BSNC Announces 2025 Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship Awardee

BSNC is proud to announce James Isabell as the recipient of the 2025 awardee of the Beringia Settlement Trust (BST) Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship. This $10,000 merit-based competitive scholarship is awarded annually to one high-performing student enrolled in an accredited college or university. The scholarship honors the late Tim Towarak, who worked tirelessly to advocate for Alaska Native people.

James lives in Nome, Alaska, and considers Teller his hometown, where he was raised by family and relatives. His parents are Charlene and Kevin Isabell. His maternal grandparents are Jenny and Charlie Lee, and his paternal grandparents are the late Dorothy and Jim Isabell.

James is both a full-time employee and a full-time student. He is completing his final semester in the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Rural Development Master's program and plans to graduate in December. Following graduation, he intends to apply for a PhD program and continue his studies in UAF's Indigenous Studies program with a concentration in Indigenous Leadership.

"I am passionate about Indigenous knowledge systems and learning from various cultures - whether that is from my class studies and classmates or traveling for work or vacation," said James. "There is always something to learn from others."

Please join us in congratulating James Isabell, the 2025 Tim Towarak Memorial Scholarship recipient. We wish him continued success as he prepares to graduate and further his education to make a positive impact in his community.

For more information about BSNC's scholarships, go to: beringstraits.com/scholarship