Thank you to Associated General Contractors of Alaska and the committee members for choosing me for this scholarship. I have to say it has been very difficult through COVID-19 and online learning, but the financial support gives me confidence and strength to keep pushing on to reach my goal. In my biological family, I am child number eight of nine. My goal is to be the first of us nine to graduate with a college degree. I am halfway there and it feels awesome. I have worked hard the last four semesters and really strive to reach my goal. With this scholarship, I am on my journey to graduating with no college debt. I speak for all the recipients when I say “thank you.” We appreciate the generosity of this organization.
Grace Keller
I am honored and thankful to be a recipient of this year’s AGC of Alaska scholarship. I have been in the construction industry for more than twelve years and last year decided to further my education. I work full-time to be able to pay for tuition. This scholarship truly lifts a financial burden from me. With the help of AGC of Alaska I will be able to take on more classes and graduate sooner. Thank you.
Nolan Olson
As a child growing up on a remote island in the middle of the Aleutian Chain, I often thought about what I would do with my life: What would make sense or what occupation would create the largest benefit to my family. I have always felt that Alaska is really a larger island or village. It seems that wherever you go here, you will encounter acquaintances or friends of friends and family. We work together to advance our quality of life and to support each other. This couldn’t be more obvious than in the construction industry of Alaska. I have worked on multiple building and civil construction projects throughout the state. I have been fortunate to move throughout different industries and experience various methods of building projects from the Alyeska Pipeline to the Dena’ina Center parking garage. From rebuilding Spenard Road near Fireweed Road to the realignment of the Richardson Highway north of Glennallen. It became apparent that I had advanced as far as I can working my way through the industry. I needed a degree to continue building my career. I have always been aware of Associated General Contractors of Alaska, but I wasn’t always aware of the various ways they support the people in the industry. Since returning to school for my degree in construction management, I have been fortunate to be involved with the many opportunities AGC of Alaska has to offer. I am grateful for all the support and encouragement they have given me on a personal level and financially. I would like to thank the Associated General Contractors of Alaska and the Education, Training, and Workforce Development Committee for granting me a scholarship and supporting my college career. I truly believe that we work together to advance our quality of life and to support each other. After graduating I plan to continue this mission of supporting future industry leaders and I look forward to my continued involvement with the Associated General Contractors of Alaska.
Phillip Pletnikoff
Being awarded and recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska is a true honor. In working my way through college, it’s fantastic to have some help to carry the financial burden. Not only will the scholarship help financially but it’s incredible to be recognized and supported by the same people that will be my coworkers, peers, and business partners soon in my professional career. It makes me feel like my state has my back and AGC believes I can be successful. I am proud to be Alaskan and I’m proud to receive this scholarship. Thank you!
Kolten Ketchum
I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Since I was a child sitting on my dad’s lap in the loader, it’s been a dream of mine to pursue a career in the construction industry. Beginning this fall, I will attend Northern Michigan University, or NMU, where AGC’s investment in my education will help me achieve my goal of earning a degree in construction management. Construction is largely about bettering communities, whether aesthetically or by improving infrastructure, and construction management is a career that can easily bring me back to Kodiak. It’s exciting to think that the work I’ll one day be doing will improve and positively impact the community I love. I’m proud that AGC—an organization that serves the construction industry—chose me as a scholarship recipient. Thank you, AGC, for your support!
Ian Rocheleau
I was born and raised in Alaska, and I will be a sophomore at the University of Utah for the 2022/2023 school year. I am very grateful to receive this scholarship from the Associated General Contractors of Alaska as I pursue a degree in accounting. I plan to attend college out of state and then return to Alaska to work as an accountant. After watching my dad work in the construction industry, connecting with a variety of people in this line of work, and working in the accounting department of Cruz Construction Inc. for several summers, the Alaska construction industry has made a substantial impact on my life. I hope to work within this industry in the future. I want to thank AGC for this generous scholarship and their investment in my education. Throughout college I look forward to joining clubs, taking full advantage of internships, making connections, and then returning home to give back to the Alaska community.
Taylor Miller
I want to express my sincere gratitude to AGC for selecting me as a recipient of their scholarship. I am honored to be recognized by such a wonderful organization that supports the field of study that I am interested in. I graduated from Chugiak High School and Alaska Middle College this spring and will be attending University of Alaska Anchorage in the fall. This scholarship will help me further my education and my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. With my degree I plan to go into the transportation field in survey and design. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity.
Tanner Betts
I am honored to receive this year’s AGC of Alaska Scholarship. This fall I will be going into my senior year as a civil engineering student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This scholarship will help me immensely in achieving my goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Over the past six years, I have worked in the civil engineering field operating heavy equipment, checking the grade on projects, and learning the basics of road construction while working at a construction company that also operates a gravel pit. With this work experience and schooling, I have come to value the education and skills needed to succeed in this industry. Being a civil engineer and contributing to the economy of our home state has been a goal of mine since high school. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to completing my degree and working toward my goal of giving back to my home community and state. This AGC scholarship will not only help me but also many others achieve our academic goals and give back to our communities and the great state of Alaska.
Jacob Hessinger