President's Gala & Old Main Society

President Benson

Saturday, December 10, President Michael T. Benson hosted the 2011 Holiday Gala to thank and recognize members of The Old Main Society and President's Giving Society.
The Gala was an opportunity for Southern Utah University to thank the many generous donors who give so much of themselves to enrich the lives of students and advance the University.

Honorees that evening were Garth and Geraldine Rollo, Iron County and the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism and Convention Bureau. New members inducted into the Old Main Society included: Dale & Patty Gilbert, Garth & Geraldine Rollo, Greg & Debbie Forsyth, Bryce & Joyce Woodbury, Keith & Nina Barnes and Judith Tweedie. And the evening wrapped up with a visit by David Archuleta.

Garth Fisher ('53) and Geraldine Rollo ('54) grew up in differing circumstances more than 350 miles apart, but were united at the Branch Agricultural College in 1952. What has transpired in the shared life since is a legacy of accomplishment, service and compassion. 

Garth Fisher and President Benson
Old Main Society & Legacy Circle

Garth was born and raised in the farming community of Vernal, Utah, during the Great Depression and worked the family acreage while finding time to hunt and fish. He became an all-state athlete at Uintah High School and continued his schooling and basketball career in Cedar City, graduating from the newly-renamed College of Southern Utah before earning a degree in education with emphases in English and physical education from Brigham Young University. He taught school for a year, then entered the United States Air Force, becoming a pilot and navigator. He flew 190 missions over Vietnam, but he and Jerry looked at the three children they had at the time and decided that a teaching and research career would be a better fit for them. 

As a young girl, Jerry helped her father with the bookkeeping for her father, Morgan Rollo, who was the editor and publisher of the Iron County Record, and among the most revered journalistic figures in the state’s history. Jerry attended Cedar High School and the BAC, taking general education courses and specializing in accounting. She was an accomplished musician, shined as the school’s drum majorette, and took part in a wide variety of activities as one of the most popular co-eds on campus.  

In 1952, Garth and Jerry met in a D. L. Sargent biology class and that meeting led to marriage. When the couple graduated and moved on to Provo for Garth’s schooling, Jerry lent great support as a bookkeeper. 

Later, Garth went on to earn a master’s degree in physical education from Cal State Sacramento and a doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of New Mexico. The Fisher family grew and Jerry held down the home as Garth began his BYU career where he became one of the world’s leading experts in health and fitness, and a renowned author. He was director of the Human Performance Research Center at BYU and chair of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health among other awards and honors. 

Along the way, the Fisher family grew in a big way upon the deaths of Garth’s brother and sister-in-law, left four children parentless. The Fishers raised those children as their own and Garth has ever lauded Jerry’s compassion and dedication in the task. 

While Garth and Jerry remember their days at the BAC and CSU with fondness, they acknowledge that their educations were a financial challenge. They know all too well that higher education of today is even more difficult to pay for and does not promise to become any easier. That is why they choose to help the students of today and the future by earmarking their personal funds for scholarships, including one that honors the memory of Morgan Rollo in the form of an endowment for journalism students at SUU.

President Benson, Alma Adams, Dan Webster,
Dale Brinkerhoff and Maria Twitchell ('95)
Old Main Society Centurium Circle

Iron County government and the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau have, in concert, made a tremendous and valuable contribution to the quality of life here and, on a daily basis, enrich the lives of citizens and visitors alike while serving as pivotal facilitators of Southern Utah University’s mission to serve its constituency.

The County, led by generations of county commissioners, has always been a key element in the success of Southern Utah University, and through its Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau, has championed our county as a destination for tourism. Through a fortuitous and collaborative partnership with SUU and with a host of talented and industrious citizens and communities, both bodies have made our magnificent region known as a magnet for visitors from around the world.

Moreover, the Commission, with the guidance of the Tourism Bureau, has channeled financial resources to the building of Southern Utah University programs that serve Iron County citizens as well as a vast public outside of our boundaries. The Commission and Tourism Bureau have been both visionary and pragmatic in their consensus that Southern Utah University and Iron County share a unique capacity to enrich all who visit here.

Annual financial contributions—along with various other enthusiastic avenues of support—to such University programs as the Utah Summer Games and Utah Shakespeare Festival, has made a marked difference in the execution of those tourism-based enterprises.

