Homecoming Banquet 2012

The annual Homecoming Banquet was held Thursday, September 27, in the Gilbert Great Hall of the Hunter Conference Center. Alumni from all eras came together to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate an evening of being True to SUU.

Honored at the banquet were three individuals who have distinguished themselves in their careers and service to the University.

Ellen Wheeler, 2012 Outstanding Alumnus

Ellen Wheeler, who is among the most renowned of all SUU theatre arts and dance students, is a three-time winner of the Daytime Emmy Award, and has made a significant mark in the annals of television’s daytime drama world. She was born in Hollywood into a theatre family and shined on the stage at Cedar High School and at this University before finding stardom in, first, Another World, then in All My Children, playing roles in each that gained her Emmys. Then she moved behind the camera as a director for As The World Turns, earning an Emmy nomination. Finally, she progressed to the post of executive producer of Guiding Light, which won her a third Emmy when it was named best dramatic series in 2007. In that position, she set new standards for audience interaction and for filming techniques that have been adopted by other productions. Today, she and her husband, Shannon Comp, who also has SUU roots, maintain a ranch in Virgin, Utah, and a home in Cedar City. They have two children.

Craig Jones, 2012 Distinguished Service Award

William Craig Jones, well-steeped in the heritage of this institution, served as a beloved member of the political science faculty for 35 years, and was an architect of the pre-law program. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing what has become the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service. He completed his studies at the College of Southern Utah, where he played basketball, in 1959 and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at BYU. It was when he was completing his doctorate at the University of Arizona in 1963 that he was enticed back to Cedar City where he came to love teaching the philosophies of government and citizenship that frame our nation. He continued to work in the family business, as well, maintaining the sheep and cattle herds on the Jones ranch in Iron County. Also, he gave of his time and talents across a wide range of civic bodies in the region and the state. He and his wife Bonnie are the parents of four and grandparents of 16.

Jamie Shaw, 2012 Young Alumnus

Globetrotting Jamie Shaw, who earned a bachelor’s degree from SUU in 1996 in business administration and finance, has always shined in whatever arena she has chosen. Today, she serves as a senior consultant for Event Knowledge Services, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, aiding cities around the world in their bids to host major events. Currently, she is engaged in Istanbul, Turkey’s quest to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. Her specialty is the staffing for such grand undertakings and she began her career in human resources with Verizon after gaining an MBA from BYU. Subsequently, she became manager of HR Planning and Operations for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Games. A stint with Starbucks preceded her current career, which has seen her work in successful campaigns around the world, including Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic bid. A native of Aurora, Utah, she was exceedingly vital in student life at SUU, including activity in SUUSA, Future Business Leaders of America, the Student Alumni Association and Alpha Phi Sorority.

The traditional singing of the Grand Old BAC was performed by students from the College of Performing and Visual Arts and tables containing a variety of University treasures were on display. Below are four such displays: books singed from the 1948 Old Main fire, Old Sorrel's hobbles, memorabilia from SUU's Centennial Celebration and the dress worn by Ruth Higbee when she graduated from the Branch Agricultural College (BAC) in 1916.

Books from Old Main

Old Sorrel's Hobbles

Centennial Memorabilia

Graduation Dress from 1916