UAF gets Fenged Up!

Hey everyone,
A student recently interviewed me for a film project for a class he was taking. The project was addressing the principles of Feng Shui and applying them to buildings. In particular, the student wanted to improve the Feng Shui of our very own Gruening Building. Check out the link here. Note: the audio on this video seemed a little off if you're not using headphones or external speaker.

I think this is great. It's a class project, but it's also an expression of creativity, fun, and embraces popular media, like youtube. And plus, that Admissions Counselor guy at the beginning was totally awesome ^_^

Thanks for reading, happy holidays, have a great night!

Joe Alloway
Admissions Counselor

Inu-Yupiaq Dance Group

One of the unique things about living in Alaska is the exposure to a rich cultural community. This includes student clubs and organizations such as the Inu-Yupiaq dance group. Here the Inu-Yupiaq dance group performs during the Festival of Native Arts (2007) on the UAF campus. The Festival of Native Arts takes place typically in the spring. It's a great time to plan your visit to campus!



Another reason why it's great to live in Fairbanks!

UAF's Alligator Hunter

This video was completed in 2001 by a few UAF students. It's hysterical and a great look back at how much as changed in 9 years! (Check out the computer monitor, the clothes, and the reference to Steve Erwin, Crocodile Hunter. I wonder where these alumni are today?

Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives

What happens when Guy Fieri visits Alaksa? He loves it! Check out one of our favorite Alaskan landmarks profiled on the Food Network. Silver Gulch Brewery is only a few miles outside of town. It's the perfect place to bring the folks or to go with a group of friends!

&@*! It's Cold!

When we're asked, "How cold does it get in Fairbanks?" it's impossible to cover up the hard truth that it gets absolutely, nose bitingly, hand chappingly cold here. The average winter temperature is at or around zero, but it is not uncommon for us to experience -20 to -50 degree temperatures.

So what! It's cold.

Students who choose to attend UAF know that the cold will be a factor, but they also know that there are many other things that they can do despite a little cold. Visit weedsoutwimps.uaf.edu to experience a little bit of what life is like for current students here in the arctic.

Brave the cold - come to Fairbanks!

'Tis the Giving Season

It's going to be a bloody holiday season - or at least we hope so. According to the Blood Bank of Alaska, 2200 people need to donate blood each month to meet the needs of patients in area hospitals. Yesterday, the Blood Bank of Alaska was on campus hosting a blood drive in the Wood Center, our student union. As a team, the Admissions Counselors decided we would make donating blood part of our celebration of the holiday season. Lael and Jessica are both getting ready to welcome new life into the world (or as Lael says, they're "prego"), so they weren't allowed to give blood, but they wished Carrie, Joe, and I luck as we headed over to donate a collective 1.5 liters of blood.

The phlebotomists and nurses' aides with the Blood Bank of Alaska were wonderful, and helped make the donation process really enjoyable, and it's great to know that the campus community is dedicated to making these regular blood drives a success.

You can read some great stories about donors and blood recipients on the Blood Bank of Alaska's Life Stories website.

We hope that when you join the UAF community, you'll participate in our strong tradition of volunteerism and service, and that no matter where you are now, that you consider giving the gift of life through blood donation.

Student Opportunities with NASA

Hey All,
As many readers out there may or may not know, UAF is a triple crown institution: Land, Sea and Space grant. As a Space grant institution, there is some very exciting research is going on with relation to space and the atmosphere at UAF, and our students are able to be involved. We're also the only school in the world that owns its own rocket range, Poker Flats, so our students and faculty can build and launch rockets to gather data from the atmosphere. We're hoping to launch a satellite sometime soon, so then we'll have the only University owned satellite launching range ^_^

This year, for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math and some other programs will have an opportunity to apply for NASA internships and for a NASA Academy. So, for students interested in learning more about NASA and maybe laying the ground work to work for them after graduation, check out the application process here.

How cool is that, seriously? Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Joe Alloway, Admissions Counselor

More Halloween fun at UAF!

Hello Fiendish Fiends and Ghoulish Ghouls,

Yes indeed, another Halloween has come and gone. It was a fun one here at UAF. As you may have noticed, we thrilled the World, we did the great cover up, and for me . . . I dressed as the Riddler and made Homestar Runner pumpkins. It's the little things about the holidays at UAF that make it so much fun. Like the fact that there are so many things to do, and so many opportunities out there. Whatever you're into, you can express it at UAF, and that's really important when you're considering a college, eh?

Holidays are always fun, and we always look forward to the next one. For Thanksgiving, the UAF Outdoor Adventures Office is going hiking in the mountains and they're going to cook a turkey on a cabin cook stove. Perfect! That's so Alaskan!

