Northwest Campus celebrates Class of 2025
By Laura Robertson
Faculty, dignitaries and families joined the Class of 2025 at Old St. Joe’s on Thursday, May 8, as 41 students — not all present — graduated from University of Alaska Fairbank’s Northwest Campus with master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees.
Six students also received their General Education Diplomas, two were present at the ceremony.
“We can’t wait to see what you do next,” said Minnie Naylor, the Interim Director of Northwest Campus. “Whatever your dreams may be, take them with boldness. You’ve already proven you could do hard things.”
The graduates wore black caps and gowns, with the blue and gold tassel of UAF.
Some of them had decorated their graduation caps. Most of them wore red sashes representing Alaska Native and Native American heritage.
Yvonne Gregg was the only master’s degree recipient present and she was “hooded” during the ceremony, with Naylor placing a long cloak-like golden hood around Gregg’s neck to represent the attainment of a graduate degree. She received a Master’s of Arts degree in teaching.
Speakers spoke of the importance of community in getting the graduates to this point and encouraged them to use their education to give back.
“As you move forward from here, I encourage you to carry with you the values that brought you to this moment,” said Naylor. “The spirit of community, the strength of your culture, and the courage to keep going even when the path isn’t easy.”
In a prayer opening the ceremony, James Ventress acknowledged the hard work and late nights that had gotten graduates there. He gave thanks for “the babysitting for exams and late classes and the professors who stayed late to offer advice and wisdom.”
He prayed that graduates would use their education to “further our community, to further our people, to further our region.”
Kawerak CEO and President Melanie Bahnke expressed congratulations to all the graduates. Many of the people in the room were the first in their families to attain the degree they were graduating with that day, Bahnke noted. “Our region is stronger and better for every single one of those accomplishments,” Bahnke said. “I just know looking at all these red sashes, the ancestors are definitely shining down on all of you today.”
The recipients of certificates and occupational endorsements were announced first, with each introduced in detail before they walked across the stage.
Next, the GED recipients were brough to the stage.
After receiving her GED, Hailie Walunga gave an impromptu speech. She spoke of the social anxiety which led her to drop out of high school and of the support of her dad who encouraged her to always do better today than yesterday. “The old me is smiling at the new me today,” said Walunga. “I give credit to those who cared enough to push and encourage me, but I can also say that I am here because of me.”
Walunga encouraged others to do the Kawerak’s GED program. “Kawerak doesn’t bite. They feed you—with knowledge, of course,” she said.
As she finished talking, many audience members were choked up, and all rose in a standing ovation.
Throughout the rest of the ceremony, other students went up and gave speeches on what the degree meant to them, with several thanking Walunga for her words.
After the GED candidates, associates degrees were honored, then bachelor’s degrees and finally the master’s students were honored.
“Whether striving to grow in knowledge—whether learning is academic, vocational, or traditional —please continue to enrich our region,” said Naylor as the ceremony ended.
After the ceremony, the graduates processed down the aisle and then came to stand in a line by the stage, where friends and family lined up to hug and congratulate them. There were cupcakes with yellow flowers and the UAF logo, and graduates took them home after posing for photos with their loved ones.
Master’s Degrees:
Jen Cross, Master of Education
Yvonne Gregg, Master of Arts, Teaching
Rayna Halverson, Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Amber Otton, Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Yuka Ungwiluk, Master of Social Work
Graduate Certificates
Tammy Dodd, Graduate Licensure Certificate, Education Superintendent
Baccalaureate Degrees
Charles Cross, Bachelor of Arts, Justice, Minor in Leadership
Mandy Ellanna, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Minor in Environmental Change
Kylie Evans, Bachelor of Arts, Justice
Tiffany Furst, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Minor in English
Charles Marble, Bachelor of Arts, Justice
Maggie Miller, Bachelor of Arts, Rural Development, Minor in Tribal Management
Asaaluk Nicols, Bachelor of Applied Management
Kallie Paniataaq, Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Lily Fawn White, Bachelor of Arts, Social Work
Associate Degrees
Eva Dickson, AA, General Program
Brenda Hagen, AA, General Program
Molly Kenick, AA General Program
Shannon Klescewski, AAS, Human Services
Kevin McDaniel-Farley, AA, General Program
Ashlee Meeks, AAS Applied Accounting
Janelle Murray, AAS, Human Services
Clarissa Nakak, AAS, Health Information Management
Kyle Scott, AAS, General Program
Certificates
Linda Cooper, Certificate, Applied Business Management
Wesley Ivanoff, Certificate, Rural Human Services
Courtney Merchant, Certificate, Pre-Nursing
Stephanie Olanna, Certificate, Tribal Governance
Sabrina Toolie, Certificate, Local Knowledge Educator
Occupational Endorsements
Annette Adams, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Vianne Foster, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Daphany Iya, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Wanda Iya, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Sharla Iyatunguk, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Kathleen Jaycox, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Clare Jungers, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Rhoda Kotongan, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Marissa Kuzuguk, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Janisa Nguyen, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Andi Paul, OE, Certified Nurse Aid
Hunter Payenna, OE, Welding
Kawerak GEDs
Kaylynne Davison
Adam Goodwin
Brandon Lancaster
Christopher Morgan
Mason Omiak
Hailie Walunga