- University’s Spaceman: On a Mission, Down to Earth - November 5, 2019
- Slices of Life from the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention - October 29, 2019
There’s an astronaut protecting the honor of Fairbanks.
“I will be wearing this suit at the show, but it’s really just about getting attention.’ He also likes to see people smile and laugh in response to his extravagant costume and acting.
Rob Prince is an associate professor of the communication department of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He also is a DJ in the Fairbanks area, 89.9 FM, with his original program Dark Winter Nights: True Stories of Alaska.
Prince costumed as a NASA Apollo 11 astronaut for Halloween this year. He spacewalked around UAF in his ‘made in New York’, custom designed suit. With creeping movements he used his grabber to slowly pull a promotional card out of his clunky white space box.
“My mission today is to promote an upcoming event I am doing.’ said Prince from behind the orange sheen of his space helmet’s visor.
The event is a live showing of what is normally his radio program; Dark Winter Nights: True Stories From Alaska. It’s scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23rd, in the Hering Auditorium.
“It’s a storytelling program,’ said Prince. “They have to be true stories that happened in Alaska.’ They also have to have happened to the person telling the story, no pass-alongs.
“I was frustrated with the way people depict Alaska in reality TV shows.’ Prince’s goal is to show the world outside of Alaska what living here is all about.
Prince explained that his out-of-this-world outfit isn’t really connected to the upcoming show.
“I have always wanted a spacesuit.’ said Prince He didn’t get one sooner because he thought they were “super expensive.’
After a few reassurances that none of the UAF funds went towards this little expenditure of his, Prince admits that the pristine costume cost $2,500. However, the real Alaskan stories being shared next Saturday, will be priceless.
