Utah Tech University

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."

The Utah Tech Orchestra, comprised of Utah Tech University students, recently had the opportunity to share the spotlight with Marie Osmond as well as Daniel Emmet during the 20th anniversary of the Fire & Ice Gala.

Utah Tech University's men's and women's wrestling teams set a new benchmark for excellence at the 2024 West Coast Conference Wrestling Championships held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas recently. Demonstrating unparalleled depth and skill, 23 wrestlers qualified for the National Collegiate Wrestling Tournament and will head into nationals riding a wave of momentum and confidence. Under the guidance of Head Coach Corey Anderson and assistant coaches Jeff Guynn, Kerry Anderson, and David Howell, Utah Tech Wrestlers are ready to challenge the country's best.

The Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival was held in early March at the Peery's Egyptian Theatre in Ogden, Utah. An opportunity for choreographers to become published and recognized in their choreographic research, the festival welcomes talent in a two-night performance production. The festival is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Utah Division of Arts and Museums.

Utah Tech University, through its Black Student Union and Multicultural Inclusion Student Association, celebrated Black History Month at the Black History Month Night of Excellence Gala, highlighting diverse forms of excellence on campus and spotlighting students who have accomplished extraordinary feats. Several students were nominated by their peers for five different categories, including Academics, Leadership & Service, Athletics/Activity, Arts & Creativity, and Social Justice & Civic Engagement.

Three Utah Tech University students had the unique opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill during the 2024 Utah State Legislative Session. As part of this active learning opportunity, they were able to meet and work with multiple legislators, and, on multiple occasions, they had the chance to meet Governor Spencer Cox.

One of Utah Tech University's recent graduates as well as one of the first to be accepted and participate in Utah Tech's Master of Fine Arts Program, Brandon Raabe, was recently awarded third place in a national student art competition held by Oil Painters of America. "To me, oil painting gives me a way to practice and develop as a person. I utilize it to become better and to translate the discipline I have with oil painting and apply it elsewhere in my life," Raabe said. "It's a way to grow, and I could spend my time elsewhere, but I choose to oil paint because I believe in it, it's a skill that's very old and special and I hold it very dear to me."

The Utah Tech University Blaze Dance Team, in only its third year of competing, pulled off a stellar second place finish at the 2024 United Spirit Association Dance Nationals held in Anaheim, CA, earlier this month. "Our theme this year was 'Whatever It Takes'," Kori Esplin, coach of the Blaze Dance Team, said. "Then we believed we could, and we did." After half a year of hard work, intense practice, early mornings and late nights, the team was excited to leave it all on the stage and see the final product come to life.

The Utah Tech University Swim Team was awarded the Fall 2023 Scholar All-American Awarded by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America. The team earned a cumulative GPA of 3.78 in the fall semester, putting them at the third highest GPA in Division I along with receving the highest GPA out of any sports team in history at Utah Tech.

Utah Tech University's Mr. Trailblazer 2024-2025, Tyler Quincy, was named on Feb. 7 after showcasing talent, charisma and school spirit.

Several Utah Tech University students spent their winter break in Ecuador to work, provide service and celebrate the holiday season with children and orphans with special needs. Partnering with Orphanage Support Services Organization, the group stayed at a special needs orphanage in Cuenca, Ecuador, working directly with the children, playing games, and spending time with them.

Utah Tech University students had the opportunity to work at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The 24 recreation and sports management majors were hired by the NFL to assist with pre-game events and 18 of the students participated on the day of the Super Bowl. This experience was made possible by Jin Woo Ahn, the assistant recreation and sports management professor, who emphasized the importance of hands-on experiences and networking.

On Saturday, Jan. 20, Utah Tech University's Dental Hygiene Program held a Free Children's Dental Health Day and Special Smiles event serving 56 children and special Olympic athletes in need of oral health care.