UAA announces 2018 Alumni of Distinction recipients

The University of Alaska Anchorage Office of Alumni Relations and the UAA Alumni Association are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 UAA Alumni of Distinction awards. These three distinguished UAA alumni will be honored for their outstanding contributions to their chosen fields and communities at the university's Homecoming Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 12, at Lucy Cuddy Hall on UAA's campus.

Jason Hart - Alumni Emerging Leader Award B.B.A. '07, M.B.A. '10 Clinical Practice Manager, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Since 2008, Hart has served in varying capacities with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, leading to his current position as clinical practice manager. He also serves as acting vice president of medical and multi-specialty clinics at the Alaska Native Medical Center. In addition, Hart has a long record of devoting time as a volunteer to better his community through his efforts with the Food Bank of Alaska, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights and the Alaska Military Youth Academy. Hart is also a seven-year veteran in the National Guard where he received the Excellence Award for exemplary service.

Jocelyn "Josie" Wilson - Alumni Humanitarian Award M.B.A. '09 Director of Strategic Communications, HDR Inc.

Prior to her current role at architecture firm HDR Inc., Wilson was the director of community relations and development for the Salvation Army. She is a prominent figure in the nonprofit sector, having worked with organizations such as the Anchorage Police and Fire Chaplains, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage Petroleum Women's Association and American Cancer Society. Wilson has received awards for her community work and leadership, including the 2017 Heart of Gold Award from the HCA Corporation, the 2015 Dale Carnegie Highest Award of Achievement, and was named one of Anchorage's Top Forty Under 40 in 2011.

Jennifer Thompson - Alumni of Achievement Award President and CEO, Thompson & Co. Public Relations

Thompson began her career as an intern at the Anchorage PR firm Bernholz & Graham in 1999. She worked her way to becoming president of the company in 2006 and purchased the agency in 2009, renaming it Thompson & Co. as it's known today. Under her leadership, the firm has grown to add offices in Houston, Texas and New York City. Thompson has received numerous accolades throughout her 18-year career, including being honored as the 2016 Alumni of the Year from UAA's Department of Journalism and Public Communications, being named one of PR News' Top 50 Women in PR in 2015, and being inducted into the Anchorage Athena Society in 2016.

These award recipients will be honored at Homecoming Breakfast, a morning event that brings UAA alumni and friends together to celebrate alumni achievements and university successes.

The event begins with a 7 a.m. breakfast buffet followed by a presentation of the awards and a program for the alumni audience. Guests will be invited to make a financial donation to the university fund of their choosing.

For more information, contact Alumni Relations at (907) 786-1701 or seawolf.forever@alaska.edu, or visit the website at uaa.alaska.edu/alumni.

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