The County has provided varied tax revenues for a number of crucial needs of the University, including the 1996 funding for the Conference Center in the Sharwan Smith Center and, this year, toward the completion of two crucial facilities key to the area’s future as a destination for tourists; one that will prompt more visitors to stay here, and for longer periods of time.

The Commission and Tourism Bureau are indeed important backers of the New Shakespeare Theatre and the Southern Utah Museum of Art, projects that will not only aid in the efforts to promote tourism, but will serve as cultural cornerstones of a vast region of the southwest.

The responsibilities of the Iron County Commission are vast and complex, with tourism but one consideration. The duties are weighty and expansive. County Commissioners Alma Adams, Dale Brinkerhoff, and Dan Webster, as well as those who preceded them in their roles, have ever dedicated their time and character to the building of this place we share.

The Tourism Bureau, besides marketing the area, conducts research and makes recommendations for all requests for funding while serving as a key contact of the University. The work of Executive Director Maria Twitchell and associates Amber Bennett and Bonnie Char Oldroyd, as well as that of past director LaRee Garfield, has been of inestimable help in the advancement of the University and of benefit to all in Iron County.

Welcome to the newest members of the Old Main Society:

Garth ('53) and Geraldine ('54) Fisher
Benefactor Level

Dale and Patty Gilbert
Gold Medallion Level

Greg and Debbie ('91) Forsyth
Old Main Society Level

Bryce and Joyce Woodbury

Old Main Society Level

Keith and Nina Barnes
Legacy Circle

Judith Tweedie ('61)
Legacy Circle

Singing sensation David Archuleta made a surprise visit to the Holiday Gala and performed O Holy Night. He was in town with his MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS tour and performed later that evening at the Heritage Center in downtown Cedar City. The concert featured both traditional holiday and familiar classics, as well as an assortment of David's own pop favorites. Members of the SUU Symphony Orchestra accompanied him during the second half of the concert.

Big Win for the T-Birds on the Road; Support of Alumni

Congratulations to the T-Birds on their come from behind victory 35-28 over the Weber State Wildcats. The tailgate party was a lot of fun and a great way to reconnect with other alumni and current students. It was a great day to be a T-Bird as the stands were filled with SUU Red.

Other festivities of the tailgate included, Alumni Relations awarding a student scholarship for $250.00 for next semester. The scholarship was awarded to Joe Howe, a senior music major from Cedar City. A contest for the Best Salsa was held at the tailgate. Josie Beth Archibald took 1st Place with Camaree Staheli coming in a very close 2nd! Keep your salsa recipes handy for our next encounter with Weber State in 2012. Congratulations to our winners!

During the game SUU fans were continuously pumped up through the support of the cheerleaders and the SUU drumline. The fans were excited as they watched their team beat the Wildcats.

Don't forget about the last home game of the season as the T-Birds take on UC Davis Saturday October 29th at the Eccles Coliseum. Game starts at 1:00 PM.

Thor's Thunder Classic 2011

Congratulations to Color Country Pediatrics and team members Brad Larson, Kent Bradford, Dr. Brian Burrows ('98) and Greg Larson ('98) for winning the 2011 Thor's Thunder Classic with a score of 56 (15-under par) on Monday, September 26.

It was a fantastic day at Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club with 35 teams and 140 golfers participating in a 4-person scramble to benefit scholarships and the advancement of Southern Utah University. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Special thanks to Color Country Pediatrics for their continued support as title sponsor of Thor's Thunder Classic. Thanks also to our major sponsors: Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club, Dell Computers and SUU Marketing.

We also had wonderful support from the following organizations and individuals through their hole sponsorships: AMPAC, Big-D Construction, Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue, Dick & Sunny Reinhold, FFKR, Hill Sports, Intermountain Valley View Medical Center, Leavitt Group, Les Olson Company, MHTN Architects, Midwest Commercial Interiors, Nate & Lindsay Esplin, President Benson, State Bank of Southern Utah, Wells Fargo Bank and Zion's Bank.

