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.