The Rural Alaska Honors Institute will hold its 41st annual graduation July 13 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Troth Yeddha’ Campus. The ceremony will stream live on Facebook.
RAHI, a competitive program offered by the UAF College of Rural and Community Development, lets rural and Alaska Native students discover what it’s like to attend college.
For six weeks this summer, students lived in dorms on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks while taking an average of nine college credits. They learned about writing, library sciences, process technology, chemistry, math, Alaska Native studies, biology, research and education. On weekends, students explored Interior Alaska through hiking, canoeing, rafting and volunteering.
Since its inception in 1983, over 1,800 students have graduated from the Rural Alaska Honors Institute. Alumni have earned more than 1,360 degrees from the University of Alaska and other institutions around the U.S. and beyond.
Rural Alaska Honors Institute students attend at no cost, due to support from the university and other organizations. These include Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., Arctic Slope Community Foundation, ConocoPhillips, Donlin Gold LLC, First National Bank of Alaska, Saltchuk, Tanana Chiefs Conference, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Hatch Project 1018914), Water Wagon and other private donors.
The 2023 Rural Alaska Honors Institute graduates are:
Keoni Andrew, New Stuyahok
Austin Bennett, Nuiqsut
Nina Callier, Craig
Emilee Caskey, Ketchikan
Ryan Chaney, Bethel
Rie Christianson, Sitka
Annatasia Conway, Copper Center
Alanis Cortes Burgos, Delta Junction
Pierre DeMers, Healy
Marvellous Emani, Utqiaġvik
Shaniah Eneyuk, New Stuyahok
Shania Flemings, Bethel
Brooke Gilbert, King Cove
Madison Grapengeter, Delta Junction
Tanya Hernandez, Twin Hills
Frances Itta, Atqasuk
Jillian Jackson, Kake
Frieda James, Platinum
Nena Johnson, Mountain Village
Jada Jones, Bethel
Ginger Keller, Valdez
Mildred Kozevnikoff, Akiak
Jenessa Lee, Kenai
Rylee Lekanoff, Unalaska
Kesia Luhr, Petersburg
Jackson Macon, Galena
Kristen Maxie, Napaskiak
Vassily Myers, Pilot Station
Camryn Oktollik, Tikigaq
Zayne Olsen, Glennallen
Kasey Oviok, Point Hope
Darwon Paul, Holy Cross
Dezmari Peter, Wasilla
Spencer Petticrew, Wrangell
Hannah Pingayak, Chevak
Sanjeev Putta, Ketchikan
Tryston Quigley, Naukati Bay
Isabelle Ranck, Tazlina
Madison Reams, Soldotna
Dorothy Sakeagak, Anchorage
Teriana Sipary, Napaskiak
DeVon Smith, Anchorage
Cody Smith, St. Mary’s
Magdelina Stringer, Utqiaġvik
Raeanne Susook, Kaltag
Jonas Tweet, Dillingham
Leilani Wholecheese, Nenana