Alumni Spotlight: Chris Crawford

Chris Crawford is an SUU alumnus, war veteran and now a Vice-Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Paris France. Since graduating from SUU, Chris has been deployed to Iraq, graduated law school at William and Mary College in Virginia and joined the Foreign Service with the State Department.

As a vice-consul, Chris is responsible for helping Americans while in France with lost passports, imprisonment and other needs they may have. Chris, his wife Kelly and their four children (two boys and two girls) live on the outskirts of Paris. His boys attend an international school, and his oldest daughter goes to a local French school.

Crawford credits Professor Walser as very influential in his career decision. “His stories about his experiences as a Legal Attaches at the Embassy in Mexico was what first peaked my interest and prompted me to research international career opportunities with our government,” he states.

When asked about his most memorable accomplishments professionally, Chris notes his time in the military. He describes, “Serving my country as a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom was a life shaping experience. The camaraderie forged during that activation will last a lifetime.” Chris has many other accomplishments; Some are passing the Virginia bar, getting accepted to the US Foreign Service and welcoming his third child all on the same day as the most exciting day of his life thus far.

Scholarship weekends that Chris organized during his time as a Presidential Ambassador are some of his favorite SUU memories. He says, “These were always an incredible amount of fun and provided a fantastic opportunity to brag about SUU and all it had to offer, along with the benefits of living in beautiful Cedar City. Meeting young potential Thunderbirds from all over the country kept each weekend unique and fresh.” Crawford tries to return to Cedar City any time he is in the United States and plans to hold a recruitment event for the State Department at SUU. He keeps his Thunderbird pride alive by wearing his SUU hat whenever he is out and about.

Alumni Spotlight: Tami Compagno Whisker

Tami Compagno Whisker (’89) is the Vice President of Operations for Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, a mother and Southern Utah University alumna.

Tami and her husband Mark have been married for 21 years, and they have one daughter who was recently accepted into the radiology program at Weber State University. The Whisker family also includes two dogs.

Tami was instrumental in launching the Phi Alpha Beta sorority during her time at SUU and continues to keep in touch with many of her sorority sisters. She also served as the student government director of clubs & organizations.

When asked to describe what she does in her profession, Tami says, “We provide the marketing, photography, and transaction management services needed to allow our agents to be successful.” Whisker has also served as president of the Park City Board of Realtors and says that the position was a huge accomplishment and provided many networking opportunities. Tami has a long list of awards and recognitions for her work including serving as president on a number of different boards, being a member of a leadership council and many other achievement awards.

Tami enjoys golfing, camping and spending time with her friends and family in her spare time. And for the last three years, she has been in the Egyptian Theater’s annual productions.

Alumni Days at Shakespeare 2013

Backstage Tour Group

Alumni Days at Shakespeare, now in its third year, was held June 24-26 and it was wonderful to see familiar faces back on campus.

Alumni and friends were treated to six amazing productions by the Utah Shakespeare Festival (King John, The Tempest, Love's Labour's Lost, Peter and the Starcatcher, Anything Goes and Twelve Angry Men), along with an exclusive dinner with USF Founder Fred C. Adams and Executive Director R. Scott Phillips ('76) and an ice cream social with the cast & crew from the production of King John. Other activities included an educational seminar with Michael Bahr ('89), a special backstage tour and play orientations.

It was a great three days!

Dinner in the Whiting Room of the R. Haze Hunter
Conference Center.  SUU Alumni Relations Executive
Director Mindy Benson ('94)addresses the group. 

Seminar with USF Education  Director Michael Bahr ('89). 

Festival Founder Fred C. Adams shares news, information and  plans
about the new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.
He can't wait until ground is broken for the new center.

Ice Cream Social  . . . look at all those toppings!

USF Executive Director R. Scott Phillips ('76) talks about the 2013 season.

Michael Bahr ('89) leads the Backstage Tour, which also included
interesting views from the front-of-house.

Karlene Humphrey Bauer ('73) and her family,
Bill Humphrey ('71), Sharla Humphrey, Chad Humphrey
and Ruth Humphrey Wilder ('76), have attended all
 three years of Alumni Days at Shakespeare.

Happy to be an  "R. Scott Phillips" impersonator
(the back of his name tag reads "Scott Phillips).

Alumni Days at Shakespeare is a family affair for the Swensons:
Paul, Amanda ('10), Dan and Trisa.

Commencement 2013

SUU Commencement was a fitting culmination to a remarkable academic year as we welcomed 1,756 graduates of the Class of 2013 into the ranks of the SUU Alumni Association. 

Honorary doctorate degrees were presented to golf legend Billy Casper, and author, speaker and religious leader Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. This year's student commencement speech was given by Blake Clark, an elementary education major from Cedar City, and the keynote address was given by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. 

Enjoy a few highlights from the celebration:

Ben Davidson ('72), distinguished and senior faculty member,
served as Marshal of the Commencement Processional and
carried the University Mace. Ben has worked at SUU in the
Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human
Development since 1979. He retires this June. 

ROTC Graduates' Oath of Office was administered by 
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Carl R. Templin, 
Dean of SUU's School of Business.

