Daily Sitka Sentinel

Bauder to Get Award, Speak at UAS Event

Burgess Bauder, a veterinarian who has served Sitka and its outlying communities for more than 35 years, will be recognized with a Meritorious Service Award at the University of Alaska commencement exercises 7 p.m. May 3 at UAS-Sitka Campus.

Bauder also will deliver the commencement address.

Burgess Bauder (Sentinel Photo)

 

In addition to compassionate treatment of domestic animals, he assists at the Alaska Raptor Center with surgeries and offers his services for the bruins at Fortress of the Bear, a volunteer safe haven for bears,  UAS said in a press release.

In 2013 he received the Sitka Chamber of Commerce Cossack Cap Award, for his community service.

“Burgess doesn’t charge, per se. He doesn’t have any employees, he doesn’t have any fancy equipment, he just looks at the animals, and owners pay for the drugs Burgess thinks their pets need,” KCAW reporter, Diana Saverin, was quoted by UAS as saying.

“Everything else he does – commercial fishing, property rentals — supports his pro bono practice. To most professionals, ‘pro bono’ means occasionally doing free work for a good cause. For Burgess, pro bono is central to his vision. Taking money for this work goes against his nature.”

Also being honored at UAS commencements this year are Richard Carstensen, at the Juneau ceremony, May 5, who will receive an honorary doctorate of science.; and Allison Browne, Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy, Cheryl Samuel and Sally Smith, who will be given Meritorious Service Awards May 5 in Juneau.

The university expects to award 399 associate, bachelor and master degrees; 97 certificates and professional licensures; and 223 occupational endorsements this year. 

UAS Chancellor Rick Caulfield, Provost Karen Carey, and UA regents Dale Anderson and John Bania will attend the three commencements, along with Paul Layer, UA vice president for academics, students and research.

 

“We are enormously proud of our graduates at all three UAS campuses,’’ Caulfield said. ‘‘Many of our students are first-generation college students and are completing their degree while raising a family and working one or two jobs. Every one of them chose to advance their skills and education at UAS as a pathway to improving their life and that of their family and community. They’ve put in a lot of hard work, and now it is time to celebrate their accomplishments. Well done, all!”