HONORARY DOCTORAL DEGREE GARY E. STEVENSON

In 1996, Stevenson and Watterson were named Entrepreneurs of the Year for the Inter-Mountain Region by Inc. Magazine. Stevenson served as iFIT’s president and chief operating officer until his call into full-time church service in 2008.

In his leadership roles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stevenson has overseen its worldwide business affairs, along with programs that assist the poor. He was president of the Asia North Area in March 2011 when a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the region and was deeply involved in the relief efforts that followed. As Presiding Bishop, he directed the Church’s relief efforts and humanitarian assistance following natural disasters around the globe.

Gary E. Stevenson is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served the Church as a full-time general authority since 2008, first as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and later as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.

Prior to serving the Church full time, Stevenson was a highly successful businessman as the co-founder of ICON Health & Fitness, Inc., now known as iFIT — one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of fitness equipment in the world.

Raised in Cache Valley, Stevenson began building his business skills around age 10 when he sold game programs at USU’s Nelson Field House and the old Aggie football stadium. As a student at USU, he continued his study of business and graduated in 1979 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in Japanese.

While at USU, he teamed up with Scott Watterson, a former grade-school classmate with mutual love and appreciation for Asian cultures; in 1977, they started a business importing products from Taiwan. Several ventures later, they shifted into the health and fitness industry, and their company eventually grew into iFIT.

Stevenson has continued to be involved at USU, sharing his expertise as a member of the President’s National Advisory Council, the Alumni Association Foundation Board, and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business National Advisory Board. In 2012, the Huntsman School invited Stevenson as a dean’s convocation speaker where he was recognized with a Professional Achievement Award and with the school’s highest honor, the Distinguished Executive Alumnus Award.

He has also been involved in numerous civic activities and has served on a variety of boards and advisory councils, including the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Deseret Management Corporation, and the BYU Marriott School of Business National Advisory Council.

Stevenson met and married his wife, Lesa J. Higley, while both were students at USU. They are the parents of four sons.

For his leadership in humanitarianism, outstanding entrepreneurial and business success, and generosity in sharing his wisdom, Utah State University is proud to bestow upon Gary E. Stevenson the honorary degree of Doctor of Business.