"Did You Know UAF’s Kuskokwim Campus is Commemorating 50 Years Since Its Inaugural Graduation?”
April 23, 2024
Archival image of KuC inaugural graduation featuring Robert Hiatt, Louis Andrew, Lewis Haines, Beatrice Jones, Hugh Fate Jr., and Patrick O'Rourke
Historical Milestone:
It was 1975 in Bethel, Alaska, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks(UAF), College
of Rural and Community Development’s (CRCD) Kuskokwim Campus (KuC), then known as
Kuskokwim Community College, put on its first graduation ceremony. Fifty-eight graduates,
all wearing caps and gowns, made their way across the stage. UA President Robert Hiatt
shook their hands and the audience, packed with loved ones, stood and cheered. Fast
forward to 2024, and the campus is preparing to commemorate its 50th graduation ceremony
and celebrate its vast and influential history in the lives of many Alaskans.
A Brief History:
The journey of the Kuskokwim Campus began on October 16, 1972, when 83 students enrolled
in college courses. It was the first rural community college established by the university.
By 1975, it had over 700 students enrolled and established the Bethel Consortium Library.
That same year, the Kuskokwim Campus became the first Alaskan university to experiment
with distance learn, when instructional television began beaming live TV classes to
villages within the KYUK TV signal area.
Cultural Enrichment:
Embedded in the cultural fabric of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, the Kuskokwim Campus
has played a central role in cultural enrichment in its community. Academic offerings,
such as Yup'ik Language courses and the Ethnobotany program, highlight the campus'
commitment to preserving Indigenous knowledge and promoting cultural diversity.
The campus has partnered with local agencies and school districts to offer programs catering to changing local needs, from Rural Human Services, Community Health Aide training, and Tribal Management.
Zoom In:
Since its establishment in 1972, nearly 3,600 students have earned certificates and
degrees from the campus. The opportunities at Kuskokwim are vast, as students can
earn everything from certificates to PhDs. This year, 36 students will walk across
the stage.
The graduating class of 2025 will be even bigger, containing both two-year cohorts from the Human Services Associates (HUMS) AAS and Rural Human Services (RHS) certificate programs. In these programs, Elders teach alongside faculty, and students come to Bethel one week per month to complete classes. Students often move through this designed academic pathway and go on for bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs.
Zoom out:
At the heart of UAF CRCD’s Kuskokwim Campus is a commitment to culturally enriching
education and empowerment. By offering local and relevant curriculum, language revitalization
programs, and community-based research initiatives, the campus actively promotes the
preservation and celebration of Indigenous knowledge, languages, and traditions.
Recognition and Future Development:
In 2023, the Kuskokwim Consortium Library was awarded the prestigious National Medal
for Museum and Library Service, nominated by Senator Lisa Murkowski.
Following in the vision of Rep. Don Young and supported by congressionally directed funding, KuC has developed and planned a new Health Sciences Building and is set to begin construction in the summer of 2024.
Final Note:
As the Kuskokwim Campus celebrates its 50th graduation ceremony, this UAF campus continues
to be a bedrock of educational opportunity, empowering Alaskans to pursue postsecondary
education close to home. The dedication of its directors, faculty, and staff have
been instrumental in shaping the future of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, paving the way
for generations of students to thrive.
Go Deeper:
UAF Kuskokwim Webpage
Kuskokwim Consortium receives highest national honor for libraries
Acclaimed Yup'ik artist Golga Oscar is the new Native arts coordinator at the Kuskokwim Campus
Bethel Elder Ester Green to receive UAF Meritorious Service Award