Building Naming Ceremony - L.S. & Aline W. Skaggs Center for Health & Molecular Sciences

L.S. & Aline W. Skaggs Center for Health & Molecular Science
Building Naming Ceremony, June 27, 2013

The Skaggs family and The ALSAM Foundation were major contributors to what is now and will forever be known as the L.S. & Aline W. Skaggs Center for Health & Molecular Sciences at Southern Utah University. The building dramatically enhances the educational offerings of the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science & Engineering at SUU and provides profoundly grander vistas to students of today and of the future.

New, state-of-the art laboratory space crucial to SUU's highly prized undergraduate research and experiential learning model ensures that students gain the essential hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in the sciences or for post-baccalaureate education.

The Skaggs Center provides a greatly improved learning space for all students and faculty. Nursing students, for example, now may practice what they will actually be doing in a hospital. One classroom includes a bed and a bathroom so students can practice transferring patients.

The ALSAM Foundation also endowed a much-needed undergraduate research program to better train students in research principles and practices, preparing them to compete for openings in graduate programs. Today, thanks to The ALSAM Foundation, SUU students are engaged in exciting research projects that also invigorate attached faculty.

Also endowed by the Foundation is a scholarship fund for pre-pharmacy students, enabling the University to recruit and retain greater numbers of students working toward a degree in pharmacology. These include students who do not otherwise have the resources to devote to this course of study or perhaps are unable to attend the University at all.

Robert L. Eves ('84), Dean of the Walter Maxwell
Gibson College of Science and Engineering.

Kezia Brown ('13) will be attending the
University of Utah's School of Pharmacy this fall.

Dr. Nathan S. Werner ('05) is an assistant
 professor of Chemistry at SUU.

Darin Hunsinger and Marshall Miller perform
"Tango Suite No. 1" by Astor Piazolla.

Susie S. Balukoff, daughter of L.S. and
Aline W. Skaggs and ALSAM Foundation
Board Member.

SUU President Michael T. Benson.

This beautiful portrait of L.S. and Aline Skaggs graces the first floor of
the Skaggs Center. Pictured left to right: Ben Sowards (painter),
A. J. Balukoff, Susie S. Balukoff, Claudia S. Luttrell,
Lindsay Cutshall, Ronny L. Cutshall. 

L.S. & Aline W. Skaggs Center for Health & Molecular Science

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.