Story missed on Okeson

I have just finished reading the article about Mat-Su College in Sunday’s Frontiersman. I was quite surprised and appalled to see absolutely no mention of Al Okeson.

Without Al Okeson, there would probably not be a Mat-Su College and there certainly would not have been a new campus on Trunk Road in 1972. Working with others (Sen. Jalmar Kerttula, Reps. Ron Larson and Barbara Lacher, and a committee of community members), he went to the Borough Assembly with the request for land. First he convinced those folks and then he convinced the Borough Assembly of the growing need for our own campus.

In 1969, I worked as an adjunct instructor and as Al’s “secretary,” when we had one classroom at what’s now Palmer Junior Middle School, which housed his office, mine and the college library. About four classes met each night. Al knew every student’s schedule and nightly joined them during their break. Because of the interest he had in students and the college then, and until he retired, the college flourished. Al continued to work directly or indirectly with the UAA system and Mat-Su College into the new century.

My husband and I each have over 30 years of fond memories of working with Al and with Glenn Massay. Glenn so admired Al and the work that he did for Mat-Su College that he led the campaign to name the library building the Alvin S. Okeson Library.

Al Okeson realized what lay in the future of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and he knew that a college was necessary for its positive growth. I know of no other individual who has personally given more time and effort to this community than Al has. You owe this wonderful man, admired and loved by so many, a true apology for failing to give him the honor he so justly deserves.

Carolyn Covington

Retired assistant professor

Mat-Su College