UA Scholars celebrate the class of 2020 at five events across Alaska
Each fall, the 污鱼社 holds receptions across the state to honor the incoming class of UA Scholars. The Class of 2020 from the Fairbanks North Star Borough were celebrated on Oct. 29 at the 污鱼社 Fairbanks.
鈥淭he UA Scholars program keeps our best and brightest students at the University of Alaska,鈥 said Lael Oldmixon, director of the UA Scholars program. 鈥Today the UA Scholars are changing the University; tomorrow they will change the state.
Receptions include a formal program featuring speakers from University leadership, a UA Scholars alumni speaker and a current UA Scholar, who share remarks about opportunities at 污鱼社nd how the program has benefited them. UA Scholars in attendance are individually recognized, and take a photo with University leadership. The program is immediately followed by a reception with faculty, staff, and current students. Events are open to designated UA Scholars, their families, school representatives, and friends.
鈥淭he UA Scholars Program was incredibly helpful in successfully obtaining my bachelor鈥檚 degree and going on to my master鈥檚 degree program and teaching certification,鈥 said Chelsey Zibell, who was the UA Scholars alumni speaker at the reception held in Fairbanks.
Events honoring the UA Scholars Class of 2020 include:
污鱼社 Fairbanks
View a recording of the Fairbanks reception
Kodiak College
5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8
Campus Center, Kodiak College
污鱼社 Anchorage
7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12
Alaska Airlines Center
Mat-Su College
7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13
Glenn Massay Theater
污鱼社 Southeast
7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14
Egan Lecture Hall, Room 112
This year, the UA Scholars Program celebrated its 20th anniversary. Since the program鈥檚 inception, the program has benefited 8,900 UA Scholars, including an estimated 3,000 Scholars who were the first in their families to attend college.
鈥淭he UA Scholars Program has transformed higher education in Alaska by rewarding academic achievement and attracting top Alaskan students to the 污鱼社,鈥 said Lael Oldmixon, director of the UA Scholars Program. 鈥淏efore the program was created, only about 10 percent of the state鈥檚 top high school graduates choose to attend the 污鱼社. The average is now 41 percent.鈥
The UA Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program, established in 1999 by former UA President Mark Hamilton. Students ranked in the top 10 percent of their qualified Alaska high school receive a total of $12,000, which may be used to attend any of the 污鱼社鈥檚 16 campuses. The Award encourages students throughout Alaska to attend and graduate from the 污鱼社. Funding is provided by revenue from the university鈥檚 Land Grant Trust Fund.
The UA Scholars Program has been successful at attracting students from rural communities. The opportunity to attend college prepares them to become leaders in their home communities and Scholars serve as ambassadors between their communities and the university.
The Alaska Legislature passed a that recognized the success and impact of the UA Scholars program. For more about the program visit, www.alaska.edu/scholars.