Stories of Impact

Chancellor’s Report on Philanthropy

Summer 2024

Dear Seawolves,

As the University of Alaska Anchorage serves Alaskans this Summer, I wanted to share a brief update about UAA.

In May, UAA hosted commencement ceremonies at our campuses. Commencement is a wonderful university tradition, bringing together students, families and community partners. This year we celebrated the accomplishments of over 1,500 graduates! They join UAA’s global network of more than 71,000 seawolves alumni, each making a difference in their communities and professions.

UAA creates opportunities for students through education. For instance, UAA student leader Albiona Selimi, was recently awarded a 2024 Truman Scholarship. Albiona is a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science and also serves on the UA Board of Regents. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. This is a well-deserved accomplishment for Albiona – and brings great honor to UAA. Our university attracts students by making high-quality, affordable education accessible to all.

In April, UAA was proud to officially launch our new Homeland Security Center of Excellence. ADAC-ARCTIC will receive millions in federal funding through a ten-year cooperative agreement for groundbreaking research in national security topics, and will create new opportunities for faculty and students.

In March, UAA was honored to receive the papers of Senator Ted Stevens at the UAA/APU Consortium Library. The Ted Stevens Collection is one of the largest congressional collections ever assembled. We see these records as a catalyst to inspire and teach future generations of students and Alaska leaders, along with the archives of 130 other Alaskan leaders. As part of the Alaska Leaders Archive, UAA is offering students, scholars and citizens a glimpse into the leadership and decisions that have shaped our state – a place where Alaska’s future leaders learn from the rich legacy of Alaska’s past leaders.

Finally, I’d like to highlight the generosity of one of UAA’s dedicated supporters, Carrie Lewis. She wanted to combat our state’s "brain drain” and saw UAA as a source of solutions. Carrie’s contributions supported Alaska-focused programs, and empowered students to pursue education in our state.

What began as annual gifts of $10,000, grew to create the Alaska Endowment Excellence Fund and scholarships for more than 113 first-generation students. With her passing in 2020, Carrie generously dedicated a large portion of her estate to UAA. It’s a legacy that will extend long into the future, totaling nearly $19 million to benefit our students and our university.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters. Your generosity and engagement are invaluable to our students' continued success. We warmly invite you back to campus to witness the incredible progress and vibrant community at UAA.

Sincerely,

Sean Parnell
Chancellor