Alumni Holiday Tailgate Party

Southern Utah Alumni and Boosters came together for a holiday tailgate party on Saturday, December 11, in the Sharwan Smith Center Rotunda. More than 300 Thunderbird faithful enjoyed chili, cornbread and a visit from Santa Claus. The bash was part of an SUU Basketball double-header where the women crushed Utah Valley 69-50 and the men narrowly missed knocking off Weber State 71-77. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Scott Brown, Max Torres and Mark Babcock.

Challis Pascucci (senior, forward from Goodyear, AZ), Aliyah Towns (daughter of SUU Womens Head Basketball Coach JR Payne), Santa Claus and Caitlyn Sears (senior, guard/forward from Cedar Hills, UT).

Kennedy Jones, Greyson Jones, Michelle Jones,
Jennifer Oberhelman and Dave Oberhelman.

Join us at our next alumni and booster party on Friday, January 14, at 6:15 p.m. in the Rotunda as the Flippin' Birds Gymnastics Team hosts defending NCAA National Champion UCLA. The meet is set for 7 p.m. in the Centrum.

President's Gala & Old Main Society

On December 1, President Michael T. Benson recognized Larry & Joan Dahle, Neil & Anne Gardner, Zions Bank and Don & Sylvia Bulloch as Benefactors in the Old Main Society and thanked them for their generosity to Southern Utah University and its students.

As Old Main symbolizes the history, spirit and achievements of the University, so the members of the Old Main Society symbolize the enrichment of the disciplines and activities through a partnership of private and public resources.

The Larry and Joan Dahle Endowed Scholarship in teacher education has benefited close to 200 needful students at SUU. Through the endowment, the Dahles are realizing their goal of aiding those who have a desire to gain an education and to teach others.

Neil and Anne Gardner were among the first to offer funds to set the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) project in motion, adding to a long history of giving to the arts at SUU. In addition, they have donated generously to the Thunderbird athletic program over the years.

Led today by Utah native Scott Anderson, Zions Bank supports Utah organizations dedicated to elevating life in the Beehive State and has indeed been generous to SUU and its students. Scott and his wife Jesselie have also worked as a couple to advance Utah through a variety of causes. SUU has been the beneficiary of their good work as has the Utah Shakespeare Festival, upon whose board of governors Jesselie has sat as a key member.

Don & Sylvia Bulloch know full well the value of and the need for adequate lab space in SUU's College of Science and when the call came to aid in the expansion of the Science Center to better prepare its students, the Bullochs stepped forward with enthusiasm, just as they have stepped forward all of their lives as true southern Utah pioneers, whether it be for athletics or any other need the University may have had.

The Oak Ridge Boys made a special, and surprise visit, to the President's Gala where they sang Amazing Grace prior to their Christmas Show in the Centrum Arena.

Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Concert

The Oak Ridge Boys returned to Cedar City and Southern Utah University on December 1 with their always popular Christmas Show. This year marked their 15th appearance at SUU and continues a tradition that has spanned the careers of the Oaks and generations of Thunderbird fans. View official Oak Ridge Boys pictures from their SUU concert at: http://oakridgeboys.posterous.com/the-boys-are-back-in-cedar-city-for-christmas.

Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban sing in the Centrum Arena. The concert featured their greatest hits along with Christmas favorites such as: "I'll Be Home for Christmas", " Christmas Cookies",
"My Son" and "Jingle Bells".

Santa Claus made a grand entrance and brought gifts for the kids in the audience. The line was long but well worth the wait as more than 350 Santa Hats were given to children of all ages.

William Lee Golden - look at his Cedar Canyon photographs at http://oakridgeboys.posterous.com/william-lee-goldens-cedar-city-ut-photo-galle

The Oak Ridge Boys love Utah and Cedar City, and comment that "over the year we have made many friends and also made a lot of history in this great college town." Check out their KCSG Television interview at http://vimeo.com/17425408 .

Homecoming 2010

Thank you to alumni, students, faculty & staff, community members and friends of Southern Utah University who all came together to make Homecoming 2010 a resounding success!

Enjoy a brief glimpse at some of the festivities and we'll see you next year.

Thor's Thunder Classic 2010

Another successful Thor's Thunder Classic was held at Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club on Monday, September 27, 2010. A big thank you to our title sponsor Color Country Pediatrics and to major sponsors Suh'dutsing Technologies, Entrada and SUU Marketing. These sponsors, along with our hole sponsors and teams, all contributed to the ongoing effort of raising needed funds for student scholarships and further expansion of alumni programs. Your efforts truly help advance Southern Utah University.

Painting the Town Red!

