UA Scholars class of 2020 celebrated at receptions across Alaska

The University of Alaska held five receptions across the state to honor the Class of 2020 UA Scholars. 

“The UA Scholars program is Alaska’s way of investing in our best and brightest students so that they will continue their educational journey at the University of Alaska,” said Lael Oldmixon, director of the UA Scholars program. “The scholarship program gives students options for studying at any of UA’s campuses and universities, or participating in an exchange program abroad. Their options are limitless.”

The receptions included a formal program featuring speakers from university leadership, a UA Scholars alumni and a current UA Scholar, who shared remarks about opportunities at UA and how the program has benefited them. UA Scholars in attendance were individually recognized, and were photographed with university leadership. The programs were immediately followed by receptions with faculty, staff and current students and featured information tables from all three universities. Events were open to designated UA Scholars, their families, school representatives and friends. 

Events honoring the UA Scholars Class of 2020 were held in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Palmer, Kodiak and Juneau. 

Established by former UA President Mark Hamilton in 1999, the UA Scholars Program transformed higher education in Alaska by rewarding academic achievement and attracting top Alaskan students to the University of Alaska. The program has benefited 8,900 UA Scholars, including an estimated 3,000 Scholars who were the first in their families to attend college. Funding is provided by revenue from the university’s Land Grant Trust Fund.

The UA Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship program. Students ranked in the top 10 percent of their qualified Alaska high school receive a total of $12,000, which may be used to attend any of the University of Alaska’s 16 campuses. The Award encourages students throughout Alaska to attend and graduate from the University of Alaska. 

The Alaska Legislature passed a citation this May that recognized the success and impact of the UA Scholars program over the past 20 years. For more information about the program visit, www.alaska.edu/scholars.