Summer plans across campus
By Britany Adorno-Alicea and Amber McCain
Delaney Sowell during her first in-person class, World Literature, on April 23, 2026.
The spring semester of 2026 has been slowly coming to an end, and with finals approaching everyone is anticipating their summer break.
We asked students around campus what their summer plans are.
Delaney Sowell, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, has been taking her classes mostly online and attended her first in-person class this semester. This will be her first summer spent in Fairbanks. “I look forward to enjoying the nature and sights we’re surrounded by,” Sowell said. “I recently bought a paddle board and am looking forward to floating the Chena River!”
Civil engineering student Jesse Schnabel has an internship lined up with Design Alaska for the summer. Schnabel also is a film minor and has performed in the Drama Association’s Extravaganza on May 18. “I’m hopefully going to be producing some short films as well,” Schnabel said.
Jonathan Deats spends his off time at the ESports Center located inside the Wood Center.
Jonathan Deats looks forward to a summer of hard work and relaxation. “I’m planning to do some asbestos abatement to help pay off my house. And spend the summer relaxing of course.”
Student Teegan Silva has an eventful summer lined up for herself as well. “I will be going to Greenland in May to do fieldwork on one of their fastest flowing tidewater glaciers. I’ve been doing my undergraduate research on Sermeq Kujalleq glacier since May of 2025,” Silva said. “Then in June, I'll be traversing on foot and skis across the Juneau icefields to the Aktins in British Columbia. This will be part of the Juneau Icefield Research Program.”
Not everyone is expected to have a summer of traveling, many students reported that they would be spending their time working. Spend your summer how you would like and enjoy the break from classes. We’ll be waiting to see everyone again in the fall.
Jesse Schnabel inside UAF’s Wood Center on April 23, strikes a documentary making pose in anticipation of his summer plans.