Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award
³Ò³Ü²Ô²¹±ô³¦³óé±ð²õ³ó! (Thank you!)
![dd](/ruralss/images/demmert/Dennis%20Demmert.jpg)
Dennis Demmert worked hard to expand and connect curricula and courses at ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× that pertained to Alaska Native people and culture. He began this work just after the Alaska Native Settlement Act passed and people were hungry for information. He always felt strongly that Alaska Native Students have a place at this institution.
Dennis wanted to take one day a year to thank individuals who help make ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× a positive place for Alaska Native students. He started to recognize other faculty and administration who understood the value of having courses about Alaska Native peoples and who helped facilitate this evolution of Alaska Native programs at ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ×. During the 1994 Native Summit at ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ×, Dennis Demmert recommended that something be done to recognize individuals whose actions have proved their support. Later, the name of the award was changed from RSS Appreciation and Recognition Award to the Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award in honor of the many years of service that Dennis has given for the betterment of the Alaska Native community.
![2023 Dennis Demmert Award Winners](/ruralss/images/demmert/Dennis%20Demmert%202023.jpg)
Congratulations to our 2023 Dennis Demmert Awardees
Daniel Vazquez (Math Tutor)
Sam Alexander (Professor of Gwich’in, Alaska Native Language Center)
Kevin Illingworth (Professor, Tribal Governance)
Kavelina Torres (Indigenous Media Asst. Professor, Theatre & Film and DANSRD Depts.)
Ève Ryan (Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics)
2023 marks the 28th year the RSS students and staff have recognized individuals at ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× whose efforts demonstrate ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ×'s goals of being the educational center for Alaska Natives.