The SUU Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Baker,
performed "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" by John Rutter.

Blake Clark told graduates, "When we feel like all odds are 
against us, may we remember where we received our education. 
Southern Utah University made me a better person, a better teacher,
 a better husband, and a better friend. Because of this institution the odds 
are in my favor and they are in your favor. When national polls are 
showing statistics that are not in my favor of getting a job, I think 
to myself, 'The people that aren't getting jobs don't know what 
I know, they haven't been where I have been, and they didn't 
graduate from where I did. They didn't receive their education, 
and experiences, from Southern Utah University'"

Doctor of Public Service, Honoris Causa - Billy Casper
Left to right: Athletic Director Ken Beazer, President
Michael T. Benson, William Earl "Billy Casper, Jr.,
SUU Trustee Chair Gayle Pollock ('88).

Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa - Rabbi Shumley Boteach.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, an international leading relationship and
values expert whose speech has been called one of the best many 
have heard in years, said, "There is room for competition in
making money; for goodness sake there's room for competition
in sports, there's room for competition in life, my friends, but
only in what you do and never in who and what you are. You
must never allow that competitiveness to breach your soul."

On the count of three, SUU Alumni President
Mark Russell ('74) led the graduates in the
moving their tassels and welcomed them
into the SUU Alumni Association!

Commencement 2013 was Michael T. Benson's last as president
of Southern Utah University. Several tributes were made,
including this emotional standing ovation.

Centrum Arena.

SUU Wind Symphony, under the director of Dr. Adam Lambert.

Class of 2013

Class of 2013

Class of 2013

Class of 2013

Class of 2013 - "Peace Out!"

Dennis Key Pollman Endowment

The family of one of Southern Utah University’s most dynamic and popular students of the 1960s has established a scholarship endowment for sociology majors at SUU.

Dennis Key Pollman ('68), who enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the insurance and tourism fields in the Los Alamitos and Long Beach, Calif., area, died in February 2010 and his widow, Bette, elected to remember him with a $100,000 gift to fund the endowment. Earlier, she directed the same amount toward the completion of The Center for Health and Molecular Sciences building on campus.

The Dennis Key and Bette J. Pollman endowed scholarship will go to support students in a discipline that often attracts community oriented students looking to steward positive changes in their communities of choice whether that might be in such areas as medicine and health care, the elderly, youth, women and violence, or mental health.

“These students are often humble means, yet seek to make a difference in the world rather than simply pursue personal gain,” said SUU Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences James McDonald. “The Pollman Scholarship will help support these students achieve their goals and dreams of making a better world. The money is well invested and will change these students' lives for the better. It is rare that a major program of study in the social sciences receives such a generous gift. As such, the scholarship will help students who often do not have access to significant scholarships in this area of study, and underscores the Pollman family's vision for making an impact where it is most needed.”

Pollman, who lived in Seal Beach, Calif., minored in sociology at the University and retained a great interest in the field throughout his life. He often expressed a desire to aid others who had an interest in the discipline. While he was a charismatic student leader who warmly embodied friendship and fellowship, he continued to live a life of engagement in a wide range of civic and social clubs and endeavors. His College of Southern Utah/Southern Utah State College days as president of Sigma Pi Sigma Fraternity, as a student body senator and as executive secretary for cultural affairs were days of accomplishment and camaraderie and his legacy to both his fraternity brothers and students in general is one of leadership and inspiration. His student days were days of celebration of the collegiate life and he continued to use the skills he honed here for the remainder of his life as a successful businessman and civic leader. Following his graduation, he served for four years in the Peace Corps. His later affiliations include membership in the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos Chambers of Commerce, Cypress Rotary, Elks Club #888, Long Beach Police Officers Association, and the Long Beach Century Club. 
In 1980, he and two others founded the Long Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau. He served as its executive director and a board member from 1980 to 1986. In 2005 he was SUU alumnus of the year.

Last year, he was honored at the dedication of SUU’s Science Center as the building’s Dennis Key Pollman Plaza was unveiled. Numerous family and friends were in attendance at the dedication, including wife Bette and stepdaughter Stacy Chandler ('89).

Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts

Southern Utah University announced March 21, that it has received a $6 million gift from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation to create a multi-million dollar arts center encompassing new facilities, as well as ongoing support for ArtsFUSION, which provides professional development and pre-service training for elementary educators as well as outreach and workshops for students and teachers in rural Utah.

Working in partnership with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the new center will further establish SUU as a regional arts mecca.

Named for the long-time arts and education champion, the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts will incorporate visual arts, live theater and dynamic arts education on the SUU campus and will dramatically magnify the cultural life of Cedar City and its surrounding region. It will also serve as home to the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and the new Shakespeare Theatre of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and will include an artistic/production building for the Festival. Sculpture gardens and other outdoor features will also be included on the grounds.

In addition to Sorenson’s contribution, the $30 million center is being made possible thanks to the generosity of hundreds of insightful and invested benefactors. A gift of $5 million for the New Shakespeare Theatre and Festival outreach programs was received from the Ralph and Betty Engelstad Family Foundation of Las Vegas, Nev. The George S. and Dolores Dorè Eccles Foundation has committed $3 million toward the project.