Just in time for Homecoming 2010 (October 15-16), SUU Facilities painted SUU's trademark Thor logo at the intersection of 300 West and University Boulevard. While other institutions of higher education have logos at busy intersections around their campuses, the SUU masterpiece is the largest collegiate logo of its kind in the state of Utah measuring 28 feet x 32 feet.

Thank you to the SUU Paint Shop Crew & Go Thunderbirds!

Senegal President Visits SUU

Southern Utah University and President Michael T. Benson had the distinct honor of welcoming President Abdoulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal to Utah, Cedar City and SUU.
President Wade and his delegation were graciously hosted at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 25, by SUU alumnus and former Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt. Sunday, September 26, the delegation flew to Cedar City and were welcomed at the Cedar City Regional Airport by city and university officials.

President Wade visited Kolob Canyon, engaged in a discussion with the SUU Construction Management Department on cost-effective housing options for Senegal, and enjoyed dinner at President Benson's home. That evening, at a special convocation ceremony in the Gilbert Great Hall, President Wade spoke to an over-flow audience and received the degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa.Abdoulaye Wade was elected as Senegal's third president in 2000, ending 40 years of one-party rule in his nation. He has transformed Senegal into a model democracy and accomplishment in Africa. President Wade has built thousands of miles of roads, a string of rural university campuses and hundreds of kindergartens throughout his country. He has also championed the widespread mechanization of agriculture and the institution of free-market reforms and literacy, public health, antipoverty measures and has fought corruption. Working for the continental concord and world unity, he has changed the face of Africa and instilled pride and cohesiveness throughout the continent.

Chicago Alumni Event

The SUU Alumni Chapter in the Chicago/Midwest area is alive and well! We had a wonderful day at Wrigley Field on August 22, 2010, as we watched the Chicago Cubs play the Atlanta Braves (Atlanta won). The game was also historic as it marked the retirement of legendary Cubs Manager Lou Piniella. Thank you to everyone who attended and stay tuned for a possible Chicago theater event on October 1.

Front Row: Geno Kett, Andrew Kett, Stacy Kett,

Back Row: Wade Howald, Anna Hernandez,

Michael Anderson and Anna Ables

Michael Anderson and Anna Ables

Front Row: Anna Ables, Jonathan Dumar,

Deanne Brown, Wade Howald
Back Row: Michael Anderson, Anna Hernandez, Adam Gauzza

Deanne Brown , Stacy Kett

Anna Ables, Adam Gauzza, Jonathan Dumar

Southern California & Lagoon Picnics

Southern California Alumni held a BBQ August 14, and welcomed incoming students from their area to SUU. Thank you to our chapter president Ralph Spence for organizing the event.

August 7, was our inaugural "SUU Alumni Day at Lagoon" in Farmington, Utah. Alums and their families took advantage of a special discount offer and enjoyed a day at the amusement park and came together in the early evening for a picnic.

Southern California Chapter President Ralph Spence with incoming
freshman Kelly Christensen and her family.

Utah County Alum Pat Fossat and his wife Janae soaked after a Lagoon ride.

Alumni Darin & Heidi Anderson and their family at Lagoon.

Alum Dirk Hooley and his wife Lauren enjoying the picnic at Lagoon.

Alumni Movie Night

SUU Alumni Movie Night August 5 in the Cedar City Main Street Park was a huge success. Several hundred alumni and friends of Southern Utah University watched "The Blind Side" on a 21-foot screen, enjoyed free kettle korn & otter pops, heard from Coach Ed Lamb as he reported on early successes of camp and met the 2010 Thunderbird Football Team. Thanks to all who attended.

Alumni Spotlight: Randy Cowan

Randy Cowan ('71, Physical Education) credits SUU as the basis for his successful career in education and in the Utah Army National Guard.

Professors Steve Lunt and Cleo Petty made lasting impressions on Randy through their teaching of life lessons through personal interest and example. "With their efforts I developed a love of physical education and helping students," he explains.

Randy's best college memory was meeting his wife Collette and the great times they had during their school years. They met through the Chi Sigma Upsilon Sorority - she was a member and he was honored as "Man of the Year" in 1969.

After graduating from SUU, Randy taught at the old Cedar Jr. High for eight years and then moved to the Utah Army National Guard where he enjoyed a successful 33 year career - 25 years of which he was on active duty. The Guard recognized his remarkable service with the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, several Army Achievement Medals and the State of Utah Solider of the Quarter.

Now retired from the National Guard, Randy is a substitute teacher, test coordinator at Canyon View High School in Cedar City, officiates high school softball in southern Utah and is the basketball coordinator for the Utah Summer Games. He also enjoys golfing, hunting, reading and serving in his church.

