Friday Focus: ²ÝÁñÉçÇøns’ generosity empowers ²ÝÁñÉçÇø
Tracy Vanairsdale, president of Bettisworth North Architects and Planners Inc., and a member of the chancellor's Board of Advisors, holds up her bidder's paddle at the Blue & Gold Banquet and Fundraising Auction at Dine 49 on the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø campus on Sept. 14, 2024.
— By Tom Hough, executive director of University Advancement
As our students prepare for final exams next week and make ready for the much-deserved holiday break with family and friends, it is worth taking a few moments to reflect upon the tremendous generosity of ²ÝÁñÉçÇøns who empower so many wonderful accomplishments here at the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks.
Since July 1, 976 donors, including 265 ²ÝÁñÉçÇø alumni and ²ÝÁñÉçÇø businesses, have donated more than $3 million to support ²ÝÁñÉçÇø students and programs. These gifts have made an immediate impact on our entire community — everything from athletic events to concerts —and, most importantly, have propelled our students toward their goals.
Here are just a few of the tremendous ways in which ²ÝÁñÉçÇøns supported our university in the past year, as well as opportunities for each of us to continue the spirit of giving in 2025:
Forty-nine hours of record-breaking generosity in March 2024 resulted in $706,286 from 1,006 donors supporting ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. Seventy different businesses and individuals sponsored giving challenges that directly impacted the lives of our students and helped everyone in our community enjoy the quality of life that comes with having a world-class university in Fairbanks. If you donated during Giving Day, your generosity improved the quality of life for our community through education, athletics, arts and outreach in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. If you are interested in being a part of 49 hours of giving in March 2025, now is the time to connect with us and challenge others to match your generosity. When you create a challenge, you determine exactly where your gift will impact the University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks.
At our annual fall Blue & Gold Celebration this year, we exceeded our goal and raised $160,000 for scholarships in just one night. We were also entertained by the very first ²ÝÁñÉçÇø alumni band composed of students, faculty and staff. It's one heck of a party, and you don’t want to miss out. We have already set a date for Sept. 27, 2025. (picture from Blue and Gold)
The University of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Fairbanks is on the move, and big things are happening. In this next year, nothing may be bigger than our No. 1 priority, the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. This fundraising campaign will enable ²ÝÁñÉçÇø to create a home for the nation’s first College of Indigenous Studies at a public university. Visit the website to learn how you can get involved.
As we wrap up another great year, a tremendous thank you from all of us at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø to our donors throughout ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and around the world. All the great things happening here are because of you! We can’t wait to see you in 2025. Go ’Nooks!
Friday Focus is written by a different member of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’s leadership team every week.