Shaping a Brighter Tomorrow

The U celebrates its legacy with its annual Founders Day celebration

J. Charles Rich BS’62 MD’65 served as president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, as well as chief medical officer of the 2002 Olympic Games. He was president of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine’s Alumni Association and a member of the U Alumni Board of Directors. He and his family have also hosted student-athletes and contributed to scholarships for many years.

Clifton Gregory Sanders PhD’90 is chief academic officer for Salt Lake Community College and was previously the school’s dean of science, mathematics, and engineering. Currently, he mentors U graduate students from underrepresented groups. He received the Arts and Letters Distinguished Service Award from the Utah Academy of Sciences and Salt Lake City Weekly’s Best Straight-Up Jazz Band award with The G Brown Quintet.

John Bircumshaw is passionate about the U’s gymnastics program and helped popularize the “Flash the U” gesture. He travels with the team and provides a community for the gymnasts’ parents. He worked for Utah Power from 1973 to 2015, as a meter reader, then a journeyman lineman, and finally as director of apprentice training. He served as a venue captain for skating events in the 2002 Olympic Games and was a volunteer firefighter and ski patroller in Park City, Utah.

Web Extra Don’t miss honoree videos online at magazine.utah.edu/founders2023

19 affinity alumni chapters & interest groups

4,964 registered users

162 job applications sent

96 jobs posted

2,274 alumni offer mentoring

3,194

26 regional alumni chapters

196 events posted

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Forever Utah Alumni Network

Networking is one of the most effective tools for building a career—but making connections is easier said than done. Enter the Forever Utah Alumni Network. The site is a ready-made professional community where U alums, students, faculty, and staff can share career advice, find and post job listings, promote their businesses, and establish mentorships. Take a look at the action that’s already happened on the platform since it launched in 2021. And if you haven’t yet joined, sign up with your LinkedIn or email account at forever.utah.edu networking connections made through messages, invites, and virtual meetings ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID MEIKLE