The Alaska Nanooks are proud to introduce their new #ThankYou series, a digital event that will take place through the spring of 2021. The series will highlight one Alaska Nanook corporate partner throughout the course of a week, posting various types of engagement throughout each of the Alaska Nanooks social media platforms and the website. This week, the Alaska Nanooks chose to highlight the 2021 Blue and Gold Celebration sponsor, Kinross Fort Knox.
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Wednesday's #ThankYou series interview was conducted with Anna Atchison, the Manager of External Affairs for Kinross Alaska. Atchison hails from Wasilla, Alaska and graduated from UAF in 2001 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Natural Resource Management - Plan, Animal and Soil Sciences. In her position she's held for 12 years at Kinross, Atchison talks about the company's engagement with the Fairbanks community, UAF and the Alaska Nanooks below.
Q: Would you briefly explain what you do in your current position?
A: I'm responsible for corporate social responsibility, community and government relations, and communications.
Q: Could you please give a brief introduction to Kinross Fort Knox for those who aren't familiar with the company?
A: Fort Knox is located approximately 25 miles north of Fairbanks. We are a leader in responsible mining, employing approximately 700 Alaskans. We take deep pride in being part of the Golden Heart community since 1996, putting people and the environment first.
Q: Please give us a fun fact about Kinross Fort Knox that people may not know.
A: Because we have been responsibly producing gold for nearly 25 years, we now have generations of family members working for us.
Q: What do you consider to be the best part about your company or job?
A: Working for a company who employs 700 community members and contributes so much to our community, as well as the overall livelihoods of our employees.
Q: Kinross Fort Knox is heavily ingrained in the Fairbanks community, can you share some of the events or organizations that you support?
A: Fort Knox takes our responsibility in our community very seriously. We give annually to about 88 charitable organizations and participate in several events throughout the year, including Golden Days Parade, Heart Walk, Youth Safety Day, and more.
Q: You've been fantastic supporters of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, let alone the Department of Athletics, thank you! Would you mind sharing with others why Kinross Fort Knox continues to support UAF and the Alaska Nanooks?
A: It is things like a strong athletics program that help to attract students by creating a positive and engaging campus life. Just like cultural diversity, good restaurants, and cool things to do make a community more attractive to visitors and potential new citizens, the same can be said about campus life.
Q: When it comes to partnering with Nanook Athletics, what would you like to see for our department, it's student-athletes, coaches and staff in the future?
A: A return to normalcy, post pandemic! And overall, excitement and hope for the future of each program. Athletics is a vital part of student life for many, and that includes the local community. It is important for Alaskans, especially for those of us in the interior, to get out for our mental health -- important to practice joy, to be inspired and to have a sense of shared community.
Q: Do you think the Alaska Nanooks have a positive impact in our community? (Either as an entire department/brand or student-athletes and coaches specifically)
A: Yes, athletes serve as role models for local kids….they engage in the community and participate in volunteer opportunities. And they also show that education comes first by demonstrating that you can be an athlete and get high marks.
On a personal level, being a student-athlete as a child and young adult contributed greatly to my confidence and leadership skills, skills that continue to serve me today. It teaches young girls that it is okay to be strong, confident, bold, and assertive. Though I believe this is getting better, when I was growing up, athletics was really the only space where it was okay to "act like a boy."
Q: If you could give one piece of professional advice to our student-athletes about life after sport, what would you say?
A: Take what you have learned on the court, in the pool, on the trails, the rink, etc. and utilize those skills and attributes as you move into the next phase of your life. They will serve you well.
Q: Of our 10 varsity sports, which one is your favorite?
A: Hockey - I don't know why, but perhaps because it shares many things with my favorite sport to play - soccer. It's rough and you must be quick. And you fall apart immediately if you do not play cohesively as a team.
Q: Do you have a favorite Alaska Nanooks sports memory?
A: I enrolled at UAF in the late 1990's -- watching hockey games and seeing my fellow students and buddies play. It was a great time for Nanook hockey.
For more information on this week's #ThankYou series, follow along on Alaska Nanooks Twitter and Facebook pages.
