Utah Tech University Magazine Spring 2023

Editor-in-Chief

Stacy Schmidt, ’91

Art Director

Scott Garrett, ’15

Illustration & Design

Scott Garrett, ’15

Adriana Howard, ’18

Valerie De La O, ’20

Danny Finnegan

True Jarrel

Anna Nuss

Jalyn Osborne

Luke Stocking

Brooke Tyler

Photography

Matt Black, ’14

Alex Santiago

Henryk Conley

Jake Harber

Jordan Palmer

Utah Tech Athletics

Nathan Caplin

Collette Fowler Photography

Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office

Writers

Stacy Schmidt, ’91

Jyl Hall

Brooke Ulrich

Betty Barnum, ’68

Preslee Harris

Kaylee Cluff

Jake Harber

Abbigail Jones

Grayce Payne

Copy Editors

Jyl Hall

Dr. Jordon Sharp

Marilyn Lamoreaux

Deborah Millet, ’75

Kaylee Cluff

Jake Harber

Abbigail Jones

Grayce Payne

Bailey Chism

Madisyn Dwiggins

Zoe Hansen

Stockton Myers

Ashlyn Searcy

Annie Sorensen

Sophie Sparks

Angel Wood

Feedback

stacy.schmidt@utahtech.edu

435.879.4412

Virtual Reality – An Immersive Venture From Classroom to Workplace

Learn how virtual reality technology can enhance Utah Tech students’ learning, both for those helping to create VR apps and those who will ultimately use the technology.

Select Utah Tech University students spent their holiday break immersed in the culture and history of Mata Ortiz, a pottery hot spot in northwest Mexico.

Incarcerated youth are finding hope and paving the way for brighter futures by participating in Utah Tech’s Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program.

Utah Tech University’s Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer brings NCAA experience to Utah Tech Athletics as well as a dedication to helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the field.

Extraordinary University alumni are being recognized for their impact on the institution and community. Awardees will be honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration held as part of D-Week.

Trailblazer Nation

Utah Tech University continues to experience meaningful growth every year, and it is a privilege to share regular updates to keep you connected to your University.

The 2022-23 academic year has been a success in every measurable way. Kicking off the fall semester, we welcomed our largest-ever student body of 12,556 students, which reflects a 50 percent increase in enrollment since 2014. To serve each of these 12,556 students well, we are committed to offering hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students to graduate career-ready.

For example, students are gaining hands-on experiences earlier in their studies than ever before as we add virtual reality technology to the curriculum (page 6). Additionally, students are fully immersing themselves in our “active learning. active life.” approach to education by participating in unique study abroad programs (page 18) while others make a better future for themselves by taking advantage of our Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program (page 26).

Our efforts are paying off, as 91 percent of all UT graduates are employed, attending graduate school, or serving in the military within six months of graduating. To support our students through their educational journeys, we pride ourselves in providing as many scholarships as possible. To that end, $28.5 million was dedicated to student scholarships, a feat that would not be possible without the partnership of our generous community, who also helped increase donations by 33 percent this past year. Thank you for your commitment to helping our students achieve their educational goals.

As you can see, we continue to grow as a University. To keep you up to date on the wide variety of accomplishments and happenings taking place throughout our entire University, we are updating the way we share information with you. We now will send our annual Utah Tech University Magazine every spring, my President’s Report in the fall, and the Academic Report each winter.

Thank you for supporting Utah Tech University and making every day a great day to be a Trailblazer.

Richard “Biff” Williams Utah Tech University President

TRAILBLAZERS IN THE NEWS

UTAH TECH NAMED U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK RESOURCE CENTER

The United States Patent and Trademark Office officially designated the Utah Tech University Library as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center. The designation will allow library patrons to tap into resources provided by the USPTO’s network of intellectual property experts, ultimately enhancing entrepreneurs’ ability to file patents and get them granted.

“Librarians are information experts who specialize in connecting people to the information they need,” Kelly Peterson-Fairchild, dean of Utah Tech’s Library & Open Learning Services, said. “Being able to offer the resources and expertise of the PTRC and USPTO further enhances what we do for our community in so many positive ways.”

As a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, Utah Tech University’s Library will have access to a myriad of resources, information, training opportunities, and expertise to support the diverse intellectual property needs of the public. UT and the University of Utah are the only Patent and Trademark Resource Centers in Utah.

“Many University departments and community members have made this possible, and this is further proof of all the innovation that is taking place at this University and throughout our region,” Wayne Provost, UT’s director of Innovation, Guidance, and Support, said.

CAMPUS EXPANDING PHYSICAL FOOTPRINT TO MEET STUDENT NEED

To accommodate the growing student body, Utah Tech University received a $5 million challenge grant this fall to go toward updating the institution’s student center.

“The Marc C. & Deborah H. Bingham Family Foundation has generously pledged $5 million of the $10 million needed to help us kick off our fundraising campaign to update the student center,” President Richard “Biff” Williams said. “We appreciate Marc and Debbie, their family, and the foundation board members for their commitment to higher education, our students, and the Southern Utah community.”

The matching grant includes benchmarks and milestones the University needs to meet, and the foundation board has committed to help Utah Tech secure the other $5 million.

