $17.4 million, have helped UAA. Their support has been key in moving our mission forward, and we're honored to have them as partners.

A heartwarming moment this season was when thousands of fifth-graders from Anchorage School District came to see the Seawolves in action. It was a blast, with Dillon Barrientos leading the men's basketball team to victory over Cal State Maritime. The arena was buzzing with energy, and thanks to sponsors like Premera, cheers of "U-A-A" filled the air, making it an unforgettable experience.

In November, we received fantastic news from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. They're honoring Ed Rasmuson's memory with a generous gift of $250,000 for the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP). This, along with NANA Regional Corporation's $150,000 recent investment in ANSEP, helps us make big strides in impacting lives.

In this season of giving thanks, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you do for UAA. Together, we’ve had an amazing year! Thank you for being a part of our university family and for making a difference at UAA.

Cheers to a happy holiday season and a brighter future for UAA in the new year — all thanks to you! 

Warm wishes,

Chancellor Sean Parnell