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Print, Pedagogy, and Publication

The UAF College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce that Assistant Professor Joseph Holt of the UAF Department of English has been named a 2025 recipient of the People’s Endowment. His award supports the continued production of Ice Box, UAF’s undergraduate literary journal, with a focus on its upcoming Volume 21.

Ice Box is a by-undergrads, for-undergrads publication that highlights the creative work of UAF students in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, hybrid genres, and visual art. Each spring, it emerges as both a printed literary journal and a student-driven learning experience. Students enrolled in ENGL 475: Practicum in Literary Publishing take the editorial helm, evaluating submissions, editing accepted work, and designing the layout. In addition, Ice Box functions as an official student club. Holt serves as the faculty advisor.

Volume 21 of Ice Box is set to be released this April and features original work from 33 undergraduate contributors: Mary Ames, Logan Van Anderson, Josie Beauchamp, Mira Campbell, Zachary Chen, Olivia Cole, Abigail Host, Grace Lacour, Sophia Martin, Emiko Newman, Katey Spencer, Katina Whisel, Delainey Zock, Piper Denney, S. Naomi King, Xochitl Martinez, Sarah Thomas, Raelyn Shover, Abigail Ames, Mari Bell, Lydia B. Hodgson, Danielle Lopez Stamm, Amber McCain, Ruger Nordin, Juliet Trafton, Sarah Wade, Roman Cain, Sydney Young, Estella Bailey, Stella Bettisworth, and Ethan Ruerup. This year’s edition represents not only a collection of student voices, but also a growing editorial vision that continues to evolve with each new class.

“This year's journal is a work in progress, so the special features are still coming into focus,” Holt shared. “Last year's journal, Volume #20, was a celebration of Ice Box's history… As always, this year's editors have been very thoughtful about evaluating and acquiring work, then doing developmental edits and copyedits to help the accepted works reach their full potential.”

Volume 21 stands out for the range of editorial and creative initiatives led by the students. Editor S. Naomi King designed a new Ice Box logo and will also create the cover art. Mira Campbell and Sophia Martin, serving as club president and vice president, are organizing a contributor reading at Schaible Auditorium. Juliet Trafton is gathering book recommendations from contributors to feature in the journal, while Xochitl Martinez is developing a series of parody classified ads. Louis Carufel has also been working to incorporate poetry in translation, collaborating with the ������appNative Language Center.

In a digital-first world, Holt and his students remain committed to the tangible value of the printed journal. “Honestly, we don't have much interest in adapting Ice Box for digital formats,” he explains. “More care and cost go into a print journal, and that makes it more valuable… The journal is a permanent artifact that, ideally, our editors and contributors can hold and cherish for years to come. Yes, it's harder to distribute than publicizing a URL, but we believe the scarcity and complexity create deeper immersion among readers and greater pride in the complexity of the project.”

This commitment to both tradition and accessibility recently advanced in a meaningful way, as the ������appand Polar Regions Collections & Archives at the Rasmuson Library have cataloged the Ice Box archives. The issues are being added to ScholarWorks and will soon be digitally available for browsing.

Holt, who is also the author of Golden Heart Parade and a widely published writer, is most passionate about mentoring his students through this editorial journey. “Even when editors enroll in ENGL 475… without much knowledge of Ice Box or its campus history, they immediately buy into the project and work to make it their own,” he says. “They see how many students benefit from the project—notably, students whose creative work appears in the journal and thus feel validated as emerging artists—and selflessly work to empower their peers. I like seeing the community that forms around Ice Box. It gives our students meaningful work with a tangible outcome. Our editors and artists gain experience, but, importantly, they also gain confidence.”

As advisor, Holt often takes on behind-the-scenes tasks to ensure students can lead creatively. “I sometimes take on the role of managing editor—working quietly to organize submissions, arrange funding, and oversee production—so that our students can concentrate on the creative and editorial tasks. I'm most excited, paradoxically, when I do nothing, clearing the way for students and allowing them to make Ice Box their own.”

The UAF community is invited to attend the Ice Box Volume 21 release event on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium. This special evening will feature live readings, visual art showcases, and creative presentations by the journal’s contributors. It's an opportunity to experience the depth and range of UAF’s undergraduate literary talent firsthand. A Zoom option will also be available for remote attendees, and food and drinks will be provided following the event.

The People’s Endowment: Honoring Vision and Innovation

The People’s Endowment at UAF supports creative, scholarly, and community-focused projects that might not receive traditional funding. This year’s cohort of College of Liberal Arts recipients reflects a wide range of academic disciplines and artistic vision. In addition to Joseph Holt, 2025 awardees include Yue Sun (Music), Tori McDermott (Communication), Sarah McConnell (Music), Jericho Williams (English), Jaunelle Celaire (Music), and Kevin Carroll (Art), under faculty mentor Jamie Smith.

About the UAF Department of English

The Department of English at the ������app provides a dynamic environment for students to explore literature, writing, and cultural studies. Through small classes, dedicated faculty, and unique publishing opportunities like Ice Box, the department cultivates a vibrant literary community in Alaska’s interior.