Utah Tech University

In a display of academic achievement, nearly 12 percent of Utah Tech University students earned Dean's List recognition for the Spring 2023 semester. Specifically, 1,240 students were included on the Dean's List. Inclusion indicates students' strong commitment to their academic pursuits, as they must achieve a GPA of 3.5 to 3.89 for the Dean's List. Students are also required to complete a minimum of 15 credits.

Two of Utah Tech's art students recently received the prestigious Harry Bertoia Foundation Scholarship, earned through a combination of showcasing artwork, filling out applications, writing essays about the art, and securing letters of recommendation. The Harry Bertoia Foundation is a private charity that serves to educate the public about the late artist Harry Bertoia and modern art. Bertoia is best known for his architectural sculptures and furniture that he designed and constructed. The scholarship is offered to two qualified students to enable attendance at a Utah college.

Utah Tech University recently celebrated the achievements of 2,804 degree candidates at the University's 112th Commencement Ceremony, welcoming the largest number of on-campus participants in the history of the University. During the ceremony, held on May 5th in the Greater Zion Stadium on Utah Tech's campus, the University honored the Class of 2023, with 44 percent earning a bachelor's degree, 36 percent earning an associate degree, 18 percent earning a certificate and 2 percent earning a master's degree. Candidates ranged in age from 16 to 65.

Five Utah Tech University students were honored with Trailblazer Awards at an event held on campus last week. At the end of each academic year, Utah Tech University is pleased to host this annual award ceremony honoring students and members of the campus community for their many accomplishments. The Trailblazer Awards ceremony has been a traditional part of student life at Utah Tech University for decades, and recognizes the accomplishments of UT students, faculty, staff, community members and businesses who have been extraordinary in their commitment to success. As a formal event patterned after the Academy Awards, this annual ceremony recognizes the best and brightest at Utah Tech University and these awards are considered some of the most prestigious offered on campus. This year, UT student Trailblazer Awardees included: Student of the Year - Corey Gardner Stafford Student Involvement Award - Benji Welch Entertainer of the Year - Courtnee Ramos Personality of the Year Award - Dallas Clifford The GRIT Award - Lilliana Rogers

Earlier this month, several members of Utah Tech University's pickleball club successfully competed in the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating's first-ever Collegiate Individual National Championship in Fort Worth, Texas. This championship includes Men's and Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Men's and Women's Singles brackets. "It is hard to believe that last year, this was a brand-new club sport on campus, and they not only organized it themselves and raised funds, they were also the National Champion Runner-Up in 2022," said Executive Director of Campus Life and Wellness Christian Hildebrandt. "This year, in their second year of existence, they exploded, not only as a team but individually."

Engineering students at Utah Tech University showcased their skills and hard work at this year's Engineering Design Day. Community members, students, and families gathered on campus to enjoy the interesting projects created by UT engineering students. The projects that people could enjoy during Engineering Design Day included a series of nine mini golf courses created by the freshmen, carnival games made by the sophomores, and a turbo regatta race created by the juniors, which featured battery-powered pedal boats. Senior engineering students also had the opportunity to showcase their industry collaborative capstone projects. "Design Day is the engineering department's flagship showcase for students," David Christensen, assistant professor of engineering and chair of the engineering department, said. "This is when students get to show off their engineering prowess."

Three Utah Tech students - Aly Encarnacion, Ashlyn Hawkins, and Spencer Manning - presented the results of their analysis of conducted local water samples at this year's Research Symposium. The students took samples from Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant, Sand Hollow Reservoir, and local tap water, and in collaboration with a lab at Utah State University, they studied to see if there were microplastics present in the water sources. The presence of microplastics in local water sources poses a major environmental concern, especially in relation to human health as there is evidence that these plastics can build up in human tissues and organs. The research conducted by these students allows for the assessment of microplastics in local bodies of water, which can provide potential insight about how to filter out these plastics, and how to improve future water regulation guidelines to reduce the amount of microplastics found in southern Utah water sources. "I learned so much about both microplastics and the filtration system that already takes place at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek reservoirs from this research," Hawkins said. "I have been reading so many papers and have become fascinated with water and how the state of Utah sets its regulations, maintains them, and how each regulation is thoughtfully and carefully set to improve the quality of our drinking water."

