A proponent of research, Richard Nyman was known for his integrity, generosity and kindness. Originally from Michigan, Nyman was a long-time Alaskan. He knew the work being done at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Institute of Northern Engineering was critical to Alaskan industries and often spoke fondly with his wife, UAA alumna Jan Blanchard ’93, of his UAF memories.
Nyman’s remarkable journey included studying mining briefly at UAF in the 1950s. After working in heavy equipment and contributing to the construction of ice roads across the North Slope, he founded Nyman Equipment and was considered a leading contractor for the seismic oil exploration on the North Slope.
Richard (Dick) Nyman stands near the trail at Anchorage’s Westchester Lagoon in May 2010. Photo courtesy of Jan Blanchard.
As the research arm of UAF's College of Engineering and Mines, INE is home to numerous centers at the forefront of cold weather and cold climate science and engineering. Following a visit to campus with Jan in 2014, Nyman was inspired and wanted to support the innovation and new technologies developed at INE, as well as the transfer and practical application of intellectual property into companies in the private sector. Soon after, the Richard W. Nyman Institute of Northern Engineer Endowment was created. This support also helped fund the UAF Engineering Innovation Grant – providing INE faculty, staff and students with funding to help develop an invention based on UAF technology.
Following Nyman's passing in 2019, UAF continued to benefit from his dedication to northern engineering through an additional gift from Blanchard, which supported equipment purchases and other needed resources. Among the numerous researchers at INE who understand the impact of this support is Dr. Margaret Darrow. Darrow, a professor of geological engineering, leads the work conducted in the Frozen Soil Testing Laboratory in INE's Arctic Infrastructure Development Center. The FROST lab is one-of-a-kind in the United States, and the gift provided funding to enhance and upgrade the lab, including purchasing equipment.
INE research centers include the Arctic Infrastructure Development Center, Mineral Industry Research Lab, Petroleum Development Lab, Water and Environmental Research Center, and numerous workgroups and projects. Another example of how Nyman's and Blanchard’s gifts furthered the work of INE was the purchase of a Dynamic Shear Rheometer for AIDC to aid in predicting the performance outcomes of a wide range of materials, including asphalt. The philanthropic support was pivotal in providing quality control because the acquisition of the DSR helped position AIDC as a leading competitor in pursuing research proposals.
INE also promotes interdisciplinary and collaborative research and looks to increase student involvement in research and development. Such involvement helps UAF graduates at the forefront of numerous engineering fields. In addition to engineers at INE, there are natural scientists, social scientists, and anthropologists, all of whom collaborate to address societal issues. Nyman's and Blanchard’s generosity also supported graduate students, furthering their research opportunities and specific work on INE outreach materials.
The generous contributions from Nyman and Blanchard have greatly improved the experience for students in the benefited program areas, as they have been afforded the opportunity to be more innovative, more competitive in their fields, and more familiar with current equipment and technologies.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2022, with an initial planning gift of $250,000, the Rasmuson Foundation supported the vision and design of the University of Alaska’s Arctic Leadership Initiative. Recently, they announced a $5 million gift to help launch the initiative.
“It’s an ambitious strategic endeavor intended to reshape Alaska’s role in the Arctic and make significant contributions to people living in the Arctic region,” said Tasha Pineda, vice president of strategy for Rasmuson Foundation. “As residents of our nation’s only Arctic state, younger Alaskans are uniquely positioned to lead into the future. This funding will accelerate the development of solutions, innovations, and new economic opportunities for Alaskans across the state.”
For decades, the Rasmuson Foundation has been an early catalyst and investor in big ideas at the University of Alaska. We are grateful for their steadfast support, including being one of the largest donors to the For Alaska campaign.
