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.

July is National Ice Cream Month and what better way to celebrate than by visiting some of Fairbanks' coolest ice cream spots? Whether you’re after soft serve, hand-packed scoops, or quirky local flavors, the Golden Heart City has the perfect treat to beat the heat.

Created in partnership with the Alaska Satellite Facility, an exhibit at the University of Alaska Museum of the North “Observing Our Dynamic Planet ” opened May 24.

On March 28, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Residence Life staff hosted a Culture Night event. Students could engage in social activities to learn more about different cultures. Students filled out four different word searches as well as two crossword puzzles.

One of the newest additions to UAF club life is the Warhammer 40K Club. Founded in Fall 2024, it gives students a space to explore the universe of “Warhammer 40,000” — a sci-fi setting packed with alien battles and grim lore. The tabletop game behind it blends strategy, storytelling, and creativity, as players collect, build, and paint miniature armies before fighting tactical matches with dice, rulebooks, and terrain.

Outside Cutler, a student spotted a squirrel snacking on a discarded Nutella container—plastic and all. The squirrel carried its sugary prize up a tree before accidentally dropping it.

When I booked my ticket for “Strike!” at the UAF Salisbury Lab Theater, I promised myself I would not write a review—like everyone else, I'm swamped at this time of year. But I loved it and wanted an excuse to talk to its creator and stage director, Flyn Ludington, about her inspiration. 

On March 21, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Residence Life staff held a Planting for Wellness event at the Hess Recreation in the MBS Building.

On a sun-soaked Thursday afternoon, the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ West Ridge transformed into the heart of exploration during the annual Arctic Research Open House, held May 15. With bright blue skies, a nice breeze, and ice cream on hand, the event created an atmosphere that was as warm and welcoming as it was educational.

In a large room in the Fine Arts Complex, desks are arranged against the walls in a circle, where students sit bent over sketches at various stages of completion. The center of the circle, a table overflows with numerous comic books and graphic novels, including notable banned books, such as “Maus” and “Genderqueer”, as well as many others that challenge standard perception of the role of cartoon artistry and what a graphic novel can be.

SpringFest 2025 officially kicked off on April 17 with an interactive performance by Mission IMPROVable at the Wood Center. The improv comedy group, known for incorporating audience suggestions into their sketches, led a high-energy show that invited the audience to participate directly. While the performance took place upstairs, the lower level of the Wood Center hosted the 3v3 Bowling Tournament, drawing teams of students into a lighthearted competition.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Art Department opened its Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition on April 17, showcasing a broad collection of student work that’s been created over the past academic year. The show, juried by guest artist Lindsay Saunders, features a wide range of media chosen by Saunders. 

Career Closet creators Mallory Durkin and Elvie Underwood recently sat down with The Sun Star to discuss their idea brought to life—a new program providing students with the opportunity to get professional attire at no cost. The Career Closet opened its doors on April 1 and is hosting an Open House on April 18, aiming to help students overcome the financial barrier of finding professional clothing and hoping to give them the confidence needed to succeed in job interviews, internships, and other career-related events.

Outside the MBS dorms, a colorful wreath in shades of orange and brown hangs against the snowy backdrop, adding a surprising pop of warmth to the winter scene.

Spotted just outside of the Student Recreation Center, the SRC.  You know Alaska is Alaska-ing when you can leave ice cream sitting outside to stay frozen!

On Saturday, February 8, the Wood Center ballroom was transformed into a vibrant cultural celebration filled with energetic performances, delicious food, and a strong sense of unity. Upon entering, the first thing overheard was, “Should we sit closer to the food or the entertainment?” It was the right question to ask! The ballroom was beautifully set up, and the turnout was impressive.

During the week of Valentine's Day, the University of Alaska Fairbanks hosted their annual Winter Carnival. On the first day of the three-day event, UAF hosted skating under the stars and s’mores making, and they had planned to host a polar plunge.

HYPE – an interactive show featuring magic, hypnotism, and mind control was held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Hess Recreation Center in MBS Residence Complex.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Student Success Center, located on the sixth floor of the Rasmuson Library, hosts a “Paws for Success” every other Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.