The University of Alaska Southeast projects 348 degrees for the 2007-08 academic year, up from 276 degrees last year. The tally includes 125 graduate, 136 undergraduate and 87 Associate degrees.  An additional 80+ occupational endorsements and undergraduate and graduate certificates were conferred, up from 22 in 2007.  UAS Director of Institutional Research Pat Moore notes that final numbers won’t be confirmed until August, after degrees are audited.

“This is the largest and most diverse class in UAS history in terms of ethnicity and types of degrees being awarded,” said Chancellor John Pugh.

Sporting a mortarboard with painted salmon, artist, naturalist and author Ray Troll received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts for his unique ability to combine art and science at both the Ketchikan and Juneau ceremonies. Troll’s humorous remarks were well received by all in attendance.

The Sitka ceremony included the presentation of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Island Institute and Sitka Symposium founders Carolyn Servid and Dorik Mechau.

Theatre in the Rough founders, performers and designers Katie Jensen and Aaron Elmore were honored in Juneau with a Meritorious Service Award for distinguished contributions to the performing arts.

At the Juneau ceremony, Seattle University president Father Stephen Sundborg presented the commencement address. Father Sundborg’s Juneau roots go back to his early education in Juneau at St. Anne’s school and Juneau-Douglas High School. He moved to Fairbanks when his father, George Sundborg, became editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. George Sundborg, now 95 and living in Seattle, was an at-large elected delegate to the Alaska State Constitutional Convention. Though Stephen Sundborg left Juneau 50 years ago, he assured graduates, “You can leave Juneau and leave Alaska, but Juneau and Alaska will never leave you.”