Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University > Alumni > News and Events > Alumni Accomplishments

Find out who’s been promoted, gotten married, written a book and more.

Want to submit an accomplishment? Email devoff@alaskapacific.edu

Gayle Beardsley

Gayle Beardsley ('02) started teaching grade 4 at the Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) in the Bahamas. We wish her the best of luck with the school year.

Lilly Li

Lilly Li ('86 & '08) has been promoted to chief operating officer at Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union. She previously served as their senior vice president of central operations and vice president, internal audit and compliance.

Nina Faust

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska has named Nina Faust ('73), a Big Sister from Homer, the recipient of the 2011 Alaska Big Sister of the Year Award.
The Alaska Big of the Year award goes to the volunteer mentor who best exemplifies the principles and goals of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and has had a positive, lasting impact on their match. Recipients of this award are then nominated to become a National Big of the Year.
GOOD LUCK NINA!

Sandra Halliwill

Sandra Halliwill ('09) has been named director of information technology for Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp. Sandra has more than 20 years of experience delivering solutions that increase organizational effectiveness and reduce costs, waste and risk. She is skilled in information technology, internal audit, performance management and supply chain management. Prior to joining UIC, she worked in enterprise implementation management at BP Exploration.

Elise Brazier

Concordia University Texas announced Dr. Elise Brazier ('89 and '97) as Center Director of the University’s main campus in Austin. In her new role, Brazier will oversee non-traditional degree programs including the accelerated degree program and the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, healthcare administration, and education.

Daisy Bitter

Daisy Lee Bitter (‘75) recently wrote and narrated a video “Sandhill Crane Natural History, Homer, Alaska.” Daisy Lee is a long time Alaskan who has experience as an educator and an award-winning TV producer. She set up a program for Homer’s Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, helped organize the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, and she still volunteers for many nonprofit organizations. Her interest in sandhill cranes is deeply held as it is for many in Homer. Nina Faust (’73) filmed and edited the video. It can be seen on YouTube.

Dr. Jonathon McKee

Dr. Jonathon V. “John” McKee (‘82 and ‘84) was appointed to Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at University of Hawai’i Maui College on August 30th of this year. John earned his Bachelor of Arts in social science and Master of Arts in teaching from APU. For the full article about John’s appointment, go to University of Hawai’i Maui College’s website, http://mauicc.biz/news/view.asp?ID=67.

Ruth Nighswander

Ruth Nighswander ('74) was recognized at the Twentieth Annual BP-YWCA Anchorage Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon held on December 9th. Ruth is widely known in Anchorage for her work as a long-time school nurse. She was named Alaska School Nurse of the Year in 2001 and is now a mentor for school nurses. She also volunteers in everything from the Anchorage Museum to the Olympic Winter Games. (taken from the luncheon program)

Evelyn Abello

Evelyn Abello ('08) was recognized at the Twentieth Annual BP-YWCA Anchorage Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon held on December 9th. Evelyn was honored for her impact on human rights legislation and the work she has done at Clitheroe Center on the Dual Diagnosis Unit and as a clinician at the Dena-A-Coy program at Southcentral Foundation. (taken from the luncheon program)

Ella Wright

Alaska Professional Communicators has presented Ella Wright ('85) with Lifetime Membership for her service and achievements on October 1, 2009.

She is ending a career of nearly 40 years as a professional communicator with the federal government, starting as a clerk-typist and ending as a Writer-Editor with the Bureau of Land Management-Alaska. (Taken from Alaska Professional Communicators website)

Carrie Brown

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has named Carrie Brown ('94) as the new Director of the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation. From 2005 until August 2009, Brown served as Executive Director of the Alaska Native Arts Foundation and previously as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the First Alaskans Institute. (taken from the ADN 16Nov09)

Phyllis Carlson

Governor Sean Parnell has selected AMU graduate Phyllis Carlson as Alaska's first Director of Rural Education. She begins her new job in November.

Carlson served as director of the Vocational Training and Resource Center of the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. She has also managed the Central Council's Johnson-O'Malley Native Education Program. (Taken from ADN article, 26Oct09)