OUT OF TIlE ASHES
LINDA ROE - Nursing Linda Roe is the kind of person that faces challenges head on, and does it with a smile. She and her six children have lived through unthinkable tragedy that forced them to make difficult changes. With her genuine, kind and strong demeanor, Roe has come through it all, determined both to be there for her family and give back to her community. Roe and her family were living in the rural community of Kenny Lake where she and her husband ran a meat processing business. The business was destroyed in a fire in 2004, so her husband, Phil, drove trucks to support his family. Phil was killed in a tragic accident in 2006. Roe knew she'd have to make a change to continue providing for her children, and she decided to pursue a career in nursing. She began taking classes at UAA through the Prince William Sound Community College Copper Basin Campus in Glennallen, and she and her children moved to Anchorage in 2008 to continue her education. "Being a nurse will be very fulfilling, " Roe said. "It'll be a challenging career that will allow me to have financial independence." In 2009, Roe became one of 50 UAA students to benefit from the newly-established Seawolf Opportunity Scholarships program in its first year. Roe describes it as a "lifesaver. " With two of her kids at home, the scholarship allows her focus on her studies and family. "] can survive anything as long as I'm doing something purposeful," Roe said. "Giving back is really important to me and it brings joy to my life."
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Mark Williams - Music Education Mark Williams likes to toot his own horn -literally. AMusic Education major, Williams is eager to play, perform and teach others how to play the trumpet. He's also one of a handful of students who received a Seawolf Opportunity Scholarship this past year. "r got the award letter and I was shocked l " said Williams. "I've promised myself this scholarship, this blessing, will not be used in vain. " Williams didn't know if he was going to attend college full-time after graduating from high school. His family wasn't able to help him with expenses, so he thought he might just take classes when he could or rely on student loans or scholarships. Today, as a freshman , he's thriving as a performer and student, and hopes to one day accomplish his dream of being a high school band teacher. Williams says he lives by the words of Langston Hughes, "Hold fast to your dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-Winged bird that cannot fly. "
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BUILDING HEH DREAMS
INSPIRED TO EXCEL
McKenzie Moss - Engineering
Ben Persinger - B.B.A., Accounting '10
Born and raised in Anchorage, Bartlett High honors student McKenzie Moss hadn't planned on staying in Alaska for college until three important pieces fell into place. First, being in the top 10 percent of her graduating class, she qualified for the VA Scholars program, which pays a large portion toward her tuition over four years. Second, she received a student-athlete scholarship to help with other education expenses. Third, UM volleyball coach Chris Green offered her a spot on the Seawolves' volleyball team. For Moss, the combination was irresistible. "The idea of saving some money by staying at home and being part of a team where I knew I'd really get to play helped make UM the right choice for me," said Moss. The youngest in a close-knit family of 10 siblings, Moss also found a supportive sense of "family" here at UM with her volleyball teammates as they captured the Great Northwest Athletic Conference 2009 Championship. "It really helps to be around people who share your passion, and who also understand the challenges of being in a team sport while still maintaining your study schedule," said Moss. Maintaining that balance is important to Moss, who not only dreams of being an All-American (like one of her teammates, just last year), but is also pursuing the challenging coursework needed to achieve her career goal of becoming a structural engineer. "I get excited when I look at a bridge or a building and think that one day, I'll be able to say 'I helped build that. ' It just makes me want to learn more."
Ben PerSinger likes to get things done. He describes himself as an easy-going guy who is determined and a high achiever. On top of completing his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accountingas a full-time student with the College of Business and Public Policy, he was president of UM's Accounting Club, worked a carpentry job and wrapped up an internship with Anchorage accounting firm Mikunda Cottrell, where he was offered a job upon his 2010 graduation. And he has no plans to slow down - he'll be taking the Certified Public Accountant licensing test as soon as he can. Persinger came to Alaska in his teens from Whitehorse, in Canada's Yukon Territory. As a dual citizen, he opted to come back to the state for school. He had initially envisioned a two-year associate degree, but changed his mjnd when he had lunch with an accounting professional, set-up by one of his professors . It allowed him to see his own potential, and he switched to the four-year degree program. Persinger hasn't regretted that decision one bit. "I'm motivated," he said. "I believe the dedication of teachers has helped me succeed in life and in school." Persinger put himself through his first three years of college, and only applied for scholarships his senior year. He was awarded UMs Evergreen Business Capital Scholarship, Accounting Club Scholarship and Alumni Scholarship. "Scholarships have helped me meet the financial demands of school. They have also helped me extend my schooling from a two-year program to a four-year program."