Utah Tech University

Students in Utah Tech University's Physical Therapy Assistant program and the University of Utah's Physical Therapy program gave the gift of mobility this holiday season by customizing and gifting electric kids' cars to area children with mobility disabilities through the Go Baby Go initiative. "Go Baby Go is a way that we, as a program, can give back to the community," Burke Jorgensen, an instructor at Utah Tech, said. "As we modify these cars, we are providing a way for these children to choose to move instead of passively being carried or pushed all day. That independence makes all the difference in that child's development and it changes the family's life."

In November, Utah Tech University Marching Band performed twice at the Red Rocks State Championships and Bands of America Regionals at Greater Zion Stadium. Performing in front of thousands of high school students from across six different states, the band performed classic rock tunes "Immigrant Song" and "Born to be Wild," the theme to "Phantom of the Opera," pep tunes "Hey Baby" and "Land of 1000 Dances," and Utah Tech's fight song, "Rise Up Trailblazers."

Zach Felts recently became Utah Tech University's first active golfer to earn the 2024 UGA Men's Player of the Year award. "Zach is very deserving of this award," Brad Sutterfield, head coach of men's golf at Utah Tech, said. "He had an incredible summer on the golf course and has worked very hard on his game to get to the next level."

The Utah Tech University Art Department had seven juried students representing the Art Department at the All About Arts Festival held in Southern Utah recently. As part of this experience, Utah Tech students learned how to market their intentions and establish their brand as artists. "It was a wonderful experience where the students were able to stand in front of their pieces, discuss their artwork and project their opinions on why it's important for someone to purchase their armor," Utah Tech Art Advisor Van Mangus said. "So it was kind of a big deal for them. It was a very practical experience for students." A combination of mediums was represented at the event, including ceramics, sculpture, watercolor and oil painting. Forty-one curated pieces of art were sold by Utah Tech students, mostly more functional ceramic pieces but also some two-dimensional wall art.

As a part of Homecoming week, Alyssia Johnston was crowned as Miss Utah Tech University along with four attendants: Brooklyn Leifson, Ava Aiona, Kynda Cullimore, and Kennedi Drake. The Miss Utah Tech University pageant was held on Sept. 23 and eligible students participated in a comprehensive competition involving multiple areas. These include talent, interview skills, public speaking, community service, and overall poise.

Graduating from Utah Tech University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice earlier this year, Pryce Seely is already making a splash in the world of cybersecurity and has begun working with the NCIS, or the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. Pryce will be working for the NCIS in the state of Washington until November, when he'll report to Glynco, Georgia, to begin a five to six-month training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Utah Tech University's "active learning. active life." philosophy provides students with engaging opportunities every day, setting them up for success in their future careers and endeavors. Thanks to the hands-on practice that he has had so far pursuing a master's degree in athletic training at Utah Tech, Alex Foster was able to shine as an athletic training intern at the Tennessee Titans summer camp from July 16 to September 1.

Students from Utah Tech University's Dental Hygiene Program studied abroad over the summer in Central America, changing the lives of several residents there. Six students and two instructors traveled to Honduras for ten days to expand their skills and make a difference in the lives of the people in Roatan.

The ninth annual Cello Festival of Southern Utah was held at Utah Tech University recently, giving music students a large-scale active learning opportunity. This two-day festival included various workshop sessions and a regional competition for cellists, along with concerts and lectures open to the general public.

Bausten Rasmussen, a second-year athletic training master's student at Utah Tech University, had the opportunity to intern for the National Football League's Miami Dolphins team throughout the summer of 2024. This opportunity, facilitated by the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Association, is highly competitive and requires a portfolio of information to even be considered. Students are required to have a resume, cover letter and letters of recommendation. They also must be accepted into a CAATE Accredited Master of Athletic Training Program.

Utah Tech University held a ceremony for the 11 students who graduated from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy on August 17. Several of these graduates will be serving as full-time law enforcement officers as a result of this achievement.

For some students, the grind doesn't stop once summer hits. Six dance students and a photography student from Utah Tech University spent three weeks in Florence, Italy, this summer as a part of Utah Tech's Florence Dance Study Abroad Program. Utah Tech's students modeled the University's "active learning. active life." approach to education in Italy, spending at least six hours a day dancing, learning, and observing dancers and instructors from cultures all over the world.

Utah Tech University's very own Jenna Anderson tied for medalist honors at the 118th Utah Women's State Amateur golf tournament at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, Utah, last month. After playing 18 holes, Anderson and Black Desert athlete Ali Mulhall had the best scores, tying for medalist honors and sharing the top position. The golfers finished with a score of 65, seven strokes under par for the course.

Last month, two Utah Tech University student athletes attended the 2024 NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, Ind. The forum served to help students succeed in their career fields, especially throughout the transition from student-athlete to life after college. Women's basketball player Emily Isaacson, a current graduate student in sport management, and men's soccer player Traedon Chamberlain, a recent bachelor's degree graduate in recreation & sports management, represented Utah Tech at the forum.

