The University of Alaska Anchorage’s College of Business and Public Policy has become a finance education hub. What began as a vision has become a reality thanks to generous philanthropic support. As visitors enter the building, they are met by an impressive stock ticker in the lobby, and on the second floor, eyes are drawn to the frosted glass windows of the First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab. The state-of-the-art lab provides students with access to industry data sources and software and serves as a space for students involved with the Seawolf Investment Fund to make decisions.
After nearly half a century of giving to UA, First National Bank Alaska chose to make a special gift of just under $500,000 during the For Alaska campaign to position CBPP as a finance education center. The gift established UAA’s First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab, which opened in the fall of 2023 and will serve as a conduit for the state with the vision of interfacing UAA, UAF and UAS business students with access to classes as well as guest lectures.
“For the past century, our bank and the University of Alaska have shared a commitment to serving Alaskans," said Betsy Lawer, board chair, president and CEO of First National Bank Alaska. "My father would take great delight in knowing that this Finance Lab will provide a learning space for students to experience hands-on-opportunities before they enter our workforce. It’s our honor to invest in the university’s focus on producing skilled graduates who are well-prepared to meet Alaska’s workforce demands and become tomorrow’s leaders."
Staff celebrate the opening of the Finance Lab
Celebrating the opening of the First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab
In addition to the capital support, this investment also included new technology equipment for the students and the digital stock ticker located in the Rasmuson Hall lobby that is playing a significant role in preparing Alaska’s next generation of investors. Accounting alumnus and entrepreneur Gary Klopfer, B.B.A. Accounting and Finance '81, UAA, and his wife Jane Cuddy Klopfer gave a $1 million gift to establish the Seawolf Investment Fund, expanding the impact of the new lab facility. Klopfer considers it a privilege to help students, recalling that receiving a scholarship enabled him to complete his degree in the ‘80s. He shared that their gift was "an opportunity for me and Jane to pay it forward and help UAA students and the future business leaders of our state."
Peak Trust Company also contributed to this vision through their support of the Bloomberg Terminals. Students enrolled in CBPP's Student Managed Portfolio are able to gain invaluable hands-on experience through their management of the Seawolf Investment Fund. Students direct investment and portfolio analysis with real money and real stocks through this educational opportunity. Earnings are then used to support student scholarships, conferences and development.
Former CBPP Dean John Nofsinger, who was the champion and visionary of this effort, understood that a comprehensive financial education program must include two essential segments of understanding: a broad-based level of financial literacy and an advanced level of financial education. Nofsinger added, "this comprehensive approach ensures that our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel in the diverse and dynamic field of finance, including robust portions of the financial industry in Alaska."
“The First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab combined with the student Seawolf Investment Fund and other features demonstrate UAA's commitment to being a leader in finance education,” said Chancellor Sean Parnell. “Supported by the generous contributions of our donors, this facility equips UAA students with cutting-edge resources to excel in the financial sector, driving economic and intellectual growth across Alaska, For Alaska."
Together, the major philanthropic investments provide tangible milestones toward creating a leading finance education hub for the UA System.
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Increasing Access to Education, Championing Student Success
Caroline "Carrie" E.B. Lewis had a deep connection to Alaska, having made it her home since the early 1960s after a single visit to the state. A graduate of Tufts University, she was trained as a medical tech. An avid alpine skier, she bragged that she was one of the first outsiders to ski at Alyeska, later joining the ski patrol. Despite her modest lifestyle, Lewis was a generous philanthropist, primarily supporting education and health care initiatives. Her motivation was clear: she was driven by a desire to support Alaskans, make education attainable and ultimately improve the quality of life for her fellow Alaskans.
Investing in Success with UAA's College of Engineering
Two successful University of Alaska Anchorage engineering graduates, Jan van den Top, ’72, and Ted Trueblood, ’80, have each created endowments for UAA's College of Engineering, providing perpetual funding to ensure the college's and its students' success.
