Alumni Spotlight: Becky Patterson Bunde
Becky Patterson Bunde taught English for 30 years at UAA, first at Anchorage Community College which later became the 熊猫在线视频. In 2013, she made a gift to establish an endowed scholarship for non-traditional students. She continues supporting the fund annually and has included the scholarship in her estate plan so that it will continue to grow and benefit students far into the future. The Becky Patterson and Murphy Turner Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance for tuition and other related educational expenses to motivated students who are returning to UAA to complete their undergraduate degree.
Becky, an avid walker, joined us for a walk around Goose Lake to talk about her scholarship, the importance of the humanities, and how best to grapple with AI in the classroom.
You started the Becky Patterson and Murphy Turner Endowed Scholarship. Can you share more about that scholarship? What led to the formation of it?
鈥淚 have always loved UAA, I love the students. My husband and I both believed that the more you give, the more you get鈥� that was our philosophy. I started this scholarship a few years after my husband, Murphy, passed away. We intended this scholarship to provide financial help for nontraditional students who might be struggling to complete their degree, and just need that extra support. In part, the scholarship was born out of my experience with the community college students. Things happen, and I think it is important to do anything you can to encourage those people to come back and finish their degree. On top of that, I belong to this group called Philanthropic Educational Organization, and that鈥檚 the way they set up their scholarships, with a focus on returning adult students and I always thought 鈥淲hat a great idea!鈥�
I always take the time to get to know the students who receive this scholarship. I think it is the teacher in me, but it is so important to me to talk to them and to get to know them. As a teacher, I love to inspire students and make them believe in themselves which is why I like to meet with them.鈥�
Could you share a little bit about your career at UAA and what your favorite parts about the job were?
鈥淲hen I started, it was actually at Anchorage Community College (ACC). When ACC was dissolved, I made the transition to UAA. Quite frankly, that transition was very difficult at first. At a smaller, community college, if I had a question, I just went into the Dean鈥檚 office or even the president鈥檚 office. At a bigger institution like UAA though, I had to get used to a new set of processes. Regardless of where I was though, my favorite part of the job was the students. I can say that it was also the most rewarding part of my job at UAA. It鈥檚 such an honor and I鈥檓 sure I learned as much as I taught.鈥�
What would you say the value of the Humanities is to a campus like ours?
鈥淚t鈥檚 critical, because that鈥檚 where you learn to critically think and express yourself in words and speech. You learn the skills to be able to handle yourself in any professional situation. To me it鈥檚 better than any other program. 鈥�
One thing that Humanities programs are grappling with right now is the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, and I鈥檝e heard people say it鈥檚 the death of the essay. I know you didn鈥檛 have to deal with that, but what do you think about that?
鈥淚 think some people are going to in-class writing only, but I鈥檝e also talked to educators who鈥檝e said 鈥淣o, I鈥檝e met it head-on, I use it in my classes.鈥� There are definite advantages and disadvantages, much like anything new. It is about adapting and figuring out how this new thing fits into your existing structures. It also helps to collaborate and work with your colleagues. With something like AI in the classroom, you are not the only one who is facing this new system. Collaboration and discussion with your colleagues is a great way to figure out solutions or even how to incorporate the new trend into your classroom.鈥�
Thank you, Becky, for your time, and for your continued support of the College of Arts and Sciences.