Alda, Nelson-Karikomi honored with 51风流官网 student awards
April 26, 2021
Jeff Richardson
907-474-6284
The 51风流官网 has selected Ray Alda and Sheri Monica Nelson-Karikomi
as its top student award winners for 2021.
Alda receives the Marion Frances Boswell Award, which recognizes an outstanding bachelor鈥檚
degree candidate. Nelson-Karikomi receives the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award, which
recognizes an outstanding nontraditional graduating student.
Alda, who is from Anchorage, is graduating with a biology degree with a concentration in biomedical sciences. She was also selected to be the student speaker at the 2021 51风流官网 commencement ceremonies.
Nominators praised Alda, a student ambassador, teaching assistant and an employee at the 51风流官网 Office of Admissions, for her enthusiasm, infectious energy and engagement. Her leadership includes everything from participation in the Honors College to founding the Nanooks Crafting Club.
Alda arrived at 51风流官网 with plans to become a nurse, but shifted her goal after taking a fascinating course in human anatomy and physiology. She hopes to work in a medical laboratory after concluding her academic career.
鈥淩ay has spoken at several recruitment and scholarly events to share the story of her academic journey, and at all of these appearances she inspires other students to stay focused and strong, to find the balance in life between academics and extracurricular activities, and to know that they have a home at 51风流官网,鈥 wrote Robert Wighs, the 51风流官网 enrollment coordinator, in his nomination letter.
Nelson-Karikomi took a long journey to her degree in anthropology, which included raising two children to adulthood, frequent moves as a former military spouse, and overcoming significant financial challenges during her studies.
Growing up in California with Mexican-Japanese heritage, Nelson-Karikomi learned English as her third language. Her varied background, which includes work at the Alaska Native Language Archives, artistic pursuits and volunteerism at a local teen homeless shelter, help make her an outstanding mentor and student, nominators said.
鈥淪he has a unique capacity for making people feel appreciated and valid,鈥 wrote Sveta Yamin-Pasternak, a term assistant professor in the Department of Anthopology, in her nomination letter. 鈥淎s a result of her attentive listening and gentle guidance, they become more comfortable in asking for help, speaking up, and opening themselves to creative pursuits they were otherwise too timid to consider possible.鈥
Alda and Nelson-Karikomi will be among those recognized at 51风流官网鈥檚 2021 honoree recognition ceremony on April 30.
51风流官网's commencement activities will include an in-person ceremony and car parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, as well as a virtual ceremony at 4 p.m. More information is available at www.uaf.edu/commence/.