Local students earn degrees from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

by Greg Lincoln

Congratulations to the Class of 2023! The University of Alaska Fairbanks honored the Class of 2023 college grads during its 101st commencement ceremony on May 6 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. UAF compiled the list of Yukon-Kuskokwim region graduates, the following local students earned degrees:

Ethan Andrew of Tuntutuliak – Associate of Arts, General Program

Monalisa Andrews of Emmonak – Associate of Arts, General Program

Katie Anthony of Nightmute – Bachelor of Applied Management

Tamara Ayapan of Kwethluk – Certificate, Community Health

Florencia Barrera of Bethel – Certificate, Rural Human Services

Jessica Bartman of Manokotak – Master of Education, Education

Stacy Brottem of Grayling – Associate of Applied Science, Early Childhood Education

Libby Burton of Dillingham – Associate of Applied Science, Applied Business

Canaar Chanar of Toksook Bay – Bachelor of Arts, Rural Development

Haley Chartier-Hanson of Bethel – Master of Arts, Rural Development

Twila Chayalkun of Chevak – Graduate Licensure Program, Elementary Education

Craig Chythlook of Dillingham – Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration

Jordanna David of Akiachak – Certificate, Applied Business Management

Jenny Demantle of Tuluksak – Certificate, Rural Human Services

Sheila Evan of Goodnews Bay – Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Marie Friday of Tuntutuliak – Certificate, Pre-Nursing Qualifications

Fritz Gunlik of Kipnuk – Certificate, Tribal Management

Marissa Gutierrez-Powers of Bethel – Graduate Licensure Program, Elementary Education

Will Hartman of Bethel – Bachelor of Applied Management

Diane Hlasny of Bethel – Associate of Applied Science, Human Services

Cynthia Hoffer of Bethel – Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies

Theresa Hooper of Tununak – Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies; Certificate, Information Technology Specialist

Logan Ito of Dillingham – Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

Nicholai Joekay of Bethel – Bachelor of Arts, Rural Development

Rita Joekay of Bethel – Associate of Arts, General Program

Natalia Kitsick of Kotlik – Bachelor of Arts, Child Development and Family Studies; Associate of Arts, General Program

Fannmarie Kohuk of Togiak – Certificate, Health Care Reimbursement

Bradley Lake of Hooper Bay – Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Lewis Martin of Kwigillingok – Associate of Arts, General Program

Ambyr Miller of Bethel – Master of Security and Disaster Management

Shaun Morgan of Kalskag – Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting

Catherine Moses of Toksook Bay – Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies

Sarah Peterson of Mountain Village – Associate of Applied Science, Human Services; Certificate, Rural Human Services

Sally Samson of Bethel – Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies

Peri Sanders of Bethel – Master of Arts, Indigenous Studies

Elaine Savetilik of Kotlik – Associate of Arts, General Program

Veronica Simons of Toksook Bay – Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education; Certificate, Local Knowledge Educator

Xavier Slats of Akiachak – Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies

Thomasina Tall of Chevak – Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Ryan Tefft of Nunapitchuk – Master of Education, Education

Bertha Therchik of Toksook Bay – Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Celeste Washington of Saint Michael – Certificate, Rural Human Services

Roberta Waska of Emmonak – Associate of Applied Science, Human Services; Certificate, Rural Human Services

Holly Williams of Scammon Bay – Master of Education, Education

Shawna Williams of Akiak – Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies

Anna Wiseman of Toksook Bay – Certificate, Rural Human Services

Jeremy Woods of Marshall – Certificate, Community Health

The university’s first commencement took place in 1923 when the sole graduate, John Sexton Shanly, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. This year, UAF conferred approximately 1029 degrees on 956 students. Some students received more than one degree. The ceremony included graduates from summer and fall 2022 and spring 2023.