Grace Williams, a student on the Utah Tech University women's golf team, received one of only four sponsor exemptions to compete in the Epson Tour's 2024 Copper Rock Championship golf tournament in May. "It was a great opportunity to be able to play in this tournament," Grace said. "The experience that I gained from this tournament was unmatched, and I will forever be so thankful for that!"

In April, Utah Tech University hosted the eighth Trailblazer Symposium for Research, Innovation, and Creativity on Utah Tech's campus. This event is a cornerstone for sharing cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and creating invaluable networking opportunities within both academic and professional circles. Participating in the symposium demands a high level of dedication and effort from the students. Those involved meticulously prepared their findings and refined their presentation skills in order to effectively communicate their ideas and research. This preparation and engagement perfectly embody Utah Tech's philosophy of "active learning. active life."

Students at Utah Tech University showcased exceptional academic performance during the spring 2024 semester, with 1,276 students earning Dean's List honors. To qualify, students had to attain a 3.5 to 3.89 GPA and complete at least 15 credits.

Students at Utah Tech University showcased exceptional academic performance during the spring 2024 semester, with 1,040 students earning President's List honors. To qualify, students had to attain a semester GPA of 3.9 or higher and complete at least 15 credits.

Four students were honored at the Undergraduate Researcher Awards for their dedication to their research in their selected field. The ceremony was held on April 19 and allowed them to speak about their research during the IGNITE talks at the opening session of the Trailblazer Symposium. The students who won the award were required to research from any discipline that provided a significant impact or advancement within their respective field. Awardees were also prepared to present their research through an oral presentation at this year's Trailblazer Symposium.

Utah Tech University celebrated the 2024 graduating class of 2,967 students at its 113th Commencement ceremonies on Friday. During the first ceremony, held in the morning on May 3 at the Greater Zion Stadium at Utah Tech University, 31 percent of graduates earned their associate degree. During the evening ceremony, 37 percent of the graduates received a bachelor's degree, 31 percent received a certificate, and one percent earned their master's degree.

Utah Tech University celebrated the 2024 graduating class of 2,967 students at its 113th Commencement ceremonies on Friday. During the first ceremony, held in the morning on May 3 at the Greater Zion Stadium at Utah Tech University, 31 percent of graduates earned their associate degree. During the evening ceremony, 37 percent of the graduates received a bachelor's degree, 31 percent received a certificate, and one percent earned their master's degree.

Two Utah Tech University students had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate with the CBDNA Western/Northwestern Intercollegiate Band in Las Vegas, Nevada. These two Utah Tech students went through a seating audition and rehearsals for over five hours per day with the guest conductor, Dr. John Lynch, director of Bands and professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, the Elite 11 award shines a spotlight on 11 exceptional bachelor degree-seeking students at Utah Tech University. The award is a merit-based award. Any bachelor degree-seeking student is eligible to apply for the award if they are graduating with a GPA of 3.65 or better, have demonstrated involvement in the community, and have been active in life on campus.

Utah Tech University students were honored for their accomplishments at the annual Trailblazer Awards event held on campus recently. A traditional part of student life at Utah Tech University for decades, Trailblazer Awards showcase the accomplishments of UT students, faculty, staff, community members and business leaders who have been extraordinary in their commitment to Utah Tech students. The awards given to students this year included Student of the Year, Personality of the Year, Stafford Student Involvement, The GRIT Award, Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity and Entertainer of the Year.

Twenty-seven Utah Tech University nursing students were inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society Omega Rho Chapter 567. Sigma Theta Tau holds the vision of "connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare." Created in 1922, there are over 100,000 members of the honor society in more than 100 countries across the world. Current students in the nursing department can be a part of this society to help with growing professionally as registered nurses and caregivers.

Utah Tech University celebrated the achievements of 14 cadets in its Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy at a graduation ceremony earlier this month. The 14 cadets graduated in the Law Enforcement Officer class on April 13 after several months of training, including having completed the Special Function Officer training previously.

Utah Tech University Women's Wrestling took fourth place at the 2024 National Collegiate Wrestling Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana. The championships took place March 14-16, with the team not only taking fourth place but also bringing home four All-Americans, two National Champions, an Outstanding Female Wrestler of the Tournament, five Academic All-Americans, and the third place Collegiate Cup, which is awarded based on combined men's and women's performance.

A Utah Tech University student and her groundbreaking research on the structure of animal hair was one of four researchers highlighted by the American Chemical Society in March. Taylor Millett, a mechanical engineering student at Utah Tech, presented her findings among nearly 12,000 other presentations on various science topics and was one of just four presentations showcased afterward.

Five Utah Tech University students had the opportunity to showcase and sell their art at the St. George Art Festival recently. According to Advisor for Arts, Van Mangus, this experience is a significant example of authentic learning as well as shows a commitment among professors in the Utah Tech Art Department to prepare students for life after college.

A group of nine Utah Tech University students had the opportunity of a lifetime over spring break, participating in Utah Tech's Alternative Breaks trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and helping out at a local elephant refuge. "I'm really proud in the sense that we all immersed ourselves in the culture, and we just absorbed as much as we could of the culture, the people, and the language," McCue said. "The Thai people were some of the most kind, accommodating and respectful people."