In another effort to meet the needs of the University’s expanding student body, UT is adding its third on-campus housing facility in eight years. Set to open in fall 2024, Campus View Suites III will be home to 563 students and feature suite-style apartments and close access to campus resources.

Additionally, campus is set to gain a General Classroom Building with 45 classrooms, 105 faculty offices, and 20 study rooms in fall 2025.

As campus eagerly awaits the addition of these new facilities, it celebrated the addition of others this year. This fall, the University transformed the former Science Building into the Education Building, which now includes traditional classrooms and active learning spaces necessary for the college’s increased enrollment. Also this fall during Homecoming Week, Utah Tech

dedicated the renovated westside grandstands of Greater Zion Stadium. The new space includes a state-of-the-art football locker room, press boxes, event space, and box seating.

Expanding UT’s reach beyond the campus’s physical footprint, the University added an education center to Water Canyon High School this summer and is currently working on the Panguitch Education Center to offer concurrent enrollment and collegelevel classes in these rural communities.

Most recently, Utah Tech University unveiled the Zonos Business Classroom in the Udvar-Hazy Business Building this January. The graduate studies classroom will serve students in the Masters of Accountancy program. Zonos has also partnered with Vasion to renovate Smith’s Computer Center to include study rooms and a more collaborative learning and presentation space.

“I deeply appreciate the continued dedication and support of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community that make our continued growth possible,” Williams said.

POLICE DEPARTMENT EARNS INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators awarded Utah Tech University international accreditation this past summer.

Held by only 7 percent of universities in the country, this IACLEA accreditation denotes that the Utah Tech Police Department meets a high standard in its policing policies and procedures. Attaining the accreditation was a two-year process that involved assessors coming to campus to evaluate the University and the IACLEA Board of Directors voting unanimously to grant UT the accreditation.

“The IACLEA accreditation assures Utah Tech Police Department is a leading university law enforcement provider that is focused on professionalism, adherence to policy and procedures, and accountability,” UTPD Chief Ron Bridge said.

Looking at UT Police Department’s leadership specifically, IACLEA also honored Bridge with the Administrative Excellence Award. Bridge was recognized for his commitment to excellence in upholding policies, planning for the future, conducting investigations, preventing crime, and implementing innovative ideas.

Prior to UT receiving these awards, Vice President of Administrative Affairs Paul Morris was honored with IACLEA’s 2020-21 Award for Innovations in Community Oriented Policing last year, adding up to UT earning three awards overall from the leading authority for campus public safety.

DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CAMPUS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Utah Tech University has been designated as a StormReady community by the National Weather Service’s Weather Forecast Office in Salt Lake City. This honor indicates that UT’s Safety & Risk Management Department is prepared to save lives and property during extreme weather and water events.

UT also received the State Authorization Network’s 2022 SANsational Award for Compliance Innovations. Mark Adkins, state authorization and licensure coordinator, and Tyson Smith, computer programmer & analyst, built an automated system that alerts students of professional licensure criteria they need to meet and their current status.

Dr. Vinodh Kumar Chellamuthu, associate professor of mathematics, was honored with the Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching from the Mathematical Association of America. Chellamuthu was selected for his extraordinary success in undergraduate mathematics and his influence beyond the classroom.

Additionally, seven students in Chellamuthu’s Mathematical Modeling class earned awards in the SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations Modeling 2022, an international mathematical modeling competition. Damen Maughan, who competed on his own, as well as the team of Abigale Virto, Erin Bunch, and Brooklyn Price-Thompson earned top honors, the Outstanding Award. Additionally, Jacob Atkinson, Victoria Smith, and Zachary Babcock formed a team and earned the Meritorious Award.

Dr. Brenda Sabey, dean of the College of Education, was named an Impact Academy fellow by Deans for Impact. Sabey joins a cohort of 20 leaders chosen for their commitment to improving educator preparation rooted in equity.

Dr. Nancy Allred, associate dean of the College of the Arts and director of piano studies, was honored by the Music Teachers National Association as a Foundation Fellow. Allred has developed courses in piano pedagogy, literature, ensemble, accompanying, group piano, and private piano.

When Utah Tech student Amber Hawkins first donned a virtual reality headset to test the new dental hygiene positioning app created specifically for UT students, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

She was instantly transported to a virtual clinical space equipped with a chair, lights, sink, dental equipment, and even a computer-generated patient.

“When I first put the headset on, I was like, ‘Dang! This is really cool’ – not just the patient in the chair but the whole operatory. I was surprised how well done it was.”

In line with the University’s polytechnic mission, virtual reality will enable Trailblazers to enhance their learning experience and career readiness through technology. Utah Tech Online’s Learning Design Project Manager Jordan Ellsworth initially brought VR to campus knowing it would increase access for students as well as give them a chance to practice classroom learning before applying their skills in a real-world setting.

“VR is an incredible way to bridge the gap of authenticity from classroom to real life,” Ellsworth said. “Giving students a more authentic, immersive experience can mitigate potential problems of working on a live patient. Also, you can have multiple people from all over the world working and learning in a virtual space together.”

Ellsworth was initially able to hire computer science student Reese Rasmussen to help develop the first VR app thanks to an Innovative Teaching Mini-Grant from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Having created a VR app on a small scale, when Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene Lisa Welch approached Ellsworth and Rasmussen with her bigger VR dream, they were ready.

