by Greg Lincoln
The University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Rural and Community Development Kuskokwim Campus celebrated their 49th Commencement graduates in a ceremony last Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023.
The degrees and certificates conferred to the Class of 2023 at the commencement included 4 Occupational Endorsements, 17 Certificates, 8 associate degrees, 5 baccalaureate degrees, 1 master’s degree, and 2 doctor of philosophies degrees.
Receiving their Doctorate degrees are Dr. Cathy Keggutailnguq Moses of Toksook Bay (originally from Kotlik) and Dr. Sally Angass’aq Samson of Bethel (originally of Nunapitchuk).
Dr. Moses received her Ph.D. in Linguistics: Interdisciplinary Studies. Her thesis: Collaborative dialogue for Ellangellerkaq and crosslinguistic awareness in third grade Yugtun English bilingual research centers: A teacher action research study.
“This qualitative teacher action research study was conducted in a Toksook Bay third-grade dual language classroom. The research question was: How do third-grade students use collaborative dialogue in Yugtun and English in Dual Language research centers? Data was analyzed using Constructivist Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2014). One finding is that students engaged in collaborative dialogue during writing.”
Dr. Moses graduated from UAF in 1984 with her bachelors degree. In 2010 she received her masters. She was an elementary school teacher in Toksook Bay for many years.
Dr. Sally Samson also received her Ph.D. in Linguistics: Interdisciplinary Studies. Her thesis: Elitnaurilleq Piciryaramtenek Qanemcitgun: A Participatory Teacher Action Research Study to Improve Language and Literacy Instruction in a Yup’ik Immersion School.
“The study involved four Yugtun immersion teachers investigating Yugtun literacy instruction through lesson study. The research questions included: How can teachers’ involvement in a Participatory Action Research contribute to their own professional development; improve their language teaching; and generate new strategies for teaching Yugtun reading? Data were analyzed using Constructivist Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2014).”
Dr. Samson received her bachelor’s degree from UAF in 1998. She graduated with her Master’s degree, also from UAF, in 2010. She has been a longtime educator in the elementary and college levels.
The Major professors for Dr.’s Moses and Samson are Dr. Sabine Siekmann and Dr. Joan Parker Webster.
Special speakers and guests included Carolyn Goolsby, Director of Kuskokwim Campus College of Rural and Community Development; Louie Andrew, Orutsararmiut Native Council Traditional Chief of Bethel who gave the invocation and benediction; the Bethel JROTC Color Guard of Bethel Regional High School who posted the flags; Charlene Stern, the Vice Chancellor for Rural Community and Native Education UAF; Daniel M. White, Chancellor of UAF; Nuyailnguq Rose Domnick who delivered the keynote address; Diane Christine Isailgaq Hlansy of Anchorage delivered the Associate Degrees student address; Natalia Kitsick of Kotlik gave the Bachelor’s Degrees student address; Haley Hanson presented the student address for Master’s Degrees; and Dr. Sally Samson gave the student address for the Ph.D. Degrees.
The graduates were presented with their degrees and certificates and Paula Harrison, of the Board of Regents for the University of Alaska gave the statement of conferring the degrees with all the benefits and honors thereof right before the turning of the tassles.
The Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Eskimo Dancers performed for the closing of the commencement. The proud grads walked for the recessional, Pomp and Circumstance was played by Emily Emery on the piano for the both the processional and recessional.
Friends, family, and community members greeted the new graduates during the reception while enjoying punch and cake at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center.
Dr. Cathy Moses (at left) and Dr. Sally Samson give each other a high five at their commencement ceremony in Bethel last week. photo by Kelly J. Lincoln
Kuskokwim Campus
Class of 2023
Occupational Endorsement
•Mandy J. Alexie*
Yup’ik Language Competency
Bethel
•Lucy R. Atti*
Yup’ik Language Competency
Kwigillingok
•Layla Kashatok
Yup’ik Language Competency
Kwigillingok
•Chelsie Valetta
Ethnobotany
Talkeetna
Certificates
•Marie E. Friday
Pre-Nursing Qualifications
Tuntutuliak
•Fritz Gunlik
Tribal Management
Kipnuk
•Moses K. Ayagalria, Jr.
Rural Human Services
Bethel
•Lisa M. Charles
Rural Human Services
Newtok
•Jenny Demantle
Rural Human Services
Anchorage
•Krystal S. Hooper
Rural Human Services
Tununak
•Martina C. Horn
Rural Human Services
Emmonak
•Zoya M. Jenkins
Rural Human Services
Bethel
•Faith D. Kameroff
Rural Human Services
Emmonak
•Nastasia K. Kassel
Rural Human Services
Kasigluk
•Nina L. Nick
Rural Human Services
Akiachak
•Michael P. Nicolai
Rural Human Services
Kwethluk
•Filma Peter*
Rural Human Services
Akiachak
•Larissa E. Spein
Rural Human Services
Kwethluk
•Hilda L. Stern
Rural Human Services
Alakanuk
•Anna J. Wiseman
Rural Human Services
Nunakauyarmiut/Toksook Bay
Associate Degrees
•Grace Anaruk
summa cum laude
A.A.S., Human Services
Akiachak
•Diane Christine Isailgaq Hlasny
summa cum laude
A.A.S., Human Services
Anchorage
•Michael Mooradian
A.A.S., Human Services
Chugiak
•Sarah S. Peterson*
cum laude
A.A.S., Human Services
Eek
•Roberta R. Waska
cum laude
A.A.S., Human Services
Emmonak
•Ethan Andrew
A.A. General Program
Tuntutuliak
•Katrina Sarah Rivers
A.A., General Program
Pilot Station
•Elaine M. Savetilik
A.A., General Program
Kotlik
Baccalaureate Degrees
•Theresa Janet Arnaqulluk Hooper
Cum laude
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies w/CERT Information Technology Specialist
Tununak
•Nicholai Michael Joekay
B.A. Rural Development: Human and Social Development
Napaskiak
•Natalia T. Kitsick
B.A., Child Development & Family Studies w/A.A. General Program
Kotlik
•Xavier Apurin Slats
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
Chevak
•Shawna Williams
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies
Akiak
Master’s Degree
•Haley Rose Chartier-Hanson
M.A. Rural Development
Bethel
Doctors of Philosophy Degrees
•Keggutailnguq Catherine Moses
Ph.D., Linguistics: Interdisciplinary Studies
Kotlik/Toksook Bay
•Angass’aq Sally P. Samson
Ph.D., Linguistics: Interdisciplinary Studies
Nunapitchuk/Bethel
Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
