Friday Focus: �ֻ�ֱ��ns’ generosity empowers UAF

A woman holds a bidding paddle up during the 2024 Blue & Gold event held at the �ֻ�ֱ�� campus on Sept. 14, 2024. — UAF photo by Eric Engman
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 students 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 �ֻ�ֱ��ns who empower so many wonderful accomplishments here at the �ֻ�ֱ��.

Since July 1, 976 donors, including 265 UAF alumni and �ֻ�ֱ�� businesses, have donated more than $3 million to support UAF students 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 students toward their goals.

Here are just a few of the tremendous ways in which �ֻ�ֱ��ns 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 students 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 �ֻ�ֱ��. 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 �ֻ�ֱ��.

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 students, 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 �ֻ�ֱ�� 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 �ֻ�ֱ�� 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.