Giving thanks to the Seawolf community

Dear UAA Community,

As we head into the long weekend, I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy holiday. I hope you are able to spend this weekend relaxing with loved ones and enjoying the blessings in your lives. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, this is a great opportunity to recharge and reflect as the new year approaches.

Thanksgiving is a time for love and expressing gratitude, but we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge the true history of this holiday and the Wampanoag people. I encourage you to read and learn more about the history of Thanksgiving and our Indigenous populations. I also want to acknowledge the Indigenous lands we reside on as we celebrate this holiday. UAA sits on the ancestral lands of the Dena’ina, Ahtna, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Chugachmiut and Eyak peoples.

With finals and the end of the semester approaching, I want to express my gratitude for the amazing Seawolf community. Thank you, students, for demonstrating grit and resilience in pursuit of your educational goals — your bright ambitions are a springboard for Alaska's prosperity. Thank you, faculty and staff, for elevating the university's mission to transform lives through teaching, research, community engagement and creative expression in a diverse and inclusive environment. Thank you, alumni and donors, for being a beacon of Green & Gold pride in the community. Together, we will continue charting a bright course for UAA and for Alaska.

Enjoy the long weekend, and stay safe and healthy in your celebrations.

Sean Parnell
UAA Chancellor