On Tuesday, March 17, Southern Utah University students in the outdoor recreational program hosted a celebration to showcase the connection between the university and the nearby national parks.
The event opened with a University of the Parks expo where students had the opportunity to meet local partners with the school. Following the expo were workshops and educational sessions.
Next on the agenda was a bike ride hosted by a member of SUU’s own bike committee, Ben Cozzens. The bike committee originally wanted to host their own expo on March 18, but decided to join forces with the celebration to bring more awareness to the biking community on campus.
“The bike committee is trying to create a bike friendly university for next school year,” said Cozzens.
Cozzens encourages students to attend the committee’s weekly bike rides on Wednesdays.
Following the bike ride, students attended the Mountain Film Festival, which consisted of short films showcasing the excellence of the area’s national parks.
“The University of Parks Celebration isn’t just to showcase the parks, but to emphasize SUU being the University of the Parks,” said professor Jason Burton.
By hosting this event, the university brings more attention to what SUU is known for; the national parks that fill its backyard and their connection with the university’s students.
Author: Emelia Montgomery
Photo: Courtesy of Southern Utah University and Emelia Montgomery
Editor: Briar Adams
outdoors@suunews.net
