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.
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Increasing Access to Education, Championing Student Success
Caroline “Carrie” E.B. Lewis
Lewis began contributing anonymously to the University of Alaska Anchorage through her donor-advised fund, with the only restriction on her giving being “no bricks or mortar.” First-generation student scholarships were a priority of the chancellor at the time, and Carrie’s annual contributions supported that effort. She enjoyed hearing the stories of impact through the thank you letters she received from scholarship students and chose to endow the First-Generation Student Scholarship Fund in 2012. At the same time, she also created the Alaska Endowment for Excellence, a fund that’s only restriction was, again, “no bricks or mortar.” She wanted the chancellor to have the flexibility to respond to evolving high-priority and pressing needs within the university community.
Upon her passing in 2020 at the age of 90, Lewis left an incredible legacy gift in excess of $16 million, devoted to ensuring access to education and supporting student success through two endowments she had previously established.
In honor of Lewis, UAA is utilizing the funds to support its aspiration of putting students first. The Learning Commons, a collaborative peer-to-peer learning initiative that provides tutoring and coaching at no cost to students, is one area benefiting from Lewis' generosity. The Learning Commons' outreach includes the Writing Center, Math Lab, Communication & Presentation Coaching, English Language Learning support, and subject-specific tutoring. Both in-person and online support is available through the program.
The Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing program is another area receiving Lewis’ support. The RRANN program supports Alaska Natives and American Indians through their nursing education to increase the number of highly skilled and culturally competent nurses and promote positive change to improve the quality of health care within Alaska communities.
Lewis' transformative gifts illustrate her devotion to higher education in Alaska. Roberta "Bobi" Rinehart, UAA director of development, emphasized that Lewis "wanted to help more Alaskans pursue their academic dreams in their home state,” and that is what she did. Said Rinehart, “We are humbled to have the opportunity to carry her vision forward."
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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.
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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, 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, 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.
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First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab Equips Students to Excel in the Field of Finance
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."
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Celebrating ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Impact on STEM in Alaska
As one of the largest donors to the For Alaska campaign and notably established as the University of Alaska’s single largest philanthropic contributor – ConocoPhillips Alaska has given nearly $46 million over more than four decades, uplifting a broad array of programs throughout the state. Additionally, ConocoPhillips Alaska employees have given UA the gift of their time, serving in critical advisory, mentorship and leadership roles.
"ConocoPhillips Alaska values our longstanding relationship with UA,” shared Stephanie Erickson, ConocoPhillips Alaska Prudhoe Bay area manager and member of the UA Foundation Board of Directors. “By empowering students to solve real-world problems, together, we strengthen our workforce, our economy and our communities. We are proud to have so many graduates become our employees through the University of Alaska’s education-to-workforce programs."
Students who have benefited from ConocoPhillips Alaska’s generosity are now industry workers, critical thinkers and leaders in a wide range of professions. In addition to supporting engineering, geology and mining at both universities, ConocoPhillips Alaska also supports tomorrow's future workforce by investing in bridging programs, including Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) and GeoFORCE Alaska at UAF and the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) at UAA.
“By empowering students to solve real-world problems, together, we strengthen our workforce, our economy and our communities. We are proud to have so many graduates become our employees through the University of Alaska’s education-to-workforce programs."
ANSEP aims to foster success for Alaska Native students in science and engineering and provides a continuum of support from kindergarten through graduate school. This comprehensive approach ensures that students receive consistent guidance and opportunities at every academic level.
“ConocoPhillips Alaska has been a long-term ANSEP strategic partner that has helped grow our longitudinal program from kindergarten to the Ph.D. while also being a generous matching partner for our ANSEP Alumni Scholarship Fundraiser,” said Matt Calhoun, executive director for ANSEP.
ConocoPhillips Alaska also supports STEM education and experiences for youth through their steadfast support of UAA’s Summer Engineering Academies, UAF Science Olympiad and the UAF Engineering Open House. Throughout the years, they have made a difference in a diverse range of departments, programs and areas – from athletics to culinary arts, finance, equipment and facilities, and more.
“You are truly helping the future of Alaska and there are few worthier investments,” RAHI 2018 graduate Olivia Carroll said, “We all appreciate your generosity and service to Alaska.”
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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.
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Bringing a Vision to Life: the UA Museum of the North Bowhead Whale
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."
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