Risk Services said farewell this month to senior adjuster Brenda Vannoy, who retired on September 11. Brenda worked in Purchasing at UAA from 1980-1983, then left to start her family. She returned in 1992, first to UAA Governance, and then to Statewide Risk Services in 1994 as a claims technician. She became a licensed claims adjuster for Risk Services in 2003 and achieved the Associate in Claims professional designation in 2007.

Whether a vehicle accident, work injury or simply damaged university property, Brenda has been the go-to person to help employees, faculty and students at the UAA and UAS campuses navigate the claims process. Brenda set a high standard with her caring, professional approach and above-and-beyond service, and she'll be greatly missed.

Brenda plans to travel with her husband, Dan, and enjoy more time with her five grandchildren.

Mary Maurer

Started Sept. 21, 2015

Gift Specialist
UA Foundation

Mary Maurer recently joined the UA foundation as a Gift Specialist, located in the Anchorage office. Prior to joining the Foundation, Maurer worked for the Alaska Botanical Garden and as a hydrologist for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

Originally from Kingston, New York, Maurer moved to Alaska in 1980. She has studied at SUNY Ulster County Community College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the University of Idaho. Through her studies Maurer earned an associate degree in biology, a bachelor’s degree in forest biology and a master’s degree in Entomology.

Maurer currently lives in Anchorage with her spouse Timothy Hansen. Her hobbies include gardening, biking and skiing.

Taylor Dine

Start date: Oct. 5, 2015

Fund and Gift Services Manager
UA Foundation

Taylor Dine joins the UA Foundation as a fund and gift services manager, responsible for managing foundation funds for UAF and SW. Her role oversees gift processing at the Foundation’s Fairbanks office. Dine previously worked as a development specialist at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and as a data specialist at the Catholic Health Initiatives Foundation, both in Colorado Springs, CO.

Dine was born in Danbury, CT and grew up in Parker, CO. She recently arrived in Alaska at the end of September from Colorado Springs, CO. Dine studied at the University of Colorado where she received a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy. She also received certification for the Raiser’s Edge database through Blackbaud Fundamentals.

Joining Dine in Fairbanks are her two dogs, Pearl and Callia. Her hobbies include traveling (particularly to the beach), skiing, horseback riding, figure skating, interior designing and studying history.

Yuhwa Hu

Started Sept. 14, 2015

Student Assistant
UA Foundation

Yuhwa Hu joins the UA Foundation as a student assistant and will provide general administrative assistance for both the Anchorage and Fairbanks offices. Prior to joining the Foundation she worked as a math tutor at the Eye Level Tutoring Center and as a teacher’s assistant at Northern Lights Preschool and Childcare.

Hu was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and lived in Honolulu, Hawaii for five years before moving to Alaska in 2005. She graduated from A.J. Dimond High School and is currently a full time student at UAA where she is pursuing a degree in nursing. A couple fun facts about Hu: she has two older brothers and enjoys eating panini.