On Friday, Oct. 11, UAA's largest alumni tradition saw nearly 300 UAA graduates and partners return to the Alaska Airlines Center auxiliary gym for the UAA Alumni Association Homecoming Luncheon to reconnect with their Hometown U while raising donations to benefit UAA programs and scholarships. 

Attendees also enjoyed music from the inaugural UAA Pep Band and a custom ice cream flavor, UAA Cookies 'n Green, from Motley Moo Creamery, owned by alumna Calesta Ayer, B.B.A. Marketing and Management ’09.

This year’s theme was partners in Alaska’s workforce, and featured stories of UAA’s role educating the workforce fueling the Alaska economy, including a keynote address from alumnus Ragu Bhargava, B.B.A. Accounting '89, successful entrepreneur and global business owner. 

Bhargava’s speech culminated in the unexpected announcement that his wife, Sangita, and he would be matching all contributions to the UAA Alumni Scholarship made at the luncheon. With this match, the collective giving at the event will more than double the number of scholarship awards to UAA students this year.

Created in 1985 through an initial gift of $25, the UAA Alumni Scholarship is now an endowed fund valued at over $500,000 and has generated more than $475,000 in scholarships to support students.

Big thanks to keynote sponsors Alaska Army National Guard, Siemens and Signature Land Services!