Jan van den Top
Jan van den Top, a mechanical engineer, received his master's degree from UAA while employed by a local engineering firm. He has made significant investments in UAA over the years, sharing, "When I first came to Alaska, the UAA community was such a great help for me. It was really influential for my career. Now, I want to do my part to provide the tools that UAA needs to be successful."
Originally from the Netherlands, van den Top's philosophy of providing people with the tools they need for success stems from his experiences in Kenya while working with the Netherlands Volunteer Organization. He and his wife Jeri later settled in Alaska, where her parents lived. He built and operated a successful mechanical contracting firm, The Superior Group Inc., for over 40 years and has now retired.
“Now, I want to do my part to provide the tools that UAA needs to be successful.”
Van den Top's endowment supports UAA's mechanical engineering program, ensuring it remains at the forefront of teaching and research. The college renamed the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Lab in his honor. Additionally, The Superior Group Inc., now employee-owned thanks to van den Top's efforts, established a scholarship for engineering students in his honor.
Ted Trueblood
Ted Trueblood, who used his money from the GI Bill to earn a master's degree in civil engineering from UAA, has had a distinguished career in engineering. A decorated military veteran, he worked with the Alaska Railroad before becoming CEO of Tryck Nyman Hayes Inc., an Anchorage engineering firm. Trueblood and his wife, Gloria, have been loyal donors to UAA for nearly three decades and are strong advocates for education. "Education is paramount," said Trueblood. "From my perspective, you can't start cutting class sizes and offerings without thinking about how it impacts the rest of the state, the public and the consumers of our products."
Together, they established the Ted and Gloria Trueblood Endowment to support Arctic engineering research, provide scholarship awards for graduate students and help students prepare for engineering licensure exams. The college named the Ted and Gloria Trueblood Cold Regions Engineering lab to honor the couple's generosity.
Through their accomplishments, van den Top and Trueblood demonstrate the value of engineering education from UAA and exemplify the impact of philanthropy, ensuring future generations of engineering students have the resources they need to succeed.
Joining Together to Change the Lives of Nursing Students
Health care in Alaska is at a critical crossroads, with increasing demands and staffing challenges for health providers. Prior to current-day circumstances, faculty members Tina DeLapp, Judy Petersen and Patti Hong knew firsthand that students often leave school due to financial constraints and the demands of balancing work, school and family. Recognizing the ongoing need for health care in Alaska, but also for scholarship support, they came together in 1997 to establish what is now called the Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund.
The three women initiated a fundraising drive in 2018, and thanks to numerous donors, including a significant gift from the Alaska Kidney Foundation, the scholarship was permanently endowed. By 2020, the fund was providing one $1,000 scholarship annually. Another fundraising drive was launched with the goal of being able to provide ten $1,000 scholarships by 2025. They reached their goal in 2023.
The scarcity of nurses often necessitates hiring travel nurses, a costly short-term solution that escalates health care expenses in the long run. To help bridge the gap and meet the growing demand for skilled nurses, the University of Alaska Anchorage offers two undergraduate nursing programs (A.A.S., B.S.N.) and three graduate degrees (M.S., G.C., D.N.P.). The various UAA nursing degree programs are offered in 15 locations across the state.
For Ellie Smardo, the scholarship was a lifeline during a period of financial difficulty.
“I had a huge sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be in school and achieve my long-held goal of becoming a nurse,” Smardo said. Smardo was the first recipient of the UAA School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship in 2019-20. “When you invest in good nurses, you’re directly investing in the community.” Her statement underscores the heightened importance of health care and nursing that became more visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Raina Bjerke, a 2022-23 recipient of the scholarship and an Alaska Native, decided to pursue nursing during the pandemic when she was laid off from her work.
“I enjoy patient care and am able to carry my compassion and empathy into rooms where people need it most,” she said. “I love Alaska and plan to remain in the state. I was raised in a small village and know firsthand the need for rural care while maintaining cultural compassion and awareness.”
