Friday Focus: ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns’ generosity empowers ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ
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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns who empower so many wonderful accomplishments here at the University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Fairbanks.
Since July 1, 976 donors, including 265 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ alumni and ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ businesses, have donated more than $3 million to support ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵns 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ. 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ. 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ to our donors throughout ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 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 ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ’s leadership team every week.