Community
The Alaska Alpine Club's Stikine Icecap Expedition
On August 26 this year’s recipients of the Peter Mackeith Grant presented their expedition to the Stikine Icecap. The team consisted of Torin Hooge, Simeon Ramirez, Hazel Probst and Leo Nordman. The team set out to climb three major peaks in the area: Kate’s Needle, Castle Mountain, and Mount Pratt.
Chamber Music Festival Brings World-Class Talent to Fairbanks
The International Chamber Music Alaska, or ICMA, Summer Intensive was held from August 11-16, filling the Davis Concert Hall with the sounds of live chamber music.
Postcard from Salmonfest
Can a 27 year-old Subaru make it 1,000 miles from Fairbanks to Ninilchik and back? That was what I set out to test when I left Fairbanks for Salmonfest.
Ag-Institute Hosts Annual Field Day
On July 29 at the Experiment Farm, UAF’s Agricultural Institute hosted a field day for the farmers, researchers, and gardeners of the Interior. Despite the pouring rain which continued through most of the day, dozens of people braved the elements to see the various educational talks and discuss agriculture related questions with researchers.
Scottish Highland Games Debut in Fairbanks
Bagpipes, kilts and cheers filled the air Saturday, Aug. 9, as the Alaska Dog Mushers Association field on Farmers Loop Road hosted the inaugural Midnight Sun Scottish Highland Games.
Welcome to UAF From Your Student Body President
And just like that, a brand-new year is here at UAF! Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time, meeting new friends, finding your way, or you’re returning to UAF, let me be among the first to say, welcome.
Welcome to UAF
Starting your first semester at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a bit like stepping into a whole new climate – and not just because of the freezing temperatures. UAF is more than a campus; it’s a tight-knit community surrounded by Alaska’s wilderness.
The Beginning of a Horned Lark’s Life
The beginning of life for birds is pretty simple – most start off with being hatched in a nest in a tree. For the horned lark, their nest is buried in the ground.
The Sun Star goes to the News-Miner
On Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 29, the Sun Star team had the unique opportunity to visit the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and get a behind-the-scenes look at how our April issue was printed.
Watching Volcanoes, One Signal at a Time
Karenna Merritt, a UAF-Geophysical Institute graduate student who works with the Alaska Volcano Observatory, or AVO, is inspired to collect data on volcanoes.
Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream in the Golden Heart
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.
UAF’s Museum of the North unveils ‘Observing Our Dynamic Planet’ Satellite Exhibit
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.
Culture Night Recap
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.
A Journey into the War-Torn Universe of Warhammer 40K Club
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.
Spotted on Campus: A Squirrel with a Sweet Tooth (and a Plastic Problem)
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.
Strike! The Musical - A Look Back
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.
Planting for Wellness, Community Gardening Opportunities
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.
UAF’s Arctic Research Open House Brings Science Discovery to All Ages
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.
Spotlight: Comics Class at UAF
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.
UAF Welcomes the Warm Season with SpringFest 2025
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.

