UAF student awards breakfast April 28
April 27, 2012
Dozens of students will be honored at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ annual student
awards breakfast Saturday, April 28 at 9:30 a.m. in the Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom.
Each spring, UAF honors students who have distinguished themselves throughout their
academic careers.
Among those honored will be the winners of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award,
the Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award and the Joel Wiegert Award. The awards recognize
the accomplishments of three top graduating seniors each year.
Jordyn Montgomery is the recipient of the 2012 Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award
for outstanding graduating senior woman. She will be receiving a bachelor’s degree
in psychology with a minor in sports management. Montgomery transferred to UAF from Rockhurst University in fall 2009. She joined
the volleyball team as a walk-on and earned a scholarship the following year, eventually
becoming a starter and then co-captain of the team for her senior year. In addition
to her stellar performance on the volleyball court and her ability to maintain a 4.0
grade-point-average, Montgomery and five other students started the Students Offering
Leadership Development organization, a club that provides students the opportunity
to gain leadership experience, networking and other personal development skills by
working with the Northern Leadership Center.
“Never in my 21 years of teaching have I had a student that can come close to matching
her level of commitment to the quality of work she submits,” said one faculty nominator.
“She sets a new standard for me in the meaning of ‘excellence.’”
Matthew Robinson is the recipient of the 2012 Joel Wiegert Award, which is given to
the outstanding graduating senior man. He will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in
history with a minor in aviation technology. Robinson is a graduate of West Valley High School. He enrolled at UAF in January
2009 and completed his degree in only three years, while earning a 3.6 cumulative
grade-point-average. He is an officer in the UAF chapter of Phi Alpha Theta and is
a member of the American Fisheries Society, the Free and Accepted Masons, and the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Earlier this year he was one of 55 delegates from
across the state selected to participate in the 2012 Conference of Young Alaskans.
Robinson recently completed his first solo flight at the age of 20.
“Without a doubt, Mr. Robinson takes his education seriously and works hard to make
sure that he is properly prepared for individual classes,” wrote a faculty nominator.
“He offers leadership in class and sets a great example of a disciplined work ethic.
He always has his eyes on the larger goal of preparation for graduate school and a
career in academics.”
Gail Denning is the recipient of the 2012 Gray S. Tilly Memorial Award, which is given
to an outstanding graduating nontraditional student. In May she will be receiving
a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in rural health and a minor in rural development. Denning graduated
from Monroe Catholic High School with honors and went on to study sports medicine
at California State University-Sonoma, where she played three sports while also holding
down two jobs. Parents of a teammate of hers who were both in the medical field inspired
her to change her career goal, so she entered the nursing program at California State
University-San Jose. After passing the nursing licensure exam she began work as a
registered nurse in California, only to have her academics and career interrupted
when she came back to Fairbanks to care for her ailing mother. In addition to pursuing
her studies, Gail has been extremely active in the university and Fairbanks community.
“She is among the most dedicated and sincere students I’ve had in some time,” wrote
a faculty nominator. “I have found her to be someone who has epitomized integrity
in all her words and in her assignments.”