VIRTUAL VIRTUAL

Collectively, they imagined and developed a virtual reality app that would enable dental hygiene students to learn how to position patients to be able to work on specific tooth surfaces. The resulting app, created using the Unity game engine, gives students feedback throughout the virtual experience.

“Making a quality app can take up to six months with a full tech team,” Welch said. “We really only had one semester to get it done and what we were able to accomplish in three months with students was truly phenomenal.”

Once complete, Welch further tested the dental hygiene app in partnership with Idaho State, comparing students learning with VR to those in a physical dental hygiene lab. Welch said

VIRTUAL REALITY AT UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY VIRTUAL REALITY AT UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY

AN IMMERSIVE VENTURE FROM CLASSROOM TO WORKPLACE

preliminary analysis of the data indicates VR learning can be as effective as in-person labs. She also noted the student response to VR was overwhelmingly positive, with qualitative feedback such as “I loved it! Extremely effective!” and “Overall, this was a very interesting study and I do feel like it would be an effective way to learn.”

In addition to initially testing the dental hygiene app, Hawkins helped with the study. “I never expected to be doing research with virtual reality and educational teaching,” she said. “It has given me some opportunities I didn’t realize I could have and opened my eyes to the fact that I have options.”

Rasmussen can also vouch for the value of the experience working on the VR app development. “I’ve learned more working in these projects in a little over a year than I have in all of my classes over the past several years. It’s been pretty intense but really fun.”

STORY BY STACY SCHMIDT, ’91 || DESIGN BY SCOTT GARRETT, ’15

“VR is an incredible way to bridge the gap of authenticity from classroom to real life.”

Ellsworth said the students involved in developing VR apps have risen to the occasion in terms of effort and quality because they know they are creating something for other students. He currently has three animation students and five student software developers all working together to elevate the learning of countless other students who will benefit from their VR work for years to come.

“One of my favorite things about this is getting to pass it on to the students. It’s built by students for students. It involves a cross-disciplinary team and they get to build something awesome with other students,” Ellsworth said. “This helps the students have a more active role in their learning, making their experience more interactive, more immersive, more engaging. This goes for both the students creating it and the students experiencing it.”

Now, the team is working on a series of physics labs with Associate Professor of Physics Samuel Tobler. The goal is to create 12 VR labs and they are nearly halfway there. Tobler caught Welch’s enthusiasm for a VR option for students. “I could see VR being an online adaptation of the real world if we can’t do the real world,” he said.

Recent Utah Tech graduate Tyson Child, who initially became involved with the VR work in the animation realm as an art major, is applying his design skills to help make the physics labs as engaging as possible.

“I feel like VR is a little more enjoyable because we put different spins on things. We can put students in space to learn about gravity, adding a fun twist to things to make the learning more enjoyable and memorable.”

The VR team has also built in a quality assurance component using student feedback. “Every time we finish a lab, we go in and test it with the students. They spend the day trying out the virtual concept in VR. Then we pull them aside and ask them about the experience so we can make adjustments as needed,” Child said.

According to those involved, the VR success to date wouldn’t have been possible without every piece of the puzzle – the collaboration between students, UT Online, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Dental Hygiene and Physics departments, and others.

Recognizing that industry leaders want students with experiential learning and the ability to work in a team, Welch said this collaboration accomplishes both.

“We are not only producing something that other instructors can use, but we’re giving students invaluable experience,” Welch said.

“That’s what Utah Tech is about – readiness. We are committed to giving our students the best experiential education so they are ready for the workplace.”

“It’s a win-win-win,” she said.

For more information about the VR apps being created through UT Online, visit online.utahtech.edu/immersive.

PAYING IT FORWARD

To the next generation of Innovators

How Lovesac, a Utah-based furniture business, is upgrading learning environments for Utah Tech students

The college experience is typically defined by exploration, adventure, and finding your passion, but for Shawn Nelson and Dave Underwood, their college experience was shaped by the start of their multi-million-dollar furniture business, Lovesac.

Lovesac was established in 1995 on the University of Utah’s campus, where Shawn was a student. Throughout their time at college, Lovesac served as their side hustle while they finished earning their undergraduate degrees. As the business grew, and its founders graduated, Lovesac’s headquarters moved to Connecticut to help raise venture capital and reorganize the business.

Ten years later, in 2017, Shawn and Dave moved their families back to Utah and opened a Lovesac office in St. George to focus on product development and engineering efforts. With roots firmly planted in Southern Utah, Shawn and Dave began supporting Utah Tech University’s campus and student body.

“We’re locals, Dave and I. We grew up in Salt Lake City and started Lovesac when we were on the campus of the

University of Utah, so being involved with the university in our backyard has always been in our DNA,” Shawn said. “Now that we’ve relocated our families from Connecticut to Southern Utah, that’s now the university in our backyard, so we’re happy to continue that tradition in St. George.”

Understanding the importance of a college education and its impact on developing a business, Shawn and Dave have made it a priority to improve the learning environment for students at Utah Tech. Now, thanks to Shawn and Dave’s generosity, Lovesac’s highquality, professional furniture can be found in several locations across campus including Atwood Innovation Plaza, Student Success Center, and Greater Zion Stadium.