Joseph Sadley received the scholarship in 2021-22 and is grateful for the support from donors. The scholarship allowed him to continue supporting his family while working part-time and completing his coursework.
“The Endowed Nursing Scholarship provides someone the opportunity to have a little piece of mind, enabling focused study,” Sadley said. “Thank you so much for your generosity. It has made a difference for my family and me. I will aim to extend that generosity through service and contribution.”
Established almost 30 years ago, DeLapp, Petersen and Hong paved the way for student support and retention of health care workers in Alaska. These visionaries, with the help of other generous donors along the way, demonstrate what it looks like to make a life-changing difference not only for students, but for health care provided to Alaskans.
Major Investment Advances Research Economic/Fiscal Policy Research and Expands Business Education
Alumni, community partners and friends help make the University of Alaska the vibrant institution it is.
“Northrim Bank’s dedication to Alaska is evident in its extensive engagement with the university,” said Tlisa Northcutt, interim president of the University of Alaska Foundation. “In addition to their generous financial contributions, we have benefited greatly from the active involvement of the bank’s leaders and employees on advisory and alumni boards, as well as the foundation board.” Northrim Bank is among many businesses statewide that employ UA alumni.
A steadfast supporter of the University of Alaska system, Northrim Bank’s annual giving to UAA, UAF and UAS also includes funding for six community campuses where Northrim employees live and work: Sitka Campus (UAS), Ketchikan Campus (UAS), Kodiak College (UAA), Mat-Su College (UAA), Kenai Peninsula College (UAA) and Northwest Campus in Nome (UAF). Northrim Bank has two endowed scholarships at UA: one in memory of Chris Knudson, a founding executive, and one in honor of Northrim’s founder, Marc Langland.
In addition, Northrim Bank chose to provide a special For Alaska campaign gift of $150,000 to fund areas of UA that advance research on Alaska’s economy and fiscal policy, expand business education and build entrepreneurship capacity through the UAA College of Business and Public Policy Excellence Fund and the UAF College of Business and Security Management Student Support Fund.
“Northrim Bank’s dedication to Alaska is evident in its extensive engagement with the university.”
Expressing gratitude, University of Alaska President Pat Pitney recognizes that Northrim Bank has been a dedicated partner for more than three decades with the UA system, investing in business education across each of the universities. “Private philanthropy is essential for the UA system to meet its mission, and Northrim’s strategic generosity has yielded educational excellence, scholarships and opportunities for students to study while staying close to home,” President Pitney said.
Relationships such as the one between UA and Northrim Bank demonstrate a “connection between the research, technical support and education provided by the University of Alaska system and the economic future of our state,” said Joe Schierhorn, chairman of Northrim Bank. “Higher education is the backbone of a strong community and Northrim is proud to support the work of the University of Alaska.”
"Growing up, my family was lower-middle class. I knew that if I wanted to go to college I would need to earn a scholarship unless I wanted to spend a very long time in debt the way my parents had to,” said Victoria Dugan, ’26, who is studying finance. Opportunities like those provided by Northrim make an incredible difference for students and future economic leaders.
Preparing Students to Meet Increasing Global Demand for Aquaculture and Mariculture Careers
Thanks in part to dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students across Alaska, enrollment in University of Alaska Southeast's Applied Fisheries is at its strongest. The At-sea Processors Association provides scholarships to help high school students explore potential careers and complete the Fisheries Technology Occupational Endorsement in Fisheries Management and other college-credit courses at UAS. APA’s generosity has been instrumental in the success of Applied Fisheries’ dual-enrollment program, with nearly 300 UAS students benefiting from APA’s support to date. The University of Alaska Fairbanks also significantly benefits from APA’s contributions in support of research.