Members of the SUU Women's Golf Team also participated in the tournament playing on teams and hitting tee shots from a few of Entrada's par 3 holes. Pictured left to right: Sadie Palmer, a senior from Tooele, Utah; Kacy Buckner, a senior from St. George, Utah; Rose Pelletier, a sophomore from Palmer, Alaska; Monica Jung, a freshman from Sydney, Australia; Shantell Spackman, a freshman from Richmond, Utah; and Kaohi Loo, a sophomore from Beaverton, Oregon.

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Hunter

Mike Hunter (’11, Chemistry) is realizing his education at Southern Utah University prepared him to enter medical school at the University of Rochester confident in his knowledge and skills.

Mike is a first year medical student at the University of Rochester. During orientation week Mike enjoyed meeting his new classmates, but was overwhelmed to learn they had undergraduate degrees from Harvard, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, Stanford, NYU Columbia, Syracuse, Cornell and Dartmouth, to name a few. He wondered how he would compete with students from these prestigious schools. Before the first week was over he found himself leading small group discussions, answering questions no other student could and tutoring classmates in bio-statistics.

“I am confident other SUU science graduates are having similar experiences throughout the country.” He realized the quality education he received at SUU is comparable to the education of his peers.

Mike is grateful to professors in the sciences at SUU like James Chisholm, Ty Redd, and Kim Weaver for their investment in his education. These professors and many more took time outside of the class to help students progress.

During his time at SUU Mike enjoyed his involvement in student government as the Science Student Senator. He says Internal Medicine has always interested him and he wants his future practice to incorporate long-lasting patient relationships, preventative medicine and cost-effective treatments.

Alumni Spotlight: Linda Erikson Kay

Linda Kay (’72 Education) spent thirty years teaching first grade with a love for education that began at Southern Utah University.

Reading has always been Linda’s favorite aspect of teaching first grade children and one of her greatest accomplishments. She and a good friend introduced “Alphabet Town” to first graders where they taught them the alphabet sounds and rules through songs and role playing.

Linda doesn’t think she would have been as successful in her career in the education field without the training she received while attending SUU. When she was choosing a college to attend, she chose SUU because its education department was ranked as one of the best in the state.

She remembers fondly taking classes from Gwen Clark, Kent Meyers and Bonnie Bishop. These professors were dedicated to their students and instilled in Linda the love of teaching. They also prepared her with the teaching tools she would need to take into the classroom.

One of Linda’s favorite memories of her time at SUU was pledging Pi Rho Omega sorority. She said, “There never was a dull moment living with 12 roommates in the sorority house, especially when I was the house mother.” She was a member of Little Sister’s organization/Athenians. Later she was the president of the Athenians.

Linda retired in 2004 after teaching for thirty years in Washington and Piute counties. She and her husband Ken love to travel, are members of the Rods and Rebels car club and enjoy taking their 1938 Desoto to car shows.

Linda enjoys being a wife, mother, and grandma to her four children, four-step children and 18 grandchildren.

The Kays reside in St. George, Utah.

Alumni Spotlight: Mechelle Mellor

Meche  Mellor (’94, Physical Education) is a Private Banking Relationship Manager and an Assistant Vice-President at Zions Bank.

Professor Steve Lunt was an exceptional mentor and advisor for Meche. She explains, “The lessons he taught me in my Physical Education classes are relevant to everyday life.  In my head I will still hear him say – ‘questions, comments, concerns?’”

What did she like best about her experience at SUU? The opportunities of being involved with SUUSA and the Greek community, and learning that there was more to school than just going to class.

She also learned the value of volunteerism and service. Her professors were involved in Clubs and Organizations as advisors. The Student Activities office got her involved in helping provide activities for her fellow students. Even today, “I am encouraged in my current position at Zions Bank to be involved in my community. Due to my experiences at SUU, this fits with my own personal desires to serve those in my community,” she explains.

And serve she does, with a variety of organizations: Executive Women International, Alphi Phi International Fraternity, Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala Committee, Utah Symphony/Utah Opera, SUU Alumni Association, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Heart Association and the Arthritis Foundation.

It is difficult for Meche to pick one memorable experience while a student at SUU. She states, “I was very fortunate to be involved in a number of organizations from Acclamation to Phi Alpha Beta/Alpha Phi, to Student Government. All of which provided incredible experiences that I will carry with me throughout my life.”

Meche enjoys traveling, reading, eating good food, being in the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

She resides in Farmington, Utah.

