A massive skeleton of a bowhead whale on display in a museum
Economy
Education
Research
Workforce

Bringing a Vision to Life: the UA Museum of the North Bowhead Whale

<<Back to Stories

The University of Alaska Museum of the North attracts more than 85,000 visitors annually. UAMN’s mission combines research and teaching, and it boasts one of the largest marine mammal collections in the world, even larger than the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. 

This is a story of a long-standing vision, starting with a bowhead whale that was harvested in Utqiaġvik in 1963. Its skeleton was subsequently donated to the museum and its skull  put on display in the museum's Gallery of Alaska in 1984. Displaying the entire articulated skeleton had long been a museum goal. Ultimately, it was made possible thanks to a significant gift from the Bill Stroecker Foundation in 2018. 

Stroecker, a Fairbanks local who passed away in 2010, ardently supported the University of Alaska Fairbanks and UAMN. The foundation he established through his estate gifted nearly $1M to the museum, allowing the meticulous bone-by-bone cleaning and restoration of the skeleton to begin in 2020. The 42-foot skeleton, which is the length of a bowling lane and weighs close to one ton, also required structural modifications to the ceiling of the museum's lobby. Mounting the skeleton to the steel armature and suspending it from the lobby ceiling took months of work, culminating in the grand opening in June, 2021.

"Bill Stroecker cared passionately about Fairbanks and the things that brought our community together," said UAF Chancellor Dan White. "The Stroecker Foundation made the bowhead whale display in the UAMN possible, and now the whale has become a centerpiece for the museum that meets Bill's vision for lifting up our community. I am so grateful for the Stroecker Foundation's continued support of UAF."

Museum Director Patrick Druckenmiller emphasized the uniqueness of the exhibit saying, "a single gift from the Bill Stroecker Foundation made possible the most jaw-dropping exhibit in the museum: a fully articulated bowhead whale skeleton suspended from the museum atrium, the only display of its kind in North America. When visitors first enter the museum, they are immediately greeted and awed by the size and beauty of this specimen."

Thanks to its placement in the multi-story lobby, visitors to the museum can view the skeleton from above, below, and from the right side. The skeleton is accompanied by interpretive panels that emphasize the important role bowhead whales play in both Alaska Native culture and marine ecosystems.

"This gift exemplifies alignment between a donor's vision and the museum's goals, creating a truly win-win relationship for all."

Druckenmiller delved into the significance of the bowhead whale, sharing that "bowhead whales are denizens of the Arctic Ocean and are a keystone species of marine ecosystems. They are equally important to the spiritual and cultural health of Inupiat people, who rely on bowheads as a critical food resource. The goal of this exhibit is to highlight the connections between the natural and cultural significance of this remarkable species in a singular, captivating exhibit. It is highlighted in Family Day events, in docent-led school tours, and adult education offerings. It is also seen by visitors from all corners of the globe, most of whom will never visit the Arctic to see the animal in its natural setting."

Druckenmiller added, "Philanthropic giving is central to our museum's success, and the Bill Stroecker Foundation gift highlights how generosity is converted into impact. In many instances, private giving makes possible exhibits and programming that are otherwise very difficult to fund through conventional sources. This gift exemplifies alignment between a donor's vision and the museum's goals, creating a truly win-win relationship for all."

A massive skeleton of a bowhead whale on display in a museum
A field trip of elementary aged students, viewing the bowhead whale
A field trip of elementary aged students, viewing the bowhead whale
No items found.
Click thumbnail to view full image
No items found.
Click thumbnail to view full image

related stories

Read more UAF stories

Large group of RAHI student in a green field posing for a photo
College Preparation Program Helps Transition Between Rural High Schools and Urban Colleges

Denise Wartes served as a pillar for the Rural Alaska Honors Institute for 33 years, first as an assistant and then as the program manager until her retirement in 2019. A very passionate advocate, Wartes started with RAHI in 1989, six years after its inception, and saw multiple generations of lives changed through the 6-week program that welcomes rural and Alaska Native students to attend a college preparation program on the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Troth Yeddha’ Campus.

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute fosters student success, providing youth with an experience that blends academia, community involvement, outdoor recreation, and preparation for the transition between rural high schools and urban colleges. Each cohort typically brings together 50 students from across rural Alaska in the summer following their junior or senior year of high school. Students get a headstart of up to 10 credits over six weeks in subjects that have historically included Indigenous Cultures of Alaska, biomedical research, math, process technology, writing and more.

