UAF photo by Amy Chausse.
Kim McFadden, assistant registrar for data and data systems, (at left) and Stephanie
Strandberg, records coordinator, show their heart hands during the UAF Military and
Veterans Services registration event at the Wood Center in November 2023.
By Katie Straub
Sometimes, working hard and doing everything right isn色视频下载檛 enough.
For students without a safety net, one financial setback can mean the difference between leaving school and staying on course to finish a degree. On Nov. 28, Nanook Nation rallied to ensure that such students can get help when they need it.
Nov. 28 was Giving Tuesday, a global event that began as a simple idea to dedicate a day each year to encourage people to do good. The day has demonstrated that if we all do small acts of kindness, we can make a huge impact.
From left, Edward Brown, Lucy McWilliams and Alexia Devine, all undergraduate students in music education, show their heart hands while fundraising for the UAF choir program in Wood Center in November 2023.
In its inaugural year, UAF focused Giving Tuesday efforts on the UAF Student Support Fund. The fund acts as an emergency scholarship to help students facing unexpected challenges, such as medical expenses, housing issues and other financial burdens.
Nathaniel Savel 色视频下载17 and Danny Vaziri 色视频下载18, 色视频下载20 pose with the Governor's Cup statue in 2017 before the big game.
色视频下载淭he Student Support Fund was created to help students in their most critical time of need 色视频下载 when they have done everything right to try and be successful and just need that little bit of grace,色视频下载 said Kaydee Van Flein, executive director of UAF色视频下载檚 Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability. 色视频下载淲hen that barrier is financial, the generosity of donors to this fund is the key to us helping these students.色视频下载
UAF set a goal of 23 donations to symbolize the year 2023. The response from Nanook Nation far exceeded expectations, with 35 donors giving over $4,000. Linda Biggar, whose sister was a UAF alum, donated an additional $10,000 to the fund after the initial goal was achieved.
Biggar gives to the UAF Student Support Fund because she likes helping students who are in an emergency situation and for whom this resource might be the only means to stay in school.
Kristin Clark `20, who received an emergency scholarship the year she graduated, credited the funding with keeping her on the path to earn her social work degree and begin graduate school.
色视频下载淲ithout the scholarship, I would have had to choose between [tuition] and my family being able to have a house to live in or food to eat,色视频下载 she said.
The UAF Student Support Fund was established in 2019 through a planned gift from the late James Pruitt `73. His contribution, the largest in the history of the UAF Alumni Association, inspired the association色视频下载檚 board to establish the emergency scholarship.
Tom Brice `90, UAFAA president, said the fund plays a vital role.
色视频下载淕etting your education isn色视频下载檛 always as straightforward as it色视频下载檚 portrayed,色视频下载 Brice said. 色视频下载淲hen the alumni board was discussing our support for this fund, everyone seemed to have a personal experience, whether about themselves or a friend, where this fund would have made a world of difference.色视频下载
Emily Moretz 色视频下载22, Brooke Larson and Leif Van Cise 色视频下载22 celebrate the success of UAF's Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28, 2023, with a Nanook bear hug.
The fund gained momentum in early 2020 with proceeds directed from the UAF Blue and Gold Celebration, held just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Danny Vaziri `20, who earned a bachelor色视频下载檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies, said access to the funds during the pandemic was crucial.
色视频下载淚 couldn色视频下载檛 have made it through the Covid-19 shutdown at UAF without the Student Support Fund,色视频下载 he said.
Vaziri色视频下载檚 personal experience highlighted the critical assistance the fund provides during challenging times, allowing students to overcome financial obstacles and continue their education.
色视频下载淲hen I couldn色视频下载檛 afford a flight home, the university stepped in, providing the financial help I needed,色视频下载 he said. 色视频下载淚t色视频下载檚 a testament to how alumni and donor support can make a real difference in a student色视频下载檚 life during tough times.色视频下载
The overwhelming success of Giving Tuesday at UAF echoes the spirit of collective goodwill that inspired the creation of this essential fund.
色视频下载淲e are just so grateful to everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday and showed support in this way 色视频下载 investing in the educational goals of Nanook Nation,色视频下载 Van Flein added. 色视频下载淚t色视频下载檚 inspiring.色视频下载