A total of 85 Doyon Foundation students graduated from college, a vocational program or high school this spring. 
Foundation staff, board members, alumni, students and special guests gathered to celebrate their accomplishments at a graduation reception held on May 12 in Fairbanks. See the graduation reception album on Facebook for photos from the event.
The reception opened with a welcome by Doris Miller, the Foundation’s executive director, who shared highlights from the Foundation’s past year. Audience members also heard comments from alumni speaker Joy Huntington, graduate speaker Jessie Bergman-David, and Robin Renfroe, vice president of human resources and shareholder relations at Doyon, Limited. The reception concluded with recognition of the 2011 graduates and introductions by the 11 graduates in attendance.
Several graduates expressed their heartfelt gratitude with Doyon Foundation donors.
“Thank you for making it possible for me to get my degree in applied business. Class of 2011 rocks!” said graduate Violet Huntington.
“Your contributions helped me achieve my goals. Thank you!” said Geoffrey Bacon, who received a bachelor’s of arts in industrial and labor relations at Cornell University.
This year, Doyon Foundation staff also assisted with the distribution of red sashes to University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates. The sashes, made by the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Alaska Native Education, signify graduating Alaska Native and Native American students, and celebrate both their academic accomplishments and heritage.
For more information on the 2011 graduates, watch for the special graduate edition of the Doyon Foundation e-newsletter, which will be distributed later this month.