Dr. Mike Beirne Endowed Scholarship

The Dr. Mike Beirne Endowed Scholarship was established on January 10, 2006 by Mr. Paul Beirne ’83, in honor of his father. Paul received his degree in Accounting in 1983 before going on to receive his MBA in 1989.

Dr. Beirne was a strong believer in community service. While living in Alaska, Dr. Beirne was active in politics, working to help the Territory of Alaska to become the 49th state. He was a forensic pathologist serving as the Alaska State Medical Examiner. He was instrumental in bringing other physicians to Alaska from the “Lower 48.” As both an avid small plane pilot and the only pathologist in Alasaka, he flew to many of Alaska’s villages. He established the Blood Bank of Alaska and functioned as its director. He was the director of laboratories for Providence Hospital, Anchorage Community Hospital and Fairbanks Hospital. He was the founder and director of the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, a consultant to both the U.S. PHS Hospital and Elmendorf Air Force Base Hospital, the owner and director of several medical laboratories in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and as a member of the Anchorage Municipal Health Commission, he served as an advisor to the Mayor and Assembly. He volunteered in many other activities and programs. Dr. Beirne served as a member of the Alaska State Legislature. He pioneered the Alaska Homestead Act in an attempt to share some small portion of Alaska’s vast government owned land with the Alaska individual. He was known for giving a helping hand to startup entrepreneurs. Close friends and relatives described him as a deeply caring man, always there in times of need.