Tell us a little bit about your time at UAA. How did you choose your degrees?  

“During my time here, the university started up the Environment and Society program and I was one of the first graduates of that program. It was a good fit because I was interested in policy and in understanding the world we live in, but I also wanted to earn a Bachelor’s of Science. I took a bunch of classes that were focused on how the science we are learning about intersects with public decision making, rather than just how things work in the abstract. I also got a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy. I got to travel all over the world to compete at the highest levels of academic debate, experiences for which I am eternally grateful. I had friends from the debate team who were taking one of the capstone philosophy courses that sounded interesting. I wrote to the professor, asking to join the course, and had declared as a Philosophy major before the semester ended. It was just a wonderful experience. 

Outside of the classroom, one of the most appealing things about UAA as a student was how many opportunities I had in the community. The summer after my freshman year, I interned with the Denali Commission, which let me see firsthand and work with policy issues throughout Alaska. It also led directly to employment opportunities when I graduated. 

UAA provides a lot of value to undergrads because of the breadth of graduating programs. Alaska is such a unique place with such unique needs, advantages, and challenges; and there are never enough people to do everything useful that could be done. Within the institution, there are so many research opportunities, available to undergraduates which would be soaked up by graduate students almost anywhere else. At UAA and in Alaska you rarely have to fight to break into a saturated network or field; there are so many chances to gain perspective, experience, and networking no matter what area students are excited to engage with.”

 

You have given to the university before, but this year you decided to give to the College of Arts and Sciences for the first time. Why did you decide to give to the College? 

“I think that what we do here at the university is wildly important. It is critical for Anchorage and for Alaska to have a strong university system and, in particular, a strong UAA. There are a bunch of jobs and positions specific to the Anchorage area, and the university provides education and training for those positions. UAA is the key that lets so many Alaskans throughsuch a variety of societal doors.

I value both of my degrees tremendously, and they have both made a big difference in the path I’ve taken since graduating. I want all of those opportunities to be available for other people. I want our community to be graduating people who have the required certifications and those built-in community ties. I think our University is the best way to train people from outside to live and work in Alaska, and the best way to train Alaskans to transform their State into what we want it to become in the long-run.”

 

What do you want other alumni that are thinking about donating to know?

“I feel like universities are a privilege for every student who goes to them. For some students it is not an easy choice to make, and they have to work everyday for tuition. When they are at school, they are investing in themselves. Without a doubt, education is an investment. It helps if those around them are investing as well. When a student gets financial assistance, they are getting more than the dollar and cents that donations give. They are getting someone to invest in them, to believe in them. 

For me, it makes sense for alumni to give back. You go through a place, you feel grateful for that experience and that investment in you. When you are in a phase of your life where you can give back, giving back to those investments made in you just makes sense. But it is also an investment in my future, because I plan on living and working in Alaska for the rest of my life. Donating to the university is one way I can help make my community pleasant and prosperous.”

 

What would you tell others about your giving experience?

“There are a lot of ways to give back, beyond money. I talked about some of the biggest appeals of UAA for me - as a student I had so many opportunities to be involved in the community. We need even more of that. So if you’re not in a place to be a donor, figure out which program, which type of student you could give something to. There are students everywhere that could benefit from working with you or even just talking with someone from outside academia who works in a field they are studying.

The University is important, we need it and it needs us. Whether it's writing a check or finding a way to volunteer or advocate for the university, supporting UAA is a morally responsible thing to do and it’s good for all of us. Help make Anchorage an even better place.” 

 

Thank you, Drew, for your time! Keep up the good work!