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Dr. Stephen “Walkie” Charles

Associate Professor of Yup’ik Language, Emeritus

Dr. Stephen “Walkie” Charles served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 1995 to 2025.

Dr. Charles’ excellence in teaching and mentorship has been widely recognized with multiple awards. He designed and taught a wide range of courses, specializing in Yugtun (Yup’ik) language instruction.

Dr. Charles studied methods of teaching second languages. He developed materials for teaching the central �ֻ�ֱ�� Yup’ik language and contributed to research on Indigenous language assessment and acquisition.

Dr. Charles served as the first �ֻ�ֱ�� Native director of UAF’s �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Language Center. He was inaugural chair of the �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council and co-chair of the American Anthropological Association’s Committee on Indigenous Education.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Stephen “Walkie” Charles for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Michael S. Koskey

Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies, Emeritus

Dr. Michael S. Koskey served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2007 to 2025.

Dr. Koskey taught broadly in anthropology, cross-cultural and Indigenous studies and rural development. He led 39 committees for graduate students, who valued his generosity, depth of knowledge and diverse experiences.

Dr. Koskey conducted internationally recognized research and published prolifically, and his circumpolar study of reindeer herding at the end of the 20th century remains a key contribution to Arctic anthropology.

Dr. Koskey served as chair for both the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies and the Department of �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Studies and Rural Development. While serving on committees developing UAF research and degree programs, he worked to ensure respectful partnerships with organizations and communities outside the university.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Michael S. Koskey for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Charles W. Mason

Professor of Journalism, Emeritus

Mr. Charles W. Mason has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 1990 to 2026.

Mr. Mason’s outstanding teaching earned him UAF’s 2019 Usibelli Distinguished Teaching Award. He led the teaching transition from film to digital imagery, then pioneered UAF’s online photography courses. Using his dual appointment in the Art Department, he created master’s and bachelor’s degrees in fine art photography.

Mr. Mason’s photography has been featured widely in media, books and exhibits, and his numerous accolades include the World Press Photo’s Oskar Barnack Award, equivalent of a U.S. Pulitzer Prize.

Mr. Mason served as Journalism Department chair for 26 years, as well as on numerous committees. His efforts secured funding for the Snedden Endowed Chair in Journalism.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Charles W. Mason for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Ms. Joan E. Hornig

Associate Professor of Elementary Education, Emeritus

Ms. Joan E. Hornig served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 1999 to 2026.

Ms. Hornig, using her engaging teaching style, deep subject expertise and ability to foster critical thinking and creativity, has taught, supervised and mentored hundreds of elementary teachers across the state.

Ms. Hornig founded and co-led a multimillion-dollar, grant-funded partnership with rural schools and organizations for the past dozen years, bringing culturally sustaining, arts-infused methods into university coursework and professional development while supporting district-based teacher recruitment and retention.

Ms. Hornig served since 2019 as chair of the Elementary Education Department; and she played an integral role in the School of Education’s accreditation for more than 15 years.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Ms. Joan E. Hornig for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Ellen D. Lopez

Professor of Public Health Education and
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Emeritus

Dr. Ellen D. Lopez served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2008 to 2026.

Dr. Lopez is an outstanding classroom teacher who advised multiple graduate students and also supported numerous students through her leadership in the Biological and Medical Student Training program.

Dr. Lopez’s scientific inquiries included groundbreaking work in community-based participatory studies and culturally grounded health research with �ֻ�ֱ�� Native communities.

Dr. Lopez served five years as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, offering respect, compassion and resilience to colleagues. She has served the Fairbanks community through such activities as facilitation of the Fairbanks Native Association’s Hopeful Connections support group and service on the Breast Cancer Detection Center’s board.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Ellen D. Lopez for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Charles Sean Asikłuk Topkok

Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Emeritus

Dr. Charles Sean Asikłuk Topkok has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2006 to 2026.

Dr. Topkok’s courses were known for their rigor and for centering Indigenous knowledge, values and ways of learning. He chaired and co-chaired 20 graduate student committees.

Dr. Topkok’s research has included initiatives on place-based science education, Arctic community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and cultural connections in science learning.

Dr. Topkok served as director of the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, in the Faculty Senate and on numerous committees. He has led the Pavva Iñupiaq Dancers, served as a consultant to the television series “Molly of Denali” and worked to advance the vitality of Iñupiaq culture, language and values.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Charles Sean Asikłuk Topkok for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Donald L. Hampton

Research Professor of Space Physics, Emeritus

Dr. Donald L. Hampton served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2006 to 2026.

Dr. Hampton holds a research position but has taught multiple classes and served on 11 graduate committees.

Dr. Hampton’s research focuses on optical techniques to quantify the aurora’s energy input into the upper atmosphere, which helps explain how space weather affects ozone levels, atmospheric energy transport and the drag experienced by satellites.

Dr. Hampton has served as chief scientist at Poker Flat Research Range, where he often leads tours. He has served on NASA’s Sounding Rocket Working Group. He has also developed world-class imaging networks across �ֻ�ֱ�� that benefit a broad community of space physics researchers.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Donald L. Hampton for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Shannon K. Atkinson DeMaster

Professor of Fisheries, Emeritus

Dr. Shannon K. Atkinson DeMaster served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2000 to 2026.

Dr. Atkinson DeMaster has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, and she has led 41 graduate student committees and served on 33 more.

Dr. Atkinson DeMaster is internationally recognized for her contributions to marine mammal physiology, endocrinology and conservation science. Her research program has been notable not only for its productivity but also for its community engagement and integration with teaching.

