Meet the Board & Get Involved
Want to get involved with planning UAF's Nanook Traditions? Email us at traditions@uaf.edu, call us at 474-6029, or come by our weekly meetings in the Wood Center Banner Room, Thursdays at 1:00pm.
2012-2013 Nanook Traditions Board
Juan Cruz
Board Co-Chair
Major: Social Work and Justice
Favorite tradition & why: Starvation Gulch, because it means the snow will be coming soon :)
Why did you join the board: I like to get involved becuase you meet a lot of people.
The ultimate ice cream: Chocolate
What do you do for fun: I like to hang with friends and just have fun!
Katie Griffin
Board Co-Chair
Major: Anthropology
Favorite Tradition & Why: I love all the traditions on campus, but Springfest is my favorite. It marks the end of the dark winter with a festive atmosphere. There's always great music playing and people enjoying themselves and having fun in the sun. I especially love the rugby match and the field day.
Why did you join the board: I joined the traditions board because I really wanted to be a part of organizing the events that everyone enjoys. I've enjoyed two years of traditions, and now I'd like to be involved and make future tradition events awesome for everyone else!
Ultimate Ice Cream Flavor: Peppermint Candy
Michael D. Willis
LIVE Program Representative
Major: NRM, Political Science
Favorite tradition & why: As a new student and as a new member of the tradition’s board, I’m exited to experience all the traditions this year and decide which is my favorite.
Why did you join the board:I am a board member representing the LIVE Program
The ultimate ice cream: Mint chocolate chip! (The green kind)
Favorite song in the shower: Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen... it has a nice beat to it!
Mari Freitag
ASUAF Representative
Major:Political Science, Justice Minor
Favorite tradition & why: Springfest, because it’s the end of the year & 3 day tradition!
Why did you join the board: I love planning activities & volunteering at fun events!
The ultimate ice cream: Vanilla Bean Coffee
Its Finally 2012, will the world really end this year: Probably not, because Snookie had her baby already & the world still spinning!
Sarah Walker
Rural Student Services Representative
Majors: Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development, Yup’ik minor.
Favorite Tradition & Why: My favorite tradition is Starvation Gulch because it’s just awesome.
Why did you join the board: I joined the board because it seemed like it would be a good experience.
The Ultimate ice cream: The ultimate ice cream would be akutaq (Eskimo ice cream), each area has their own recipe for it and they’re all delicious!
What do you do for fun: For fun, I usually hang out with friends.
James Mitchell
APO Representative
Major: Elementary Education
Favorite tradition & why: Starvation Gulch, because I like bonfires and it gets me pumped!
Why did you join the board: I am representing Alpha Phi Omega
The ultimate ice cream: Cake batter with butterfingers
What do you do for fun: I like to play outside, hike, bike, and hang with friends
Brooke “Brody” Smart
RA Representative
Major: Psychology, ASL Minor
Favorite tradition & Why: Starvation Gulch, because who doesn’t love fire
Why did you join the board: I joined the board to get more involved in campus activities and all the swag we give out!
The Ultimate ice cream: Cake Batter
What do you do for fun: Safe the world, Skateboard, and playing pranks.
Ashleigh Strange
RA Representative
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Favorite Tradition: Springfest! I love being out in the warm air, having no class, and participating in the dance off! Long live the fried squirrel!
Why did you join the board: I joined the board because I like to help students understand that UAF is about more than going to school, it's a lifestyle that people have connected with for over a century.
The ultimate ice cream: Spumoni. Not to be confused with Spamoni.
The world will only end when you admit defeat. So don't do that. We're all counting on you!
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Superman by Barbra Streisand
For fun I like to kick back in a comfy chair with a jar of Marciano cherries and a tub of frosting and watch The Golden Girls. Um, I mean.... yup. That's exactly what I mean.
Megham Bussa
DRAW Representative
Major: Biology
Favorite tradition & why: Springfest, because there are so many different activities to get involved in.
Why did you join the board: To get more involved at UAF!
The ultimate ice cream: Coffee will peanut butter-cups!
Its Finally 2012, will the world really end this year: The world will not end!
John Seiler
Student Representative
Major: Journalism
Favorite tradition & why: Starvation Gulch
Why did you join the board: Seem legit
The ultimate ice cream: Vanilla
What do you do for fun: Doing my radio show at KSUA
Erika Phelps
Student Representative
What's your major?
Linguistics with a french minor.
What's your favorite tradition and why?
Springfest. Dance off, mud voleyball, barbecue and field day?! Also we're finally out of our incredibly long winter.
Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
The great hall by the library. I highly recommend it for naps. Best place on campus.
Why did you choose to get involved with the board?
I wanted to work for SAO, but that didn't work out. I'm still involved, I just don't get paid now.
Bobbi Lou Burbank
Residence Life Representative
What's your Major?
English!
What's your favorite tradition and why?
I remember reading about the history of the tradition stone, and wondering why I hadn't seen it before. As a freshmen, I wanted to be a part of the tradition - steal the stone, put it on display, and wonder who would attempt to sneak away with it.
Why did you choose to get involved with the board?
I enjoy working with people, and I like networking opportunities. I also wanted to be more involved with campus events, and have a better idea of what "tradition" means.
Where's your favorite place to hang out on campus?
The Tilly! Food is a great way to bond with people and generate ideas.
Maria Greene
Residence Life Representative
What's your major?
Geophysics.
Why did you choose to get involved with the board?
I want to be a part of something special that helps UAF students
Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
I love hanging out in the pub doing homework with friends.
What's your favorite tradition and why?
My favorite tradition is Starvation Gulch because I love watching the creativity of the student groups go up.