Alumni Spotlight: Jordon Sharp

Jordon Sharp (’05, Communication) is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Living Scriptures Inc. in St. George, Utah, and credits a persuasion class taught by Professor Matt Barton (’95) as laying a foundation for his successful career in sales and marketing.

SUU instilled in Jordon a love of learning, something he had not previously enjoyed. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Park University and is currently finishing up his doctorate degree from Colorado Technical University. “Although these other institutions have been exceptional, SUU’s amazing faculty and staff, beautiful campus and unique atmosphere are second to none,” he says.

A childhood dream came true for Jordon when he had the opportunity to work for the Walt Disney Company in public relations and marketing. But it is his work with Living Scriptures Inc. that satisfies him the most because of products that teach values and change lives. With more than 100 million dollars in product development, Living Scriptures Inc. has become one of the largest religious and historical libraries for children in the world.  With tens of thousands of sales associates Living Scriptures Inc. has employed during its 37-year history, Jordon still holds the record for the top sales team of all time.

Jordon’s best SUU memory is finding his wife, Liz Noel, in Willowbrook #89. Being involved at SUU as a presidential ambassador, SUUSA cabinet member, Acclamation member and winning the Mr. SUU contest were his best experiences.

Jordon and Liz, a registered nurse, have three children: Samuel 6, Chloe 3 and Phoebe 9 months. The Sharps have lived all over the country but came back to southern Utah to raise their family because they fell in love with the area during their time at SUU.  He and his family are currently working on creating a half-marathon in Kanab, Utah, to benefit suicide prevention in that area.

Homecoming 2011

Homecoming officially got underway on Saturday, September 17, with the annual Alumni Luncheon in the Gilbert Great Hall. Alumni from all eras gathered to remember and celebrate the ties that bind us all together as alumni of Southern Utah University.
Honored at the luncheon were Outstanding Alumni Gail ('51) and Jane Bradshaw, Distinguished Service Award Recipient Lee Fife ('72) and Young Alumnus Tommy Burr ('02).

The Bradshaws have been stalwart supporters of Cedar City, our region and of Southern Utah University. Fueled by their own spirit of service and through the family business, Bradshaw Chevrolet Buick, they have aided their community and SUU in profound ways.

Lee Fife recently completed an eight-year tenure on the SUU Board of Trustees, serving as chair of the Audit Committee, and the University greatly benefitted from this lifetime of experience in finance. He is the founder and senior lending officer for SunFirst Bank in St. George.

Tommy Burr is the senior Washington correspondent for The Salt Lake Tribune, covering Congress, the White House and federal agencies. He is past-president of the Washington-based Regional Reporters Association and chairman of the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents. In 2010 and 2011 he was named the National Press Club's Regional Reporter of the Year.

Prior to the Alumni Luncheon, several SUUSA Administration Reunions were held. Included in that mix were Steve Kiisel ('06-'07), Ryan Richey ('01-02) and Kimber Heaton ('91-'92). Take a look and see who you recognize.

Steve Kiisel Administration Reunion

Ryan Richey Administration Reunion

Kimber Heaton Administration Reunion

Later that day, the Homecoming Parade made its way down University Boulevard with entries from across campus and the community. This year's theme was "Kickin' It Old School" and the Agriculture Club took home first prize in the float division with its large cowboy boot kicking a football.

Bands make all the difference at a parade and we were thrilled to have three SUU Alumni enter their high school marching bands: David Jordan ('97) from Canyon View High School, Steve Shirts ('87) from Cedar High School and Carylee Foremaster Zwang ('05) from Parowan High School. All three directors have long supported and participated in the SUU Homecoming Parade and we appreciate their continued efforts.

Following the parade, large crowds gathered at Thunderbird Village and tailgated in preparation for the big game. And Thunderbird Football did not disappoint! Junior quarterback Brad Sorensen completed 20-of-28 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns as we rolled to a 45-22 win over UT-San Antonio in front of 8,683 fans. 

It was a fantastic Homecoming celebration. Thank you to everyone who attended and let's do it again next year!

The Future is Rising Celebration

President Michael T. Benson marked an exciting turning point for the University when he publicly launched its $100 million fundraising campaign, "The Future is Rising: The Campaign for Southern Utah University" on Friday, September 16.

