Commencement Speakers
![Chancellor Richard Caulfield](images/speakers/rick.jpg)
Chancellor Richard Caulfield
Dr. Richard Caulfield serves as Chancellor at the University of Alaska Southeast, providing strategic leadership in fulfilling the UAS mission. He has been a leader in advancing innovations in teacher education, arctic social sciences, higher education leadership, Alaska Native and minority student education, and online programs.
Juneau Commencement Speakers
![Juneau Commencement Speaker: Ms. Emily Edenshaw](images/speakers/emily.jpg)
Juneau Commencement Speaker: Ms. Emily Edenshaw
Emily is the executive director of the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. She is from Emmonak, Alaska, and previously lived in Southeast Alaska where she worked for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
![Juneau Commencement Student Speaker: Ms. Khrystl Brouillette](images/speakers/Khrystl.jpg)
Juneau Commencement Student Speaker: Ms. Khrystl Brouillette
Ms. Khrystl Brouillette has served as the editor of our student newspaper, The Whalesong. She is graduating today with a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Resources, cum laude.
Ketchikan Commencement Speakers
![Campus Director Dr. Pricilla Schulte](images/speakers/pricilla.jpg)
Campus Director Dr. Pricilla Schulte
In addition to her role as campus director, Dr. Schulte is a professor of anthropology and sociology, specializing in multicultural education, Alaska Native cultures, sociocultural change, and archaeology of Southeast Alaska.
![Ketchikan Commencement Speaker: Ms. Elizabeth Nelson](images/speakers/elizabeth.jpg)
Ketchikan Commencement Speaker: Ms. Elizabeth Nelson
As the executive artistic director for the First City Players, Ms. Elizabeth Nelson is known for using the power of theatre as an instrument to help others discover their hidden potential and best qualities. Under her leadership the theatre has grown in programs, quality, and community engagement.
![Ketchikan Student Speaker: Ms. Dawn Raulwolf](images/speakers/dawn.jpg)
Ketchikan Student Speaker: Ms. Dawn Raulwolf
Ms. Dawn Rauwolf completed both her M.A.T. and B.L.A. at UAS while working and raising a family. Ms. Rauwolf’s journey from working onboard fish tenders to pursuing her goal to become a teacher is an inspiration to many Alaskan students.
Sitka Commencement Speakers
![Sitka Commencement Speaker: Ms. Rachel Roy](images/speakers/rachel.jpg)
Sitka Commencement Speaker: Ms. Rachel Roy
Ms. Roy is the executive director for the greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. Holding degrees from UAS, UAF, and Sheldon Jackson College, Ms. Roy’s favorite quote is “become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title, or position.” —Brian Tracy.
![Sitka Faculty Reflection: Dr. Lauren Wild](images/speakers/lauren.jpg)
Sitka Faculty Reflection: Dr. Lauren Wild
Born and raised in Sitka, Dr. Wild spent much of her childhood in the outdoors. She attended Brandeis University, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and is graduating with a Ph.D. in Fisheries from UAF.
![Sitka Student Reflection: Ms. Victoria Wallace](images/speakers/victoria.jpg)
Sitka Student Reflection: Ms. Victoria Wallace
Ms. Wallace was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Cape Cod. She has worked in healthcare for many years, including 22 years as a nurse practitioner in Alaska. She just completed her Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management via distance learning.
Awards & Honors
![Honorary Doctor of Laws Recipient: Mr. Clark Gruening](images/honorees/clark.jpg)
Honorary Doctor of Laws Recipient: Mr. Clark Gruening
Mr. Clark Gruening served two terms in the House of Representatives for the Alaska Legislature, and was a key instigator of the Alaska Permanent Fund. He is recognized for his many contributions to our state’s philanthropic and public service sectors.
![Meritorious Service Award: Mr. William Todd Hunt](images/honorees/williamtodd.jpg)
Meritorious Service Award: Mr. William Todd Hunt
Mr. William Todd Hunt’s career as a musical conductor and instrumentalist is known nationally and internationally. Known as Maestro Hunt by local vocalists and musicians, he is dedicated to cultivating the talents of local musicians and mounting musical productions of outstanding quality.
![Meritorious Service Award: Ms. Sharon Gaiptman](images/honorees/sharon.jpg)
Meritorious Service Award: Ms. Sharon Gaiptman
Since arriving in Juneau 40 years ago, Ms. Gaiptman’s vitality, intelligence, and imagination have contributed to a number of community projects and organizations, including KTOO Public Radio, the Bartlett Hospital Foundation, the Alaska Travel Industry Association and many more.
Outstanding Graduates
2020 Outstanding Graduates
- Kathryn Bakker, B.A. Special Education
- Jessica Smyke, M.A.T. Secondary Education
- Amanda Friendshuh, B.A. Elementary Education
- Verna Miller, Graduate Certificate, Elementary Education
- Sarah Novell-Lane, B.S. Environmental Science
- Abigail Query, B.A. Biology
- Aaron Lambert, B.S. Biology
- Khrystl Brouillette-Janes, B.S. Geography and Environmental Resources, Outstanding Student in Geography
- Robyn Branson, B.A. Social Science
- Claire Helgeson, B.L.A. Alaska Native Languages and Studies
- Kelsey Walsh, B.A. English
- Mercedes Marie Sarandria, M.P.A., Ernest Gruening Award for Outstanding Graduate in Public Administration
- Chad Beckley, B.B.A. Management, Bob Ellis Award for Outstanding Graduate in Management
- Carlos Meda Frias, B.B.A. Human Resource Management
- Tyrone Casteel, B.B.A. Accounting
- Eric McDonald, A.A.S. Business Administration
- Jacob Eberhardt, B.S. Marine Biology
2020 Sitka Commencement Students of Distinction
- Wesley Shipley, Fisheries Technology
- Mykela Carroll, Health Information Management
- Abigayle Erickson, Associate of Arts
UAS Commencement Planning Committees
- Amy Bannerman
- Terissia Bell
- Cody Bennett
- Keni Campbell
- Kim Davis
- Eric Elsensohn
- Susie Feero
- David Felts
- Sonia Felts
- Greg George
- Jennifer Gross
- Chris Hoyt
- Brenda Hurley
- John Ingman
- Kolene E James
- Katy Jordan
- Gail Klein
- Trisha Lee
- Leah Mason
- Gloria Merry
- Tessa Nelson
- Anita Parrish
- Raymond N Roberts
- Emy Roles
- Lucienne Shoemaker
- Peter Sommers
- Angie Steeves
- Math Trafton
- William Urquhart
- Heather West
- Felix Wong
- Adam Zenger