President’s Message

President's Message

A Year to Remember

Dr. Brad J. Cook, President

This has been a historic year, one never to be forgotten. COVID-19 impacted millions of people across our country, we have seen political unrest, and yet here we are. We have survived, thrived, and learned.

As educators, we know that most learning takes place when the student pauses, reflects, and asks: “What does this mean to me?” With all that has come at us this year, I encourage all to reflect on what the past year has meant to you. What lessons have you learned? What personal growth have you seen in yourself? What are those things you better appreciate and recognize as blessings in your life? Professionally, I find myself reflecting on the incredible faculty, staff, and students who have made this most-unique year at Snow College possible. I extend my personal and deep appreciation for their work. This year especially, they have cooperated with new rules to stay healthy, been selfless as they have sacrificed things to benefit everyone on campus, and in so many ways, demonstrated courage and persistence. Snow College is the only institution in the state – and quite possibly in the nation – to have offered more than 90 percent of classes face-to-face this year, and that could not have happened without these incredible colleagues.

Another recognition deserves note. Each year the State of Utah selects “Best of State” winners in various categories. Along with the four gold medals received by Snow College employees and programs, Snow also received the highest award in the education category, the BOSS award.

Let me highlight a few other successes Snow College has had this year:

• We recorded the largest enrollment in the College’s history.

• We completed a $5 million capital campaign within 12 months for need-based student aid.

• We were recently designated by the Chronicle of Higher Education, the country’s premier higher education publication, as the No. 1 institution in its class for student success.

• We developed Snow Online, with two different online learning platforms – traditional and competency-based, self-paced.

• We created and implemented a technical education division to effectively serve as the technical college for the six Central Utah counties.

• We reaffirmed our regional accreditation with the Northwest Commission of Colleges.

These accomplishments were all made possible by hard-working professionals who care about our students.

While adjusting to new learning modalities and modified social opportunities due to COVID-19, our students have excelled both inside and outside of the classroom. Our volleyball team and football team both played in their respective national championship games. Freshman and sophomore members of the Ethics Bowl team competed against Ivy League juniors and seniors, and our student body won the statewide Campus Cup competition that focused on voter awareness and registration. Two music students were featured on American Idol. Additionally, we celebrated the largest graduating class in the College’s history.

And, so, “What does this mean to me?” It means that Snow College is strong – and is only getting better as we build on our history. Animal experts say the badger is fearless, tough, thick-skinned, resourceful, tenacious, and ferocious, and that it summons courage in order to take home the victory. Together, Snow College Badgers across the globe demonstrated these traits in a difficult year. I commend Badgers everywhere for navigating through 2020 and 2021. The best is yet to come.