The Sun Star Launch: Celebrating the Revival of Student Journalism at UAF
By Matthew Scragg
Anticipation for the Launch of The Sun Star. Photo by Shane Bennett
We all have vivid memories of how our lives changed, for better or for worse, in the spring of 2020. For the producers of The Sun Star newspaper (rebranded as the Polaris Newspaper at the time), they were out of a job and forced to finish up the semester’s coursework from home.
Things at Troth Yeddha’, a normally vibrant college community full of students and faculty out and about, became much quieter than usual. As things progressed through 2021, some departments started holding in person classes again, some online only, and others mixed. By the fall of 2022, it seemed that life on campus had returned to near-baseline.
With the revival of the campus community, and funding secured through the Student Leadership and Involvement Office, the Sun Star was set to return to UAF. Aaron Salzman, an MFA/MA combined degree candidate in Creative Writing and Literature, answered the call to become the new Executive News Director for The Sun Star.
He went to work right away, organizing matters to be put in place for the upcoming re-launch of the only independent student-run newspaper in Fairbanks. Formerly an english and writing teacher for middle school, high school, and college students, Aaron wanted to apply his skills towards building up and mentoring a new team of student producers, editors, and journalists. Aaron stated that his goal with re-instating The Sun Star is to make the publication a ‘consistent, trusted brand of news, opinion, and art that represents the student body.’ By September, he had compiled a talented team of editors, reporters, media producers, and freelance journalists to launch The Sun Star into the future.
On October 21st, 2022, The Sun Star held its official (re) Launch Party, where staff, columnists, journalists, friends from KSUA, and interested students came together to witness the official re-launching of the Paper (digitally, of course). After a two year hiatus, the room buzzed as the ribbon was cut and the website (that you are currently on) went live. Armed with a new team and a fresh outlook on student journalism and creativity, The Sun Star is back up and running. We are carrying on a campus tradition, and working diligently to ensure that the students’ interests are represented at UAF and in the Fairbanks community.
We encourage all students who are interested in having their work published and their voices heard to get involved with The Sun Star.
It’s official! Director Aaron Salzman cuts the ribbon, symbolizing the official launch of The Sun Star.
Reporter Jacob Knuth (left) and Editor Anna Macej (right) in the background.
Photo by Shane Bennett