Foundation Reaches Out to Students

Tonya Garnett, Doyon Foundation’s new scholarship program manager, visited Rural Student Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to assist students in applying for Foundation scholarships as part of the Foundation’s student outreach efforts

Doris Miller, Doyon Foundation’s executive director, at Native Student Services at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA).

Garnett visits with a student at Native Student Services at UAA in November.

“We are more than a scholarship program. We believe in our students. We believe in their success. We want to be able to assist in any way we can in their successes.” These thoughts are the driving force behind the Doyon Foundation’s student outreach efforts, according to Tonya Garnett, the Foundation’s new scholarship program manager.

Since Garnett accepted the position in September, the Foundation has been able to expand its student outreach efforts. For example, Garnett was part of presentations on the Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS) program to West Valley and Lathrop High School students, as well as staff at Effie Kokrine Charter School, in October. Garnett, herself a past GMS recipient, is scheduled to return to Effie Kokrine to speak with students about GMS, as well as Doyon Foundation scholarship offerings.

In November, Foundation staff visited Rural Student Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and Native Student Services at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), where they provided scholarship information and assisted students in applying for Foundation scholarships online. November 15 is the deadline for students to apply for scholarships for the spring 2011 semester.

In the past, the Foundation has also been present at Doyon, Limited’s shareholder outreach fair, the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, UAF’s Natural Resource Career Fair, and the career fair at Hutchinson High School. Going forward, the Foundation will continue to seek out opportunities to reach out to students by participating in high school college fairs, visiting rural schools throughout the region and meeting with students at UAF and UAA.

“We know there are students attending school that are unaware of what we have to offer and we would like to reach those students,” Garnett said. “We, the Foundation, are here to help our students succeed in their educational endeavors.”