Below I've included some of the photos I took and that were taken of me during the halloween festivities. Enjoy, and I'll be back to posting soon!

Sincerely,

Joe Alloway

UAF Admissions Counselor

Alumnus '07, '08

My wife Erin and I on the stair, posing in our costumes. Erin is Lulu from FF X, and I'm . . . The Riddler!

A group photo, Erin and our neighbors at the Halloween dance.
Senor Cardgage and a Duck. Truly, the greatest of pumpkins.
These are the pumpkins out neighbors did. I think they're both a little on the creepy side . . .

Happy Halloween Ghouls and Zombies!

This weekend 23,000 people danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller. UAF students were counted among the many who participated! Watch the dance on YouTube.

Kudos to our Student Activities Office and to RA's Ashleigh Strange and Liza Krauzer for coordinating this event!

(Photo by Stephanie Walden)

Hey Everyone,

UAF Office of Admissions will host a booth during College Week Live, the worlds largest online college fair. Check out our booth out on November 4, 5, 6, & 7. We'll also be participating in a live video chat - so if you want to meet us visit College Week Live! (Click on the banner below)

Pride Foundation Scholarships Available!

Pride Foundation has $300,000 in Scholarships - Applications are due January 31

Pride Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2010-11 school year. We anticipate awarding $300,000 in scholarships during this cycle. Along with our scholarship partner, the Greater Seattle Business Association, we offer 50 different scholarships, but have only one application to complete.

New this year is our online application. Gone are the days of paper, as now students can create an account at PrideFoundationScholar.org and complete their application completely online. This makes the application more accessible and also decreases our administrative costs.

Find out who qualifies for a Pride Foundation scholarship here and read about our past scholars here.

Starvation Gulch at UAF!

Yo yo yo!

This last weekend was a hot one in the arctic north. I'm referring, of course to UAF's 85th annual Starvation Gulch, our fall celebratatory bonfire. For the event, clubs and organizations around campus gather wood to build gi-normous, flammable structures for the sole purpose of burning them down. Check out this video on youtube to see more Starvation Gulch action. This is just another example of the folks here at UAF having a blast, and having fun outside, even when it is cold. Enjoy!

Joe

Left to right: The view of the fires from the top of a neighboring hill; A life size replica flaming fire truck; Me and Chancellor Brian Rogers with the fires in the background (seen in fire gear, because tradition dictates that UAF's leader must light the fires).

Discover UAF: Inside Out

Choosing a college is a big decision. We can make it easy.

Students and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions, get answers and experience life at UAF during UAF Inside Out, a preview event designed to let you see what the University of Alaska Fairbanks is all about--from the inside out. This event for high school juniors and seniors will be held Friday, Oct. 16. Parents and guests are welcome to attend during the day. We'll turn the university inside out so you can get the real story on financial aid, the admission process, classes and professors at UAF, extracurricular fun, and our outstanding academic programs.

Register now.

UAF Comes to Colorado!

ATTENTION COLORADO STUDENTS!

As part of my search for talented, motivated students who are interested in adventure and a great education, I’ll be coming to Colorado. My travels will bring me to a number of high schools and college fairs, which I’ve listed below. Also, I’ll be available to meet with students and their families on an individual basis. If you’re interested in meeting with me to ask questions and to learn about all the opportunities that America’s Arctic University has to offer you, please e-mail at brandon.ilgen@alaska.edu. Appointments go fast, so please write me back soon if you're interested. If we can't meet in person, we can make other arrangements to correspond through e-mail or talk on the phone.

LOCATIONS AND DATES FOR INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY MEETINGS (e-mail me to set up a specific time and location)

Grand Junction (my hometown!) and surrounding areas - Thursday, October 1 and Friday 2

Colorado Springs - Monday, October 5

Fort Collins/Loveland - Tuesday, October 6; Wednesday October 7

Denver and surrounding areas - Wednesday, October 7; Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 10

HIGH SCHOOL VISITS (Please contact your counselor ahead of time to make arrangements to meet with me)

Palisade High School, Palisade, CO – Thursday, October 1 at 10 am

Central High School, Grand Junction, CO – Thursday, October 1 at 12:30 pm

Fruita Monument High School, Fruita, CO – Friday, October 2 at 9 am

Grand Junction High School, Grand Junction, CO – Friday, October 2 at 11:15 am

Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins, CO – Tuesday, October 6 at 10 am

Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, CO – Wednesday, October 7 at 10:30 am

Thomas Jefferson High School, Denver, CO – Thursday, October 8 at 10:15 am

Peak to Peak Charter School, Lafayette, CO – Thursday, October 8 at 1:35 pm

COLLEGE FAIRS

Colorado Western Slope College Fair, Aspen, CO – Sunday, October 3 from 11 am to 2 pm