Dr. Atkinson DeMaster has served the university and public through international scientific committees, community events and leadership in interdisciplinary research and education programs.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Shannon K. Atkinson DeMaster for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Katherine S. Hedstrom

Oceanographer, Emeritus

Dr. Katherine S. Hedstrom served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2001 to 2025.

Dr. Hedstrom served on multiple student graduate committees and always generously gave her time to students, despite having, as a staff scientist, no formal teaching duties at UAF.

Dr. Hedstrom, for over two decades, has served as the key connection between UAF’s ocean modeling expertise and the national and international communities of ocean modeling. Much of the ocean circulation modeling for �ֻ�ֱ�� waters in the past 20 years has been based on her numerical model domains and computer code.

Dr. Hedstrom provided a valuable public service, with no expectation of reward,  by guiding young investigators new to the modeling enterprise, and she continues to offer her time to tackle ocean modeling challenges. 

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Katherine S. Hedstrom for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Billy Connor

Director of the Arctic Infrastructure Development Center, Emeritus

Mr. Billy Connor has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2005 to 2026.

Mr. Connor taught courses and regularly mentored students on their capstone and service-learning projects. He helped develop an internship program with �ֻ�ֱ��’s state transportation agency, where he worked for 28 years.

Mr. Connor, after joining UAF, led and contributed to multiple permafrost and infrastructure research projects, courses and conferences. He authored definitive reference books on ice roads and on building roads and airfields on permafrost. He recently led the completion of the load frames in the Usibelli Building’s high bay.

Mr. Connor delivered transportation expertise to tribal communities across �ֻ�ֱ��. He chaired and served on numerous national and professional committees, elevating UAF’s national visibility.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Billy Connor for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Ned Rozell

Science Writer, Emeritus

Mr. Ned Rozell has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in science writing  from 1994 to 2026.

Mr. Rozell, as an employee of the UAF Geophysical Institute, authored the weekly �ֻ�ֱ�� Science Forum column, which appears in numerous news outlets across the state and beyond. He has written several books, including one in progress about the history of the Geophysical Institute.

Mr. Rozell’s words explain scientific findings and investigations in an accurate, interesting manner, informing readers about the contributions that university researchers and others make to knowledge about �ֻ�ֱ��. His columns often originate with excursions into �ֻ�ֱ��’s remote regions with scientists and friends.

Mr. Rozell frequently shares his insights and experiences through public speaking and teaching.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Ned Rozell for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Matt Seymour

Executive Officer, Emeritus

Mr. Matt Seymour has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in fiscal compliance and research administration from 1995 to 2026.

Mr. Seymour began his UAF career as a student assistant in the Bursar’s Office and rose through positions of increasing responsibility until being hired as the Institute of Arctic Biology’s executive officer in 2021. During this time, he earned an MBA and served as an active-duty Army reservist in Iraq.

Mr. Seymour, in his most recent position at IAB, developed a grant expenditure tracking and projection tool for principal investigators; and, operating mid-pandemic, he built a cohesive, loyal and high-performance administrative team; and he demonstrated an exemplary ability to bridge gaps in communication and understanding between departments.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Matthew Seymour for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Darren “Bear” Edson

Superintendent of Operations, Emeritus

Mr. Darren “Bear” Edson served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in facilities operation and maintenance from 1995 to 2026.

Mr. Edson began his UAF career as a student equipment operator and served in numerous roles before ultimately rising to superintendent of operations for Facilities Services.

Mr. Edson cares deeply about UAF’s people, focusing consistently on student needs and being always willing to help by stepping up personally, finding a workaround or making something happen behind the scenes.

Mr. Edson has embodied the spirit and culture of UAF for decades, starting with his long-ago service as the Nook polar bear mascot (one alleged source of his nickname) and continuing today in his humor, humanity and professionalism.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Darrin “Bear” Edson for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Hajo Eicken

Director of the International Arctic Research Center, Emeritus

Dr. Hajo Eicken served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 1988 to 2023.

Dr. Eicken taught undergraduate and graduate courses focused on sea and glacier ice for more than two decades, and he served as chair of more than a dozen graduate students’ committees.

Dr. Eicken has made foundational contributions to sea-ice geophysics, Arctic observing systems and climate science. He has published more than 180 peer-reviewed journal articles and 21 book chapters and edited volumes. He also helped pioneer the integration of Iñupiat sea-ice knowledge with scientific methods.

Dr. Eicken led UAF’s International Arctic Research Center for the past decade. Under his stewardship, IARC grew into a globally recognized hub for interdisciplinary Arctic science. As director, Dr. Eicken demonstrated an unwavering commitment to connecting science with the needs of decision-makers and local communities

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Hajo Eicken for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Margaret B. Short

Associate Professor of Statistics, Emeritus

Dr. Margaret B. Short served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2006 to 2026.

Dr. Short taught courses across the breadth of the undergraduate and graduate programs in statistics, and she supervised 15 master’s students. She also helped develop a new data science program.

Dr. Short’s research focused on Bayesian statistics, with a recent emphasis on more effective modeling of fish movements, which involved collaborations with students, UAF faculty and state researchers.

Dr. Short’s participation in UAF’s Statistical Consulting Seminar benefited research far beyond her own department. She also served in the Faculty Senate and as a referee for multiple peer-reviewed journals. She volunteered as a judge at middle and high school science fairs for many years.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Margaret B. Short for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.