UAA announces 2015 Alumni of Distinction recipients
Marian, DeKeyser and Davis will be honored at UAA’s Green & Gold Gala Sept. 26 at Alaska Airlines Center
Aug. 13, 2015
The University of Alaska Anchorage Office of Alumni Relations and the UAA Alumni Association are excited to announce the recipients of the 2015 UAA Alumni of Distinction awards. These three distinguished UAA alumni will be honored for their outstanding contributions to their chosen fields and communities at the sixth annual Green & Gold Gala on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Alaska Airlines Center on UAA’s campus.
Viorica Marian — Alumni of Achievement Award
B.A. Psychology ’94
Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University
Marian—a native of Moldova—is recognized as a leading expert in the cognitive effects of bilingualism, regularly publishing and presenting her research on a subject she first explored as an international student at UAA.
Georgia Dekeyser — Alumni Humanitarian Award
B.S. Nursing Science ’97, M.S. Nursing Science ’99
Director, UAA Student Health and Counseling Center
Dekeyser started as a student intern and now, as director, oversees UAA’s health center, where 10,000 students are eligible for campus healthcare. A strong advocate for students, she has consistently viewed health as the key to success for UAA’s diverse student population.
Mistee Davis — Alumni Emerging Leader Award
A.A.S. Human Services ’06, B.A. Psychology ’12
Chief of Service, Assets, Inc.
Assets, Inc.—where Davis started as an undergraduate—provides employment opportunities for local residents with disabilities. Through dedication to her clients and advocacy, she has earned consistently greater leadership roles to champion people with disabilities.
These award recipients will be celebrated at the Green & Gold Gala, a black-tie evening with green and gold flair that brings UAA alumni and friends together to celebrate alumni achievements and university successes. This year’s gala will return to the city’s premier event space, the Alaska Airlines Center.
So far, the annual gala has raised more than $330,000 UAA student scholarships. The 2014 Gala was the most well-attended event to date.
UAA alumni and community members are invited to attend this year’s gala and support student scholarships. The event includes a champagne reception beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner, awards program and live auction.
Sponsorships and tickets for the Green & Gold Gala are available now. Buy tickets and learn more at greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/gala or (907) 786-1942.