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�IJ�ͼ�� photo by Leif Van Cise.
Nook visits the Student Success Center in the Rasmuson Library to hand out free socks to students and staff as part of UAF Giving Day in 2025.

By Theresa Bakker and Brooke Larson

In a typical spring on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus of UAF, the weather will be both blustery and warm, icy and wet. It’s a time of transition. The northern lights might shimmer and the Arctic wind is sure to blow, shaping both the landscape and our moods. But this year, one thing stood out in contrast to the fickle weather — the steadfast spirit of generosity.

From March 25 to 27, 2025, UAF held its fifth annual Giving Day. Over the course of 49 spirited hours, 1,110 donors came together to raise $812,373 for scholarships, student support programs, scientific research and Alaska Nanooks athletics.

But more than the dollars, it was the people behind the donations who lit up this year’s campaign with purpose and passion.

A rising tide of giving

This year’s event set a new participation milestone for UAF, with donors supporting over 80 unique programs, scholarships and initiatives. It was a clear sign that Nanook Nation continues to grow stronger and more connected.

“This isn’t just about fundraising,” said �IJ�ͼ�� Chancellor Dan White. “It’s about investing in the future of Alaska, empowering the next generation and reaffirming our values as a university. I’m grateful to everyone who came out in support of UAF during Giving Day.”

One of the most powerful stories this year centered on the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, UAF’s top Giving Day fundraising priority. This visionary initiative aims to create a center for Indigenous education, research and community gathering — rooted in the cultural richness of Troth Yeddha’, the Athabascan name for the ridge on which the campus sits.

Fueled by a challenge gift from Chugach Alaska Corp., which pledged a $50,000 gift if 100 donors supported the project, the initiative drew 126 individual donations.

“Today I donated to the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center,” one donor shared on social media. “I believe it is important to study the history of the Indigenous people.” 

A personal challenge from Chancellor White offered an additional $5,000 for the center if 50 donors gave to it on the first day. The center drew that many gifts in just the first eight hours.

White thanked Chugach, a regional Alaska Native corporation, for “providing the momentum to push us even closer to making history with the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center.”

The power of alumni

Another notable achievement was the rise in alumni participation this year, with more than 450 making gifts during Giving Day. Perhaps this alumni boost was no coincidence. For months before the event, staff worked to plan ways to engage both students and alumni. 

On several occasions, the alumni office sponsored event tables where students made videos thanking donors in exchange for a pair of Giving Day socks. 

Another highlight was the “Look for Nook” challenge, held the week prior to Giving Day. Participants scoured UAF’s campuses for hidden stuffed polar bears, each carrying a $250 bonus donation from the UAF Alumni Association to the finder’s chosen Giving Day fund. They also got to keep the Nook.

Ben Roth is an alumnus donor who has been a fan of the Alaska Nanooks since he was a little boy, when his father was the doctor for the basketball team.

“I used to watch the games from the upper stands and often played under the bleachers,” he said. “Later on, I became a swimmer and spent years swimming laps in the Patty pool. I also skied competitively on the UAF and Skarland ski trails and played hockey on campus.”

After watching Alaska Nanook hockey team for over a decade, he joined the team and spent four years on the roster. He said the benefits that Nanook athletic programs give the community’s kids drive him to support these programs today. 

“I’m very grateful for the opportunities and amazing friendships I’ve had due to hockey and the Alaska Nanooks department,” Roth said. “I am also extremely grateful and want to thank all of those people who helped fundraise and support Nanooks athletics through my hockey challenge."

Matching the momentum

Throughout the 49-hour campaign, 85 matching gifts were unlocked, including 14 that were $10,000 or more, thanks to individual donors and business sponsors who rallied behind UAF’s mission. These matches elevated the impact of every dollar and ignited a sense of urgency and opportunity among donors.

Donors hailed from 44 states and several countries, a true testament to the global community of Nanooks who still feel tied to UAF.

Participants weren’t just giving — they were celebrating. The online website hosted pop-up challenges while tracking real-time donations and displaying public social media posts using the hashtag #49HoursForAlaska. Stories from across the state — and across continents — flooded in, showcasing the reach and resonance of UAF’s mission.

UAF’s Giving Day is more than just an annual event — it’s a symbol of unity, pride and shared responsibility. From the expansion of scholarships to strengthening student services, every dollar raised during Giving Day 2025 was a step toward a more empowered and resilient university.

Anna Nevison was the Giving Day social media captain for women's basketball and worked with the Athletics Department to post content across all of the team’s social media channels. She also called and texted alumni to ask for support on their Kinross Alaska challenge. For Nevison, #13 on the women’s basketball team, Giving Day is a very important event in the athletic calendar. 

“It gives our supporters and donors a chance to support many of our different funds that champion every area of our great department,” she said. “Our amazing supporters give athletes like me the opportunity to pursue higher education while playing our sport at the collegiate level. Thank you, Nanook Nation, for your generosity and for making UAF a fantastic place to live, study and play!"

And so, as another Alaska summer springs forth, UAF carries forward the warmth of Giving Day — proof that community shines brightest when it comes together.

Theresa Bakker is director of development and alumni relations for UAF. Brooke Larson is the assistant director of athletics for marketing, sponsorships and fan engagement for UAF.