Utah Tech student Noelle Fuller took her artistic ability to new heights by transforming a plain red piano into an art piece showcasing Utah Tech University's beautiful Southern Utah surroundings. Fuller's piece was unveiled at a Utah Tech event in downtown St. George and will be placed in a prominent location in St. George for the community to enjoy. Fuller transformed the piano by adding a 3D bison head made out of spray foam and wood chips, painted several Southern Utah landscapes, and burned petroglyphs into the wood sidings. Fuller shared it took her roughly 1,100 hours to completely transform the piano but she said, looking back, it was completely worth it and a transformative experience. "It took a lot of research and planning time - creating mockups and different ideas to see which one would be approved, and then figuring out how to have those ideas come to life," Fuller said. "I am so happy I was able to do this and have this experience. I know so much more now because of this and I am so excited. I can't wait to keep exploring and sharing with the world."

Utah Tech University celebrated eleven students this week by presenting them with the prestigious Elite 11 Award. First introduced in 2014 by Taylor Topham Twitchell and Joel Glauser, two former members of the Utah Tech Alumni Ambassadors, the Elite 11 Award recognizes 11 senior students who have excelled in academics and have been heavily involved in both University and community service. The number 11 signifies the year Utah Tech University first began in 1911. "This special and unique Elite 11 award is just one way to highlight and honor these amazing students at Utah Tech University," Betty Barnum, President of the Alumni Association Board, said. Students must have a 3.65 or higher GPA to apply and their in-depth application must describe all of their volunteer and service activities including their involvement in athletic or music programs. This year's recipients of the Elite 11 Award attended an honorary dinner, received a letter of recommendation from the University President, and will have their picture displayed on a plaque in the Stephen and Marcia Wade Alumni House.

Utah Tech students enrolled in the Literature and the Land course recently spent their Saturday volunteering with Conserve Southwest Utah at Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area. Working with CSU volunteers, these students recorded the locations of 20 tortoise burrows, 13 mammal burrows of interest, and they located one tortoise that was still hibernating in its burrow. Professor Theda Wrede, who teaches the course, believes that providing students with volunteering opportunities offers them multiple learning experiences that they can easily transfer back into the classroom. Volunteering with local environmental organizations like CSU also enables students to feel like active members of the community while at the same time, allowing them to bond with their peers. "In this class focusing on environmental literature, I encourage students to have first-hand experiences with nature to gain a better understanding of the ideas, processes, and concerns expressed in the texts we read," Wrede said. "Course contents become more meaningful, I believe, through experimental learning activities like these."

Austin Burns, a senior at Utah Tech University, created a visually stunning light display for Utah Tech's annual Fire & Ice Gala. With a Benson Boone concert to take place the next day, Burns flipped the light display 180 degrees in order to feature the singer and his set. Burns found his passion for lighting after getting involved in his high school theatre program and working at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, and has since continued to find opportunities in the lighting world by working at the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center at Utah Tech University.

As part of Utah Tech University's D-Week festivities, the Trailblazer Queen pageant provides students with the opportunity to showcase their talents, personalities, and passions on stage. Alijah Caskinette was crowned this year's Trailblazer Queen, wowing the judges with her talent of a self-choreographed contemporary dance routine. Caskinette was crowned alongside her four attendants: first attendant, Kimberly Querales; second attendant, Marinn Duncan; third attendant and congeniality queen, Madison Jackson; and fourth attendant and congeniality queen, Evie Barfuss. Every contestant who participates in the pageant is scored based on a resume, essay, private interview, talent, evening wear, and an onstage question. Trailblazer Queen contestants spend six weeks leading up to the pageant preparing and perfecting their talent and quick-thinking skills to ensure they're ready to impress the judges. As Caskinette steps into her new role as Trailblazer Queen, she wants to continue supporting and uplifting the campus community.

Over the 2022 holiday break, a group of Utah Tech University students and faculty participated in a study abroad trip to Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico. While there, the students immersed themselves in the artisanal culture of the potters of northwest Mexico. The participating group embodied Utah Tech University's tagline "active learning. active life." on this trip with hands-on learning and had a greatly positive and productive experience. The students also all benefitted academically from the trip, even with a wide variety of majors.

In March, the Utah Tech student body held the 2023 Student Body Elections. Utah Tech's students elected Jose Toral-Martinez as its new student body president, along with Aileigh Hansen as vice president of Academics and Evie Barfuss as vice president of Clubs & Organizations. Over campaign week, the candidates found themselves on Utah Tech's campus answering questions, meeting students, and discussing the needs of the University.

