SUU Helped Marlyn King Nay Fulfill Her Lifelong Dream

Marlyn King Nay, a native of Antimony, Utah, and Richfield High School graduate, loves and respects Southern Utah University because of help she received in fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.

Growing up in the small farming community of Antimony, Marlyn wasn’t sure her four-year college degree would ever be possible or affordable. Following high school graduation, she attended a junior college, earned an associate degree in general studies and married her high school sweetheart, Lance Nay. The couple moved to Salt Lake City so Lance could finish his education, and then they moved back to Richfield and began their family, which includes three children: Chase, Larissa, and Colton. When her children were of school age, Marlyn began helping at a local elementary school and was eventually named as an instructional assistant at Ashman Elementary School. 

But her desire to be a school teacher never faded. After working at Ashman Elementary for a few years, Marlyn learned of a somewhat nontraditional path to earning a four-year degree: SUU professors would travel to Richfield to teach, and at other times students would make the trip to SUU for classes on campus. Noting that “SUU is very well respected and has an excellent reputation in Sevier County,” she jumped at the opportunity and met with representatives from the University who mapped out her course work which led to a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1999. She was so impressed with her undergraduate experience that five years later she earned a master’s degree in education.

Like many alumni, one of Marlyn’s fondest memories of SUU is of the people. “The professors at SUU were so good to me. They went above and beyond to help me obtain my bachelor’s degree. They want to see the students succeed. They understood my needs and helped me achieve my goal,” she says.

She fondly remembers both of her commencement ceremonies and the unpredictable Cedar City spring weather. It rained at both ceremonies and she was grateful for the friendly and warm confines of the Centrum Arena. Another of Marlyn’s favorite aspects of SUU is the beautiful campus, it buildings and how the University respects and maintains the history of campus.  

Marlyn is now in her 20^th year of teaching first grade at Ashman and says of her role as teacher, “Children need multiple opportunities to grow with positive character traits representing the person that they are and the person they can become as a positive contributor to society.”

Principal Jill Porter says that Marlyn is a wonderful teacher and adds, “She has a passion for teaching, a strong content knowledge and a true love for her children!”

Marlyn enjoys spending time with family, particularly her five grandchildren, playing games and cooking. She also readily shares her philosophy of life: “If you want to do something, you can find a way to do it!” SUU certainly played a key role in that philosophy for Marlyn.  

Las Vegas Photojournalist Brad Boyer Remains a Strong Advocate for SUU

Brad Boyer, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and a graduate of Central High School, is a strong advocate of Southern Utah University and is quick to recommend SUU to prospective students or proudly wear an SUU shirt while working for Channel 3, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A 1999 graduate of SUU with a degree in broadcasting and communications, Brad was introduced to SUU by his older sister who was a member of the track team. Brad watched her success and enjoyment of SUU and knew from his very first visit to campus that this was where he wanted to attend college too. 

Brad arrived in Cedar City in 1993 and walked-on to the SUU cross country and track teams. He has fond memories of Coach Eric Houle ('81) and his willingness to give him a chance. Brad served a two-year mission for the LDS Church after his first year of college and was back on campus in 1996 and once again, Coach Houle gave him the opportunity to be a member of the team. Brad credits the opportunity to be part of the cross country and track teams with helping him gain confidence in himself and strengthen his interaction with other people. He has fond memories of traveling with the team and building strong friendships.

After graduation, Brad moved to Las Vegas with plans to eventually relocate to California and work in film production. He found odd jobs filming various events in Las Vegas and remembers watching the band KISS walk by him and thought, “This is crazy! I want to do this forever!” By luck, SUU alum Kim Turley Chambers (’89), part owner of DK Productions, gave him a job at her company. One of Brad’s highlights from working at DK Productions was being on stage during a David Copperfield show and actually being in a couple of the illusions. A year later, Brad took a job at Telemundo and attended large Las Vegas events as a member of the media interviewing the likes of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Manny Pacquiao, Shakira and Oscar De La Hoya.  

Now, as a photojournalist with Channel 3, Brad enjoys reporting on local high school sporting events and notes, “There are a lot of good kids doing good things!” And he is never shy to introduce them to his alma mater. 

He credits great relationships with SUU professors as being a crucial part of his success. “I knew my professors and they knew me,” Brad says. Professor Jon Smith gave him the advice to never be afraid, and Brad took that advice to heart, particularly as he began his career. “SUU was a great environment and it changed my life for the better,” he explains.

Brad’s favorite place on campus is the Centrum, and that is where he spent a lot of time cleaning the building and working events. He even made small films there and filmed countless highlight videos of Thunderbird athletes. It was the beginning of his career.

When asked what stands out from his time at SUU, Brad cannot identify just one moment, but rather it is a combination of friendships, dances, professors, ultimate Frisbee on the Quad, graduation and the overall charm of Cedar City.