Stories

Alumni gather for Nanook Rendezvous reunion

By Theresa Bakker

A man with Nook. For more information see caption and credit below image.
UAF photo by Eric Engman.
John Knoke 92 of Florida celebrates the 30th anniversary of his graduation at the Alaska Goldpanners Nanook night during the 2022 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion.

UAF and the UAF Alumni Association celebrated the annual reunion weekend in July in person for the first time since 2019. This year alumni from across Alaska and several different states, including Florida and California, made the trip to Fairbanks. 

Even before the festivities began, alumni like Paul Hunter 62, who now lives in Washington with his wife Birgit, were seeking out areas of interest. The couple arrived early to meet with students and hear updates from the ROTC program. Hunter enjoyed his Army ROTC experience at UAF and said that in the late 50s, all men were required to participate. 

Alumni, family and friends gather for the welcome event at the 2022 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni, family and friends gather for the welcome event at the 2022 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion.

Here for the 60th anniversary of his graduation, Hunter was interested in meeting current ROTC students. He told the students his connection with fellow battalion members is still strong. Im really pleased with what youve done here at UAF. Youve progressed so far. And youre more prepared than we were when we entered active duty. 

As a former UAF mens basketball player and engineering student, Hunter also had the chance to visit these spaces during the reunion activities. He and Birgit are longtime benefactors to UAF and established an engineering scholarship in the 1990s. Visiting with students, faculty and other alumni were the highlight of his trip. 

On Thursday, July 21, after a picnic on the future site of the Troth Yeddha Park and Indigenous Studies Center, guests were welcomed to campus by the Pavva I簽upiaq Dancers, led by alumni Amy Topkok 97, 18 and Sean Asikluk Topkok 92, 10, 16.  

More than 100 alumni, friends and supporters gathered in the UA Museum of the North to celebrate the accomplishments of this years alumni awardees Jim Culley 93, recipient of the William R. Cashen Service Award, and Dr. Allison Kelliher 01 and DeLys Cooks 06, 07, recipients of the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award. This years carved wood alumni awards were created by alumnus Ron Wall 81.

Alumni also learned about another distinguished alumnus. Bill Stroecker, who graduated 80 years ago in 1942 with a degree in business, was the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus. In his estate plans, he set up the Bill Stroecker Foundation to carry out his legacy through charitable giving. 

The foundation has been a tremendous partner with UAF in establishing multiple scholarships and funds, including the UA museums new bowhead whale skeleton exhibit. Museum Director Pat Druckenmiller and Mammals Collection manager Aren Gunderson were on hand to provide a detailed description of the whale skeleton and lead a behind-the-scenes tour of the museums collections.

On Friday, a variety of UAF programs hosted alumni for events on campus day. At the breakfast mixer, participants learned about the MIX, a creative collaboration of teaching, research, innovation, outreach and student support functions across campus.

See image caption and credit below the image.
UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni learned about the bowhead whale skeleton on display at the UA Museum of the North during the 2022 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion. The project was made possible by the Bill Stroecker Foundation. Stroecker 42 was the 2007 UAFAA Distinguished Alumnus.

Bill Schnabel, dean of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 of Engineering and Mines, said these activities will include students from all disciplines, as well as faculty, staff and community stakeholders interested in transforming ideas into action. The MIX is stirring up an enormous amount of energy around here, and it was a joy to share some of that energy with our visiting alumni.

Alumni were also invited to tour new locker rooms at the Patty Center and try out the rifle range with UAF rifle coach Will Anti during the Athletics open house. Later, Schnabel led participants on an extended tour of the since newly dedicated Joseph E. Usibelli Engineering Learning and Innovation Building.

That evening, the UAF Alumni Association sponsored Nanook night at the Alaska Goldpanners with free admission to all UAF alumni, family and friends. George Lounsbury, trustee of the Bill Stroecker Foundation, threw out the first pitch as a nod to his longtime service as president of the Alaska Goldpanners board. 

Lounsbury also has deep roots. When he was in high school, his summer job was to draw the chalk lines at Growden Park, and his great uncle, Johnny Parsons, played in the 1908 Midnight Sun Game.

Other 2022 events included walking or riding on the UAF float during the Golden Days Grande Parade.

If you participated in the 2022 Nanook Rendezvous or would like to help us plan for future reunions, .