Stories of Impact

Chancellor’s Report on Philanthropy

Fall 2024

Dear Seawolves,

This year marks a milestone for UAA as we celebrate 70 remarkable years. Reflecting on our journey, we realize we have so many achievements to be proud of and thankful for — impact made possible by your support.

This year, we concluded the ambitious "For Alaska" campaign, underscoring our collective commitment and dedication. Thanks to the generosity of almost 9,700 donors, we successfully raised $89 million. Your contributions have been pivotal in launching transformative initiatives, such as increasing first-generation scholarships, enhancing undergraduate research and pioneering finance projects like the First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab and the Seawolf Student Investment Fund. Importantly, your support ensured the continuation of our beloved hockey, gymnastics and skiing programs!

We are also thrilled to announce the completion of the Allied Health Expansion Project, made possible by a generous $4 million gift from the Economic Development Administration and matched by critical contributions of nearly $500,000 each from Providence Health & Services and the Mat-Su Health Foundation. This funding will enable us to double the number of UAA graduates in three vital Allied Health fields: certified nursing assistants, diagnostic medical sonography and surgical technology.

I am also delighted to share our new philanthropic partnership with Atlas Air. Their generous $50,000 donation will fund seven scholarships for students in UAA's aviation program. These need-based scholarships will expand aviation opportunities and address crucial workforce shortages.

Additionally, the Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC) Summer Internship Program welcomed 12 outstanding students from across the nation, immersing them in vital environmental research — from ice core analysis to exploring Alaska’s unique ecosystems.

For 16 years, the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) School of Medical Education at UAA ran Della Keats, an intensive summer program to guide Alaska Native and rural students toward health care careers, pausing in 2018 due to funding cuts. Thanks to the generous support of Southcentral Foundation, PeaceHealth Ketchikan, Providence, Rasmuson Foundation, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium and private donors, the Della Keats program resumed this summer. Additionally, a five-year grant from American Indians Into Medicine, funded by Indian Health Services, is helping sustain the program.

Your support fuels our mission and empowers our students and faculty to reach new heights. Thank you, Seawolves, for being an integral part of UAA's legacy and for your continued dedication to our community.

Here’s to another 70 years of excellence, innovation and community engagement at UAA!

Sincerely,

Chancellor Sean Parnell