Welcome Back Thunderbirds

Everyone on campus welcomed new and returning students to the first day of class on Monday, August 22 - even Gunther The Rock (painted by SUUSA) was part of the celebration.

Flight School, the orientation for new Thunderbirds, was held August 18-20. It was filled with motivational speakers, training and activities (campus tie-dye, movie night, service Saturday) to help the newest members of our SUU family settle into college life.

One highlight of Flight School is the annual freshmen assembly followed by the Carter Carillon Tradition. This tradition entails new freshmen processing from the Centrum to the Upper Quad where they walk under the Carillon to the cheers and high-fives of faculty, staff, alumni and students. It is a freshman's passage into the Thunder Nation, and of course the only time he or she should walk under the Carillon before graduation.

Flight School made such an impression on students and families that one parent, Joyce Frahm Read, posted the following on Facebook:

"I want to sincerely thank all of the staff and students for all of their hard work over the past several days. What you put on for the new incoming students was simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The orientation, the speakers, and Flight School were wonderful. I knew when I drove away from SUU yesterday that my son had made the absolute RIGHT choice when picking a university. Thank you so much for all you do!!"

What a great start to a very promising year!

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New Student Alumni Freshmen

Prior to Thunderbird Flight School, new freshmen members of the Student Alumni Association met on August 17, to become acquainted with each other and learn more about their involvement with Student Alumni during the coming year.

Later that evening, they met up with other freshmen leaders from across campus for dinner, activities and words of advice and encouragement from Donna Eddleman, Vice President of Student Services.

The mission of the Student Alumni Association is to facilitate interaction and understanding between current students and the SUU Alumni Association. The organization works to enhance the student experience by providing leadership and involvement opportunities that build and strengthen a lifelong loyalty to SUU while helping students become aware of their potential role as an alumnus.

Alumni Days at Shakespeare

It's not every day that a new tradition is established. But June 27-29, a new tradition was established for the Alumni Association as nearly 100 alumni and friends came together for the first-ever Alumni Days at Shakespeare.

The three day event brought alumni and their families and friends back to campus to enjoy one of SUU's most recognizable and valued treasures - the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Monday, June 27, featured The Glass Menagerie and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Festival Founder Fred C. Adams and Executive Director R. Scott Phillips ('76) attended a special reception in the Alumni House and spoke about the 50th anniversary season and the many events, activities and exhibits taking place.

Noises Off! and Richard III were Tuesday's plays. Plus, an exclusive dinner for alumni and guests was held at the Alumni House and attended by Fred, Scott and Co-Artistic Director Brian Vaughn ('95). Fred recounted the early days of theatre at SUU (then CSU) along with an amazing story of how he and his students traveled to New York to watch a few Broadway productions and made a stop in Washington D.C. that included a trip to the White House and a picture with President Lyndon B. Johnson and other top administration officials.

Wednesday began with an exclusive Backstage Tour where guides provided a behind the scenes view of both theatres and insight on the creation of scenery, costumes, hair and make-up design. The day's matinee in the Randall L. Jones Theatre was The Music Man, followed by Romeo & Juliet in the Adams Shakespearean Theatre that evening. An ice cream social was held that evening at the Alumni House and attended by Festival cast and crew - several had just walked off the stage minutes prior to the social. It was fantastic getting acquainted.

Response to the inaugural Alumni Days at Shakespeare was so positive that we are excited to make this event an annual tradition. Thank you to all who attended.

Alumni Days 2012 is scheduled for June 25-27. We hope to see you next year!

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Demolished

University Boulevard saw a dramatic change on June 13, with the demolition of a Utah Shakespeare Festival building.

For many years the building was home to The Utah Shakespeare Festival Administration Offices until they relocated to the complex next door on the corner of 300 West and University Boulevard. Most recently the demolished building housed the Festival Production Offices.

The new open space provides a beautiful view of the Randall Jones Theatre and its courtyard from University Boulevard - just in time for the Utah Shakespeare Festival's 50th Anniversary Season. It also adds to the excitement of the much-anticipated Centre for the Performing Arts: two city blocks of theatres, shops, and open gardens and walkways.

SUU in China -- Making an Impression

China is absolutely amazing. I am living in this hotel that is INCREDIBLE! I am treated like royalty here. Yesterday we met and mingled with the 80-member company of Chinese dancers . . . all I can say is WOW! We all have our work cut out for us to make an impression.

Speaking of impressions. I've made some good ones already! Xun Sun (SUU Orchestra Director) asked Jennie Smith and me to prepare musical numbers to perform and share with the Chinese people. So, yesterday while mingling, Sun asked if I could sing them a song and I obliged. While standing amongst the crowd of dancers, Sun got their attention and was going to translate my introduction before I sang. I reduced the nuptials to one term: Lady Gaga. They all cheered! I sat down at the studio's piano and began to play and sing my cover of Born This Way and totally ROCKED IT! They were completely crowded around the piano as I sat there with my wonderful 5,4,1 progression and sweet pop rhythm (thanks Professor Sara Guttenberg).

China is the most beautiful and wonderful country. Yesterday Karyn Allen and I set out to explore Wuhan and ended up finding a 1600-year old Buddhist monastery. It was one of the most incredible experiences. There were so many different temples all housing shrines - some were more than 30 feet tall. The entire monastery was built into the side of a hill and at the top of the hill was a giant tower that overlooks the city of Wuhan. It was an amazing adventure.

Payden Adams is a senior Dance and Theatre Arts major from Cedar Fort, Utah, and is one of 14 SUU dance students in China rehearsing for The Dream of Helen.

The Dream of Helen is a dance drama featuring nearly 100 dancers and an orchestra of 90 which includes six SUU music students. Faculty from the College of Performing and Visual Arts have collaborated in the creation of the production, which is inspired by the life and achievements of Utah native Helen Foster Snow who was an instrumental bridge builder of U.S./China relations. Helen's mother, Hannah Davis Foster, taught at the Branch Normal School (now SUU).

SUU Emeriti Breakfast

Members of the Southern Utah University Emeriti Association fired up their grills and skillets today for their annual spring breakfast at the Alumni House. About 80 members attended and enjoyed the good company of their friends and colleagues.

The Emeriti Association is comprised of retired faculty and staff members and their spouses. This dynamic group gave their professionals lives to the building and strengthening of SUU and remain involved today though yearly socials, the funding of scholarships and helping to preserve our rich heritage. Several of the Emeriti helped create a new tradition this past May by marching in the Commencement Processional and attending College Convocation Ceremonies.

Thank you to our wonderful Emeriti for their love of SUU and their continued involvement.

New Facebook Page

The Alumni Relations Office created our original Facebook group as a way to connect with alumni and for alumni to reconnect with each other. Facebook is now making changes to their "groups" and we no longer feel that a group will meet the needs of the ever-growing Alumni Association. Our group has been scheduled to be archived, and will no longer be used by our office to send out information. Because of this, we invite you to "like" us at our new Facebook page to stay up-to-date about what is happening with the Alumni Association and what events will be coming to your area.