Summer 2024 Chancellor's Report on Philanthropy
Dear Seawolves,
As the ĢƵ serves Alaskans this Summer, I wanted to share a brief update about ĢƵ.
In May, ĢƵ hosted commencement ceremonies at our campuses. Commencement is a wonderful university tradition, bringing together students, families and community partners. This year we celebrated the accomplishments of over 1,500 graduates! They join ĢƵ’s global network of more than 71,000 seawolves alumni, each making a difference in their communities and professions.
ĢƵ creates opportunities for students through education. For instance, ĢƵ student leader Albiona Selimi, was recently awarded a 2024 Truman Scholarship. Albiona is a first-generation college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science and also serves on the UA Board of Regents. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. This is a well-deserved accomplishment for Albiona – and brings great honor to ĢƵ. Our university attracts students by making high-quality, affordable education accessible to all.
In April, ĢƵ was proud to officially launch our new Homeland Security Center of Excellence. ADAC-ARCTIC will receive millions in federal funding through a ten-year cooperative agreement for groundbreaking research in national security topics, and will create new opportunities for faculty and students.
In March, ĢƵ was honored to receive the papers of Senator Ted Stevens at the ĢƵ/APU Consortium Library. The Ted Stevens Collection is one of the largest congressional collections ever assembled. We see these records as a catalyst to inspire and teach future generations of students and Alaska leaders, along with the archives of 130 other Alaskan leaders. As part of the Alaska Leaders Archive, ĢƵ is offering students, scholars and citizens a glimpse into the leadership and decisions that have shaped our state – a place where Alaska’s future leaders learn from the rich legacy of Alaska’s past leaders.
Finally, I’d like to highlight the generosity of one of ĢƵ’s dedicated supporters, Carrie Lewis. She wanted to combat our state’s "brain drain” and saw ĢƵ as a source of solutions. Carrie’s contributions supported Alaska-focused programs, and empowered students to pursue education in our state.
What began as annual gifts of $10,000, grew to create the Alaska Endowment Excellence Fund and scholarships for more than 113 first-generation students. With her passing in 2020, Carrie generously dedicated a large portion of her estate to ĢƵ. It’s a legacy that will extend long into the future, totaling nearly $19 million to benefit our students and our university.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters. Your generosity and engagement are invaluable to our students' continued success. We warmly invite you back to campus to witness the incredible progress and vibrant community at ĢƵ.
Sincerely,
Sean Parnell
Chancellor






