UAS Sets Commencement
At Sitka Campus on Friday
The University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka Campus will hold its commencement ceremony 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. A reception will follow.
The commencement speaker will be Crystal Duncan, vice deputy mayor for the City and Borough of Sitka.
Duncan is a beneficiary of the University of Alaska educational system. She attended the University of Fairbanks and completed a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a master of business administration in general management in 2019. She also was employed at the university in the Title III staff position.
Brianna Forbis will give the student reflection. She is a graduate of the associate of applied science Health Information Management program, and was selected as the Student of Distinction for Health Information Management. Forbis lives in North Pole.
In all, UAS expects to award 381 associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees, as well as certificates, professional licensures, and occupational endorsements in commencement events this weekend in Sitka, Ketchikan and Juneau.
UAS Chancellor Karen Carey, Provost Maren Haavig, UA regent Dale Anderson, and UA President Pat Pitney will travel to the campuses to celebrate the success of graduates in the three communities.
“We are enormously proud of our graduates at all three UAS campuses,” noted Carey. “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!”
Dinner, Auction
Set at Elks Lodge
Sitka Elks Lodge will host a benefit auction and dinner for Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter 5 p.m. Sunday, May 28.
Dinner will be burgers. Dessert and pet toy auctions are planned.
All events held at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests.
SAIL Planning
Wildlife Cruise
All are invited to join Southeast Alaska Independent Living 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, for an evening wildlife cruise with refreshments, music and marine animals.
Tickets are available online at sailinc.org, at SAIL’s office, or at Old Harbor Books for $75 per ticket.
All proceeds support the Sitka SAIL office. Scholarships are available upon request. Email sitka@sailinc.org or call 888-500-7245 for information.
Volunteers Needed
For Boatshop Work
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is holding a volunteer work party to restore exterior walls on the Japonski Island Boatshop, Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and they can be there for part or all of the time. They should bring gloves and tools if they have them.
Project leaders will provide training in historic preservation principles and methods. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
Call 738-7448, email sitkamaritime@gmail.com, or go to sitkamaritime.org for more information.
Sign-Up Open For
Music Program
Parks and Recreation has opened registration for summer music programming, at recreationatcityofsitka.com.
The Summer Music Series will introduce participants ages 18 months to adult to a wide range of topics, including musical theater, sight reading, vocal techniques and more.
Camps and classes are held at Keet Gooshi Heen elementary school, 307 Kashevaroff Street. Programming is offered June through August, and scholarships are available.
More information about course offerings and costs can be found on the Parks and Recreation page of www.cityofsitka.com; by emailing Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org; or by calling 907 747-4031.
Kenwa Karate
Meeting on Tap
Kenwa Karate of Sitka will hold its annual meeting and potluck 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter.
Karate students, families and friends are welcome to attend and take a dish to share.
The group is seeking one person to join its non-profit board of directors. For information contact Laurinda Marcello, Instructor at sensei@sitkakarate.org or 907-738-2887.
STA Invites Elders
To Coffee Time
Sitka Tribe of Alaska will host a coffee time for community elders 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at ANB Founders Hall.
Coffee and a continental breakfast are provided. Coffee times are offered every second Thursday of the month.
Call Jean Swanson at (907) 747-3968 with questions.
