UAF Nanook Rendezvous
July 13-15, 2023
#NanookNation
Thank you for joining us for the 2023 Nanook Rendezvous all-class reunion!
We had a great turnout with more than 100 alumni participating in three days of events. Alumni returned to Fairbanks from a variety of states and communities in Alaska. The entire weekend was special — from the welcome reception and alumni award ceremony to the farewell social. Hearing your stories about how you came to UAF, the things you did during your time as a student, and what you’ve been up to since graduation strengthens our connection as Nanook Nation.
Please enjoy the photographs taken by UAF photographers. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for next year's reunion at uaf-alumni@alaska.edu.
2023 Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion
Click on the photos in gallery to read the captions and credits.






















































Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Willie Blackburn, center, takes a selfie photo with UAF alumni Darryl Lewis Sr., left, and Adam Wool, right, both class of '88, as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards Thursday, evening, July 13, 2023. Wool was the 2023 William R. Cashen Service Award recipient. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards
UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony and enjoy a catered buffet Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Members of the Troth Yeddha' Dance Group open the ceremony as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Anupma Prakash gives welcomes UAF alumni in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Members of the Troth Yeddha' Dance Group open the ceremony as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF alumna Brianna Gray ('11, '12) is presented with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award by UAF Alumni Association Vice President Rhonda Widener, center, and Executive Director Theresa Bakker, right, as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Adam Wool '88, left, a Fairbanks businessman and former state legislator, is presented with the 2023 William R. Cashen Service Award by UAF Alumni Association Vice President Rhonda Widener, center, and UAFAA Executive Director Theresa Bakker, right, as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Alaska state Rep. Ashley Carrick, left, presents UAF alumnus Brianna Gray '11, '12, second from left, with a legislative citation, along with (continuing to right) UAF Alumni Association Vice President Rhonda Widener and UAFAA Executive Director Theresa Bakker, right, as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF alumnus Darryl Lewis Sr. '88, right, takes a selfie with fellow alumnus Adam Wool '88, left, and Brianna Gray '11, '12 as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. Wool received the 2023 William R. Cashen Service Award, and Gray received the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF alumnus Brianna Gray '11, '12, right, introduces her daughter Aaliyah Gray while giving her acceptance speech after receiving the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Alaska state Rep. Ashley Carrick, second from left, presents Adam Wool '88, a Fairbanks businessman and former state legislator, third from left, with a legislative citation, along with UAF Alumni Association Vice President Rhonda Widener, right, and UAFAA Executive Director Theresa Bakker, left, as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Reception & Awards

Adam Wool '88, right, a Fairbanks businessman and former state legislator, addresses the audience after receiving the 2023 William R. Cashen Service Award as UAF alumni gather in the Regents' Great Hall on the UAF campus for the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion reception and alumni awards ceremony on Thursday evening, July 13, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Campus Day - Meet Yogi

UAF alumnus Ron Fayer '62, right, and his brother Stan Fayer, left, pose with their cameras while taking photos as UAF alumni stop by the Usibelli Building atrium to visit after lunch and meet Yogi, the new UAF campus police K9 officer, during the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion on the UAF campus Friday afternoon, July 14, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Campus Day - Meet Yogi

UAF alumni stop by the Usibelli Building atrium to visit after lunch and meet Yogi, the new UAF campus police K9 officer, during the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion on the UAF campus Friday afternoon, July 14, 2023. Pictured with Yogi from left are alumnus Darryl Lewis Sr., Officer Jill Copeland, alumnus Lorna Shaw, UAF Alumni Association Vice President Rhonda Widener, and UAFAA Executive Director Theresa Bakker. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Alumni Reunion Campus Day - Meet Yogi

UAF alumni stop by the Usibelli Building Atrium to visit after lunch and meet Yogi, the new UAF campus police K9 officer, during the annual Nanook Rendezvous alumni reunion on the UAF campus Friday afternoon, July 14, 2023. UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Golden Days Parade

Students enrolled in the UAF Community and Technical College Fire Science Academy stand in attention as their captain gives them orders before the start of the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Members of the UAF Geophysical Institute stand beneath a test rocket from the Poker Flat Research Range before pulling it through downtown Fairbanks for the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Officer Jill Copeland gives K9 Officer Yogi a command while Nook holds the leash before the start of the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Left to right, Adam Rubin, Kyle Agustines, Felicia Burud, Alan Mitchell, Darryl Lewis Sr., Theresa Bakker, Kara Nash and Nook take a photo in front the 2023 Golden Days Parade float after winning the award for best noncommercial float. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Nook showcases the 2023 Golden Days UAF parade float "So Blue and Golden!" designed by Kyle Agustines. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Participants in UAF's 2023 Golden Days Parade march gather for a group photo before walking through downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Alan Mitchell '20 leads the Nanook Nation troop in the 2023 Golden Days Parade in downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Participants in the 2023 Golden Days Parade hand out candy and merchandise to spectators in the crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

An unmanned drone is pulled through the streets of downtown Fairbanks by UAF Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft System Integration staff as part of the Nanook Nation entry in the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

One of the test rockets from the Poker Flat Research Range is pulled during the 2023 Golden Days Parade in downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

UAF staff and alumni wave to the crowd while dancing through the streets of downtown Fairbanks during the 2023 Golden Days Parade march. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Katie Straub, UAF Alumni Association storytelling manager, waves to the crowd while sporting a '70s throwback outfit as part of the theme for the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

UAF staff and alumni wave to the crowd from the Nanook Nation float during the 2023 Golden Days Parade in downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Darryl Lewis Sr. waves to the crowd as he stands next to the Nanook rifle team's NCAA championship trophies on board the UAF float for the 2023 Golden Days Parade in downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Kara Nash, UAF institutional events coordinator, hands her daughter stickers and candy to pass out during the 2023 Golden Day Parade in downtown Fairbanks. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Students of the UAF Community and Technical College Fire Science Academy lead the Nanook Nation troop as they walk down the streets of downtown Fairbanks holding the sign for best noncommercial float at the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

The UAF Golden Days Parade float makes its way through downtown Fairbanks with alumni, staff and students following close behind. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Participants enjoy the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Golden Days Parade

Students of the UAF Community and Technical College Fire Science Academy walk the streets of downtown Fairbanks as part of Nanook Nation's entry in the 2023 Golden Days Parade. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.
Goldpanners Nanook Night

UAF alumni, staff and students attend the 2023 Nanook night at Growden Field for the Alaska Goldpanners' July 14 matchup against the California Halos. The Goldpanners finished with an 8-3 win over the Halos to seal the evening for the home crowd. UAF photo by Leif Van Cise.