AUUF Podcasts

Gary Holthaus has been the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's called minister since 2012.

The Honorable Dana Fabe retired in June after serving two decades as Associate Justice and Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1951, she grew up there and attended The Seven Hills School. Earning a BA from Cornell University and JD from Northeastern University, she began her career as an attorney in Alaska in 1974. From 1976 to 1988, she served as a clerk for the Alaska Supreme Court, an attorney in the Alaska Public Defender Agency and Chief Public Defender before her appointment as Superior Court Judge in Anchorage in 1988. She then served as Training Judge and Deputy Presiding Judge for the Third Judicial District from 1992 to 1995. In January 1996 Governor Tony Knowles appointed her to the Supreme Court, making her the first woman to serve there.

The Rev. Ruth Greenwood has been involved with the AUUF since the late 70s as a child/teen and the early 90s as an adult. She attended Meadville/Lombard seminary in Chicago and was ordained to the UU ministry by the AUUF in 2012.

Documentary film with discussion

Gary Holthaus is the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's called minister and Rosene Beachey is the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's Director of Religious Exploration.

Lael Morgan is an author with 16 published books, such as Good Time Girls of the Alaska Yukon Gold Rush, which won her the title of Historian of the Year in 1998 from the Alaska Historical Society. Her other forays into Alaska studies include And the Land Provides: Alaska Natives in a Year of Transition (1974), The Aleutians (1980), Art and Eskimo Power: The Life and Times of Alaskan Howard Rock (1988) and Eskimo Star: From Tundra to Tinseltown: the Ray Mala Story (2011).

Jean Pollard is a retired Anchorage educator whose research and group leadership in documenting the important role that African-American troops performed in building the Al-Can (Alaska Highway) during World War II has helped to correct the historic record.

Gary Holthaus has been the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's called minister since 2012.

Gary Holthaus has been the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's called minister since 2012.

Dr. Deena Paramo is the superintendent of the Anchorage School District and has been an Alaska educator since 1991. Prior to being selected to lead Alaska’s largest school district, she is proud to have served as a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, an assistant superintendent and the superintendent of the Mat-SuBorough School District. Dr. Paramo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a specialization in Bilingual Education, a Master of Education degree in Administration, and a Doctor of Education degree in Learning Assessment and System Performance. Most recently she graduated from the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendents Certification two-year program. Dr. Paramo’s focus on student achievement and success is backed by her experiences in teaching and educational leadership. She is firmly committed to the Anchorage School District’s vision to have every child prepared for the workforce or post-secondary education after high school. Dr. Paramo is active in several local and civic organizationsincluding the Education Commission of the States, Alaska Superintendents’ Association, 90% by 2020 Partnership, Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River Chambers of Commerce, East Anchorage Rotary, Foraker Group, and United Way. She serves on several non-profit boards and enjoys spending time with her family, snow and water skiing, running, and interior decorating. Dr. Paramo has two college-age daughters, one of whom is proud to attend UAA.

Rabbi Michael Oblath has served Congregation Beth Sholom since 2007. He was attracted to Alaska for both personal and professional reasons. The state's natural beauty and outdoor sports were a draw. The professional opportunity comes from Anchorage's two universities, allowing his academic pursuits. He writes and lectures often on biblical history, geography, and literature. His focus, however, is his congregation. "From the moment of our first interview...," he said, "I have found the congregation to be one of integrity, with caring concern for all aspects of life." He has a bachelor's degree in Physiology from the University of California, master’s (rabbinical degree) in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College and doctorates in Near EastReligions from the University of California and Graduate Theological Union.