by Greg Lincoln
Fifty-seven graduates earned their graduation honors this past week and were celebrated at the 51st Commencement of the Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, Alaska.
Haley Hanson, Interim Director of the Kuskokwim Campus College of Indigenous Studies University of Alaska Fairbanks gave the welcome remarks.
Special speakers included Mary Akalleq Peltola, the Senior Director of Alaska Affairs for Holland & Hart and former representative to Alaska and United States House of Representatives of Bethel, and Isabella January (Associate of Science) and Joseph Trim Nick (Bachelor of Arts) both of Bethel who gave the student addresses.
“It’s so good to be home where everything is imbued with values, and spirituality, and connection,” said Mary Peltola. “I’m so excited for such a big graduating class and that the nursing students are graduating here, what an honor… It is wonderful to see graduates who are such a reflection of the community.”
“If you had told freshman me that I would be standing here delivering this speech I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” said Isabella January. “But today I feel incredibly honored to have this opportunity and I wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of my parents, friends, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, and the wonderful staff at KuC.”
Isabella January received her Associate of Science degree, cum laude. She is part of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program Acceleration Academy where she took college courses that satisfies her high school requirements and prepares students for postsecondary opportunities. Isabella will also be graduating from Bethel Regional High School in a couple days.
Trim Nick gave the Bachelor of Arts cum laude address. He received his degree in General Studies. He said that it took him a long time to achieve his degree.
“Ii-laa-i,” he said when he was asked to present the Bachelors degree student address. “How will I explain why it has taken me almost four and half decades to finish?”
But he did, giving a speech about his lifelong education starting from age 4 to today.
Interim Director Hanson; Diane McEachern, Assistant Professor of Nursing UAA; and Rachelle White, Assistant Professor of Nursing UAA presented the certificates and degrees to the graduates. Bryan Uher, Associate Vice Chancellor of Rural and Workforce Education UAF conferred the degrees via video. Martha Glore, who is retiring after 35 years of service to the Kuskokwim Campus, presented the degrees and certificates.
Also receiving her Doctorate of Philosophy was Amy Sakura Hendricks of Lakeville, Minnesota. She received her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences. Her Thesis: Climate Variability, Trends, and Impacts on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta with Insights into Relationship-building to Enhance Climate Science and Major professor: Dr. Uma Bhatt.
The graduates were greeted and there was punch and cake for refreshment. Congratulations to the KuC Class of 2025.
Kuskokwim Campus Class of 2025
Occupational Endorsement
Ethnobotany:
-Dorene ReNea Asay
Fairbanks
-Harriet A. Casserly
San Anselmo, CA
-Khalil D. English
Juneau
-Alex J. Harper
Shawnee, KS
-Jaheili E. Martinez
Meadows Place, TX
-Alicia Marie Maryott
Douglas, AK
-Mary Kate Repetski
Anchorage
-Andie W. Wall
Kodiak
Rural Human Services:
-Cynthia Beebe
Quinhagak
-Doreen A. Carter
Kipnuk
-Marcy D. Daniel
Kongiganak
-Johanna Friday
Scammon Bay
-Margaret A. Ivan-Williams
Akiak
-Elena F. John
Toksook Bay / Anchorage
-Sharon Kanuk
Napakiak
-Selma Kopanuk
Scammon Bay
-Ryan Mute
Bethel
-Bertina V. Pavilla
Atmautluak / Bethel
-Connie L. Pavilla
Bethel / Newtok
-Lena M. Peter
Tuluksak
-Clarissa R. Tall
Chevak
-Katrina Tinker
Bethel / Kasigluk
-Leona Wiseman
Chefornak
Tribal Governance:
-Darlene M. Pete
Nunam Iqua
Associate Degrees
Associate of Applied Science, Human Services:
-Lisa Charles
Newtok
-Shaanan L. Day-Anvil
Bethel
-Jenny B. Demantle cum laude
Tuluksak
-Althea A. George
Akiachak
-Jennifer C. Hill summa cum laude
Eagle River
-Elizabeth Ivan
Akiak
-Nastasia Quriciq Kassel
Kasigluk
-Shannon M. Klescewski magna cum laude
Nome
-Letia Sophia Larson cum laude
Ekwok
-Barbara H. Moore
Manokotak
-Janelle M. Murray cum laude
Elim
-Michael P. Nicolai
Kodiak
-Larissa E. Spein cum laude
Kwethluk
-Angayiq Anna Wiseman
Toksook Bay
-Adrian Michelle Wonhola magna cum laude
New Stuyahok
-Francis Lucas Yaska magna cum laude
Fairbanks
UAA School of Nursing Associate of Applied Science, Nursing:
-Brooke Asalee Arnett
Bethel
-Danika Cikemaq Bailie
Bethel
-Madeline Khristine O’Hern cum laude
Kentwood, LA
-Allan White
Kodiak
-Venassa Nanuaq Yazzie
Rocky Ridge, AZ
Associate of Science:
-Isabella C. January cum laude
Bethel
Associate of Arts, General Program:
-Brycen J. Alexie
Bethel
-Elena C. Brown, Cert. Local Knowledge Educator
Quinhagak
-Charlotte A. Kugtsun
Kwigillingok
-Robyn G. Kugtsun
Kwigillingok
-Ned Peters
Bethel
-Anne Joanne White cum laude
Eek, AK
Baccalaureate Degrees
Elementary Education:
-Alice M. Tulik cum laude
Toksook Bay, AK
Interdisciplinary Studies:
-Joseph Trim Nick cum laude
General Studies
Bethel
Social Work:
-Lauren B. Charles
Bethel
-Ida Shannon Qakvaq David
Kongiganak
Doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy:
-Amy Sakura Hendricks
Ph.D. Atmospheric Sciences
B.S., University of Oklahoma, 2012; M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016
Lakeville, MN
Thesis: Climate Variability, Trends, and Impacts on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta with Insights into Relationship-building to Enhance Climate Science
Major professor: Dr. Uma Bhatt
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Graduation Guests
Prelude: Damon Oscar, Pianist
Drummers: Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Students, Lower Kuskokwim School District
Processional: Pomp and Circumstance, Damon Oscar
Invocation and Benediction: Bob and Rachelle White
Presentation of Color: Bethel JROTC, Bethel Regional High School
Yuraq: Ayaprun School Yup’ik Dancers