This is the time of year that graduating college students walk down the aisle solemnly, sometimes awkwardly. Families and friends smile, and hold up phones and cameras to snap pictures. University leaders and professors give speeches.
But the coronavirus pandemic has shut down schools, prompting all of them to cancel graduation ceremonies. The University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel was no exception. Instead, staff took to the KYUK airwaves to recognize its 2020 graduates on May 1.
“We want to acknowledge the many obstacles that you have overcome, especially in the last few months,” said Linda Curda, acting director of KuC in a pre-recorded speech that aired on KYUK.
But Curda had some good news for the 2020 graduates: they will still get their ceremony.
“It will be a unique ceremony that will combine the classes of 2020 and 2021,” Curda said.
Fifty-six students graduated with certificates, as well as two and four-year degrees.
The following students earned their Certificate in Rural Human Services:
Grace Anaruk of Anchorage
Carey Atchak of Bethel
Jimmy Charles Jr. of Newtok
Kara A. Domnick of Bethel
Sarah Henry of Akiachak
Filma Peter of Akiachak
Joseph Benedict Hunter Jr. of Bethel
Elizabeth Ivan of Akiak
Laura Kashatok of Tuluksak
Johnathan Kawagley of Bethel
Cora Moore of Emmonak
Cheyenne Paukan of St. Mary’s
Sarah S. Peterson of Mountain Village
Kimberly Smith of Akiak
Julia Cakiculi Street of Bethel
Roberta Waska of Emmonak
The following students earned their Certificate in Ethnobotany:
Christy Dawn Shaw of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
Matthew O’Brien of Anchorage
The following student earned their Certificate in Pre-nursing Qualifications:
Tyrah Renae Carl of Tuntutuliak
The following students will earn their Certificate in Community Health:
Katherine Evon of Bethel
Gwendolyn Heckman of Pilot Station
Annette Nick of Atmauthluak
Marlene Chagluak of Toksook Bay
Bernadette Hanson of Alakanuk
Theresa Twitchell of Kasigluk
The following students earned their associate degrees in Human Services:
Cesa Agnes of Huslia
Alana Anderson of Chignik
Caroline Asicksik of Shaktoolik
Josephine A. Augustine-Edmund of Alakanuk
Valerie Bergman of Allakaket
Sassa Brink of Kasigluk
Michael Chung of Anchorage
Margaret Deanna Haube of Juneau
Anna Jackson-Kasayulie of Bethel
Valerie Sueann Jensen of Yakutat
Ann Neglaska of Kaltag
Monika Patrick of Houston
Doreen Kayla Phillips of Akhiok
Minnie Simon of Hooper Bay
Yuka Ungwiluk of Gambell
The following students earned their associate degrees in Early Childhood Education:
Anna Mae Moses of Akiachak
Alaina E. Patrick of Chevak
The following students earned their associate degrees in General Program:
Kayla R. Anaver of Kipnuk
Esther Geneva Bean of Bethel
Molly L. Billy of Bethel
Tyrah Renae Carl of Tuntutuliak
Clarence Lewis Daniel of Bethel
Shannon R. Lewis of Anchorage
The following student earned her associate degree in Community Health:
Genny R. Miller of Homer
The following students earned baccalaureate degrees in Social Work:
Marla Hedgspeth of Anchorage
Leanna Kaligtok Isaac of Bethel
Sarah Jasper of Bethel
Dora Smith of Anchorage
Serena Rose Solesbee of Bethel
Billie J. Chavez of Bethel earned her baccalaureate degree in Communication with minors in Foreign Languages and Computer Information Specialist
Monica Friday of Chevak earned her baccalaureate degree in Child Development and Family Studies
Kathleen Ina Naneng of Bethel earned her baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education
Tamija Katrice Woods of Anchorage earned her baccalaureate degree in Psychology
Willie Kasayulie of Akiachak was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education
Congratulations class of 2020!
