Congratulations to all of our LGBTQIA2+ graduates for your achievements! You are an inspiration to all members of the community!
We would also like to recognize all of LGBTQIA2+ graduates that for any reason could not join us in this celebration. In these uncertain times, some queer students may have returned to unsafe or unwelcoming environments. We honor you and your achievements in spite of adversity.
Meet our Graduates
Ray Alda
she/her/hersBS in Biological Sciences
Ray worked as a Student Ambassador for UAF and has been helping prospective students with their transition to college life. Through this position, she was able to meet and connect with many students as well as UAF staff and faculty. One of her goals was met in her last semester at UAF, which was to be the most photographed student at UAF.
Bunny Anderson
she/her/hersBS in Japanese Cultural and Language Studies
Minor in Elementary Education
"Over the years at UAF, I have balanced working 8 jobs, one of which was a student job, attended school full-time and spent my free time as an officer, now president, of both the Japan Alaska Club and Esports Gaming Club. For a brief time, I was also part of Club Council as the representative for culture-based clubs as well as attending the pre-vet club. I will miss my time here at UAF but I look forward to new adventures! "
Kasey Casort
she/her/hersBS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Kasey Casort (she/her/hers) graduated in Fall 2020 with her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Climate Resilience and Adaptation. A lifelong Fairbanksan, Kasey chose to attend UAF because she has always been interested in the intersection of science and policy. This interest evolved during her time at UAF, where she re-started the student organization, Generation Action: Students for Reproductive Justice, and served as a member of the Nanook Diversity & Action Council (NDAC). Kasey insisted on weaving her passion for health care throughout her education, culminating in her UAF Honors Climate Scholar capstone documenting how telehealth can make Alaska's health care systems more resilient to the impacts of climate change as well as mitigate emissions from health care and medical travel in Alaska. Kasey now works remotely as a research associate for a local women-owned small business, Information Insights, and as a project manager and building scientist at the National Renewable Energy Lab's Fairbanks campus, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center. She hopes to do more work in public health and reproductive justice in the future.
Sarah Curtis
they/them/theirsshe/her/hersBS in Interdisciplinary Studies
David Allen Harvey
he/him/hisBS in Geosciences: Geophysics
David is a first-generation and non-tradition student graduating with a B.Sc. in Geophysics. He is so proud to become the first person in his family to graduate from college. During his undergraduate studies, David has conducted volcanology and One Health research with the Alaska Volcano Observatory and Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program. He will continue studying Alaskan volcanoes at UAF in Fall 2021 working toward an M.Sc. in Geology. He would like to thank his friends, chosen family, partner, professors, and mentors for all of their amazing support during the past four years.
Emily Humphrey
she/her/hersBA in English
Maggie May
she/her/hersBA in Art
Minor in Art History
"I’ve started my own business selling art (Tundra & Wildflowers Art Co.) and participated in several art exhibitions and shows. I completed my minor in Art History and my Bachelor’s Degree in Art."
Casey R. McMillan
she/her/hersBS in Psychology
AAS in Paralegal Studies
Minors in Paleontology, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Casey is a first-generation college student graduating with her B.S. in Psychology, A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies, and double minoring in Paleontology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is a 3rd-year BLaST scholar and published author, conducting research on self-grooming in a spontaneous mouse model of OCD and co-authoring a paper on the effects of caffeine on that same mouse model. Casey is a member of the international honors society in psychology, Psi Chi, and was elected treasurer of the UAF chapter for the 2019-2020 academic year. She has also served as treasurer of the UAF GeoScience Club for the past two years. Since 2017, she has been employed as a student assistant for the UAF Department of Equity and Compliance, where she has worked to promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion here at UAF. Casey looks forward to attending graduate school in the near future with the goal of earning her Ph.D. in psychology and/or women, gender, and sexuality studies.
Brandy Ann Merculief
she/her/hersAAS in Information Technology
Brandy graduated in the Fall of 2020 with her A.A.S. in Information Technology. She has worked as a field technician at the UAF Office of Information Technology providing technical support to students, staff, and faculty across the University of Alaska system while studying at UAF. She will continue her work at UAF OIT while attending the UAF School of Management with a goal of achieving a B.A. in Business Administration.
Emory Rose Mildon
she/her/hersBS in Mechanical Engineering
"I started studying Mechanical Engineering after graduating High School in 2016. I started working as an Engineering Intern in the Summer of 2019 locally in Fairbanks. During the Summer of 2020, I decided to transition. I chose my present name in early February 2021. At the end of February 2021, I was awarded the Student Engineer of the Year from the Fairbanks Chapter of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers."
Victoria Nelson
she/her/hersBS in Geological Engineering
Victoria is graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering. During her time here, she’s been active in the College of Engineering and Mines as an officer of the UAF Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, a member of Tau Beta Pi and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, as well as with the Department of Film and Performing Arts. She’s grateful to have had so many chances to interact with students, staff, and the public in these positions, as well as with the UAF Geophysical Institute and the Office of Admissions. She is looking forward to continuing her education here at UAF in the fall as she starts her Master’s of Science!