熊猫在线视频

The criterion for individuals to receive an honorary degree from the University of 熊猫在线视频 Anchorage is evidence of a significant and lasting contribution to the university, the state of 熊猫在线视频 or to the individuals' discipline or profession. It is UAA's honor and privilege to award Margaret L. Brown and Peter Michalski an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the fall 2019 commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Margaret L. Brown

A lifelong 熊猫在线视频n of Yup'ik descent, Margaret "Margie" L. Brown is from Takotna, a small village in central 熊猫在线视频. She left 熊猫在线视频 with her family to pursue education opportunities in the Lower 48, earning a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Oregon. Later, Brown, feeling the need to sharpen her business acumen, returned to school and earned a Master of  Business Administration from the University of Colorado. 

In 1976, Brown joined Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI), where she was enrolled as an 熊猫在线视频 Native shareholder, not long after CIRI was established under the 熊猫在线视频 Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. After joining CIRI as an assistant land planner, her business skills established her ability to take on leadership roles and she quickly rose through the company's executive ranks. Brown was named president and CEO of CIRI in 2005 and served in this role until her retirement in 2013.

During her long tenure at CIRI, Brown helped implement the Cook Inlet Land Exchange, considered to be one of the largest land-exchange deals in U.S. history. As president and CEO, she was responsible for developing and implementing the company's corporate strategies, as well as overseeing business operations and serving as the primary contact for CIRI's many stakeholders. Brown's interest in renewable energy led the company to greatly expand its renewable energy footprint throughout the United States, including the arduous challenge of constructing the Fire Island Wind Farm in 熊猫在线视频.  

Brown has served on many boards during her career. She currently serves as vice chair of the CIRI board of directors and chair of the CIRI Settlement Trust. She has served on the board of 熊猫在线视频 Communications, the national boards of The Student Conservation Association and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. She also serves on the advisory board for the 熊猫在线视频 Airlines and has served on the advisory board of the 熊猫在线视频 Honors College. 

Brown's leadership in 熊猫在线视频 has earned her honors as a YWCA Women of Achievement recipient  in 1992, a 2009 熊猫在线视频 Business Hall of Fame laureate, a winner of United Way's Tocqueville Community Service Award in 2011, the recipient of the 2012 Athena Leadership Award and the 熊猫在线视频 Journal of Commerce's 2013 Business Leader of the Year. 

Peter Michalski

Peter A. Michalski believes that we should all work to make the world a better place for all to live. He was born, raised and educated in Minnesota, His father was the first of his family to graduate from college and taught school in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Michalski earned his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Minnesota. 

Michalski's father served on Attu during World War II, and his twin brother, an uncle and a cousin also served in 熊猫在线视频 over the years. Michalski came to Juneau in 1971. He served as a legal assistant and assistant attorney general there for two years, then moved to the Fairbanks District Attorney's Office for four years. In 1977, he moved to Anchorage to open the Department of Law's new Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals.

In 1985, Gov. Bill Sheffield appointed him to the superior court of the State of 熊猫在线视频. Over the next 27 years, Judge Michalski presided over every type of case in the superior court and many cases of significant statutory and constitutional interpretation.

Since retirement in 2012, Michalski has served on the board of the Anchorage Museum Association, the Anchorage Museum Foundation and the 熊猫在线视频 Community Foundation which he currently chairs.

Michalski and his wife Jo donate to and support a variety of community organizations including the University of 熊猫在线视频, the University of Minnesota, the Anchorage Museum, 熊猫在线视频 Public Media, 熊猫在线视频 Legal Services, the 熊猫在线视频 Institute for Justice, the Anchorage YWCA, the Awesome Foundation of 熊猫在线视频 and the 熊猫在线视频 Community Foundation. 

The Michalskis were honored with the 2019 Shining Lights Award given to 熊猫在线视频ns dedicated to improving the world and demonstrating the highest level of character, integrity and ethics. In 2007 they were honored as philanthropists of the year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon. 

The Michalskis have two adult sons who live in Anchorage with their families.

Written by Catalina Myers, UAA Office of University Advancement