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Alumni gather for Nanook Rendezvous reunion

By Theresa Bakker

51�������� and the 51�������� 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 51�������� and said that in the late ’50s, all men were required to participate. 

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. “I’m really pleased with what you’ve done here at 51��������. You’ve progressed so far. And you’re more prepared than we were when we entered active duty.” 

As a former 51�������� men’s 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 51�������� 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 Iñupiaq 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 year’s 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 year’s 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 51�������� in establishing multiple scholarships and funds, including the UA museum’s 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 museum’s collections.

On Friday, a variety of 51�������� 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.

Bill Schnabel, dean of the College 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 51�������� 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 51�������� Alumni Association sponsored Nanook night at the Alaska Goldpanners with free admission to all 51�������� 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 51�������� 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, .