Utah County BBQ & Senior Send-Off

The Utah County Alumni Chapter held its annual Summer BBQ and Senior Send-Off on Monday, June 22, at the beautiful Olmstead Power Plant Park. Nearly 80 alumni and their families attended, along with incoming freshmen from the area -- welcome to SUU!

Congratulations to Tori Creighton (Lone Peak High School) and Brandon Jolley (Lehi High School) who are the recipients of two Utah County Alumni Chapter Scholarships.

Thank you for coming and see you next year!

Washington County BBQ & Senior Send-Off

The Washington County Alumni Chapter recently held its annual Summer BBQ and Senior Send-Off at Vernon Worthen Park in St. George. Nearly 100 alumni and their families attended and enjoyed good food and great company.


Chapter President Ryan Richey presented alumni scholarships to Payton Harris and Alyssa Morris. Both are new freshman and we welcome them -- and all incoming freshmen -- to SUU!

Alumnus Sam Lutui and his cousins Filipe and Sione Fa -- of Biggest Losers fame -- stopped by and shared their experiences from the hit televsion show.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make our BBQ a success!

SUU Commencement 2009!

Southern Utah University's 110th Commencement Ceremonies were held Saturday, May 2. The Class of 2009 totaled 1,755 - the largest ever - with 394 receiving master's degrees, 1,015 earning bachelor's degrees, 340 associate's degrees and six educational certificates. Graduates came from 15 different countries, 41 states and 26 Utah counties. They ranged in age from 17 to 67 years old and included 694 men and 1,061 women.

Honorary doctorate degrees were presented to reowned painter Jim Jones, LDS President Thomas S. Monson and the late philanthropist and economist Edward Rondthaler IV.

Congratulations to the Class of 2009 and Welcome to the SUU Alumni Association!

Alumni Magazine Online this Spring!

In an effort to be budget conscious in times like these, we've decided to reduce costs by distributing the SUU In View Alumni Magazine online rather that in print. We do this on a trial basis for this spring's issue.

The alumni magazine is one of our most important tools in keeping you, and other members of the Thunderbird Nation, connected. Its content remains consistent with the kinds of stories and updates we've provided for the past seven years. The spring 2009 edition includes features on: the new Zion Alliance, academic excellence in gymnastics, alumni making a difference through service learning, the College of HSS and much more!

So go to http://suu.edu/alumni/magazine/spring09/, take a look and let us know what you think.

Founders' Celebration 2009

SUU's 112th birthday was celebrated March 12, 2009.

During banquet festivities, an alliance was signed with the Paiute Tribe of Utah and Distinguished Service Awards were presented Marva Middleton, former administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost and June Sewing, community activist and executive officer of the Building Industry Association of Iron County.

Provost Rod Decker and Professor Jim Bowns were inducted into the Hall of Honor. Each has served SUU for 44 years and has excelled and impacted the departments in which they have worked. Their portraits were unveiled and will hang in the Great Hall. Rod Decker's portrait was done by Del Parsons and Jim Bowns' by SUU Art Professor Ben Sowards.

Cedar City's Heritage Center played host to a piano concert following the banquet featuring Steinway Artists Kirill Gliadkovsky & Anna Gliadkovskaya, SUU students Joshua Infiesto & Savannah Sommers and SUU President Michael T. Benson. The concert also marked the official designation of SUU as an All-Steinway School!

Etch Your Name Into the Past and Be Part of SUU's New Housing Complex

With Manzanita Hall gone and the new resident housing complex opening this fall, alumni are invited to leave their mark by being part of a new courtyard!

For a $100 tax-deductible donation, your name will be etched into an original Manzanita brick that will be used in a walkway between the new housing buildings that stand where Manzanita Hall once stood. Funds raised will be used to complete the courtyard which will include benches and flowers. The courtyard is sure to be a much used walkway and a fun gathering place for students.

To purchase your brick, contact the SUU Development Office at 435-586-7775 or email McKenzie Hyde at hyde@suu.edu.

Check out the new hall, the floor plan, photos and amenities at: http://www.suu.edu/ss/housing/Halls/Phase2/index.html

Welcome Home Governor Leavitt

Southern Utah University welcomed home alumnus Michael O. Leavitt and family after a distinguished career as Governor of Utah, Administrator of the EPA and finally Secretary of Health and Human Services. During his remarks he shared a little of his Washington experience with us as well as his insights on public service. It was a fantastic reception! Thank you to all those who attended. We are thrilled to have him on campus while he continues to cultivate the Leavitt Center for Politics in Society and works on personal projects.