Community: Corporate Giving

Community

The importance of a healthy community fueled by the commitment from private enterprise remains a priority with the Usibelli Family. Emil Usibelli, founder of Usibelli Coal Mine in 1943, had only three years of formal education yet he personally assured educational opportunities for employees and their families. In 1983, Joe Usibelli was named Alaskan of the Year and the Usibelli Family was honored for their contributions to the betterment of the State of Alaska. The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce presented the George Nehrbas Award, the community's highest award for voluntary service to Joe Usibelli during 2001 and to Joe Usibelli Jr. in 2009. Alaska Business Monthly Magazine has recognized UCM as a Top 49 business in the State of Alaska every year since inception of the award in 1985. The Usibelli Family and the Usibelli Coal Mine are committed to the community and to the State of Alaska.

Corporate Giving

UCM's financial contributions and donations to local organizations and agencies have helped provide a multitude of services that might not otherwise be available to those organizations. From family counseling to in-the-home medical assistance, you can generally find an agency to help with a special need.  UCM's donations to civic organizations assist in the continued community events we now consider traditional. UCM provides corporate matching donations to employee contributions to United Way and several other select local Denali Borough organizations.

Education

The Local University - University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Usibelli Coal Mine has a long and proud relationship with the University of Alaska. As the state's premier educational institution, UAF has assisted with several research projects directly related to the coal mining industry, natural resource development, and the electrical power generation business. The majority of UCM corporate management team members are graduates of the University of Alaska.

Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research, and Service Awards
Emil Usibelli founded Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. in 1943. In 1992, an endowment in his name was made to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. That endowment funds three individual $10,000 awards annually. These awards are considered to be the most precious award recognitions within the University system and comprise recognition in the fields of teaching, research, and service.

Usibelli Scholarships

Usibelli Mining Scholarships
UCM established an endowment to provide scholarships to UAF students entering the mining engineering or geological engineering program. The scholarship is a continuing award for up to four years. Ultimately four students could be awarded this scholarship each year. Annual selections are made by the Dean of the College of Engineering and Mines.

Honors Scholarships, University of Alaska Fairbanks
UCM has established an endowment to award annual scholarships to ten students enrolled in the UAF Honors Program. Annual selections are made by the Adviser to the Honors Program.

Diesel/Heavy Equipment Certificate Scholarship

During September 2011, UCM contributed $64,000 to establish an endowment for a Diesel/Heavy Equipment Certificate Scholarship at UAF's Community and Technical College. The annual scholarship will award $6,000 to one student each year. UAF's Community and Technical College (CTC) has been a leader in academic preparation, lifelong learning, and developing a quality local workforce since 1974. CTC offers more than 40 one-year certificate and two-year associate degree programs in a variety of high demand fields.

The local high school - Tri-Valley High School

The Usibelli Foundation provides academic scholarship funding to five graduates of Tri-Valley High School annually. The Tri-Valley School awards the scholarships based on academic excellence and class standing.

 

a.

The Emil Usibelli Scholarship - Valedictorian $2,000
 

b.

The Cecil Lester Memorial Scholarship - Salutatorian $1,500
 

c.

Usibelli Coal Mine Scholarships - $1,000 (three separate scholarships at $1,000 each for three students with the next highest GPA)

Additionally, Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. provides corporate funding of scholarships to sons and daughters of UCM employees who graduate from high school and continue education at an institution of higher learning. The $1,000 scholarship is provided after the student's certification of enrollment in an institution of higher learning and successful completion of one term.

Youth ServicesCub Scouts

The Healy Coal Kings Hockey Program is just one way Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. supports youth programs. Usibelli supports a variety of local organizations including Kids in Motion, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and numerous sports programs for youth.  UCM is proud of our school partnerships with Tri Valley School in Healy.

Arts

UCM was one of the initial supporters of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival and continues to support a variety of theatrical, musical and artistic organizations.

University of Alaska, Museum of the North

The Usibelli Foundation, Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. and the Usibelli Family have generously supported the expansion program for the Museum of the North. The Usibelli family believes in Alaska and preserving its heritage.

 "We love our university and the University of Alaska Museum of the North. We are proud to have been one of the early and major supporters of the museum expansion, and look forward to the museum becoming a 'must see' among the great museums of the world."  Joseph E. Usibelli.

 The centerpiece of the museum's new wing is the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery. The Gallery is named in honor of the mother of Joseph E. Usibelli and Rosalie Whyel, and has been called "a model for 21st Century art and anthropological museums."