UAF recognizes 2018 outstanding students

April 24, 2018

Jeff Richardson
907-474-6284

The University of Alaska Fairbanks honored many of its outstanding students on Saturday, April 21, at the annual student awards breakfast. Each spring, UAF recognizes students who have distinguished themselves throughout their academic careers.

Among those honored were the winners of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award (outstanding senior woman), the Joel Wiegert Award (outstanding senior man) and the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award (outstanding nontraditional student).

Bobbie McNeley, of Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, received the 2018 Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Alaska Native studies with a concentration in Alaska Native law, government and politics, as well as an associate of applied science degree in tribal management.

McNeley, who is Alaska Native Unangax/Aleut, has been involved in the Festival of Native Arts and language revitalization efforts through the Alaska Native Language Center. She has represented UAF in the Korea Arctic Academy and Arctic Partnership Week, and represented Aleut International at Arctic Circle Assembly. Along with student jobs in University of Alaska Statewide Financial Systems and the Office of Admissions and Office of the Registrar, she was an intern for Rep. Bryce Edgmon in the Alaska Legislature this year.

After graduation, McNeley plans to stay in Alaska and eventually pursue a master’s degree in indigenous law and policy.



Luke Rogers, of Fairbanks, received the 2018 Joel Wiegert Award. He is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in wildlife biology and conservation with a minor in outdoor leadership.

Rogers will follow his parents and sister as UAF graduates. He has had an opportunity to continue his father’s work by helping with the release of wood bison to Alaska, a historic conservation achievement, and has taken advantage of undergraduate research funding to study wood bison behavior and hierarchy. He has also helped students enjoy Alaska through excursions at his student job with UAF Outdoor Adventures.

After graduation, Rogers would like to travel and volunteer before attending graduate school at UAF. He hopes to ultimately work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game or similar agency to promote conservation of Alaska’s wood bison.



Erica Nardella, of North Pole, received the 2018 Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in social work.

Nardella was born in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted by John and Midge Nardella shortly after birth. She grew up in North Pole with a loving extended family. Nardella said she wanted to do “something meaningful with her life,” after high school, but after graduating struggled in college and dropped out in 2000.

Nardella regretted leaving college through the years, and made the decision to return to UAF in 2015 to study social work. She said the decision to return to school has been the most rewarding and meaningful accomplishment in her life thus far and credits her Christian faith for helping her find peace in each day. Nardella will begin the University of Alaska Anchorage Master of Social Work program in May.

Following are others honored at the annual student awards breakfast:

Scholar Athlete Awards

The Scholar Athlete Awards honor male and female student-athletes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The recipients are selected based upon their excellence in academic achievement, athletic achievement, campus and community service, and character.

• Sagen Maddalena, rifle


• Lyon Kopsack, cross-country


• Carl Wahlin, cross-country

ASUAF Award for Outstanding Faculty and Staff

The Associated Students of UAF Award for Outstanding Faculty and Staff is selected by students and awarded to the faculty and staff members who have made the most significant contributions to students.

• Kaydee Van Flein, UAF conduct coordinator and operations manager


• Sherri Wall, economics instructor and faculty advisor for two student groups, Students Who Enjoy Economic Thinking and Students in Free Enterprise

Outstanding students by schools and colleges

College of Engineering and Mines

• Shane D. Ohms, civil and environmental engineering


• Carie Navio, computer engineering


• Tristan J. Craddick, computer science


• Derek Daniel Gamage, electrical engineering


• Josselynn Schneider-Curry, geological engineering


• Dylan Nicholas Sanders, mechanical engineering


• Steve J. Gabrielsen, mining engineering


• Adam Y. Tiss, petroleum engineering

College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

• Jennifer L. Peeks, fisheries

College of Liberal Arts

• Kaitlin Jonette Tom, Alaska Native languages


• Colleen E. Mertes, anthropology


• Sara Michele Hensel, art


• Chia Moua, communications


• Annie Wenstrup, English


• Ashley Rose Thornton, foreign languages and literatures


• Edward S. Paxson, History


• John Sheldon Dougherty, journalism


• Ashley Mariah von Borstel, justice


• John Parker Shank, linguistics


• Ariana N. Horner, music


• Louise Bishop, philosophy and humanities


• Colin B. MacDonald, political science


• Didar Baumgartner, psychology


• Erica Lynn Nardella, social work


• Bethany J. Eisenman, sociology


• Lara E. Lotze, theatre and film


• Joanna M. Parrish, women’s and gender studies

College of Natural Science and Mathematics

• Benjamin M. Hedges, biological sciences


• Sean A. Merriman, chemistry


• Trevor S. Grams, geography


• Matthew R. Goffena, geoscience


• Lida I. Zakurdaew, mathematics


• Jeremy D. Thomas, physics


• Luke Rollie Rogers, wildlife biology and conservation

College of Rural and Community Development

• Bobbie Lynn McNeley, Alaska Native studies


• Kelly Renee Utkin, child development and family studies


• Heather M. Kangas, developmental education


• Christina M. Edwin, rural development


• Esau Daniel Qaġġiġluilaq Sinnok, tribal management

Community and Technical College

• Emma Rose Apitzsch, aviation maintenance


• Tyne S. Walker, professional piloting


• Alissa Lynn Healy, associate of arts


• Angela R. Ketzler, applied accounting


• Leslie M. McEwen, applied business


• Austin P. Pierce, automotive technology


• Kyle Q. Williams, computer information technology specialist


• Cory B. Crook, computer information technology specialist (distance)


• Autumn R. Nelson, construction management


• Jessica Rivera Ausmann, culinary arts and hospitality


• Daniel Powell, diesel/heavy equipment


• Jennifer A. Centers, drafting technology


• Clara M. Bird, early childhood education (rural)


• Tina E. Rice, early childhood education


• Jesse L. Bruno, fire science


• Sabrina Elizabeth Houger, human services


• John Walsh Wagner, paramedic academy


• Jaboha Parthenia Smothers, paralegal studies


• Kristofer Paul Don, instrumentation technology


• Maranda Kimberly Nottingham, process technology


• Lindsey Diane Dreydoppel, medical assisting, allied health


• Joshua M. Gates, welding

Division of General Studies

• KaCee Francine Llewelyn, interdisciplinary studies: biomedical sciences

School of Education

• Brittany Nicole Williams, elementary education


• Ella N. Van Siegman, secondary education

School of Management

• Zachary Royce Morris, accounting


• Patricia M. Eagan, business administration


• Katelyn Bushnell, economics


• Denise Bechard, homeland security and emergency management


• Jonathan S. Ray, military science and leadership (ROTC)

School of Natural Resources and Extension

• Kimberly Diamond, agriculture and horticulture


• Sagen Maddalena, natural resources

NOTE TO EDITORS: Students who have earned academic honors but have requested that their directory information remain confidential may not appear on the public honors list.