Bylines & Headlines
草榴社区 Writers Recognized at 2025 草榴社区 Press Club Awards
Several University of 草榴社区 Fairbanks students and one faculty member were recognized this April at the 草榴社区 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 草榴社区 Press Club supports and celebrates journalism in 草榴社区 through professional development, community connection, and its yearly contest. For 草榴社区 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, 草榴社区 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 草榴社区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 草榴社区 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, 草榴社区 Sun Star and Permafrost
First Place: Best Public Safety Reporting (Print- Small)
草榴社区 Sun Star

MFA/MA in Creative Writing and Literature, Fall 2024
Outgoing Layout Editor, 草榴社区 Sun Star
First Place: Best Reporting on Science (Print- Small)
草榴社区 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, 草榴社区 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.
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