(www.westernslopecollegefair.com)

Fountain Valley School’s College Day, Colorado Springs, CO – Monday, October 5 from 1 to

3pm (www.fvs.edu)

Fort Collins College Fair, Fort Collins, CO – Tuesday, October 6 from 6 to 8 pm

College Fairs of Greater Denver, Monarch High School, Louisville, CO – Wednesday, October 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (http://www.collegefairsdenver.org/)

College Fairs of Greater Denver, John F. Kennedy High School, Denver, CO – Thursday,

October 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (http://www.collegefairsdenver.org/)

College Fairs of Greater Denver, Cherry Creek High School, Cherry Creek, CO – Saturday,

October 10 from 6:30 to 8:30pm (http://www.collegefairsdenver.org/)

Tunnel Man Emerges!

Hey Team,

I just wanted to share an awesome youtube video with everyone: Tunnel Man Emerges! Tunnel Man is a super hero who lives in Ice Tunnels, and teaches children about Ice Wedges and Contraction Cracks in Alaska. Tunnel Man is played by Kenji Yoshikawa, a Research Associate Professor for the Institute of Northern Engineering. I thought the video was awesome, fun, and educational. It was produced as part of UAF's participation in the International Polar Year (IPY). The Anchorage Daily News also did a story on Tunnel Man. Finally, check out the video!

Thanks for reading, more excitment in the North to come!

Joe

Welcome Back Students!

Thu, September 3, 2009

We at UAF are so pleased to have students are back on campus. The weather is great, the trees are just starting to turn from green to gold, and the campus is bustling! Now is a great time to visit campus!

Yesterday the Anchorage Public Radio Network aired this great story about UAF enrollment.

"Fall classes started today at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and enrollment is up. UAF Admissions Director Mike Earnest says over 7,600 students signed up for classes, a seven percent increase over this time last year." Posted in Alaska News. Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Download Audio (MP3)

Moving In!

Check out this great news posting about freshman Jerrod Williams as he gets help from his grandparents, John and Carrie Williams of Cooper Landing, to move into his room in Moore Hall on the Fairbanks campus.

UAF photographer Todd Paris' 820 photographs of move-in day have been condensed into a slide show of about 90 seconds.

http://www.uaf.edu/news/news/20090902110857.html

Enjoy!

Lael Oldmixon
Admissions

Publish Post

Orientation events welcome students to campus, community

Aug. 28, 2009

Fairbanks, Alaska - The University of Alaska Fairbanks will welcome more than 750 new students this weekend at the kickoff of this year's new student orientation activities. The four-day event, which runs Sunday, Aug. 30 through Wednesday, Sept. 2, will include workshops and activities for new students and their families, as well as opportunities for students to connect with the Fairbanks community.

Highlights of this year's new student orientation events include workshops on making sound financial choices in college, sessions with tips for academic success, a special late-night shopping event at West Fairbanks Fred Meyer and several trips with Outdoor Adventures. A full schedule of events, as well as information on how to register for orientation, is available online at www.uaf.edu/orientation.

Campus residence halls will open for students to begin moving in at 8 a.m. Sunday. Student move-in includes -Rev It Up- activities in Hess Recreation Center in the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland complex from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is designed to be a one-stop resource for incoming freshmen. It includes information on academics and student life, and alumni and community volunteers will be there to help students move into their new homes at UAF. This year, more than 1,300 students will live in campus residence halls. Hundreds more will live in campus apartments.

The weekend's events will also include family orientation on Sunday, Aug. 30. Student and Enrollment Services offices will be at Rev It Up from 8 a.m., to 3 p.m. and in their regular offices from 3-5 p.m. Classes at UAF begin Thursday, Sept. 3.

CONTACT: Terin Porter, new student orientation coordinator, at 907-474-2760 or via e-mail at taporter2@alaska.edu. Jamie Abreu-Napolski, first-year experience coordinator, at 907-474-1885 or via e-mail at fnjra@uaf.edu. Marmian Grimes public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@alaska.edu.

ON THE WEB: http://www.uaf.edu/orientation/

Crane Festival in Fairbanks

Hey,
This last weekend was one of my favorite events in Fairbanks: The Sandhill Crane Festival! I know this may sound silly, but I love the birds we get in this town! Every year we get migratory birds from 5 continents flying through Fairbanks as a nesting stop on their migratory routes. It's so cool to see the birds covering Creamer's Field and then to see them flying off at the end of the week for their nest stop. Just one more thing about living in Fairbanks that I love. If you want to find out more about the birds, visit the Fairbanks Daily News Miner article about it here. Thanks for reading, and we'll be coming back at you soon with UAF New Student Orientation!

Joe