UAS to celebrate student success and service at 2026 commencement

Ceremonies in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka will recognize graduates and community leaders.

Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, Alaska

Date of Press Release: April 10, 2026

The University of Alaska Southeast will recognize the accomplishments of graduates during commencement ceremonies for its three campuses in early May. Students in the Class of 2026 will be awarded master's, bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as professional licensures, certificates and occupational endorsements.

At the Juneau ceremony, UAS will confer honorary doctorates and a Meritorious Service Award to four leaders, each of whom has made a profound impact on Alaska.

“Our graduates have shown incredible dedication and resilience in reaching this milestone,” said UAS Chancellor Aparna Palmer, Ph.D. “We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and are delighted to celebrate their hard work and achievements alongside those of four visionary Southeast Alaskans.”

Sitka Commencement

The Sitka ceremony will be held Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, with a reception to follow. The student speaker will be RJ Rabadan, who is receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in medical assisting. William Spivey, administrator for Mount Edgecumbe Medical Center, will give the commencement address.

Ketchikan Commencement

Ketchikan activities will take place Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. The student speaker will be Laken Hood, who is receiving an occupational endorsement in welding. Audrey Hudson, superintendent and field representative at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Metlakatla Agency, will give the commencement address.

Juneau Commencement

The Juneau ceremony will be held Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall. The student speaker will be Samuel Marquardt, who is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. Marquardt is an active-duty Coast Guard member through the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative and will attend Officer Candidate School following graduation.

The Native Graduation Celebration, organized by the UAS Native and Rural Student Center, will be held prior to commencement at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council.

Honorary degrees and Meritorious Service Award

Four community leaders will be recognized during the Juneau commencement ceremony for their impact on the cultural, economic and social landscape of Southeast Alaska:

• L’eiwtú Éesh Herman Davis will receive an honorary doctorate of laws for his work in preserving the Tlingit language, culture, traditions and history.
• Younce Kóo oo Wóo Russell Dick will receive an honorary doctorate of laws for his work in sustainable tourism, cultural stewardship and workforce development.
• Aanyáanáx Ray Wilson will receive an honorary doctorate of laws for his work as a Tlingit culture-bearer, including transforming how museums represent Indigenous Peoples.
• Saralyn Tabachnik will receive a Meritorious Service Award for her work in effectively addressing domestic violence and sexual assault and bolstering support services.

Find further information on the 2026 recipients of honorary degrees and the Meritorious Service Award at: https://uas.alaska.edu/about/press-releases/2026/commencement-awards.html. 

Additional UAS Graduation and Commencement information is available at: https://uas.alaska.edu/registrar/graduation/index.html.