The Legacy of Edith R. Bullock

A generous gift from the “Tugboat Queen of the Arctic” is at the heart of one of the most prestigious awards at the University of Alaska. The Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence was established in 1988 with a generous gift from the late Edith Rose Bullock, who left a legacy at UA and in Alaska through her public service and support. 

Each year, the University of Alaska Foundation Board of Directors awards the Bullock Prize to a student, faculty, alumni, staff member or volunteer who has made a significant contribution to further the university’s mission of inspiring learning, and advancing and disseminating knowledge through teaching, research and public service. Anyone can submit a nomination.

While reading nominations, board members enjoy learning of the many outstanding individuals who have contributed to UA’s mission. The board then has the challenging task of determining who will receive the award and the $20,000 prize.

Bullock was an outstanding individual herself. Born in 1903 in Red Lodge, Montana, she was raised and educated in Washington. She came to Alaska in 1939 and settled in Nome, soon marrying a gold mining dredge master, John L. Bullock. Her early career days were in Nome, where she worked as a bookkeeper for the Lee Brothers’ Dredging Company and a stenographer and teller for the Miners and Merchants Bank of Nome.

After moving to Kotzebue, she and her husband started B & R Tug and Barge Service in 1951 with Louis Rotman and acquired the Standard Oil distributorship. After a fire destroyed the Bullocks' home in 1958, they began to part ways in life and business, eventually divorcing. Edith took full ownership of the Tug and Barge company and moved to Anchorage in 1969. After a merger with two other freight firms, as part of a Seattle-based consortium, Bullock became the director of the Pacific Inland Navigation Co., Inc. 

In her lifetime, Bullock was involved in both business and public service. From 1953 to 1959, she served two terms in the Territorial House of Representatives and served in the last session of the Territorial Senate. At UA, Bullock was a Regent from 1967 until 1975, and then became one of the first Trustees, now Directors, on the University of Alaska Foundation Board.

Setting an example in philanthropy and leadership, Bullock wanted to celebrate and encourage accomplishment at the university with a special recognition of excellence that included a cash prize. The UA Foundation awarded the first Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence in 1990 with an award and a $15,000 cash prize, funded by a lifetime gift from Bullock. 

Along with the cash prize, the first recipients of the Bullock Prize received an award that tied back to Bullock’s early roots in Alaska. The jade used for the triangle-shaped plaques came from the Nome area where one of Bullock’s supporters had a jade deposit.

Marilyn K. Johnson, professor of special education at the University of Alaska Anchorage, was the first recipient. Johnson was selected because of her outstanding delivery of special education training to remote areas of Alaska. At the first celebration and award ceremony, more than 70 people were present to congratulate the proud winner. According to Scott Taylor, UA Foundation executive director at the time, Johnson noted in her acceptance speech that the prize amount was equal to her entire first year's salary when she started at the university. She was also excited that the  award was large enough to buy a new car. 

Bullock had created something of incredible impact and encouragement. Dying at home in 1994, Bullock made this generous legacy permanent. In 1995, the UA Foundation received her estate gift of more than $1.3 million. The board used a portion of it to endow the Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence. Bullock wanted recognition and publicity to accompany the award process in order to amplify accomplishments at UA. To this day, receptions, gatherings and storytelling are an important part of the award delivery. 

Setting an example in philanthropy and leadership, Bullock wanted to celebrate and encourage accomplishment at the university with a special recognition of excellence that included a cash prize.

Each year, the UA Foundation Board of Directors makes it a priority to incorporate presentations from the winners into their fall meetings and events so that they can learn more about the work and lives of these extraordinary individuals. In 2026, the board selected Ned Rozell, science writer at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, as the Bullock Prize recipient. 

Rozell retired in May 2026 after serving for three decades as the author of the Alaska Science Forum. He had become widely known as one of UAF’s most enduring and influential storytellers, reaching readers across Alaska and beyond the state. Bullock would have been pleased to know that his last work adventure and writing series was centered around a bike trip to Nome, a very fitting end for this story. Just before departing for the trip, Rozell was notified that he was the 2026 recipient of the Bullock Prize.

Not all ideas go as planned, something Bullock was probably very aware of herself. Due to trail conditions, Rozell and his friend, Forest Wagner, could only go as far as Unalakleet. But, in the spirit, let’s imagine what it might have been like if Rozell had made it to Nome and Bullock had been standing there to greet him, jade award in hand.

While she hasn’t been here to witness it in person, Bullock’s legacy and forethought lives on through the outstanding accomplishments of the recipients of her generous prize. Thanks to Bullock, UA will continue to recognize individuals, celebrating and amplifying their accomplishments in furthering UA’s mission.

More Information: Learn more about Edith R. Bullock here.

Story by Maggie Demers, director of communications and PR, UA Foundation 2026 Annual Report