After supporting Innovation Plaza, Dave and Shawn became interested in learning more about the University from an engineering standpoint. During their conversations with students and faculty from the engineering program, they discovered there was an opportunity to sponsor a lab for the Engineering Department, which has jumpstarted their five-year investment into The Lovesac Designed for Life

“We’re locals...being involved with the university in our backyard has always been in our DNA.”

Story by Grayce Payne || Design by Brooke Tyler

Above: CEO Shawn Nelson

Left: Shawn Nelson and Dave Underwood at their old factory in Salt Lake City, 1999

Prototyping Lab. This sponsorship will create an innovation lab for students to gain hands-on engineering experience.

Lovesac hopes to expand its involvement with the engineering program in the coming years through a variety of potential avenues like assisting with students’ senior projects, offering engineering internships, and hosting speaking engagements for classes or campus events about manufacturing and innovation.

“Whether it’s furniture donations or interactions with the school going forward, we want to get more students involved in possible senior projects or student projects or helping us solve problems in the engineering space,” Dave said.

As Lovesac’s growth and success continue, Dave and Shawn hope to maintain their connections with Utah Tech students and the campus community.

IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS TO CHANGE A LIFE

UT Athletics presented a custom metal plaque to CEO Shawn Nelson as a token of appreciation for all of Lovesac’s support.

From left: Brooks Burr, Paul Peterson, Shawn Nelson, Ken Beazer, Garrett Rose

TRAIL HOT ON THE

Stories by Abbi Jones & Kaylee Clu - Design by Luke Stocking

Stories by Abbi Jones & Kaylee Cluff || Design by Luke Stocking

Channeling her passion for dance into her full-time job at AmeriCorps, McKelynn Barber has stayed busy since graduating from Dixie State University last spring. After commencement, she spent the summer interning at Jacob’s Pillow, a dance festival in Becket, Massachusetts. Now, as part of AmeriCorps in the ArtistYear branch, she gets to spend every day with children from various backgrounds and facilitate opportunities for them.

“I love working with the kids and seeing them evolve over the course of the time that we get to spend together,” Barber said.

Looking back on her time spent at the University, Barber has many fond memories. One that particularly sticks

out is one of her lifelong friendships. In fact, she met one of her best friends through a caring professor who could tell Barber needed a friend. Since then, the friendship between the two has flourished.

Busy schedules are something college students are very familiar with. Fortunately, Barber was able to structure her schedule in a way that allowed her time to join the Multicultural Inclusion Student Association.

“Joining MISA not only gave me the opportunity to attend events, but also put me in the thick of the most anticipated activities on campus,” Barber shared. “I got to work and become friends with motivated, caring, and kind activists.”

Now, as Barber’s career unfolds, her passion for dance has never been a question. “We all know that we’re not going to make a whole lot of money from what we want to do, but we have to create art,” she said.

“We have to create art.”

Bryan Baugh ’17

Remaining near the top of his class while also being on the men’s soccer team, Bryan Baugh’s determination has continued from undergrad through law school and beyond. The Las Vegas local initially received an offer to play soccer at Dixie State University and he saw it as a great fit. His college experiences continue to stick with him today.

Aside from the relationships Baugh built over the years playing soccer for the University, he also developed a strong connection with one of his professors whom he now considers a friend. He said Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Lish Harris has been a reference for nearly every job Baugh has applied to. “Having somebody there to vouch for you who has a Ph.D., or something of that caliber, carries a lot of weight,” Baugh said.

Baugh recently graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, passing the bar examination in July. Now, Baugh is continuing to sharpen his legal knowledge and skills by working in a judicial clerkship. Afterward, Baugh will become an associate attorney at Morris, Sullivan & Lemkul, LLP, a firm that gives young associates the opportunity to run

their own depositions and handle the hearings for their cases.

Eventually, Baugh hopes to practice in the area of catastrophic personal injury. “It seems like the best way to help individuals who have been injured receive the compensation they’re entitled to,” Baugh said.

Although still at the beginning of his career, Baugh has already achieved a great deal. He has lived by his advice for current students and future Trailblazers when it comes to accomplishing their dreams. “Taking academics seriously is very important. I know it’s hard, especially when you’re 20 years old, and there are a lot of other things you’d rather be doing, but having a good GPA has opened a lot of doors for me personally.”

“Taking academics seriously is very important.”

Kyle Treece ’12

While attending Dixie State College, Kyle Treece leaned into having knowledgeable and skilled professors, who were ready and eager to help him explore his career options, surrounding him daily.

Raised in St. George, Treece graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. Treece entered undergrad knowing he wanted to earn a degree in business but was uncertain of which professional field he wanted to pursue.

Treece said the guidance he received at Dixie State College allowed him to explore potential career paths and even landed him his first job out of college.

Utah Tech University Dean Kyle Wells was instrumental in Treece’s quality college experience. Dean Wells connected Treece with people from his professional life and at the University who could answer Treece’s questions and allow him to explore various career paths.

“Kyle cared. He knew I wanted to find a career, and I didn’t know what my career would be so he would always give me his

time to hear my ideas,” Treece shared. “He would connect me with people who could answer my questions or who were experienced in a certain field.”

Treece also utilized the close-knit community of St. George and reached out to local businesses for internship opportunities and as a point of networking.

All of his networking allowed Treece to build his career and résumé leading him to his current position as vice president of product management at Overstock. Treece is responsible for Overstock’s website and mobile app design, which receives a million visitors each day.

