IJͼ photo by Eric Engman.
UAF Alumni Association board members tour the UAF Student Success Center during their
spring 2025 meeting. Back row from left are Ryan Tilbury ‘99, ‘04, ‘10; Theresa Bakker,
UAFAA executive director; Thomas Farrugia ‘18; Darryl Lewis, Sr. ‘88; Jennifer Tilbury
‘00, ‘03, UAF associate vice provost for student success; Rhonda Widener ‘01; and
Mischa Ellanna ‘95. Front row, from left, are Valerie Demming ‘75, ‘84 and Lorna Shaw
‘96, ‘05.
Imagery and photos courtesy of alumni unless otherwise noted. Information is courtesy of alumni and public sources.
Jacquelin Grebmeier ‘87 of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has received a , the highest honor bestowed by the to recognize exemplary faculty achievement.
Jacquelin is one of several scientists at the state-supported Solomons Laboratory who conducts field research in the Arctic. For 40 years, she has specialized in understanding how ecosystems at high latitudes are responding to climate warming and the loss of sea ice.
Jacquelin completed her Ph.D. in biological oceanography at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She holds an M.M.A. in marine resource management from the University of Washington in Seattle, an M.S. in biology from Stanford University and a B.A. in zoology from the University of California, Davis.
Carla Browning.
Carla Browning ‘93, was elected to serve as the Public Relations Society of America, Alaska Chapter, president for 2025. The statewide organization of public relations and communication professionals was established in 1976 to connect communications professionals working in the Last Frontier. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.
Carla is the UAF onboarding and engagement manager. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from UAS and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from UAF.
Gwendolyn Womack ‘94, after graduating UAF, went on to receive an M.F.A. in directing theater and film from the California Institute of the Arts. Afterward, she developed feature screenplays and now writes novels. Her fourth book, “,” is a thriller and her young-adult genre debut.
Sally Caldwell ‘00 has extended her retirement career into a part-time counseling for parents and grandparents having challenges with minor and adult children. She also provides professional consultation for colleagues in the field.
Sally is beginning a new chapter, reviving a past short career in journalism and creative writing. She writes a column for AlaskaPulse, a monthly health and wellness insert in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and is published in online parenting magazines. She participates in activities of the local chapter of the Alaska Writers Guild and enjoys their writer’s group gatherings in the new UAF Writing Center in the new Student Success Center. She “loves seeing the growth at UAF.”
“UAF is the home campus for the UA system, and my car wears a UAF sticker in the rear window,” she said.
Kyle Hopkins ‘00 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from University of Alaska Anchorage during fall 2024 commencement.
After earning his B.A. degree in journalism, Kyle worked for small newspapers across Alaska. He is now a special projects editor for the Anchorage Daily News.
In 2020, Kyle and the Daily News, in collaboration with ProPublica, received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the “Lawless” series, which exposed flaws in Alaska’s public safety system.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Alaska journalist Kyle Hopkins receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during UAA’s fall 2024 commencement.
Kyle Hopkins visits with, from left, his mother Marie Hopkins, niece Emily Brubaker, sister Amber Brubaker ‘97, children Evan and Poppy, and wife Rebecca Palsha ‘04.
Cameron Poindexter ‘07, ‘08, ‘16 has been named one of the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s 2025 Top Forty Under 40, an honor recognizing outstanding professionals under 40 who demonstrate excellence in their careers and a strong commitment to their communities.
Cameron currently serves as the president and CEO of Choggiung Ltd. Prior to this role, he managed the Bristol Bay Development Fund at Bristol Bay Native Corp. and held various positions at First National Bank Alaska.
An alumnus of the University of Alaska system, Cameron earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage and his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in management and organizations from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Cameron’s leadership and dedication to economic growth and community empowerment continue to make a meaningful impact across Alaska.
Lisa Kangas ‘08 has been recognized as one of Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40 for her outstanding contributions as a professional and leader. As an environmental coordinator for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Lisa is celebrated for more than 13 years of dedicated service across the trans-Alaska oil pipeline system.
Known for her innovative mindset and commitment to sustainable practices, Lisa plays a critical role in preserving Alaska’s natural resources. She’s a trusted advocate for responsible environmental management and a valued mentor within the company.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Master of Science in environmental science from the University of Idaho. She is an alumna of several leadership development programs, including the UAF Rural Alaska Honors Institute, Doyon Leadership Academy, Alyeska’s Building Foundations for Excellence Program and Alyeska University.
Committed to giving back, Lisa mentors participants in Alyeska’s development programs, promotes STEM education for Indigenous youth through the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and serves on Alyeska’s Alaska Native Program Advisory Board.
Sean Walklin
Sean Walklin ‘16 has been recognized as one of Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40, an honor that celebrates young professionals who are making a significant impact in their fields and communities.
As associate professor and program chair for the IJͼ Community and Technical College culinary arts and hospitality program, and director of applied professional studies, Walklin has become a cornerstone in Alaska's culinary education landscape. His innovative leadership and commitment to workforce development have shaped academic programming and the future of culinary arts in the Fairbanks area.
He is a passionate advocate for student success, mentoring aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals with the same care and enthusiasm he brings to his own work. His community involvement, including service on the UAF Faculty Senate, reflects his deep commitment to higher education and civic engagement.
Larenzo Graham ‘17 has returned to UAF and is a first-year academic advising specialist in the Student Success Center. A proud Fairbanskan and former Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball standout, Larenzo brings a wealth of leadership experience supporting students, youths and adults in various educational and community settings.
After receiving his degree in communications, he went on to play professional basketball in Armenia for the 2020-2021 season.
Isaac Ladines ‘17, ‘19 earned his professional engineer credential earlier this year. He works as a site design engineer in the Civil Engineering Department at Design Alaska, where he contributes to both new and existing construction projects.
When he’s not designing, Isaac enjoys playing disc golf around Fairbanks, where he lives with his wife, Cassi Ladines ‘16, ‘17, ‘19, and their son, Eli.
Daniel Nova Brower ‘21 has been an engineering technician for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities since his graduation from UAF. He has published his memoir, “Feet First Into Hell,” describing his experiences invading Iraq with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. The from Todd Communications.
In memoriam
View a list of alumni and friends whose passage has been shared with us since the previous issue of Aurora.