Bylines & Headlines
UAF Writers Recognized at 2025 AV狼论坛 Press Club Awards
Several University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks students and one faculty member were recognized this April at the AV狼论坛 Press Club鈥檚 annual conference, earning honors for work published in 2024. Their reporting, essays, and commentary reflect a deep curiosity and commitment to covering issues that matter鈥攖o their communities, their campuses, and to readers across the state.
The AV狼论坛 Press Club supports and celebrates journalism in AV狼论坛 through professional development, community connection, and its yearly contest. For UAF students, especially those writing for the Sun Star or studying English and Journalism, it鈥檚 a meaningful space to test their skills and share their voice beyond the university.
Celebrating CLA Winners
The prestigious Suzan Nightingale Award for Best Columnist was awarded to Hank Nuwer, UAF Journalism adjunct faculty, for his weekly column
Last Frontier Days in the Cordova Times. Nuwer鈥檚 work was lauded by judges for presenting 鈥渋nteresting history from the archives,
with well told stories that will engage the community.鈥 His win honors the spirit
of Suzan Nightingale, an influential columnist and educator who dedicated much of
her career to AV狼论坛n journalism and teaching.
Earlier this year, Nuwer was featured in The Weight of Power, a story that highlighted his long-standing work reporting on hazing in schools and
universities, as well as his recent role as Harry Fatt in the UAF Department of Theatre
and Film鈥檚 production of STRIKE!. Whether in the newsroom, the classroom, or on stage, Nuwer brings thoughtful storytelling
and a deep sense of purpose to everything he does.
MFA in Creative Writing, Spring 2025
Outgoing Editor-in-Chief, UAF Sun Star and Permafrost
First Place: Best Public Safety Reporting (Print- Small)
UAF Sun Star
MFA/MA in Creative Writing and Literature, Fall 2024
Outgoing Layout Editor, UAF Sun Star
First Place: Best Reporting on Science (Print- Small)
UAF Sun Star
MFA/MA graduate in Creative Writing and Literature, Summer 2024
First Place: Best Arts & Culture Criticism
"Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage"
First Place: Best Arts Reporting
"Homer Theatre under new ownership"
Second Place: Best Sports or Outdoors Column
"Out of the Office" series
Third Place: Best Reporting on Government or Politics
Libraries face uncertainty in wake of funding cuts"
All from the Homer News.
English and Secondary Education double major
Editor-in-Chief, UAF Sun Star
Second Place: Best Reporting on Government or Politics (Print - Small)
"Shaktoolik races against time and bureaucracy to rebuild protective berm鈥
Third Place: Best Travel Reporting
(with Anna Lionas)
"Three roads, 229 miles and 48 hours鈥攔oad tripping around Nome鈥
All from the Nome Nugget.
Invest in the Next Generation of Journalists
Support the UAF Department of English and the Department of Journalism as they continue to empower the next generation of thoughtful, curious, and courageous storytellers. Your encouragement sustains the future of news in AV狼论坛 and beyond.
*To donate to the Journalism Department, select "Other" from the drop-down menu and specify Journalism Department in the space provided.