Treece’s career path is not originally what he expected, but he feels lucky to be in his current position at Overstock and work with the talented individuals on his team every day.

Cameron Gunter’s education took him down many different paths, ultimately leading him to start his own commercial real estate investment company 20 years ago.

Now a successful businessman as founder and CEO of PEG Companies, Gunter initially attended Dixie State College on a football scholarship. His time at Dixie was a quality first step in his college journey, and he eventually graduated with an accounting degree from Idaho State University.

“I always wanted to be an accountant, but I always wanted to play football too. Dixie allowed me to start down the path of both those endeavors,” Gunter said.

For Gunter, life is all about giving back and providing people with opportunities to discover their own paths. Through PEG, Gunter and his team continue to invest heavily in Southern Utah through the development of best-in-class real estate projects. Some of PEG’s most popular St. George developments include 605 Place Apartments, which provide premium student housing for Utah Tech students; The Advenire, the first full-service luxury hotel in the region; City View St. George Apartments in the heart of downtown; and most recently, high-end multifamily housing in the new master-planned Desert Color community.

“The most rewarding part of our work is seeing end users enjoy our properties,” Gunter said. “I love to see buildings go up from nothing. I grew up as a farm kid in Idaho, and it was always fun to see the crops that we planted in the spring grow and get harvested in the fall after cultivating them through the seasons, and it is the same concept with buildings.”

Cameron Gunter ’89

“The most rewarding part of our work is seeing end users enjoy our properties.”

MEXICO’S POTTERY FRONTIER

A week spent in a small, remote town in northwest Mexico with limited cell service and few conveniences might not be how most people would spend their holiday, but a group of Utah Tech University students se divertieron mucho in Mata Ortiz, a small town near Casas Grandes in Chihuahua, Mexico, over their winter break.

This Utah Tech Study Abroad group included students from various majors, spanning from art and criminal justice to English and Spanish. As part of Utah Tech’s “active learning. active life.” approach to education, traveling to Mata Ortiz allowed these students to utilize knowledge from their majors while immersing

themselves in the culture of northwest Mexico –creating pottery, exploring ancient ruins, and meeting local potters.

“To pursue the career I want and advocate for people in my community, I have to be culturally competent,” Criminal Justice Major Janalyn Christensen said. “By traveling to Mata Ortiz, I was able to experience another culture firsthand, which was a valuable learning experience.”

Mata Ortiz is a town known for its unique pots, with many of the locals creating their own ceramic works of art and selling them from their homes. It is nestled

Story by Jake Harber || Design by Adriana Howard, '18

in the Casas Grandes area, which holds a rich history of pottery, dating back hundreds of years to ancient desert cultures and cliff-dwelling peoples.

Utah Tech Associate Professor of Art Shane Christensen helped make this opportunity a reality for students. After presenting the documentary “The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz” to his students about 15 years ago, one interested student went to Mata Ortiz with professor Glen Blakley and met Diego Valles.

Diego, a prominent artist and potter from Mata Ortiz, provided housing and food for the student group as well as acted as a guide throughout the week.

“I called Diego up and said he should come to St. George and do a workshop,” Shane said. Building this relationship with Diego was instrumental in creating this study abroad opportunity for students. After the workshop was completed, Shane went to Mata Ortiz to visit Diego, learn more, and eventually secure the funds to take students on the trip.

The students stayed in Mata Ortiz and went to the nearby town of Santa Rosa to work in Diego's pottery studio every day, where he taught them the traditional methods and steps of creating ceramic works of art in Mata Ortiz. Each student built their own pottery as well as sanded, burnished, and fired previously constructed pots.

On one of the days, the students set out to collect clay by picking and shoveling near rivers on local ranches. Each student took turns selecting different pigments and types of clay to be used later to build pots.

When it came to painting the pots, both Janalyn and Ashlynn Hoffman provided the group with multiple strands of their own hair to use to paint the pots in the traditional way to achieve a very fine, precise pattern.

“The smaller number of students and faculty allowed me to get to know people on the trip better, especially some of the faculty, who I had previously only interacted with formally,” Janalyn said. “I also enjoyed the location. Mata Ortiz was a location I hadn’t known about before this trip. I loved meeting the people who lived there and learning history from their perspective.”

During the week, the students had the opportunity to visit some important historical sites like the abandoned settlement of Paquimé. This settlement, estimated to have been abandoned 100 years before the Spanish arrived, had maze-like adobe structures and features such as running water and ancient macaw breeding facilities.

The group also explored some of the famous caves of the area, such as the historic Cueva de la Olla. These caves still have intact housing structures, pottery fragments, and chunks of ancient metates — a grinding stone similar to a mortar and pestle. While there, the group participated in a small service project and spent time picking up trash and cleaning up the trails leading to these caves.

“I think it’s good for students to have cross-disciplinary experience,” Shane said. “You might be forced to do some things you’re not comfortable with, but it broadens your perspective.”