Additionally, the State of Utah, Iron County and Cedar City have all energetically supported this effort to create a center for the arts in southern Utah.

The Festival had been engaged in a fundraising campaign for several years to replace the deteriorating and less-than-suitable Adams Memorial Shakespeare Theatre, while the funding process for the University’s SUMA kicked off in late 2009 when the renowned painter Jim Jones bequeathed his home and final collection of paintings to ignite the work. It was not until mid-2012 that combining the facilities on one site was explored and later approved by campus and state officials.

“Although both SUMA and the New Shakespeare Theatre project had been previously proposed and approved, we felt there were economies and efficiencies that could be realized in combining some of the functions of both the museum and the theatre,” said SUU President Michael T. Benson. “Further, the opportunity to create a cultural nexus in the heart of our community, one that would be a year-round draw for tens of thousands of visitors, was another enormous benefit in twinning these facilities.”

The decision to name the center for Sorenson was an easy and natural one, as she has formidably supported the arts at SUU and across the state throughout her life, particularly as a tool to enrich the lives and futures of children.

“We are privileged to name our Center for the Arts in honor of Beverley and her vision of the power of art in improving quality of life, particularly when it touches the lives of children,” said Dean of Performing and Visual Arts Shauna Mendini. “It is essential that her legacy of love for the arts be echoed throughout the entire state of Utah through the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.”

This long-held vision, coupled with Sorenson’s generous financial support, has set her apart as a tireless advocate for arts education. Sorenson and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation have committed tens of millions of dollars to establishing a strong and lasting foundation of arts education in Utah. She has been repeatedly lauded for her commitment by several of Utah’s institutions of higher learning, and at SUU alone has been recognized with an honorary doctorate, a place in the University’s Hall of Honor, and with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Founders’ Day celebration.

“As home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Southern Utah University is known throughout Utah and the world for its dedication to the absolute best in arts education and performance,” said Ann Crocker, president of the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and daughter of Beverley. “It is an honor to be able assist the University and further our mother’s dream of making high-quality arts a reality for everyone.”

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation previously donated more than $3 million to Southern Utah University to fund the Emma Eccles Jones Teacher Education Building, an endowed chair position for elementary arts education, and scholarships and arts education programs. In 2006 the College of Education and Human Development was named the Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education in honor of her generous support. The J.L. Sorenson Physical Education Building is also housed on SUU’s campus, named after Beverley’s late husband, James LeVoy Sorenson, a renowned medical device inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Founders Celebration 2013

Campus enjoyed a wonderful Founders Celebration March 19-23 with a variety of events that celebrated the visionary men and women who sacrificed greatly to establish Southern Utah University, as well as honor those who have devoted comparable service to building SUU over many decades.

Enjoy a glimpse of the festivities and the people who made it special.

The new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts was
announced during the Founder Dinner & Awards. Thanks to a
generous $6 million gift from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the
Center for the Arts will be home to a new outdoor theatre for the
Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
Pictured at the podium is Ann Crocker, president of the Sorenson 
Legacy Foundation and daughter of Beverley Taylor Sorenson.

Beverly Taylor Sorenson was honored during the Founders
Dinner & Awards for her beliefs and philosophies, and willingness
to share all that she has to make success a reality for all children
of this state. SUU is home to the Beverly Taylor Sorenson College
of Education & Human Development, as well as an
Elementary Arts Education Endowed Chair.

Southern Utah University's first-ever
Presidential Medallion of Service was
presented to Beverley Taylor Sorenson
during the Founders Dinner & Awards. 

Doug Knell was posthumously honored during the Founders Dinner
& Awards for his lifetime of industriousness and of fellowship,
and for his exceptional contributions to the southern Utah region
and SUU. At the podium are his daughters Nancy Osborn,
Joanne Pennock and Leilani Wilson.

Pam Redington was honored during the Founders Dinner & Awards
for a lifetime of good works and nearly 40 years of services to
SUU and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

A capacity crowd filled the Gilbert Great Hall of the R. Haze Hunter
Conference Center for the Founders Dinner & Awards,
which was held Thursday, March 21.

Emeritus staff member Marlynn Smith and her husband Con
were among the guests at the Founders Dinner & Awards.

Robert Wasden, Sharon Wasden and Anna Wasden
at the Founders Dinner & Awards.

Jacque Marchant visits with SUUSA officers Jeff Hertig, Heidi Powell
and Lance Lowry, as well as Director Student Involvement and
Leadership Keri Mecham during the Founders Dinner & Awards.

Marueen Robb, Richard Dotson and Al Tait, all members of the
SUU Emeriti Association, tell the story of "Old Sorrel" during
Lunch on the Main - an educational history walk for students
that took place Wednesday, March 20. 

Emeritus faculty member Kent Myers explains to students the effort to
build Old Main and the significance of  SUU's oldest building.

The 2013 Founders Celebration also included the Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, March 19, presented by Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley; the first-ever A Gathering of Leading Psychologists at SUU - Perspectives from Psychology, Neuroscience & Kinesiology Friday, March 22; and the WAC Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, March 23.