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Celebrating ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Impact on STEM in Alaska

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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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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.

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“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.

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Learn more at about the UA Arctic Leadership Initiative.

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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.”

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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.”

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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."

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"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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