The Upper Quad was over-flowing with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community members as they enjoyed live entertainment and free drink, food and desserts. It was a one-of-a-kind outdoor celebration that was unmatched in school history.    

Entertainment took place on two stages and featured Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe, Kurt Bestor and the SUU Symphony Orchestra and wrapped up with The Joe Muscolino Band. Brian Vaughn ('95) and David Ivers from the Utah Shakespeare Festival served as Masters of Ceremonies and kept the energy going throughout the evening with trivia questions and prizes drawings.

That evening, the President announced that over the past several years the University has been working toward its campaign goal. With the following recent contributions, the University has raised $60 million, which is more than half toward it ultimate goal of $100 million:

•  $1 million from Garth and Jerri Frehner for a new Business Building
• $1 million from Hyrum and Gail Smith for the new Shakespeare Globe Theatre
• $1.7 million from Maud Tucker on behalf of Rocki Alice and in memory of Frederick D. Trismen for the Southern Utah Museum of Art
• $3 million from D. Eldon Lunt for a new Business Building

Included in the $100 million end goal — the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the institution’s history — are five carefully selected campaign priorities that span all aspects of the University:

Enriching Student Life - $30 million
This includes important enhancements to the programming and resources that facilitate the experiential, hands-on education for which SUU has come to be known.

Key aims will focus on lowering the faculty-to-student ratio, providing more opportunities to augment classroom work and increasing student scholarships.

Academic Excellence - $14 million
Despite enrollment increases and budget cuts, the University is committed to maintaining its hallmark personalized learning environment with the very best faculty and educational tools to carry the University into the future. To this end, $14 million will be raised in support of faculty positions, educational resources and scholarship. 

Campus Enhancement and Expansion - $43 million
SUU’s campus has developed with a keen eye to its uniquely beautiful surrounding environment and natural resources. Future campus enhancement and expansion will remain both strategic to the institutional mission and in harmony with the interests and resources of the greater community.

Portions of such expansion include the much-anticipated Southern Utah Museum of Art, a new Shakespearean Globe Theatre, a business building, university housing and athletic facility enhancements.

Community Engagement - $2 millionSince its inception, SUU has worked to provide outreach services for economic and regional development, partnering with various organizations to enhance the greater community.

Additional support for such endeavors will enhance and expand community services across the region and state, as well as prompt SUU’s students to commit to a wider sphere of service and good will.

Emerging Opportunities - $11 millionThis final objective will facilitate the University’s ability to meet a wide range of additional and shifting needs through a variety of gifting programs, including the SUU Fund, deferred gifts, bequests and endowments on which the University can appropriately plan for its future needs.

The entire evening was capped off with a spectacular fireworks show, more entertainment by student-favorite Tyler Ward and Homecoming's traditional True T-Bird Night at Old Sorrel.



What an amazing night of celebration. SUU is definitely on the rise!

Learn more by clicking: The Future is Rising: The Campaign for Southern Utah University.

Science Center Dedication

A large crowd of students, alumni, donors and community members attended the dedication of SUU's new Center for Health & Molecular Sciences on Friday, September 16. The dedication was part of the Future is Rising and Homecoming celebrations.

Dedicatory remarks were made by Robert Eves ('84), dean of the College of Science and Engineering; Matthias Muller, Division of Facilities and Construction Management from the state of Utah; Evan Vickers, Utah State Representative from District 72; President Michael T. Benson; and Kezia Brown ('10), an Outstanding Chemistry student from Cedar City. The dedicatory prayer was offer by David Nakken ('85).

One highlight of the dedication was a"Flash Mob" and creation of a human DNA chain by 67 Science majors. President Benson and Dean Eves even joined in at the end! SUU Professors Paul Ocampo and Chien-Ying Wang did the choreography and directed rehearsals as they helped the left-brained Science majors find their inner creativity. The "Flash Mob" was accompanied by Dr. Lynn Vartan's SUU Drum Line.

The new 48,422-square-foot structure includes expanded lab, office and classroom space vital to the hands-on, collaborative education our science students deserve. Additional building tidbits: 104,345 bricks, 1,630 yards of concrete, 58.7 miles of copper wire and 37.8 miles of data wire.

Thank you to all who have seen this project through to fruition.