At-sea Processors Association is a trade association of five member companies that own and operate catcher/processor vessels and are committed to minimizing fishing impacts on the environment. They work with fishery managers, scientists, environmentalists, and other industries to achieve this outcome. As donors to both UAS and UAF, members of APA have advocated for and utilized the Education Tax Credit program in Alaska.
The Education Tax Credit program, first established in 1987 by the Legislature, encourages private businesses to make charitable contributions to support schools in Alaska. This has resulted in highly effective partnerships between businesses, the university, and the state - leading to charitable contributions toward student scholarships, research, centers of excellence, facilities and much more.
Stephanie Madsen, executive director of APA and a member of the UA Foundation Board of Directors, regularly advocates for the ETC, once saying, “Since 2000, this program has allowed the members of APA to invest in programs ranging from undergraduate and graduate fellowships, to research addressing current fishery management concerns, to technical training for youth.”
With extensive coastline, waters, and marine resources, Alaska requires a range of associated professionals. University of Alaska Southeast’s Applied Fisheries program offers numerous fields of study designed to prepare students for careers in various industries. Students can choose between occupational endorsement, certification, and degree-track options in the program, which is located at the UAS Sitka campus.
Urgent Need for a Construction Workforce Bridges Industry and the University
Skilled construction workers are critical to building and maintaining Alaska’s infrastructure and there is a tremendous need for professionals in this area – both now and into the future. “As a long-time industry leader, donor, and University of Alaska Foundation board member, I’m concerned about the extreme shortage of workforce for construction management in Alaska,” wrote Meg Nordale, president of GHEMM Company, Inc. and current chair of the University of Alaska Foundation’s Board of Directors. In 2022 when Nordale shared this concern, she envisioned further partnership with the university “to develop a plan to address Alaska’s Construction Management workforce needs.”
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney also recognized the importance and necessity of training and growing Alaska’s workforce. Together, Pitney and Nordale built a team to address the Construction Management Workforce Initiative. Nordale became the facilitator of the initiative’s committee, composed of construction industry representatives, community members, and UA employees – with representation from each of the construction programs at UAF, UAA, and UAS.
Dedicated to addressing Alaska's extreme shortage of construction workforce, the committee focused on remedies to overcome the labor shortage: boosting awareness of related career pathways, increasing enrollment and program accessibility for traditional and non-traditional students, further aligning programs, and strengthening program resources to provide students with job-skill readiness.
To kick off this initiative, longtime donors and UA advocates Helga and Bill Watterson '64, who earned his B.S. in civil engineering from UAF, contributed $50,000 and challenged the construction industry to meet/exceed their generous contribution. As an employer, Watterson Construction Company values UA’s graduates and boasts an average tenure of 14 years within the company, emphasizing that UA graduates are more likely to stay in Alaska. Over the course of two years, nearly $900,000 was invested to support this initiative. Industry and individual donors contributed $492,000 in new dollars and internship support, while President Pitney directly committed $400,000 in university funds to this important priority.
Industry members came together to advocate for Alaska’s construction workforce needs and, in turn, the university's programs collaborated to increase capacity and the number of graduates entering the workforce. These efforts resulted in significant enrollment increases in construction programs at UAA, UAF and UAS over the past year.
Furthermore, with Associated General Contractors of Alaska (AGC)’s leadership gift of $200,000 in July 2024, a new endowment has been established which will provide essential funding for construction programs across the state in perpetuity. Reaching this ambitious milestone wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the generosity of individual donors and industry partners.
Reflecting on the momentum generated by this initiative, AGC Executive Director Alicia Amberg said, “The Construction Management Initiative brought the university alongside the industry to address a significant workforce shortage that will impact all Alaskans. Our ability to partner alongside the university has strengthened relationships and, as we celebrate this success, we look forward to this endowment making an impact into the future.”
AGC has supported engineering and construction programs at UA for twenty years, giving more than half a million dollars to programs at UAA, UAF and UAS. The new endowment ensures support that will extend in perpetuity.
