Doyon Foundation is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund, the Mary Jane and Hugh Fate, Jr. Leadership Fund, established by their daughter, Jennifer Fate. Jennifer, a member of both the Doyon, Limited and Doyon Foundation boards, created the fund to honor Mary Jane and Hugh’s accomplishments for the betterment of the Doyon people.
“There are many kinds of leadership. There’s community leadership, business leadership, educational leadership and the kind of leadership that stands up and says difficult truths out loud,” Jennifer said. “This fund is in honor of my parents, Mary Jane and Bud Fate. In their 65-year love story, they lived all of these types of leadership.”
“This fund celebrates those who strive to make our community a better place and our people, a stronger and healthier people,” Jennifer added. “It’s a fund that also recognizes the importance of those who bring leadership to healing past traumas, stopping current abuses and reshaping lives.”
Mary Jane’s life has been a positive example of leadership and involvement in her Alaska Native community. Overcoming adversity at a young age, Mary Jane understood the significance of cultural support and community involvement. Through practicing her Athabascan subsistence traditions, through embracing leadership, and with the resilient support of her husband, Hugh, Mary Jane became one of the most inspirational and motivating Alaska Native leaders of her generation.
Both Mary Jane and Hugh dedicated their lives to the betterment of the Alaska Native and Doyon region people. They were co-founders of the Fairbanks Native Association, mentored many Alaska Natives and Doyon region peoples, and provided dental health services throughout rural interior villages, traveling by small plane to villages where no dental services existed. Mary Jane served as the first female co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives, president of Baan O Yeel Kon Village Corporation, and on numerous other boards and commissions.
“We are grateful for the example set by Mary Jane and Hugh Fate, Jr., and we are grateful for Jennifer’s generosity in establishing this scholarship, which will make it possible for future Alaska Native leaders to get the education they need to carry the torch forward into the next generation,” said Doris Miller, Doyon Foundation executive director.
Doyon shareholders studying health care, mental health care, business or any profession that contributes to the greater Alaska Native business, cultural or social community will be eligible for the new scholarship. Funds may be used for college, graduate school, post-secondary education, vocational or certificate programs. Preference will be given to students overcoming adversity or intending to enter a profession that contributes to the social or economic well-being of the Alaska Native community.
The first scholarship from the fund will be a basic scholarship awarded in spring 2018. The deadline for the spring 2018 scholarships has passed. A competitive scholarship will also be awarded in academic year 2018 – 2019. The next competitive scholarship application deadline is Tuesday, May 15, 2018, for scholarships for the 2018 – 2019 academic year.
“Please encourage Doyon shareholders working on a degree or vocation in business, education, mental health and health, substance abuse counseling, or spiritual and cultural training to apply for this scholarship. And thank you to the many leaders out there. Anaa Basee’,” Jennifer said.
Contributions from other donors to the Mary Jane and Hugh Fate, Jr. Leadership Fund are welcome. Secure online donations may be made on the Foundation website; be sure to note “Fate leadership scholarship” in the “special instructions” box. Donations may also be made by mailing a check to Doyon Foundation at 615 Bidwell Ave., Suite 101, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. Please note “Fate leadership scholarship” in the memo line.
For more information about Doyon Foundation, scholarship eligibility and application instructions, or opportunities to support students, please visit www.doyonfoundation.com or contact 907.459.2048 or [email protected].