Alumni Spotlight - Patti Burglin, Class of 1975

Sisters Barb Sundberg ‘74, Patti (Sundberg) Burglin ‘75 and Sandy Sundberg ‘73 are pictured at HIPOW. Sandy came up from Washington for the event.

“My wife Patti has a lot of ideas,” Dave Burglin ‘71 warned us with a big grin and a sparkle in his eye. A group of us had just sat down to brainstorm the 48th annual HIPOW Auction & Dinner.
Dave wasn’t kidding. Dave and Patti ‘75 (Sundberg) Burglin joined Tim and Theresa Jones as the new HIPOW co-chairs this year. Dave fully embraced the position and Patti put some whipped cream on top. 
“I’m picturing a red carpet and the paparazzi,” said Patti. “And what if we have impersonators like Elvis and Cher? Oh! I know. How about some fireworks on the stage.” 
The energy was invigorating. As Monroe alumni with ties in the Fairbanks community and Outside, Dave and Patti encouraged other alumni to make the trip north for the event; 81 alumni attended the Saturday dinner.
“Although we may not see each other often, when we do, it feels like family,” Patti said of seeing so many of her classmates at HIPOW. 
“It brought back memories of class “talent” shows, rowdy cheering at basketball games, and the ‘70s “folk” Masses where students sang out for peace and love,” laughed Patti. 
Patti has fond memories of Mr. Cooper, Mr. Hoffman, and Father Joe Laudwein aka “Father Joe Bonus.” Tip: Fr. Joe reappears in this story.
After graduating from Monroe in 1975, Patti attended Gonzaga University. After two years in Spokane, the allure of a well-paid pipeline job called her home to Alaska.
Patti enrolled at UAF in the early 80s to complete her Bachelor’s degree. She met Dave on campus and fell madly in love. They were married in 1984 by Fr. Joe and will celebrate their 33rd anniversary this year. Patti and Dave’s three children graduated from Monroe: Lisa ‘03, David ‘05 and James ‘08.  
After 20+ years working for the State of Alaska Health and Social Services, Patti plans to retire in May 2018. 
She looks forward to sunny destinations–like Arizona where her daughter Lisa and two grandsons live, time to spend with family and friends, and volunteering.
We’re sure happy to have Patti and Dave on board for HIPOW 2018. We can’t wait to see what comes next. Maybe there will be disco balls, a “folk” theme with peace and love, or maybe HIPOW will “go country.”