CEDAR CITY — To celebrate 125 years of positively impacting the lives of generations, Southern Utah University will begin a yearlong celebration of its past, present and future during the 2022 Founders Week, which begins March 21.
According to a press release issued by the university, the weeklong event will celebrate SUU’s founders, the impact SUU alumni make in the world and prepare current students to be the next generation of leaders.
“This will be a commemoration of our past, a celebration of our current success, and an opportunity to focus on our future,” Mindy Benson, SUU’s interim president, said in the news release. “From our founders’ steadfast determination to build this campus to a thriving university of over 14,000 students, we’ve come a long way in 125 years.”
And the best is yet to come, she said, adding that all SUU alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to this special celebration.
Since Cedar City was first selected as the location of the Branch Normal School in the Spring of 1897, the same campus location has been the home of higher education serving Southern Utah and beyond.
In SUU’s 125 years, the institution has had many names – Branch Normal School, Branch Agricultural College, College of Southern Utah, Southern Utah State College and since 1990 Southern Utah University. Its mission, however, has remained the same – to provide greater access to affordable higher education opportunities to the region.
For the past eight years, SUU has seen unprecedented growth and has led all other Utah universities in the percentage of growth. All while maintaining high academic standards and a commitment to affordability, the news release states.
Launching the celebration at Founders Week is just the beginning of special events throughout the next year. Spring 2022 events include a concert featuring country music superstars Midland on April 5 and this year’s annual commencement ceremony on April 29.
Other commemorative events are still being planned. All special activities surrounding SUU’s 125th celebration can be found online.
Find below events planned for Founders Week.
Monday, March 21
Tony’s Night
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall (located in the Hunter Alumni Center), watch re-creations of students’ favorite theater scenes. Sponsored by the SUU Student Association.
Tuesday, March 22
Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture
Dr. Allen C. Guelzo will present “Ten True Lies About Abraham Lincoln,” at 11:30 a.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall located in the Hunter Alumni Center. This event is free and open to the public.
Learn more about Howard R. Driggs.
Native American Powwow
7 p.m. in the Living Room located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.
Wednesday, March 23
Lunch on the Main
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy food and stories from SUU’s founding at Old Main, ELC Plaza, Library Plaza, Business Building Patio, Founders Monument and the Sharwan Smith Center Rotunda.
Thursday, March 24
Wood You Like to Be a Lumberjack?
Ax throwing, wood burning, wood chopping and beard contest will be held from 4-6 p.m. on the Upper Quad. Sponsored by the SUU Student Association.
Founders Awards Banquet
6:30 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall located in the Hunter Alumni Center.
Friday, March 25
SUU’s 125th Birthday Bash
7-9:30 p.m. Sharwan Smith Student Center, with a dance from 9:30 p.m. to midnight in the America First Event Center. Live music, food, activities and much more! Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to attend.
Saturday, March 26
SUU Softball vs. University of Northern Colorado
Noon, Kathryn Berg Field.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.