Article
December 5, 2025
Top Stories of 2025: Preserving the Past and Shaping the Future
Get the rundown on the top stories of 2025 that received the most views on our website, national newswire and social media
2025 was a busy year for the students, faculty and staff of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). From exciting research projects (that may or may not involve lasers) to implementing innovative new courses and tackling tough topics like tariffs, these are the 10 most-read stories of the past year.
No. 1 — Preserving History with a Click of a Laser
In the corner of a lab room in Candelaria Hall is a handheld tool that looks similar to a barcode scanner grocery store clerks use at the checkout line. However, this tool is called an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, and instead of deciphering the price of a cereal box, the XRF determines what elements make up an item it is scanning. One of the most recent uses of the XRF at UNC was a project dealing with 18th-century books.
No. 2 — Bear Breakdown: Tariffs, Trade, Tension
From professional economists to friends, family, neighbors and more, over the past few months, the word on everyone’s lips seems to be the same: tariffs. In the midst of all the claims, contradictions and confusion surrounding tariffs in recent months, it can be difficult to pin down concrete details and get a bigger picture of exactly what is going on. Faculty from UNC’s Economics, Finance and History programs share their expertise and shed some light on what tariffs are, how they’re being implemented and what kinds of impacts they might have.
No. 3 — UNC Alumnae and Community Leaders Earn Top Honors in 2025 Awards
This year, UNC alumni and community leaders across northern Colorado and beyond are being recognized for their outstanding contributions in business, education, philanthropy, and leadership. Their achievements showcase the diverse ways our community drives positive change across industries and neighborhoods. Meet the women leading with vision, purpose and commitment across industries and communities.
No. 4 — Transforming Chemistry Education From Greeley Around the Globe
As a high school student, Isaac Subuloye noticed many of his peers were intimidated by chemistry. Many of his teachers struggled to make chemistry interesting or present the topic in a way that was easily understood by students. However, that didn’t deter Subuloye. He decided to pursue chemistry at a higher level so he could see whether it was actually difficult, or if his teachers simply needed to take a different approach to teaching.
No. 5 — Does a Breathing Intervention Improve Immune Function?
In his fourth year of study in UNC’s Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. – Exercise Physiology Concentration program, Edwin Rodriguez is embarking on research for cancer patients, focusing on improving immune cells’ ability to kill cancer cells. It’s been years in the making.
Top Photos of the Year
UNC Photographer Woody Myers’ top photo picks
No. 6 — The Impact of Physical Activity in Early Childhood Classrooms
Julie Bell aims to improve the well-being of children through physical activity opportunities in early childhood education. As a doctoral student in UNC’s Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. — Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership Concentration, she approaches the subject of movement in 3-to-5-year-olds from the perspectives of a former classroom teacher, physical education teacher and mother of two young children.
No. 7 — The COOLER Way to Fight Climate Change
Climate change. Those two words may bring to mind any number of associated images and topics. In all likelihood, they didn’t bring to mind images of a painter using recycled materials in their artwork, a farmer implementing regenerative agriculture methods or a teacher deliberating on how to build information on climate change into their core curriculum. But maybe they should. Enter, the COmmunity COllaboration and LEarning for climate Resilience program – COOLER for short.
No. 8 — (River) Watch and Learn
From its source nestled high in the Rocky Mountains to where it meets the South Platte River just east of Greeley, the Cache la Poudre River flows down 6,155 ft. in elevation, across 126 miles of Colorado countryside and provides an average of 89 billion gallons of water annually—including drinking water for more than 400,000 residents in northern Colorado. But here in Greeley, for the past 25 years, the number of sites dedicated to monitoring the quality of all that water has been a resounding zero. In 2024, that changed.
No. 9 — Changes Coming to Ease Finals Week Stress This Fall
Finals week can be one of the most stressful times of the year for both students and faculty. Every test, paper and project needs to be turned in and graded, and many students face the added stress of moving out of residence halls and apartments. It’s a situation that leaves many people wishing they had a little bit more time to wrap up the semester. This past spring semester, UNC’s Faculty Senate came up with a solution.
No. 10 — Incorporating Climate Change Across the Curriculum
As a changing climate and altered environments are already affecting the lives of people from all walks of life, faculty from across the university – and in programs not traditionally focused on ecological issues – are intentionally embedding climate-related information into their curriculums. How are students in disciplines like English, Management, Economics or Political Science engaging with environmental subject matter at UNC? Read on to find out.
Top 10 Social Media Posts of 2025
(Based on engagement)
- No. 1 — Tim Gocklin Wins the Grammy
- No. 2 — Spotlight: Darrell Bryant Jr.
- No. 3 — COM Construction Goes Live
- No. 4 — UC Hill Ribbon Cutting
- No. 5 — Stephen Paulson Named Teacher of the Year
- No. 6— Poison Book Preservation
- No. 7 — Summer Internship Experiences
- No. 8 — On a Roll on the Honor Roll
- No. 9 — Climate Change Curriculum
- No. 10 — Feature: Larry Blankenship
- No. 1 — UC Hill Ribbon Cutting
- No. 2 — Tim Gocklin Wins the Grammy
- No. 3 — Spotlight: Brandon Lagunas
- No. 4 — Stephen Paulson Named Teacher of the Year
- No. 5 — 2025’s Honored Alumni
- No. 6— On a Roll on the Honor Roll
- No. 7 — UNC’s R2 Designation
- No. 8 — UNC Magazine Feat. Dave King
- No. 9 — Ruyle Gallery Renaming
- No. 10 — COM Construction Goes Live
