3 UAA alumni among 2025 Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards recipients

by Matt Jardin  |   

Governor's Arts and Humanities Awards logo
From top: Melissa Shaginoff, B.A. Psychology with a minor in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Native Studies ’12; MoHagani Magnetek, B.A. English with a minor in Women’s Studies ’16, M.F.A. Creative Writing and Literary Arts ’20; and Dr. Loralie Gax̱.áansán Heagy, G.Cert. Language Education ’13. (Photos courtesy of the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Humanities Forum)

On Oct. 28, the honored the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards recipients for 2025 during a ceremony at the Anchorage Museum. The honorees were selected for consistently demonstrating strong leadership, integrity, values and commitment to excellence and diversity in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµâ€™s business and nonprofit sectors. 

Established in 1968 by the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Humanities Forum, the , the and the , the Governor's Arts and Humanities Awards recognize ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ individuals and organizations whose noteworthy contributions to the arts and humanities have made a lasting impact on ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ's social, economic and civic life.

Congratulations to all awardees, including the three UAA alumni receiving this year’s honors.

Dr. Loralie Gax̱.áansán Heagy 
Individual Artist Award
G.Cert. Language Education ’13

MoHagani Magnetek
Distinguished Service to the Humanities in Community
B.A. English with a minor in Women’s Studies ’16, M.F.A. Creative Writing and Literary Arts ’20

Melissa Shaginoff 
Rising Humanities
B.A. Psychology with a minor in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓÆµ Native Studies ’12

"3 UAA alumni among 2025 Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards recipients" is licensed under a .