Utah Tech University's International Showcase is a celebration of cultures and talents from across the globe. Crowned international students are granted scholarships as encouragement to strive academically and be proud of who they are and where they come from. This year three winners were crowned - Alvaro Lopez, from Peru, won People's Choice, Ives Hong, from Vietnam, won Judge's Choice, and Amina Furuta, from Japan, won the runner-up award.

Utah Tech University's Blaze Dance Team recently made history at the USA National Finals competition held in Anaheim, California. The only collegiate team to earn medals in both of their categories, the team placed second in Jazz and third in Hip Hop. The team dedicated hundreds of hours to learning their routines and preparing for the competition, which required them to have an immense love for the sport along with a lot of heart. Unlike many of their competitors, the Blaze Dance Team didn't have an entire season to prepare for the competition because the team serves as one of the main forms of entertainment for two sports, football and basketball. "My main purpose this year was to instill in them the belief that they can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to," Head Coach Kori Esplin said. "It was really special to see them overcome so much and be able to end up doing and performing their very best." As the team grows and continues to work hard and dream big, they hope to earn a national title at next year's competition.

Six Utah Tech University students were recently honored at Utah Tech's Black Excellence Gala, an annual event created to celebrate and honor Trailblazers for excelling in various areas or making a difference in the community. This event is also an opportunity for students to nominate other students for their successes and accomplishments. At the event, students were recognized for accomplishments that make the community proud. Select students, faculty, staff, and community members also received Drum Major Awards for being an agent for change and diversity in their field or community.

After being inspired by a class discussion and recognizing a need on campus, three Utah Tech University students jumped into action and created the Students Against Trafficking Club on the UT campus. "This club got started after a conversation in a digital forensics class. Our President Jacie Parr, Vice President Spencer Truman, and I were talking with Professor (Mark) Spooner and another student who works with Operation Underground Railroad. It was brought up that at one point we had a students against trafficking club, and for reasons unknown to us, it fizzled out," said Kallie Meismer. "Trafficking to us was an abhorrent thought. It happens all around the world, and as much as people don't see it, it happens here in America. We decided that afternoon that it was important to us that we brought awareness to the matter, helped raise funds for groups that help to shut down some of these operations, and educated people on the warning signs." The club, which is comprised of 86 members, accomplishes these goals and raises awareness among students about the warning signs of trafficking through bringing guest speakers to the university and hosting campus events.

Senior students from Utah Tech University's Dental Hygiene program recently became laser certified after Ultradent Products Inc. donated six Gemini Dental Lasers to UT's public dental hygiene clinic and Department of Dental Hygiene. Laser certification enables the program to provide students with more opportunities to be prepared for clinical practice and expands services available to patients treated at the clinic. "Being laser certified in the field of dental hygiene opens the door to many clinical opportunities," Alyse Crosby, a senior dental hygiene student, said. "This has fueled my passion for the profession, inspired me to pursue further learning and provided me with a deeper understanding of oral health." As part of the certification process, 23 dental hygiene students, along with 15 faculty members, underwent 12 hours of continuing education and an exam, which prepared the clinicians to use dental hygiene laser therapy in any state that requires certification. The state of Utah doesn't currently require certification to use these lasers, but for students looking to be employed out of the state, this certification makes them more marketable.

Utah Tech University students excelled in the classroom during the Fall 2022 semester with 1,468 UT students, or 11 percent of the student body, earning Dean's List honors. Inclusion on the Dean's List requires students to complete a minimum of 15 credits and achieve a GPA of 3.5 to 3.89. "On behalf of the faculty and staff, congratulations to all Utah Tech students who made the 2022 Fall semester honor roll list," said Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Michael Lacourse. "Your hard work and persistence have paid off and you should be proud of your achievement. Keep up the great work and we hope to see your name on the honor roll for the Spring 2023 semester."

Most students competing in college intramural sports wouldn't expect it to take them out of town or even off campus, but a group of students from Utah Tech University playing co-ed intramural flag football traveled to both Lincoln, Nebraska, and Round Rock, Texas, to compete with other college intramural teams. The students, after playing at the University and winning overall, were able to travel and stay in Lincoln, Nebraska, and compete in the regional tournament. After winning three games over the weekend and claiming the regional title overall, the team had the chance to fly to Round Rock, Texas, in January and compete in the national championships.

