UAA celebrates 2017 Alumni of Distinction: Timothy Gravel, Cessilye Williams, Michelle Sloper

Each fall, the UAA Alumni Association celebrates three Alumni of Distinction for their contributions to their chosen fields and community. Read more about this year's award recipients, who were recognized at the Homecoming Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 13, at Lucy Cuddy Hall.

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Timothy Gravel Alumni of Achievement Award

• B.B.A. Accounting '90
• CEO and owner of Kaladi Brothers Coffee

Gravel has kept Kaladi Brothers grounded on its road to expansion without losing sight of its "catalyst for community" mission. The company had one café and six employees, all fun-loving 20-somethings with a gift-giving habit, when Gravel joined more than 20 years ago. Today, he leads more than 200 employees, roasting 1.2 million pounds of coffee each year, at 15 cafes and one restaurant across the Pacific Northwest. Read more...

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Cessilye Williams Alumni Humanitarian Award

• M.Ed. Educational Leadership '02
• Principal of Clark Middle School, Anchorage School District

As principal of the most diverse middle school in the nation, Williams encourages and inspires nearly 1,000 students each year. Alaska's principal of the year for 2015-2016, Williams has built unique, purposeful learning pathways-including several UAA-partnered academies-for her Mountain View students. Read more...

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Michelle Sloper Alumni Emerging Leader Award

• B.A. Psychology '08
• Senior evaluation fellow at the Claremont Evaluation Center

Since earning her Ph.D., Sloper has been making a nationwide difference from her hometown of Haines. As a professional evaluator, Sloper partners with community-based programs across the country to assess and improve their impact. Whether she's guiding grad students at Claremont or developing a program's impact elsewhere, Sloper is personally and professionally invested in helping others achieve. Read more...