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On Friday, Oct. 11, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ's largest alumni tradition saw nearly 300 Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ graduates and partners return to the Alaska Airlines Center auxiliary gym for the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Alumni Association Homecoming Luncheon to reconnect with their Hometown U while raising donations to benefit Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ programs and scholarships. 

Attendees also enjoyed music from the inaugural Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Pep Band and a custom ice cream flavor, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Cookies 'n Green, from Motley Moo Creamery, owned by alumna Calesta Ayer, B.B.A. Marketing and Management ’09.

This year’s theme was partners in Alaska’s workforce, and featured stories of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ’s role educating the workforce fueling the Alaska economy, including a keynote address from alumnus Ragu Bhargava, B.B.A. Accounting '89, successful entrepreneur and global business owner. 

Bhargava’s speech culminated in the unexpected announcement that his wife, Sangita, and he would be matching all contributions to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Alumni Scholarship made at the luncheon. With this match, the collective giving at the event will more than double the number of scholarship awards to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ students this year.

Created in 1985 through an initial gift of $25, the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ Alumni Scholarship is now an endowed fund valued at over $500,000 and has generated more than $475,000 in scholarships to support students.

Big thanks to keynote sponsors Alaska Army National Guard, Siemens and Signature Land Services!