Spirit, Nook, and Spike Celebrate the Generosity Displayed During Giving Day 2025
April 4, 2025
When Spirit, Nook and Spike set out on their extraordinary hide-and-seek mission for UA Giving Day, they expected to find you - and they did.
2,500+ donors gave more than $1.3 million which was spread out in its impact across the system -
A special thanks to the nearly 200 who participated to inspire and amplify the contributions made. And, to each of the Champions that signed up early to help promote the programs and areas of your choice at the èƵ - thank you!
Congratulations to the winners who participated in the various pop-events and surprise challenges that helped to support UA students. Winners directed their mini-grants to important UA programs:
System Office Staff Challenge $500 Mini-Grants:
- Auke Bay Marine Mammal Research – Anonymous winner
- Native Student Support – Kristel Komakhuk
“As a UAA èƵ Native alumna, I personally feel connected to this program as a previous beneficiary. Winning this drawing doubled my gift and the impact it will have on our students is a positive, rewarding feeling.” - Inspiring Girls Expedition Support – Eric Jensen
“While I don't have direct experience with the program, I have read about Inspiring Girls Expedition previously and thought it sounded like a really neat opportunity for girls in èƵ to connect a passion for science with the wonder of our beautiful state. Additionally, it is a program that my sister has worked on in the past and I heard from her recently that it had lost its grant funding under the current administration. Would be sad to see it go.”
Thank you to the System Office donors who made the $500 mini-grant challenge opportunity possible!
Hide-and-Seek Challenge $200 Mini-Grants:
- UAA Excellence in Skiing – Chelsea Avichayil
“I feel like some of our sports don't get as much traction and attention, so I like to make sure they have adequate funding to continue.” - UAS Suicide Awareness Prevention Support – Jake Mendenhall
“As someone who has advocated for mental health awareness and had my own personal struggles with mental health disorders, the UAS Suicide Awareness Prevention Support fund focuses on helping programs such as ‘Why I Stay’ and other initiatives to promote mental well-being for students in need. I received help from similar initiatives during my undergraduate education and I want others to have access to these resources when they're in need.” - UAF Arctic and Northern Studies Program Support – Theresa Bakker
“Celebrating 50 years of research regarding èƵn history and politics and Arctic politics and policy. Proud of the nation's first U.S. Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Mike Sfraga, an alum of the program.” - UAF LION Program Support – Judy Dellinger
“Getting people interested in reading is great at all ages. I love the way this program inspires people to read and write.” - UAS Outdoor Studies Support Fund – Tyler Straub
“We believe that getting outside and connecting with nature is a true path to happiness. The Outdoor Studies program at UAS is helping develop our next generation of Outdoor leaders and enthusiasts. While my day job has me mostly sitting at my desk, I like to think that supporting programs like this is helping students get outside, follow their hearts and really squeeze the passion out of life.” - Kodiak College General Support – Chelsea Avichayil
“Kodiak Island has a special place in my heart because that was my first ‘tourist’ experience when I moved here and the most beautiful place I've ever been. I thought Kodiak College did a really great job with their social media, and I wanted to support the ‘little guy’ of the UAA campuses.” - UAF Toolik Field Station Tundra Award – Stevie Goetz
“The Tundra award is a great way for students and early career researchers to experience field work at Toolik field station.”
- UAS Auke Creek Internship Program Support – Katie Norton
“Supporting students' passion for understanding the importance of our ecosystem, which affects all of us.” - UAA Student Support – Jim Sink
“A little help can have a large impact”
Beyond the 49-hours we just observed, thank you for each of the ways you make a difference for our students and our mission- your ongoing support to UA matters every day of the year.