Stepping outside of comfort zones and applying classroom-taught skills in the real world is a large part of Utah Tech’s “active learning. active life.” approach to education. Students exemplified this mantra during their winter break by creating pots and forming lasting relationships with the local pottery-focused

Shane Christensen, Utah Tech Associate Professor of Art

FOCAL POINT

STORY BY ABBI JONES DESIGN BY DANNY FINNEGAN

Bryce Parker, 2018 Dixie State University graduate, received a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in photography and digital imaging. His love for photography began back in 2009 when he happened to play around with his friend’s beginner DSLR camera. “It felt so natural, becoming an obsession from then on,” Parker said.

As he learned more about photography, Parker ultimately found his niche – vintage cameras. “There is something about the relationship with an older camera,” Parker said. “The weight, the gears and springs, the physical exertion required, these all give you an experience you don’t get when using modern cameras.”

FOCAL POINT

Parker finds meaning in more than just his cameras. His photography also reflects his thoughtful commitment to the craft. Looking at these photos, you may not consider the time dedicated to each one. While some are captured digitally and others on film, none were taken lightly. Finding a location, adjusting the lighting, editing the shot, and so much more had to happen to create these pieces of art.

While vintage cameras are preferred by Parker, he still finds ways to utilize modern cameras as well. Instead of thinking of the two separately, Parker suggests looking at them as “individually unique,” meaning finding ways to pair the two. He says doing so can elevate the photographer’s experience when capturing the photos as well as the viewer’s experience when consuming it.

Follow Parker’s journey on Instagram @brycetparker.

New ShapingFuture A

Utah Tech Creates Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program

For 18-year-old Chase, life is more about where you are headed than where you’ve been. As a former student of Utah Tech University’s Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program, Chase’s participation changed his life and opened a door of opportunities.

The Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program was created by a talented team of professors at Utah Tech University, in partnership with Utah State legislators, when they recognized a problem facing youth incarcerated at juvenile detention centers. Upon release, these youth typically have a large gap in their education, a gap that could be filled by college courses.

Utah Tech faculty member Nathan Caplin developed HEIY after being inspired by the teaching software already utilized for students living in rural areas. He drafted a proposal to apply that same software and method to incarcerated youth.

“The answer seemed so logical,” Caplin said. “If we are willing to use this technology for rural high schools, why not for incarcerated youth?”

Caplin worked tirelessly with Utah Representative Lowry Snow and Director of Juvenile Justice Services Brett Peterson to create the program and secure state funding. In 2021, the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 279 , and with Governor Cox’s signature, the program officially began.

Story by Kaylee Cluff || Design by Anna Nuss

“We have our teachers teach in person and then broadcast via Zoom to all the other facilities,” Caplin said. “The in-person instruction allows us to meet students as human beings and talk to them. We are here to help them develop their philosophical understanding of themselves, build their intellect, but most importantly, help them become better people by building up their skills and agency."

Youth are not required to participate in these college courses, but for those who are eager and willing, the program can be life-changing.

“A program like this is so crucial to the rehabilitation of a youth because, before I was locked up, I didn’t even expect to graduate high school,” Chase shared. “I saw my life leading to a long

prison sentence, but these programs are giving me a new chance at life. I have more to learn and work toward. I have goals, and every day I am one step closer to my dreams.”

Chase was able to complete nearly 20 credits in just under a year through the HEIY program. Chase credits the program with helping him realize his goals in life and giving him a path by which he can achieve those goals.

Chase dreams of becoming an underwater welder and owning his own business, and with his recent scholarship offer from Weber State University, he is one step closer.

“I want to go from someone who was incarcerated and got into trouble at a young age to someone who can hopefully get paid to do something I want to do,” Chase said. “It doesn’t matter what a person has done in their past life – it is about their future.”

As part of the program, Utah Tech visiting instructor of art, Mollie Hosmer-Dillard, travels to teach art classes at the five juvenile facilities located throughout the state of Utah. She says helping the students realize their dreams and heal through art has been inspiring.

“Part of my job, especially in this setting, is to inspire people to get through the struggle and get to the other side,” Hosmer-Dillard said. “Art has a therapeutic aspect, and it has an incredible power in these places with these youth who have had difficult life challenges and are in a challenging circumstance.”

Homsmer-Dillard aims to build these students’ self-confidence and encourage them to use art as an autotelic experience. “An autotelic activity is an activity that is rewarding for its own sake,” HosmerDillard shared. “In terms of psychology, the more time you spend doing an autotelic activity, the more skill you gain in a task, and it correlates to a person’s sense of well-being. It makes it less likely that a person will need money, status, or power to feel good about themselves.”

The Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth Program has helped 92 young incarcerated students collectively earn more than 800 college credits. Beyond the quantitative numbers, the HEIY program at its core is about bringing hope to these youth and fostering an environment that allows them to dream for the first time, because everyone deserves to dream.

POSITION Defensive Back Favorite Team Raiders

Ken Beazer brings NCAA and conference experience to Utah Tech University Athletics as well as a dedication to helping studentathletes progress and develop in their sports and personal lives. With his longstanding experience and passion for all things sports, the former college football player, past coach, family man, and executive director of intercollegiate athletics at Utah Tech University sat down with us and let us get to know him better.

Did You Always Know You Wanted to Work in Athletics?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted something to do in athletics. My initial goal was to become a sports broadcaster, so my education is in broadcasting, all the way through to a master’s degree. I never envisioned being a director of athletics and didn’t really even know what that was early on. It just kind of morphed into that role, and it’s been a great move for me.

