“Determine what you want, pursue it and remain determined. You will succeed. Have people close in your life that support you and your ideas. Treat everyone with respect and kindness; it will be returned.” 
This is the advice that Torin Jacobs, one of Doyon Foundation’s 2010 – 2011 Morris Thompson competitive scholarship recipients, shared with his fellow students. Originally of Bethel, Alaska, Jacobs is currently living in Anchorage, where he is attending the University of Alaska Anchorage and expects to graduate in fall 2012.
Jacobs, who is studying business management, is the owner of Jacobs Sound Productions, an Anchorage-based music/audio production company. He plans to use the knowledge he has gained to strengthen and grow his business. In the future, he would also like to establish an educational program for students interested in music production and sound engineering.
Jacobs didn’t always know what he wanted to do. He said his biggest challenge was choosing a major.
“Our Creator found it suitable for me to be fascinated by everything in this world, which presents a major challenge when it comes to choosing a major. Thankfully, I was able to provide myself time to discover my passion and develop my skills and abilities while serving in the Marine Corps. Having done so, I began pursuing a future that involved music and learning how to make an income with something I’m passionate about,” he said.
Financing his education is one challenge that Doyon Foundation has been able to assist Jacobs with. “Doyon Foundation has consistently been a major financial support in my educational endeavors,” he said. “Because of this, I am able to focus more on my education and less on worrying how to pay for it.”
Aside from pursuing his degree, Jacobs said he also plans to continue “my education in my Yup’ik and Inupiaq cultures so that I may teach my children with the best of my knowledge our way of life.” He is also involved as a member of the Native Emerging Leaders Forum in Anchorage, and is a part-time performer with Pamyua under the moniker RiverFlowz.
Jacobs in the son of Blanche Theresa Jacobs from Philadelphia, Penn. and Herbert Raymond Jacobs from Hooper Bay, Alaska. He is the grandson of the late Sarah Andrews and John Davis from Philadelphia, Penn. and the late Mary Alice Jacobs (Menzo) of Hooper Bay and Hultman Jacobs of Shaktoolik, Alaska.