In Memory of Cassidy Musard and Oakley Powell: A Legacy of Leadership, Compassion, and Community
By Autumn McPherson
Photo by Eleanor Guthrie
Image of Oakley Powell, Cassidy Musard, and Isabelle Ladue hanging out inside the Honors House studying.
On May 7, 2025, the University of Alaska Fairbanks community was shaken by the tragic deaths of two student leaders, Cassidy Musard and Oakley Powell. Their loss is deeply felt by students, staff, and faculty across UAF, and especially by those who called them friends. On Thursday, May 8, members of the Honors College, of which both individuals were proudly part of, received the heartbreaking news of their passing.
The UAF Honors College expressed their condolences and highlighted the lasting impact both students had on the campus community.
“Cassidy and Oakley were both thoughtful leaders, compassionate listeners, and consistent sources of support and encouragement to those around them,” wrote the UAF Honors College in a message to students. “Their absence will leave a lasting void in the lives of so many who knew and loved them.”
Musard and Powell helped shape student life at UAF in countless ways. Both were known for their leadership, compassion and dedication to creating inclusive spaces for their peers. Both students worked within UAF’s Residence Life department, as resident assistants, to build environments centered around safety, growth, and belonging.
Musard served as an RA for Wickersham Hall. She was a junior majoring in biological sciences, a URISE and Climate Scholar, and co-chair of the Climate Scholars Committee on the Honors Student Advisory Council.
According to those who knew her, she was deeply passionate about these subjects and loved to talk about them. One of Musard’s close friends, Isabelle LaDue, shared heartfelt words about her strength, support and ambition.
Photo by Leif Van Cise
Cassidy Musard holding ice core.
“Cassidy was a woman in STEM - a fact that she was very proud of,” said LaDue. “She was a first generation student and both an honors student and a URISE scholar. She worked hard in every aspect of her life and overcame every challenge thrown her way. She was going to do great things for the UAF community and I’m sure for the world as a whole. Cassidy was the sort of person that would stop and ask any student if they needed or wanted any help or if they had any questions. She was a bright and happy young woman who I knew that I could confide in and trust with anything that was going on in my life. She understood how to empathize and support you without making it about herself and she worked hard to make sure that everyone knew that they were supported.”
Oakley Powell was a senior in mechanical engineering, an RA for MBS Hall, a Climate Scholar, a member of the Honors Student Advisory Council, and had recently been elected as an ASUAF senator for the upcoming fall semester.
Both student’s leadership extended far beyond their titles. They were both known for their warmth, humor, and a unique ability to make people feel valued.
Cori Patchkofsky, a friend to both people, recalled personal memories that captured the essence of Cassidy and Oakley.
"Oakley and Cassidy always made others feel seen,” said Patchkofsky. “They lit up every room they walked in. They were so involved with the community and UAF. They really always wanted what was best for everyone. We worked at the NC Desk together and had countless conversations. I remember joking with Cassidy about all her ice cream in the work freezer before the end of the semester. She loved ice cream, we would always get Cold Stone, her favorite was mint chocolate chip. Learning about their loss was one of the hardest things I experienced, but I chose to remember them by lighting a set of candles in each city I travel in Europe, an experience I had planned to talk about with them in the fall semester. While in Europe, I got Cassidy's favorite ice cream flavor so it would feel like she was experiencing the trip with me. Oakley was a very rational person, even when he made jokes about bringing me a raccoon hat from the ones that were attacking his chickens. He taught me how to think rationally and in practical ways for difficult situations. I try to always remember what he taught me and use it in my daily life.”
The loss has left many searching for the right words. For those closest to them, even attempting to describe who they were has proven deeply emotional.
LaDue expressed the pain and difficulty of trying to put her feelings into words, while offering powerful insight into who Musard and Powell were as individuals and as friends.
"When I was asked if I wanted to make a statement about Musard and Powell, it was one of the hardest questions that I have been asked in quite a long time. It felt very big and very impossible. Because these people that I cared so much about should not be in our thoughts. They should be here. I remember them both being so excited to get to interact with new students and to make events and do all the things that RA’s do. They were both so ready to help others and make them feel welcome. And that wasn’t just while they were on the clock either. If they saw someone that needed help and they knew that they could help, they did. They worked hard to plan events that were fun, interesting and supportive for the students in their buildings and for the student body as a whole. Cassidy used to sit us down and ask us for event ideas that were original and that she thought would get her peers excited and out of their shells. And Oakley was so excited when he found out that he would get to be a Moore RA this fall. He had already started to make event ideas and was so excited that more people would get to come to his events. They were often seen together, especially this last year. They went on long drives and while I have no real idea what they did or talked about, I can imagine that some of those drives were filled with laughter and some with conversation and quiet, simple togetherness. They were drawn to each other.”
Even those who didn’t know Musard and Powell closely were impacted by their presence.
Krishna Bathija, a fellow student, spoke about the integrity and passion Powell brought to student government, and how both he and Musard left a lasting impression on the people around them.
Photo by Sophie May
Oakley Powell, Matti Sperry, Cassidy Musard, Rori Katnig, Sydney Wade, Emily Lipscomb participating in the Valentine's Day Fundraiser.
"I don't know how to put them into words but no memory I have with either Cassidy nor Oakley have been anything other than incredibly positive. I didn't know either of them especially well but every time I interacted with either of them they showed nothing but care and compassion. Their loss has weighed heavily on me beyond what I can properly put into words, just as their impact on me in life. I can speak about Oakley more, especially in relation to the Senate. He made it to each event and meeting that he could, even before being sworn in. The passion he showed for improving this university made me proud to be a Senator and filled me with hope for the future of ASUAF. Something that had been a concern of mine before the election.”
Musard and Powell left behind more than good grades and impressive education. They left behind a sense of community, purpose, and care that others now carry forward.
Honoring that legacy, Eleanor Guthrie, First Associate Director of the Honors College, shared that a memorial fund will be created in their name.
“Oakley originally wanted to return to Washington after college to work for a large engineering firm, but, after coming to Alaska, he decided to shift gears and focus on renewable energy solutions in the north. Cassidy was also very interested in climate change and its relation to mental health. They were both excellent Climate Scholars. We plan to name it: Cassidy Musard and Oakley Powell Memorial Climate Scholars Support,” stated Guthrie.
The first donations to the fund have come from local supporters, with a public donation link expected to appear on the Honors College website in the future. In addition, Krishna Bathija shared future plans to ensure Cassidy and Oakley are remembered by the campus they loved. Bathija plans to meet with the Office of Right, Compliance and Accountability, to discuss the possibility of creating a memorial scholarship, as well as hosting a celebration of life in the fall of this year.
UAF Chancellor Dan White closed his message to the campus with a reminder of support and collective grief.
“Please allow yourself time to process, grieve, and reach out for support if you need it,” wrote UAF Chancellor Dan White in a campus-wide message. “Our condolences go to their families, as well as to the staff, faculty and students who knew them.”
Cassidy Musard and Oakley Powell will be remembered not only for what they accomplished, but for how they made others feel; welcomed, safe, and seen. Their legacy lives on through the love they gave and the light they left behind.