Randy and Collette are the parents of four children (two boys and two girls) and 12 grandchildren -- with two on the way. All of the Cowan children, including two of their spouses, graduated from SUU.

Alumni Spotlight: Brandon Guzman

Brandon Guzman ('08, Physical Education & Human Performance) is the Graduate Assistant Football Coach at Western New Mexico University where he is pursuing a master's degree in secondary education.

He credits the amazing faculty of SUU's Physical Education Department with helping him achieve the stellar education he now puts to good use coaching the Mustangs. "They showed me the right way to communicate and teach the individuals I coach," he says. "Dr. Jean Lopour was a great professor who was always full of energy and made sure her class was learning and understanding. She showed me what it means to be a great teacher."

Brandon also enjoyed his time outside of the classroom while at SUU where he excelled as an offensive lineman on the football team. His greatest Southern Utah memories involve his teammates and the experience of traveling all over the country with "a bunch of great people."

Coming from a small town in Arizona, Brandon worked hard to earn a football scholarship. He is only the second person in his family to graduate from college and counts his graduation from SUU as his proudest accomplishment.

Brandon volunteers at local football camps where he enjoys teaching area kids about the importance being active and healthy.

Alumni Spotlight: June Thorley

As a teacher and mentor, June Decker Thorley has enriched the lives of others through her passion for music.

Born in Parowan, Utah, her childhood was filled with music as she learned to play the violin, piano and French horn. She graduated from Parowan High in 1946 and enrolled at Southern Utah University (known then as the Branch Agricultural College) and graduated in 1948. She served as student body vice-president, was her class valedictorian and received one of the first four-year education certificates awarded by this institution.

June's 37-year education career touched the lives of thousands of students. She taught orchestra at elementary schools, Cedar Jr. High and Cedar High School, including private lessons to as many as 30 students each week.

Her love of students and sharing with them the joy of music produced award-winning orchestras and ensembles. Her groups routinely astonished audiences and regularly earned top region and state awards, garnering an unheard of 1++ rating prior to her retirement in 2005.

June is an active member of the Cedar City arts community. She is a founding member of the Orchestra of Southern Utah, has played in countless ensembles for community events and has performed in Cedar City's production of the Messiah for 66 years (and counting!).

Music has always been an important part of June's identity and she has loved sharing it with her students, many of whom graduated from SUU and are now educators. She explains, "Music is like great literature. It enriches and brings feeling that makes life bearable when you don't think you can bear it anymore."

In recognition of her remarkable career, the Alumni Association presented June Thorley with the 2010 Carmen Rose Hepworth Award during Thunderbird Awards.

Utah County BBQ

SUU Alumni from the Utah County area gathered June 21 for the annual Utah County BBQ at the Olmsted Power Plant located at the mouth of Provo Canyon. Upwards of 70 Thunderbirds enjoyed beautiful weather, good food and a chance to reconnect with each other. Thanks to Utah County Chapter President Everett Kelepolo and his committee for a great event. We hope to see you next year -- third Monday in June!

Utah Summer Games 25th Anniversary!

The Utah Summer Games recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary of amateur sport competition. Take a look at some of the festivities from this year's Opening Ceremonies.

Thunderbird Night at the Bees

SUU Alumni combined with the Admissions and Marketing Offices for a FANtastic night at the Salt Lake Bees on April 17. Nearly 450 alumni, prospective students and their families enjoyed a BBQ, a great baseball game and fireworks.

Thank you to everyone who attended.

Founders Celebration 2010

Southern Utah University celebrated its founding March 24 & 25 with a variety of festivities:

Thursday
A new SUU tradition was created. Lunch at The Main featured food and stories from our founding as presented by SUU Alumni and Emerti. It was an overwhelming success!

The Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture was presented by Daniel Walker Howe, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American Historian.

Friday
The restored Jenson Saw Mill was dedicated at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (formerly the Iron Mission State Park). The Saw Mill is significant in SUU history as it cut the original timbers used to build Old Main.

The annual Founders Celebration Dinner & Awards was held in the Great Hall where David Grant , Diana Graff and Terry Alger each received Distinguished Service Awards. David served as a member of the Board of Regents and was a tireless proponent of SUU; Diana Graff is a 35-year library veteran of SUU and served as our first female academic dean; Terry Alger served as SUU Provost for 18 years during an important time of growth for the University and is still a professor of Chemistry. Also during the ceremony several important donors were recognized for their generosity in making the new science building a reality.

Happy Birthday SUU!