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute depends on private support and partnerships, with about sixty-percent of program expenses funded by outside donors – including individuals, Alaska Native Corporations and industry partners. Recognizing this, Wartes, together with her late husband, Mark, established The Denise and Mark Wartes Rural Alaska Honors Institute Endowment, which is the only endowment dedicated to RAHI. The endowment primarily supports scholarships and also allows for flexible spending; it can provide direct program support when not used for scholarships. Wartes intentionally made that decision, wanting the fund to be as open as possible to meet the program's critical needs. 

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story
A Native student working on a piece of Indigenous woodworking art
Honoring a Legacy by Supporting Students with a Concentration in Native Art

Alaska Native artist Ronald Senungetuk was a sculptor, silversmith and woodcarver of international acclaim. Born in the village of Wales, Senungetuk began his career at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as an art professor in the early 1960s. In 1965, he established the Alaska Native Arts program and became the director of the Native Arts Center. In 1977, he was promoted to chair of UAF's Department of Art, a position he would retain until retiring in 1986. UAF paid tribute to the impact of Senungetuk and his career by honoring him with emeritus status upon his retirement and with an honorary doctorate of fine arts in 2015. In 2020, he passed away at the age of 86.

The Ron Senungetuk Art Endowed Scholarship was established by Turid Senungetuk and the family to honor her husband's legacy at UAF. The scholarship supports undergraduate or graduate students with a concentration in Native Art. UAF, a pioneer in Native Arts education, offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in Native Arts, a distinction shared by only a few universities in the U.S. It is also the sole school in Alaska to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in this field.

The Native Arts Center provides a forum for visiting Alaska Native artists and offers studio space equipped with Indigenous and contemporary tools. Senungetuk was a world-renowned artist but considered the Center one of his most outstanding achievements. Since its inception, the Center has been instrumental in paving the way for higher education for rural Alaska Native artists.

Current Department Chair and Professor of Native Art, Da-ka-xeen Mehner, greatly appreciates the Senungetuk family's generosity in supporting students. Financial support makes a lasting impact, enabling students to further their education and craft. Mehner noted how forward-thinking it was for the family to not restrict the scholarship to Native Art majors, but to open it to students with a concentration in Native Art.

The Ron Senungetuk Art Endowed Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2023-24. The inaugural recipient was Christopher Ehlers. Ehlers developed his passion for wood carving after taking Native Art classes at UAF. Ehlers’ work is highlighted in these images.

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story
UAF students paddling in canoes
The UAF Climate Scholars Program: Where Creativity and Science Meet to Save the Planet

As the northernmost research university in the nation, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is at the forefront of climate change research, a commitment that is evident throughout many areas. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is pioneering a new path with the Climate Scholars Program, a unique initiative housed in the Honors College. The first of its kind in Alaska and the United States, the program stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, bridging the arts, humanities, and sciences. And it captures the attention of more than just prospective students.

University of Alaska Fairbanks alum Linda Schandelmeier '71 serves on the program’s advisory council. She and her husband, John Davies '70, '75, who also served as a UA Regent (2015-2023), established a scholarship to support students in the program. Their reasoning, as Schandelmeier explained, was the belief that “the incredible students in this program will become leaders in developing innovative solutions to address climate change. They are motivated and driven to create the change our world needs right now. I feel like I am doing a small part to address the climate crisis and am grateful that we have teachers and students doing real work to that end.” 

Davies noted, “It feels good to be able to give back to a school that has given so much to us, we are excited to be able to help support students who are also focused on a wide range of climate issues, including food security, because we see these students as future game-changers in addressing this existential threat to our world.”

The program offers undergraduate students experiential learning opportunities focused on climate change, many of which take place outside of the traditional classroom. For instance, Climate Scholars have conducted studies at the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research site or participated in NASA’s eclipse-tracking balloon project. Connecting students with leading research experts prepares Climate Scholars for in-demand careers in climate change, from clean energy development, to policy making, to advocacy and education.

Of all the challenges facing humanity and the world, rapid environmental change has the attention of today’s students. The fast-growing program at UAF has nearly 300 participants and is expected to eventually reach 1,000. 

University of Alaska Fairbanks Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Anupma Prakash said the gifts from Schandelmeier, Davies and other program donors have been awe-inspiring. “Saying that we are grateful doesn't completely cover it. It is meaningful to know that what we’re doing is inspiring people who care about students to give back in this way.”

The success of the Climate Scholars Program is not solely measured by its rapid growth. Prakash said it’s also reflected in the students leaving with the feeling that they have the skills and opportunities they need in order to make a meaningful difference.

Photo courtesy Dirk Rohrbach

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story

Read More About This Topic

UAA engineering student working with equipment in a lab
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

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

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.

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story
A student in cap and gown smiling while sitting during her commencement ceremony
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.

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story
A nursing student in scrubs doing some studying
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. 

Economy
Education
Research
Workforce
Read Story