Great universities have great alumni bodies who support their university in multiple ways. Realizing that UAA has the opportunity to strengthen lifelong relationships with its growing alumni body (43,000 and counting!), Chancellor Tom Case created a task force to help advise him on the issue. The goal? Develop recommendations and a plan of implementation to achieve increased alumni participation and support for UAA. Chancellor Case has requested a report from the task force in May 2012. They plan to answer questions like:

• What are the key elements of a mutually beneficial relationship between an alumni organization and a university?
• What are best practices and how might they be instructive for us?
• How are alumni programs funded?
• What do alumni expect from the university and from its alumni association?
• What does the university expect from alumni?
• What organization and funding structure will provide UAA with the means to raise alumni engagement to sustainable new levels of effectiveness?

Who is on the UAA Alumni Task Force?

By invitation of Chancellor Tom Case, the task force of 15, 10 of whom are UAA alums, includes active community members and UAA leaders. They are:

Chair: Eric Wohlforth, LL.D. ’09, M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies ‘11
UAA Alumni of Achievement 2011
Senior Partner & Attorney, Wohlforth, Johnson, Brecht, Cartledge & Brooking

Ryan Buchholdt, B.B.A. ‘12
Student Body President, USUAA

Bruce Bustamante, B.B.A. ‘99
Vice President Community and Public Affairs, Princess Tours

Heather Cavanaugh, M.B.A. ‘08
Director of Corporate Communications, Alaska Communications

Cathleen Hahn, B.B.A. ‘85
Cathleen S. Hahn, CMA, CPA
UAA Alumni Association Board (former)

Jim Hemsath, M.S. Engineering Management ‘01
Deputy Director for Development, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
Vice President, UAA Alumni Association Board

Thomas Jantunen, B.B.A. ‘04
Perkins Coie LLP, Attorney

Dewain Lee
UAA Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development

Julia Martinez
Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, UAA University Advancement

Jeff Oliver, M.F.A. ‘09
Senior Electronic Media Specialist, UAA University Advancement

Dave Rand, M.B.A. ‘00
CEO, ATS Alaska
UAA Alumni Association Board (former)

Ivy Spohnholz
Senior Development Officer, UAA University Advancement

Andre Thorn
Director of Multicultural Center, UAA AHAINA programs

Frank von Hippel
Professor of Biology, UAA Biological Sciences Department

Dr. Norm Wilder, M.B.A. ‘02
Retired Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Regional Hospital
UAA Alumni Association Board

Why do we need increased alumni participation and support?

Engaged alumni are key to the long-term success and growth of a university. They are the “fourth endowment” of a strong university, after the financial endowment (monetary resources), the physical endowment (facilities) and the intellectual endowment (the brain trust of faculty and staff). UAA is ready to strengthen our alumni relationships and the task force will provide key recommendations that can be implemented over the next 3-5 years to make this happen.

What does increased alumni participation look like? Alumni can help advocate for their alma mater. They can partner to help recruit and nurture prospective students. They can lend important advice and counsel as community and business leaders. They can increase financial support for UAA through their giving. And they can pave the way for students’ future careers through mentoring and developing internships.

Who will benefit from engaged UAA Alums?

Quite simply, everyone. Alaska is home to 65 percent of our graduates. With proud Seawolves in every career across Alaska, UAA alumni are changing the world around us. UAA is proud of its graduates and our graduates are proud of UAA. Increased alumni support and involvement will decidedly move UAA from good to great.