1987-1988 John Sackett
1987-1988 John Sackett
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John Sackett graduated from Sheldon Jackson High School as valedictorian in the class
of 1963. While attending Sheldon Jackson, Sackett took an active part in various extracurricular
activities on the campus, serving a term as study body president.
After graduation he spent his first year in college at the University of Ohio. He
then transferred to the University of Alaska system where he earned a bachelor's degree
in accounting. After college he went into business. Sackett has served Alaskans in
many capacities—vice president of the Fairbanks Native Association; past chairman
of the Board of Directors of Doyon Ltd.; past member of the Board of Directors for
Alaska International Industries and International Technology; and past member of the
board of directors for MarkAir.
In 1966, John was elected president of the Tanana Chief's Conference as the youngest
Chief ever to hold this coveted position. In this office, he actively pursued the
rights of Native people. At the age of twenty-one, he filed for the Alaska House of
Representatives and was twenty-two when he made his formal debut into politics on
the floor of the legislators representing the people of the Interior.
After reappointment in 1982, Senator Sackett represented communities along the Yukon
and Kuskokwim Rivers, extending from the Canadian Border to the Bering Sea. The district
comprises some 88 villages and the city of Bethel.
After two terms in the State House, he was elected to the Alaska Senate in 1972, and
continued until 1986. In 1987 he became a lobbyist for the Yukon-Koyukuk and Lower
Kuskokwim school districts and became a Regent to the University of Alaska filling
the seat vacated by Grace Schaible.
Sackett Hall
The Kuskokwim Community College was established by the University of Alaska in July
of 1972, and 83 students began classes in the fall of that year. Kuskokwim Community
College is the largest remote site among the branch campuses of the College of Rural
Alaska of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is the only rural campus with a residential
facility for students. Sackett Hall is a coed campus residence for full-time students
in good academic standing.
Each suite is furnished and provides personal space for four people with cable hook-up
and phone connections. A central kitchen provides meals to residents and guests. A
spacious common area is used for dining, lounging and recreational purposes; and coin
operated laundry facilities are provided. Both the college and the library are within
walking distance of the dorm.
UAF Sites Named After John Sackett