Carmen Rose Hepworth Alumni Award - RaVenna Baker

RaVenna Leigh Baker of Cedar City has throughout her 94 years on this planet improved the lives of others and strengthened the University, which follows in purest form the example of Carmen Rose Hepworth, in whose name she was honored during the annual Thunderbird Awards.

Now 94 years of age, RaVenna was born and raised on 100 West, the daughter of William Henry Leigh, a prominent furniture merchant, hotelier, and a Cedar City mayor, and Ella Berry, who, by virtue of her year of completion—1900—and the alphabetization factor, was the very first graduate of this institution among the class of four.

RaVenna earned an associate degree from the Branch Agricultural College in 1941, and while here in the pre-war years, became interesting in flying and was the only woman among a class of 10 to earn her pilot’s license through a special college program. She was granted a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Utah two years later, then joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots, a paramilitary group whose members performed a variety of stateside duties during World War II, as male pilots served overseas. More than 25,000 women applied to join the group, but only 1,074 earned their wings as WASPs.

RaVenna and her sister pilots flew operational flights from aircraft factories to ports of embarkation and military training bases. They also towed targets for live anti-aircraft artillery practice, simulated strafing missions, and transported cargo. Women in these roles flew almost every type of aircraft flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. All members were replaced when males began returning from wartime duties, but it was not until 1977 that the members were granted veteran status.

RaVenna married Al Fisher in 1947 and the couple had three sons and a daughter before Al’s death in 1962. RaVenna then married Harry Baker of Champaign, Illinois, and the couple later took up residence back in Cedar City in 1987, moving into a small home next to her childhood residence. Harry was active in the Masons in town and was crucial in the construction of the local Masonic Lodge. Ravenna, for her part, long served as an officer in the auxiliary organization of the Freemasons, the Order of the Eastern Star.

She cultivated her love of the University over the years and became a loyal and dedicated alumnus, relishing all manner of activities, and has loved attending events ranging from plays and concerts to homecoming festivities. Also, she was an integral member of the Cedar City Rotary Veteran’s Park World War II Monument Committee.

Continuing throughout her life to help others, she joined her husband in water aerobics and taught classes for their fellow senior citizens. Harry passed away in 1999, but RaVenna continued in that teaching pursuit until about a year ago, at the age of 93.

Students Reflect on SUU's Rich History

President Scott L Wyatt and Emeritus Faculty Member Richard Dotson
at the Founders Monument (Old Sorrel) during Lunch on the Main

During SUU's annual Founders Celebration, students participate in Lunch on the Main, an interactive campus history walk that has become a welcomed tradition, with stations at Old Main, the Founders Monument (Old Sorrel), the Centurium and two at the Library. Each station provides a different food option for lunch (walking tacos, hot dogs, nachos, soup & rolls, and birthday cake), and SUU Emeriti Faculty & Staff graciously give of their time to mingle with students and share historical stories about our alma mater.

Students are given "passports" to encourage visiting all five stations, and upon receiving a stamp at each, they are eligible for prize drawings of SUU swag. A second drawing, sponsored by the Grace A. Tanner Center, asks students to submit a one-page reflection of their experience during Lunch on the Main and become eligible for the drawing for one of five Kindle Paperwhite e-readers. Below are three reflections we think you'll enjoy reading.

Rhiannon Jack, a senior Integrated Engineering major from St. George, UT, writes:

As an engineering student I had seen the state of Old Sorrel many times before I knew what it meant. It was just a statue, like many of the beautiful statues around campus. It was a pleasant thing to look at, hurriedly passed by while on the way to class. It wasn't until the promise of free food lured me back to the statue that I ever gave it a thought. Honestly, it wasn't until my first "Lunch on the Main' that I gave any of SUU's history much thought. But it was the story of Old Sorrel and what it represented that really resonated with me. Perhaps it is because I am an engineering student that the story of overcoming incredible odds, persevering in the face of terrible tribulation, and ultimate victory hits so close to home. To me, that is the story of any education. It is the story of life. Where Old Sorrel plowed through the daunting drifts of snow in order to facilitate education in southern Utah, we must plow through our own trials to achieve our own educational goals. And this is the truth for everyone, whether they're aiming to be an actor, educator, or an engineer. Pushing ourselves to triumph in the face of tribulation is the ultimate legacy. To me, this is the story, not just of Old Sorrel, but of every SUU graduate. It is the story I hope to one day tell.


Tevan Valtinson, a junior Accounting & Finance major from Nephi, UT, shares:

The more I learn about the sacrifices that were made by the founders of SUU, I quickly realize that Cedar City would not have a university if it weren't for the founders . . . I have loved my time here and owe it to those who made it possible.

On a personal level, I am the first in my family to go to college and I can relate my efforts to those who gave much dedication towards this school and its future. I am certain that they had the future generations in mind during their struggles. This has been my case as well. I keep in mind my younger siblings and my future generations that will see the efforts I have set forth as motivation and a sense of determination for those who follow.


Breanne Edgel, a senior Biology major from Las Vegas, NV, writes:

While going around to the different areas listening to the many speakers talk about the history of the area, I was really impressed with the history of Old Main. I was amazed at how the community came together to create something that they knew the community needed. They knew that their community needed the school to have higher education available. Even at the time that the school needed to be built by a certain date, they had to start building at the worst time during the winter. They were determined to get Old Main done on time. Later on, when Old Main burned down, the community yet again came together to build back Old Main to be able to have higher education in the city and surrounding cities. While learning about Old Main, I cannot help but feel proud that our community recognized the importance of education and were willing to sacrifice their all to bring education to the city. I love how these people have sacrificed their all, with all odds again them, they pushed as hard as they could to get past the struggles they faced. Now every time I pass Old Main, I am forever reminded of the history of SUU and how it is today. Knowing the history of SUU and how it became the school that I know today, I now have a sense of pride about SUU and want to leave something behind so the future will be able to look back and know that our age worked hard with what we were given.                                                             

Lunch on the Main is sponsored by the Grace A. Tanner Center, SUUSA, Alumni Relations and the Advancement Office.

Old Main Station

Emeritus Faculty Member Kent Myers ('51) at Old Main

Emeritus Staff Member Georgia Thompson at the Sherratt Library

Sherratt Library Station

Special Collections Station

Centurium Station