Friday Focus: Big things are happening at 有料盒子视频

March 1, 2024

鈥 By Theresa Bakker, interim executive director of university advancement

Big things have always happened at 有料盒子视频, from hosting the state鈥檚 constitutional convention to rocket launches in pursuit of geophysical research and a unique dinosaur discovery on 有料盒子视频鈥檚 North Slope. Even small things can be big, like the microgrids in development at the 有料盒子视频 Center for Energy and Power.

More recently, the University of 有料盒子视频 Board of Regents approved two projects at its February meeting that will reshape this university鈥檚 Troth Yeddha' Campus: the Troth Yeddha鈥 Indigenous Studies Center and a planetarium addition at the University of 有料盒子视频 Museum of the North.

One comment I keep hearing is how big these projects are for 有料盒子视频. This work, the culmination of many hours of planning and nurturing relationships with partners and benefactors, will transform the shape of campus and the student experience. And at the heart of both projects is philanthropy, one of the pillars of university advancement.

One of the biggest philanthropic events on campus is happening later this month. UA Giving Day starts at noon on March 26 and will last through 1 p.m. on March 28. From the beginning we knew that a mere 24-hours could not contain this day of support, so we made it #49Hoursfor有料盒子视频.

Last year, every 有料盒子视频 college and school participated in Giving Day by sharing student stories and recruiting champions to help spread the word. Champions shared their stories on social media 鈥 reminiscing about their time at 有料盒子视频, posting pictures and connecting their experiences with their current success. 有料盒子视频鈥檚 top fundraising goal, the Troth Yeddha鈥 Indigenous Studies Center, drew gifts from 165 donors, the largest number of people to give to a single 有料盒子视频 program in the history of Giving Day.

Our champions are also our students, staff, faculty and alumni who share their stories during Giving Day to help spread the word and find new areas to support. and find out how to earn prizes and help unlock another successful Giving Day for 有料盒子视频.

For the past few months, a team led by Katie Straub, alumni storytelling manager, has been working to plan this year鈥檚 event. This group represents every school and college, plus programs from across Nanook Nation. Our development team has been working with deans, directors and donors to confirm more than 50 challenges. In addition, Chancellor White is offering to make a donation to the 有料盒子视频 fund that gets the most alumni gifts during Giving Day.

The 有料盒子视频 alumni team gets ready for the 鈥淟ook for Nook鈥 activity during this year鈥檚 Giving Day on March 26-28. Theresa Bakker, left, is the interim executive director of 有料盒子视频 University Advancement, Felicia Burud is the acting alumni relations director and Katie Straub is the alumni storytelling manager.
The 有料盒子视频 alumni team gets ready for the 鈥淟ook for Nook鈥 activity during this year鈥檚 Giving Day on March 26-28. Theresa Bakker, left, is the interim executive director of 有料盒子视频 University Advancement, Felicia Burud is the acting alumni relations director and Katie Straub is the alumni storytelling manager.

Unlocking such challenges can motivate others and increase the likelihood that a person who visits the Giving Day site makes a donation by as much as 30%. The sponsors of these challenges believe in a quality education and want to leverage that gift to inspire others.

This year, we are expanding the presence of Giving Day across 有料盒子视频 campuses. It will start on March 18 with "cash cabs" on 有料盒子视频 shuttle buses. On random trips during the week, Giving Day champions will surprise bus patrons with trivia questions and other opportunities to win prizes, including our new Nook socks.

Next, is the Giving Day kickoff event on March 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the 有料盒子视频 Wood Center. Join us for a special photo opportunity with Nook at 1 p.m.

Throughout this 49 hours of giving, be sure to "Look for Nook." This special event sponsored by the 有料盒子视频 Alumni Association features stuffed bears tucked away on several 有料盒子视频 campuses, including Troth Yeddha', CTC and the five rural campuses. Anyone who finds a bear can pick a Giving Day fund to receive $250 from 有料盒子视频AA.

You are all invited to find out more about Giving Day. . I hope you鈥檒l join Nanook Nation for this opportunity to show your pride and share your version of the big things happening at 有料盒子视频.

Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of 有料盒子视频's leadership team every week.