Outside Arctic Java April 17, one could hear loud shouts of praise or annoyance, and jaunty, medieval music surrounding the vicinity. Upon closer inspection, there were smiling faces around tables with  plastic swords ready to be picked up by adventurous jousters.

Undergraduate students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks gathered in the lobby of the Charles W. Davis Concert Hall Thursday to present projects funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity, or URSA. 

Two University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers are crossing more than 1,500 miles of Alaska’s western and Arctic coast by snowmachine this spring, not just to study climate change, but to hear directly from the people living it.

Last Friday the annual Ice Jam competition was held on the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ ice tower. Competitors had toto score the fastest time climbing the tower or juggle their way up in the technical dry tool wall. The theme this year was Hawaii, intending to bring some warm and sunny vibes to a record-setting cold winter.

Across America, museums and other institutions are working on repatriating Native American artifacts and human remains, restoring history and bringing back respect and honor. The University of Alaska’s Museum of the North also participates in this cultural work.

On February 21, the Chinese Culture and Language Club welcomed Fairbanks residents to join them in ushering in the new year with their annual Chinese New Year celebration. The celebration had stunning visual performances, traditional food and a strong sense of community.

At the 2026 Winter Carnival, students and staff played in the snow and ice, reveled in sporty and extreme experiences with friends, and got crafty while fresh tunes were spun by a live DJ. There was lots of hot cocoa, s’mores, and smiles over the three-day event. 

Graduate students and faculty filled The Pub at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Friday the 13 for an evening of original poetry, fiction and nonfiction during the Valentine’s Day-themed Graduate Student Literary Recital.

Valentine’s day is one day out of the year that everyone gets to celebrate the people they love and it often leaves out all the people who don’t have a commitment like that. Enter Buddy or Boo speed dating.

First Friday, a long standing Fairbanks monthly tradition and celebration of local art, is here and along with it the chance to see some art from local artists including Stephanie Jane Barney. Various places around town opened for the first Friday, including the Bear Gallery.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Honors College hosted an intimate event, offering opportunities to students from staff and faculty members across different departments, who were given one minute to present their proposals, making it possible for more speakers to attend and share their research projects with students who would like to be involved in their research. While the event was offered to honors students, all were welcome to attend and find research opportunities that align with their interests.

The University of Alaska Museum of the North offered a chance on Saturday for family and friends to come and get a chance to look at what happens behind the curtains.

Starting at noon, visitors had the opportunity to visit the usual museum exhibits and from there take a tour to the lab spaces where all the magic happens. The behind the scenes tours usually run for 10 dollars a person on Tuesdays and Fridays, but for this special occasion, the tour was free for all.

On a night shaped by winter’s darkness, the Schaible Auditorium became a place of shared attention as 28 poets took part in the annual Solstice Poetry Cycle. Local poets flooded the auditorium with a stream of their work reflecting love, grief, humor, memory and everyday life, presented by the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of civil rights activism and coalition building, the University of Alaska Fairbanks hosted a celebratory event Saturday led by the MLK Jr. Foundation of Fairbanks. The event reflected on King’s life and the continuing process of realizing his hopes and ideals for the nation.

The dark, cold days of Alaskan winters often make everyone want to crawl back in bed and sleep until summer comes again. Unfortunately for us humans, that is not possible. However, for some critters, it’s normal. Winter hits and they get to go into their caves or underground systems and fall asleep. When spring brings longer, warmer days, these animals wake up and return to life above ground. 

The Greater Fairbanks Division of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, held their 73rd anniversary banquet in the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Wood Center ballroom on December 6.