To celebrate Southern Utah University’s birthday, the Student Alumni Association and the Alumni Relations office are hosting the 100th Founders celebration. Happening from March 24 to March 28, the weeklong celebration will feature a variety of events and traditions focused on honoring SUU’s rich heritage while giving back to the community.
“We have a multitude of events going on and I am excited for all of them,” said SAA’s Marketing and Involvement Chair Mia Vazquez. “My favorite has got to be a new idea that was thought up by our tradition chair which is called ‘Catch Carter.’”
Kicking off Founders Week on Monday, March 24, “Cath Catcher” is a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Participants will have the whole week to find hidden Carter Carillons, created by various university organizations, around campus. To win a prize, a photo of each tower will have to be uploaded to the digital Tradition Tracker on the SUU app or the Tradition Keeper website.
“The purpose of this week is to commemorate and appreciate the past and reflect on the rich heritage and memories and to also celebrate our founder’s goals and ambitions,” said Vazquez.
On Tuesday, March 25 at 11:30 a.m., Dr. Kurt Graham, inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center, will deliver the annual Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center.
Another tradition will occur on Wednesday, March 26. “Lunch on the Main” will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to get free food while learning about SUU’s founding. Food will be located at Old Main, Old Sorrel, the Rotunda, the Centurium, the Gerald R. Sherratt Library, the Electronic Learning Center Patio and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
Then, two events will take place on Thursday, March 27. At noon, the “Fossil Find” event near the Geoscience Building invites students to come take a picture with dinosaurs to complete an SUU tradition. Following this, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Center for Hope will open their doors to celebrate their fifth anniversary. The center will offer a tour and light refreshments.
The next day, Friday, March 28 at 9:00 a.m., students will be able to enjoy donuts and a screening of Back Up the Mountain in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Living Room. Then that evening, the Founders Banquet will occur at 6:30 p.m. in Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center. Terri Hartley and Lee Byers will receive Distinguished Service Awards.
The week will conclude with SUU Service Day from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. Volunteers will help with outdoor cleanup at Canyon Creek Services, Enoch City and the Color Country K9s’ Dog Park, along with indoor service projects on campus. Registration is required for participation.
“I would say each event has something special that students will be able to take from,” said Vazquez. “Whether it’s a donut as they watch back up the mountain, a mini dinosaur, sweet treats or some knowledge, each event plays a key role in keeping our traditions on campus alive.”
Additional information can be found on the Founder’s Week website.
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor: Heather Turner
Photos courtesy of SUU
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