All-around Athlete football, wrestling, track

how did you get into coaching?

I’ve been in athletics for over 25 years and was a student athlete at both Snow College and Weber State University. I went to Washington State University to pursue my master’s in broadcasting and was also a graduate assistant football coach for Mike Price, and that’s where I first got involved with the coaching aspect of football. I thought, “Wow, I really like coaching,” and so I stayed in coaching for a while.

What Brought You to Utah Tech University?

I moved to St. George as executive director of development for the University. I worked a little bit with athletics in that role, especially the transition to Division I and the Greater Zion Stadium West Grandstand addition. When President Williams approached me and asked if I was willing to step in and serve as the interim athletic director, it felt right. During that period of time as the interim, it was like riding a bike, so I decided to apply and was fortunate enough to be awarded the permanent job.

Do You Have a Game-day Routine or Ritual?

I’ve never been a superstitious guy when it comes to athletics. As a student-athlete, however, I definitely had a routine. As a coach, that routine got a little more nebulous because I didn’t have a lot of control over things that happened, and even less so as an administrator. Every game-day is different, so there’s no set pattern or ritual, but one thing that doesn’t go away is the butterflies and nervousness. Whether you’re a student-athlete, coach, or administrator, there is always that uneasiness, yet thrill, of game-day.

As a student-athlete, I was the one who would always study the game plan and put it on my nightstand next to my bed before I went to sleep. The next morning, I would have a routine of getting up, walking around, getting my body loose, then going through some mental preparation. Then I’d have my pregame meal, and ironically, I was one of the few individuals who could take a nap before. I’d go into the locker room, open the locker, lay on my back, place my head in the locker, and I’d actually sleep for 10 minutes or so before the game.

What Does Life Look Like Outside of Work?

Busy. There are a lot of things going on outside of athletics. You strive for a balance because once you become imbalanced in your personal life, everything seems to suffer a little bit. I have a wife, four children, and three grandchildren who keep me grounded. So, outside of athletics it’s things like my family, church service, and so on. I love being with my family.

What is Your Vision for the Future?

We really want this program to continue to move up and be at the next level. That’s our goal and what we’re shooting for. I am really pleased with the success our sport teams achieved this past fall. Every sport made significant improvements and quickly established themselves as viable contenders for future conference championships.

We’re also going to continue to work and build upon our facilities and amenities for our student-athletes and coaches. There will not be a year that goes by where we are not enhancing, renovating, or building some facility in Athletics. There are plans to upgrade all our athletic venues in the very near future that will substantially add to space for our training and competition facilities. For example, the Habibian Center is currently under renovation, and once completed, will feature the new dōTERRA Nutrition Center for all studentathletes. Shortly, we will also announce some exciting news regarding name, image, and likeness opportunities for our student athletes.

The Booth Honors Program at Utah Tech University

Congratulates Students Graduating with Honors Distinction in 2023

Bachelor of Arts in ASL/English Interpreting

Seth J. Harris

Bachelor of Arts in English

Taylor R. Connor

Briley N. Wyckoff

Bachelor of Individualized Studies

Madison L. Jackson

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Sierra L. Demers

Bachelor of Science in Applied Sociology

Veronica G. Gonzales

Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics

Candice R. Johnson

Bachelor of Science in Biology

David W. Bean

St. George, UT

Bachelor of Science in Design

Alejandra E. Henríquez Roncal

Bachelor of Science in Finance

Trujillo, Peru

Leeds, UT

St. George, UT

Prescott, AZ

Kade Archibald

Bachelor of Science in History

Halle Linford

Kade M. Martinez

Associate of Arts in General Studies

Smithfield, UT

Washington, UT

Yorba Linda, CA

Fort Mohave, AZ

Debby Nava

Associate of Science in General Studies

Pleasant Grove, UT

St. George, UT

Heather L. Engler

Brandon M. Hadlock

Dalton L. Klinger

Chloe J. Melton

Cedar City, UT

Lake Point, UT

Saratoga Springs, UT

Hurricane, UT

Las Vegas, NV

Jaxon R. Tueller

Osei Vega Sandoval

Shellsea M. Ramirez

Smithfield, UT

Hurricane, UT

St. George, UT

Bachelor of Science in Biology and Mathematics

Erin R. Bunch

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Jaxon George

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Corey R. Gardner

Manti, UT

Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering

Luke Shadden

Ventura, CA

Menifee, CA

West Jordan, UT

Kimball, NE

’93

Every year as a part of the institution’s D-Week festivities, outstanding alumni are honored at the Alumni Award Celebration dinner and program.

These alumni are recognized for going above and beyond through their leadership and volunteer efforts. Their contributions have created positive, long-lasting change throughout the Utah Tech University campus and beyond.

ALUMNI AWARDS ’15

JILL WULFENSTEIN DERHAK

RISING ALUMNI AWARD

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Mass Communication in 2015, Jill has gone on to find success by working with and mentoring students at universities across the country, producing music festivals, comedy shows, stadium shows, and hundreds of other large-scale events.

Throughout her career, Jill has had opportunities to present her work to students and educators across the country, lead workshops on event planning, reinvigorate local college programming, work with community leaders to get students involved on their college campuses, and develop college leadership curriculum. In her capacity as an event planner, Jill has instilled a sense of confidence, purpose, and excitement in the students she works with and teaches.

