UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

THE
UAA
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Libby Roderick
niversity of Alaska Anchorage program manager for the Center for
Advancing Faculty Excellence Libby Roderick has spent years as a
songwriter, performer, writer and activist, but it’s 42 words she penned for
a friend in 1988 that have brought international acclaim to this
life-long Alaskan.
In recognition of her cumulative contributions, Rep. Ethan Berkowitz
presented her with a citation from the 24th Alaska Legislature on Oct. 22.
“Throughout her career, Libby Roderick has given back to Alaska and
to her many causes through insightful songs, workshops, performances and
commentaries as well as by her ever-present activism,” Berkowitz wrote in
the citation.
He said he’s known Roderick’s parents Jack and Martha Roderick since
her father was the Greater Anchorage Borough Mayor from 1972 to 1975.
“I picked her because she does good music for good causes,”
Berkowitz said. “I’ve always liked her music.”
Roderick is one of a handful of Alaska musicians who is as well known
internationally as she is at home.
Mostly, her notoriety centers on her signature song “How Could
Anyone,” which has been translated into several languages and performed
by countless groups worldwide.
The hopeful anthem has generated so much buzz that in August 2005,
CNN’s global news program Anderson Cooper 360 did a five-minute
segment on the worldwide healing impact of her song.
The Alaska Associated Press
followed that with a story in September
2005 that was picked up by media outlets
ranging from the New York Times to
ABC News and the Hindustani Times.
The CNN story prompted Roderick to
release a 10-song compilation CD titled
“How Could Anyone.” It’s her sixth
release, so far.
Over the years she’s received hundreds
of e-mails and letters from people
telling their personal stories about how
they are using the song.
“We have bags full of letters and
stories,” she said. “It just sort of took off
all over the world.”
Roderick said the song’s universal
message of belonging has
been used in every
conceivable format and
venue, from videos, films,
and slide shows to hospitals, prisons, kindergartens, marches,
peace gatherings, weddings, funerals and shelters.
The simplistic three-minute song has just 42 words, but
seems to contain the power to change hearts, Roderick said.
“How could anyone ever tell you
You were anything less than beautiful?
How could anyone ever tell you
You were less than whole?
How could anyone fail to notice
That your loving is a miracle?
“How deeply you're connected to my soul.”
“The message is people are beautiful and how can anyone
tell them something else,” Roderick said.
It speaks to a universal part of the human experience, she
said. Everyone has felt like they are “less than” others at some
time in their lives, Roderick said. More fame and fortune may
be on the horizon for this Alaskan. She said the producer of
the CNN piece wants to do a documentary about the impact
“How Could Anyone” has had on people throughout the
world. They are in conversations now with HBO to produce
a documentary.
T
he Business Education Building, affectionately known as BEB and a
UAA landmark, received a grown up new name in September -
Edward and Cathryn Rasmuson Hall - honoring the Rasmusons for their
matchless contributions to the University of Alaska, the state, and the
community of Anchorage.
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich joined the Rasmusons, UAA
Chancellor Elaine P. Maimon, UA President Mark Hamilton, and the UA
Board of Regents at the re-naming ceremony.
Ed Rasmuson, a prominent Alaskan banker, now retired, is the chair of
the Statewide Advisory Board for Wells Fargo Bank and is also chair of
the Rasmuson Foundation, established by his grandmother in 1955. The
Foundation is one of the largest in the Northwest with $425 million in
assets that fund arts and culture, health and human services, community
development, and education efforts throughout Alaska.
Community service is an important value for the Rasmuson family and
both Ed and Cathy have served over many years on numerous boards and
committees. Ed is only the second Alaskan recipient of the Boy Scouts of
America Distinguished Scout Award recognizing Eagle Scouts who, after
25 years, have distinguished themselves in their life’s work and in sharing
their talents with their communities. He is the only individual to have
served on the boards of all three of the state’s universities: the University
of Alaska, Sheldon Jackson College, and Alaska Pacific University.
Ed and Cathryn Rasmuson
20 Accolades Accolades 21