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

Alumni Spotlight: Doug Snell

Doug Snell (’83 Physical Education) lives in Spanish Fork, Utah where he is the Athletic Director for Spanish Fork High School.

In 2009, Doug was awarded the prestigious Southwest District Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, an award won by only five athletic directors in the country annually.

After receiving his degree in Physical Education and minor in Mathematics, Doug went on to teach and coach at Kearns High School for two years, followed by two more years at Dixie High. After Dixie, Doug got a position at Spanish Fork High and has been there for the last 22 years.

Doug went on to earn a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Brigham Young University in 1991 and in 1995 was named Athletic Director for Spanish Fork High. As AD, he has guided his programs to several state and region championships, but says that sometimes the most rewarding feeling is not when a team wins a championship, but when a student athlete simply surpasses expectations. “It’s the daily things that make this job rewarding,” says Doug, “Dealing with kids, coaches and administrators allows me a feeling of accomplishment each day.”

Doug remembers his time at Southern Utah fondly, expressing, “The time I spent down there was some of the best of my life. The closeness of the faculty and students made it a great environment.” Doug credits his mentor at SUU, Dr. Steve Lunt, with helping him get through his education, an education that has allowed him to achieve success. Doug has, in turn, become the mentor to many young people throughout his career. He started Spanish Fork’s Reading and Recess program with his athletes, sending them out to read to elementary school students to teach them about the bond between athletics and academics.

Doug and his wife of 25 years, Dawn, have four children, Blaire, Brooke, Samantha and Gus.

Alumni Spotlight: Louise Bluhm

Louise Bluhm (’50, Associates Degree) has a passion for music that began nearly sixty years ago at Southern Utah University.    

While studying music at SUU, Louise performed in the symphony orchestra and with several choral groups. She warmly remembers professors William “Pa” Manning and Roy Halverson and is grateful to them for instilling a deep love for music that remains with her today. Louise counts performing a piano concerto with the symphony as an important accomplishment while at SUU. 

Following her graduation, she earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and teaching from BYU and did coursework for a master’s degree in conducting at the University of Utah. She went on to teach for nine years in the public school system, instilling an appreciation for music in a new generation.

In 1977, Louise reached the pinnacle of her music career when she was selected as a member of the prestigious Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  During her 13 years with the choir, she traveled to many wonderful locations such as Australia, New Zealand, Europe, England, Canada, Brazil and Japan.

Upon leaving the choir, Louise formed her own choral group known as the Salt Lake Harmony Singers. She performed with that group for more than ten years.   

Louise served two LDS missions with her husband Harry and currently works in the Salt Lake Temple. She is an active member of the emeriti organization at the U of U where her late husband taught for 30 years.

Above all of her music accomplishments, Louise is most proud of her family that includes five children and 18 grandchildren. 

Alumni Spotlight: Travis Parashonts

Travis Parashonts (’79, Social Science) is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Suh’ dusting Technologies in Cedar City, an information technology services company owned by the Cedar Band of Paiutes.  Travis founded the company in 2002, with the hopes of bringing economic and job creation to his reservation. "I have a passion inside me to help my people," says Travis.

Suh' dutsing landed its first big client in 2004, when a $200 million contract was negotiated with the United Stated Department of the Interior.  Recently, Suh'dutsing was ranked the sixth-best minority contracting company by the government technology magazine, Federal Computer Week.

For his work and leadership at Suh' dutsing, the Utah Office of the Small Business Administration chose Travis as its 2007 Small Business Person of the Year. This past summer, professional services giant, Ernst & Young, named him Utah Entrepreneur of the Year.  Commenting on his achievement, Travis says, "Entrepreneurship is not easy. The risk is hard, but the dream and passion is what carries you through."

Despite having a difficult childhood, Travis counts himself fortunate enough to have graduated from SUU. He credits his success to his education, both inside and outside the classroom, as well as hard work.

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.

Utah Music Educator's Association Reception (UMEA)

The College of Performing and Visual Arts and SUU Alumni Relations hosted their first annual UMEA Alumni Reception on Friday, February 6, 2009, at the St. George Comfort Suites. It was fantastic to have visit with SUU Alumni who are teaching music across the state. We are excited for this annual tradition and if you plan to attend the 2010 UMEA conference in St. George, mark your calendar for the Friday evening of the conference.

Scott & Jessica Forsyth. Scott was named UMEA Junior High Music Educator of the Year! Congrats Scott!

Dean Bill Brynes updates the groups on CPVA happenings.

Pre-Grad Fair

On Wednesday February 4th Alumni Relations put together the first Pre-Grad Fair which provided a one-stop shop for potential graduates to make sure they were ready for graduation. We had about 500 in attendance which is about 1/3 of the 2009 graduating class. Alumni Relations is excited to make this event a tradition. Thank you to all those who helped make this a huge success.
Check out the slide show to see our future young Alums!