Friday Focus: ³ÉÈËӰƬns’ generosity empowers UAF
Tracy Vanairsdale, president of Bettisworth North Architects and Planners Inc., and a member of the chancellor's Board of Advisors, holds up her bidder's paddle at the Blue & Gold Banquet and Fundraising Auction at Dine 49 on the UAF campus on Sept. 14, 2024.
— By Tom Hough, executive director of University Advancement
As our ³ÉÈËӰƬ prepare for final exams next week and make ready for the much-deserved holiday break with family and friends, it is worth taking a few moments to reflect upon the tremendous generosity of ³ÉÈËӰƬns who empower so many wonderful accomplishments here at the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks.
Since July 1, 976 donors, including 265 UAF alumni and ³ÉÈËӰƬ businesses, have donated more than $3 million to support UAF ³ÉÈËӰƬ and programs. These gifts have made an immediate impact on our entire community — everything from athletic events to concerts —and, most importantly, have propelled our ³ÉÈËӰƬ toward their goals.
Here are just a few of the tremendous ways in which ³ÉÈËӰƬns supported our university in the past year, as well as opportunities for each of us to continue the spirit of giving in 2025:
Forty-nine hours of record-breaking generosity in March 2024 resulted in $706,286 from 1,006 donors supporting UAF. Seventy different businesses and individuals sponsored giving challenges that directly impacted the lives of our ³ÉÈËӰƬ and helped everyone in our community enjoy the quality of life that comes with having a world-class university in Fairbanks. If you donated during Giving Day, your generosity improved the quality of life for our community through education, athletics, arts and outreach in ³ÉÈËӰƬ. If you are interested in being a part of 49 hours of giving in March 2025, now is the time to connect with us and challenge others to match your generosity. When you create a challenge, you determine exactly where your gift will impact the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks.
At our annual fall Blue & Gold Celebration this year, we exceeded our goal and raised $160,000 for scholarships in just one night. We were also entertained by the very first UAF alumni band composed of ³ÉÈËӰƬ, faculty and staff. It's one heck of a party, and you don’t want to miss out. We have already set a date for Sept. 27, 2025. (picture from Blue and Gold)
The University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks is on the move, and big things are happening. In this next year, nothing may be bigger than our No. 1 priority, the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. This fundraising campaign will enable UAF to create a home for the nation’s first College of Indigenous Studies at a public university. Visit the website to learn how you can get involved.
As we wrap up another great year, a tremendous thank you from all of us at UAF to our donors throughout ³ÉÈËӰƬ and around the world. All the great things happening here are because of you! We can’t wait to see you in 2025. Go ’Nooks!
Friday Focus is written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week.