Utah Tech University students excelled in the classroom during the Fall 2022 semester with 1,282 UT students, or 10 percent of the student body, earning President's List honors. Inclusion on the President's List requires students to complete a minimum of 15 credits and achieve a GPA of 3.9 or higher. "On behalf of the faculty and staff, congratulations to all Utah Tech students who made the 2022 Fall semester honor roll list," said Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Michael Lacourse. "Your hard work and persistence have paid off and you should be proud of your achievement. Keep up the great work and we hope to see your name on the honor roll for the Spring 2023 semester."

Participating as a team, Utah Tech University students received the Meritorious Award in SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations Modeling 2022, an international mathematical modeling competition. From all over the world, 327 students sent in their solutions to an open-ended problem, which were reviewed by five judges worldwide.

Two teams from Utah Tech University received the Outstanding Award in the SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations Modeling, an international mathematical modeling competition. From all over the world, 327 students sent in their solutions to an open-ended problem, which were reviewed by five judges worldwide. In total, 27 teams received the Outstanding Winner designation.

Helping spread the message of kindness, Utah Tech University design major True Jarrel recently illustrated "Let Kindness Grow: A Bison's Tale" as a part of the Semnani Family Foundation's One Kind Act a Day campaign. Earlier this summer, Jarrel also redesigned UT's Brooks the Bison character while interning at Utah Tech University's Marketing & Communication office. This redesign led to them to creating the illustrations for the children's book. The One Kind Act a Day initiative is intended to make kindness a daily habit. This inititiave was born from the Semnani Family Foundation and is rooted in the belief that one small act of kindness, when done by many, can lead to big changes in our lives and world.

The Utah Tech Pickleball Club competed in the first National Collegiate Pickleball tournament recently and placed second overall. This was the first-ever collegiate tournament where all the college teams met in one spot to play for a championship under the same Major League Pickleball rules and regulations. The Utah Tech team consisted of players Matt Morgan, Dylan Ciampani, and Max and Kate Nadauld, with Hunter Aiono, Kylar Lemmon, and Brandon Chesley attending as support staff.

Every semester, the Utah Tech University Student Association Student Senate hosts the Student of the Semester banquet to recognize and celebrate student achievements within every academic department across campus. "Each recipient is selected by the department chair in collaboration with the faculty within their department," Karson Ray, UTSA vice president of academics, said. "It is extremely special to be the one student selected from the department and that deserves to be celebrated." The banquet serves as a way to congratulate students for the dedication and passion they have demonstrated toward their studies throughout the semester. This year, UTSA Student Senate recognized 44 individuals - 43 students and one professor.

Earlier this month, students in Utah Tech University's Physical Therapist Assistant program and University of Utah's Doctor of Physical Therapy program provided customized electric kids' cars to eight children with mobility disabilities. This is the fourth time that Utah Tech has participated in the Go Baby Go program, a project that primarily focuses on giving children with mobility disabilities an opportunity to develop, grow, and play with their peers more easily.

As a part of Homecoming Week festivities, the Miss Utah Tech University pageant provides students with the opportunity to showcase their talents, share their social impact initiatives, and compete for the chance to win a series of scholarships. Zoe Sewell was crowned Miss Utah Tech University for the 2022-2023 school year. Sewell impressed the judges with her social impact intiative, Healthy Habits, and her performance of "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman. Sewell was joined on stage by her three attendants: first attendant, Katherine Walker; second attendant, Gracey Fowers; and third attendant, Samantha Bartholomew. The Miss Utah Tech competition consists of participating in a private interview with the judges, pitching a social impact initiative, answering an on-stage question from the judges, and demonstrating a talent. The winner of Miss Utah Tech University also earns the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Utah. Along with the crowning of Miss Utah Tech University and her three attendants, several contestants received special awards at the end of the night to recognize the unique strengths they demonstrated throughout the competition. The Team Player Award was given to Tessa Welch for her willingness to support and uplift the other contestants. Kate Backus was awarded the Service Award for her social impact initiative focusing on uplifting individuals with special needs in the community. The Trailblazer Spirit Award was given to Elizabeth Martin for her positive attitude throughout the competition, and Trinity Altena was honored with the Woman Empowerment Award.

Sophie Phelps, a 19-year-old sophomore at Utah Tech University, claimed her second motocross national champion title in August at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Phelps made her first nationals appearance at age 13, finishing in 17th place, and steadily improved until she won first in the women's division last year in 2021 and defended her title this year. Phelps is studying mechanical engineering at Utah Tech, stating that she would like to use what she learns to someday design helmets or parts for bikes.