Fall 2025
From the chancellor
Dear ²ÝÁñÉçÇø community,
It is with a deep appreciation that I return to the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks as your interim chancellor. This fall, the energy of students enrolled in a new semester fills our campus, a vivid reminder that ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is more than an institution. It is a catalyst for discovery, resilience and hope.
Your generosity powers this mission. It is the spark that ignites curiosity, drives research and empowers students to imagine and achieve a brighter future. Because of you, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø continues to inspire passion and create a lasting impact across ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and around the world.
We see this in the legacy of donors like Nancy Eliason, whose dedication allows our researchers to unlock the mysteries of ancient Beringia, illuminating new chapters of human history with every discovery. We see it in the vision of Catherine Madsen, whose support of the Circumpolar Music Series brings the powerful voice of Arctic culture into our classrooms and onto our stages, enriching our community in unforgettable ways.
Your belief in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø strengthens our students to aim higher, inspires our faculty to innovate with courage and empowers our researchers to explore new frontiers. Together, we are preserving knowledge as well as creating it, using it to shape a brighter future for ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and the world. Your support ensures that ²ÝÁñÉçÇø will continue to stand as a place of discovery and hope for generations to come.
Thank you for being a part of Nanook Nation.
Mike Sfraga ’84, ’97
Interim Chancellor
P.S. We are so grateful to our donors who supported scholarships and provided new opportunities for research, athletics and academic programs at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. See your generosity in action for the 2024-25 academic year on our Gifts at Work website.
Recent benefactor highlights
Businesses, corporations, individuals and foundations give generously to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. This report reflects gifts and donations totaling $25,000 or more to the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks between May 1 and Aug. 31, 2025.
BUSINESS AND CORPORATE
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company gave to the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company RAHI Support Fund and the Alyeska Pipeline ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Native Scholarship.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation gave to the GeoFORCE ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Support Fund.
At-Sea Processor Association members Glacier Fish Company and American Seafoods Company gave to the Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center Endowment.
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation gave to the Bristol Bay Campus Support Fund.
Doyon, Limited gave to the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund and to the GeoFORCE ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Support Fund.
GCI gave to the Museum Annual Fund, the CBSM Arctic Innovation Competition Support Fund and the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø eSports Program Support Fund, and provided high-speed internet service to the eSports Center.
Google gave to the College of Engineering and Mines Support Fund.
Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company gave to the Mining and Petroleum Training Service Support Fund.
Kinross ²ÝÁñÉçÇø gave to the Mining and Petroleum Training Service Support Fund and the CBSM Arctic Innovation Competition Support Fund, and became the presenting partner for the 2025 Blue and Gold Celebration.
MDF ²ÝÁñÉçÇø gave to the GeoFORCE ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Support Fund and the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø ANSEP General Support Fund.
Northrim Bank gave to the College of Business and Security Management Support Fund and the Northwest Campus Support Fund.
Peak Gold gave to the Mining and Petroleum Training Service Support Fund.
Riverboat Discovery gave to the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Initiative Support Fund.
Teck Resources ²ÝÁñÉçÇø gave to the GeoFORCE ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Support Fund.
Wiseman Metals gave to the GeoFORCE ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Support Fund and the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø ANSEP General Support Fund.
INDIVIDUAL
Luke Blomfield gave to the Friends of the Museum Planetarium Fund.
Robert* and Mary* Claus gave to the John Robert and Mary Claus Fund.
Nancy L. Eliason gave to the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Museum of the North Eliason Beringian Research Endowment.
Steve Holmberg established the Steve and Cynthia Holmberg Low Strings Endowed Scholarship, the Steve and Cynthia Holmberg Education Endowed Scholarship and the Steve and Cynthia Holmberg Vocal Endowed Scholarship.
Cary and Sarah Keller gave to the Friends of the Museum Planetarium Fund.
Glenn Potts and Pamela Flory gave to the College Rotary Scholarship.
Jedrick and Deirdra Shandy gave to the Friends of the Museum Planetarium Fund.
David A. Stech* gave to the David and Mary Stech Endowed Music Scholarship.
Alan Straub gave to the Alan Straub Civil Engineering Equipment Support Fund and the Alan Straub Student Ice Arch Project Endowment.
Mary M. Swartz gave to the Gerard and Peggy Swartz Biology Endowed Scholarship.
Stephen and Janice Tower gave to the Ray Bane Memorial Endowment.
FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION
Crankstart Foundation gave to the Crankstart Reentry Scholarship.
The Evergreen State College Foundation gave to the Northwest Campus Support Fund.
Johnson Scholarship Foundation gave to the Johnson Scholarship Foundation Business Scholarship.
Stories of impact
Sep 09
The Circumpolar Music Series, created with help from writer and musician Catherine Madsen, forms connections across the North.
Sep 05
Nancy Eliason, a 52-year ²ÝÁñÉçÇøn, assists researchers from ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and elsewhere who study the people of ancient Beringia.
May 21
Kendall Kramer wraps up five years at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø with a stellar senior season, winning the collegiate and national championship 20K freestyle races.
May 12
The fifth annual online event set a new participation milestone as donors supported more than 80 ²ÝÁñÉçÇø programs, scholarships and initiatives.
Feb 28
The Mining Engineering Research Endowment, backed by companies, gives scholarships to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø students working on innovative, sustainable mining practices.
Feb 28
Roger Burggraf’s extraordinary donation advances the effort to preserve ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’s golden history.
Dec 04
The annual Blue & Gold Celebration raised scholarship funds, while Giving Tuesday supported the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Food Pantry.
Dec 04
Frank Ostanik ’93 is working his connections with communities in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and beyond.
Aug 15
Donor scholarships have transformative impacts on students across ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’s wide array of academic programs.
Aug 14
A gift from Usibelli Coal Mine helped create a 2.5K route that meets official competition standards
May 23
Ryan Muspratt, recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award, reached beyond personal goals after a hockey injury and never looked back.
May 23
A medical doctor impressed with a ²ÝÁñÉçÇø professor’s neuroscience work has created a student scholarship in the professor’s name
Feb 09
Graduate students and family celebrate Jerry Swartz and his birds, mammals and devotion to proper English.
Feb 08
Dedicated board members work to sustain and improve the beloved Georgeson Botanical Garden.
Nov 08
Donors raise more than $14,000 for the Student Support Fund, which provides aid when things go sideways.