Donor Spotlight - Tom & Raye Ann Robinson
Investing in Excellence
“Having been involved in the SOM accounting program since 1974 and now as a UAF Professor Emeritus, Raye Ann and I are proud to leave a legacy through scholarships.”
Professor E. Thomas “Tom” Robinson was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Money was tight in the Robinson household, so Tom helped out by getting his first paying job during grade school as a dishwasher at a golf course.
Tom received a scholarship that allowed him to earn a degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Throughout his college career, he attributes his success to working during college and the scholarship that allowed him to pursue higher education.
Tom is a first-generation college graduate who participated in numerous extracurricular clubs related to his accounting degree, even though club dues were paid out of pocket and were a bit of a struggle for him. After graduation, Tom had intended to join the U. S. Navy officer school with the finance program but was turned down due to medical issues. Consequently, he accepted a position at Touche, Ross, Bailey & Smart (currently Deloitte), one of the “Big Four” accounting companies in the nation. When Tom decided to take his education to new heights and pursue a graduate degree, he took sabbatical leave from the firm. While studying at the University of Wisconsin, he accepted a full-time faculty position. It was during this period that he gained a true appreciation and passion for higher education and mentoring students.
During his tenure on the accounting faculty, Tom met the love of his life, Raye Ann, and they were wed in the spring of 1974. As an extended honeymoon, Tom and Raye Ann ventured to Alaska, where Tom accepted a position with UAF. They both fell in love with Alaska and decided to make it their permanent home.
In addition to teaching, Tom’s accomplishments at UAF include starting the Associated Students of Business and its Business Leader of the Year program, funding research through the Sea Grant program, establishing salmon hatcheries, and serving as a goal judge at UAF hockey games. Additionally, Tom served on many faculty appointments at UAF, ranging from advising to scholarship committees.
“As part of the committee responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, I discovered a pride, awareness, and desire to recognize and reward deserving students.”
Throughout his career in accounting, Tom felt fortunate to work with a number of professionals who were truly leaders in their fields. He feels a program is only as good as the individuals who make up the team. Having been involved in the SOM accounting program since 1974 and now as a UAF Professor Emeritus, he and Raye Ann are proud to leave a legacy through scholarships. Through the Robinson Family Athletic Scholarship and the E. Thomas and Raye Ann Robinson Scholarship for accounting students, they stand behind their belief in UAF and its mission to serve students with the best education available.
