University of Alaska Southeast to honor students, regional leaders at 55th annual commencement ceremony
- Jasz Garrett
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Juneau’s recognition of graduates and other honorees set for Sunday at a new downtown location
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
This Sunday, 122 students are expected to walk across the stage at Centennial Hall during the University of Alaska’s commencement ceremony in Juneau.
They will be among the estimated 405 students graduating from UAS’s Juneau campus during the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, an estimated 171 students from Sitka and nine from Ketchikan will graduate this year, including summer and traveling graduates.
Students in the class of 2026 will be awarded master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as professional licensures, certificates and occupational endorsements.
The Native Graduation Celebration, organized by the UAS Native and Rural Student Center, is scheduled at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. Juneau’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall. In the past, graduations have been held at the Student Recreation Center on campus.
The student speaker will be Samuel Marquardt, who is receiving a Bachelor of Science in marine biology. Marquardt is an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard member through the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative and will attend Officer Candidate School following graduation.
At the ceremony, UAS will also confer honorary doctorates and a Meritorious Service Award to four leaders, including culture-bearers, a tourism innovator, and an advocate for victims and survivors, according to a press release.
“Our graduates have shown incredible dedication and resilience in reaching this milestone,” said UAS Chancellor Aparna Palmer in a prepared statement. “We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and are delighted to celebrate their hard work and achievements alongside those of four visionary Southeast Alaskans.”
UAS will confer honorary doctorates of laws on L’eiwtú Éesh Herman Davis, Younce Kóo oo Wóo Russell Dick and Aanyáanáx Ray Wilson, and will present Saralyn Tabachnick with the 2026 Meritorious Service Award.
The award recognizes a community member who has demonstrated significant public, academic, volunteer, philanthropic, cultural or artistic service to the university or to an Alaskan community.
“In her 38 years working at AWARE, a survivor-support services, education and advocacy organization, Tabachnick held various roles from trauma counselor to executive director,” the press release states. “She oversaw the development of the Kaasei Satu' plaza, healing koote’eyaa (totem pole) and screen, established the Kaasei transitional housing for survivors, and developed a comprehensive approach to addressing the full spectrum of violence prevention.”
Tabachnick also chaired the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and continues to be involved with several nonprofit organizations.
Nominations for an honorary degree or Meritorious Service Award can be made by a member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, by campus advisory councils, members of the university community or by any Alaska citizen.
These nominations are reviewed by a board of regents committee, the university chancellor, and the president before being approved by the regents.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