“While producing live events is something I’m good at and enjoy doing, what makes it special is that I get to work with students from all over the world to help them realize their potential and help them see, just like my advisors at Utah Tech did for me, that they are capable and worthy of every good thing that comes their way,” she said.

COLBY NEILSON DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Colby is steadfast in his devotion to connecting with and bettering the Southern Utah community as both an educator in the Washington County School District for more than 25 years and the volunteer director for IRONMAN events in St. George for the past 13 years.

As an educator, Colby supports, advises, and teaches the next generation of leaders and innovators, both in the classroom and on the field in his capacity as a coach for several youth sports programs.

As the volunteer director, he dedicates himself to service and community outreach by connecting with St. George residents and inspiring them to get involved with IRONMAN efforts. As part of this role, Colby continues to help athletes achieve their dreams while simultaneously instilling a strong sense of community pride in the volunteers he works with.

“I love working with this community because we just ‘get it’ when it comes to helping others,” Colby said. “The uplift I feel when helping others and working with these positive and energetic community members is what keeps me working in this IRONMAN capacity. We can only become better ourselves when we find ways to uplift those around us.”

Story by Grayce Payne || Design by True Jarrel

’81STEVE & TONI CAPLIN

Steve and Toni Caplin developed strong connections to Dixie College long before becoming students on campus. Steve fondly remembers attending college sporting events with his high school friends, cheering on college athletes, and immersing himself in the University. Toni is a fifth-generation daughter of St. George pioneers. Her great-great-grandfather, George Brooks, was a stonemason who built Dixie College’s first structures. George’s son, Samuel Brooks, was the University’s first-ever student.

“We met at the Institute of Religion on campus, so of course the University has a lot of wonderful, beautiful memories for us,” Toni said. “As a small college, everyone knew each other, the professors were fantastic, and they prepared us so well for the next steps in our education.”

Steve served as student body president and Toni was a member of the drill team and a D-Week committee chair. After they earned associate degrees from Dixie, Steve earned the distinction of “the outstanding accounting student” at Southern Utah University and then earned an MBA in entrepreneurship and high technology from the University of Texas at Austin. Toni earned her BA from Utah State University.

The Caplins continued to support the University long after graduation. Toni has served on the Dixie State Alumni Board and as a board chair of the Celebrity Concert Series. Toni carried on her family’s legacy of teaching by lending her talents in piano and organ performance to the University’s Music Department as an organ instructor.

“Five generations have taught at the college,” Steve said. “Toni’s great-grandmother Juanita Brooks (English), grandfather Walt Brooks (Spanish), father Paul Brooks (mathematics), herself (organ performance), and now our son Nathan (Juvenile Justice, Political Science, Economics).”

Steve helped lead Dixie’s transition to university status as chair of the Board of Trustees, serving ten years on the

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2023

University’s board in various leadership capacities. Steve also served on the University’s National Advisory Council.

Beyond University service, Steve has contributed his knowledge and expertise to Zions Bank, serving on its Advisory Board, and to Dixie Regional Medical Center, serving as chair and vice chair of its Governing Board.

Steve and Toni founded Steton Technology and developed the world’s leading mobile business intelligence application, protecting public health, consumer safety, and quality assurance. The pair sold their company in 2014 and then in 2018 ventured to the East Coast to serve as mission presidents over the Washington, D.C. South Mission.

Steve and Toni continue to serve the University as guest speakers, mentors, and supporters. They loved their 45 years of service at Dixie State University and with their children and grandchildren look forward to helping Utah Tech University prosper.

ALUMNI MESSAGE

Dear Alumni & Friends,

I’m happily anticipating spring coming to our beautiful area as that means we will soon be celebrating D-Week! I hope you are planning to attend some of the D-Week activities and enjoy the excitement and energy generated here at Utah Tech University.

Some of you have asked if the name D-Week is going to change, and the answer is no. Since D-Week celebrates the D on the Hill, which we are keeping in honor of our history and the community as a whole, we will continue to name this week of traditions D-Week.

D-Week is focused on alumni and providing you with opportunities to return and remember your college experiences. It’s also a time to recognize and honor contributions made by our alumni. Our Alumni Awards Celebration will be held March 31 in the Dixie Academy building, where this educational institution had its beginnings in 1911.

Change brings new opportunities and experiences, so I strongly encourage alumni to stay in touch and plan to join me at this year’s D-Week.

Thank you and GO TRAILBLAZERS!

Hello!

As I finish my senior year at Utah Tech University, I am so appreciative of the opportunity I have had to serve as a leader of the Student Alumni Ambassadors for the last four years. Throughout this time, I’ve been able to see first-hand the impact that alumni can have on our students.

Many students struggle as they try to gain authentic career experience while attending school. Alumni mentors can assist students in securing valuable internships and help prepare them to graduate career-ready. Involved alumni can make a huge difference in guiding students to discover and prepare for the career of their dreams.

I want to thank those who have extended your career expertise and a helping hand to our student body. You make a huge difference! For those of you who have not had the opportunity to connect with our students, I would strongly encourage you to get involved in whatever way you can. You are such an important resource to us.

Thank you!

’68 BETTY BARNUM, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

PRESLEE HARRIS, ALUMNI AMBASSADOR PRESIDENT