Utah Tech University

ASL students of Dixie State University were given the opportunity to go to Disneyland and California Adventure Park to interpret Disney-related songs, shows and performances. Dr. Allyson Hamilton and visiting professor, Tiffany Harding came across a colleague, Sam Farley, who is on Disneyland's and Disney California Adventure Park's interpreting team. The three of them developed a course around theatrical interpreting. The class met four times before traveling to Disneyland. The first class involved students and several interpreters working on various songs and shows offered at Disneyland. Touring the Cox Auditorium, Broadway Bound Children's Theatre, and Saint George Musical Theatre took up the second class period. Similar to the first-time meeting, the class worked on presentations and meet-and-greets that are interpreted at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. As for the fourth class, the students went over any performances and source languages that hadn't gotten to in previous meetings.

Five Dixie State University students have been selected for Johns Hopkins and Stanford summer undergraduate research programs where they will work alongside world-class scientists. DSU students will have the opportunity to participate in breakthrough discoveries advancing the understanding of the human body through their research of biomedical, biochemical and bioinformatics. "This program really allows our students to set themselves apart and compete at the highest level," shared DSU faculty member and Biotech Program Coordinator Douglas Sainsbury. "Students in the past have gone on to top tier medical schools, research programs, and a couple are working in the industry right now."

Dixie State University students recently worked with IRS special agents in a mock scenario to gather evidence, arrest and convict someone of tax evasion as part of the Adrian Project, a hands-on experience that provides students with a glimpse at the life of an IRS special agent. Many students of differing backgrounds came together in this real-world application of their classroom-taught skills. Students sat at tables throughout the Gardner Ballroom with multiple agents at each table. Agents helped students use their accounting skills to round up evidence in an example of a fraud referral case. Each student had a folder containing documents that they used to eventually arrest and convict the suspect of tax evasion in a role-play with the agents. "The Adrian Project offers a look at a day in the life; it's a great way for students to see if being an agent is a good fit for them," Rochelle Blatter, senior career counselor at Dixie State, said. "We have students here that are accounting majors, criminal justice majors and others. It's an opportunity to apply what you learn in class."

During this year's United Spirit Association Collegiate Championships, the Dixie Blaze Dance Team secured a 2nd place finish in the hip-hop dance category. In their first ever competition, Dixie Blaze beat out teams from Southern Utah University, San Jose State and other Division I dance teams from across the nation. "Our girls have put in so many hours of practice getting ready for the Collegiate Championships," Head Coach Kori Esplin shared. "I couldn't be prouder of them, and to come home from our very first competition taking 2nd against all those incredible teams is amazing!" Beginning their season in July, Dixie Blaze dancers attend early morning rehearsals, chorography workshops and light-night practices to solidify their routines. Showcased at all of the home football and basketball games, their trick-filled and high-energy routines always entertain Trailblazer Nation fans.

Snow Canyon High School seniors and Dixie State University concurrent enrollment students Aurianna Dunn and Gracie Newby attended the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Conference and student academy in Seattle, Washington. Dunn and Newby are part of the Washington County School District's K12 Internship Program, which provides work-based opportunities for high school students. Throughout the course of their internship, Dunn and Newby participated in an open house exhibition for the DSU Crime Lab, networked with industry professionals, and attended the AAFS Annual Conference and one-day academy event.

Dixie State University students are spreading awareness in the Southern Utah community about the risks and early indicators of identity theft and elderly fraud to help keep some of the region's vulnerable population financially safe and secure. Students in the university's chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners took turns presenting on identity theft and elderly fraud throughout February as part of this free series.

Natural Science major Brady Iverson is truly embodying Dixie State University's polytechnic mission through his internship with the Southern Utah Science Cafe live events and podcast. As an intern, Iverson has had the opportunity to interview and record for his own podcast episode, "All About the Bees: Utah's Favorite Insect" as well as create the podcast opening theme music, manage the Science Cafe's social media account, and conduct research on a variety of topics. Interviewing local bee expert Dr. Joan Meiners for the podcast was a dream for Iverson, who shares a passion with Dr. Meiners for bees. "It was really neat to interview Dr. Meiners, Iverson shared. "I went through her whole body of research and then, right there in front of me, I was able to ask her every question that popped into my head. Getting that firsthand experience was really cool."

For Dixie State University students Alyssa Janeway and Samantha Ortiz, an unexpected friendship has blossomed into the content creation platform, Coffee With Besties. The web show's overarching mission is to highlight the importance of the University's Department of Media Studies. "The Media Studies Department has taken major budget cuts, and we couldn't do the show without the technology and equipment they provide us," said Janeway. "Sure, we could film it on our phones, but we've put together this show through the school, for the school."

Dixie State University students showcased their dedication to their academic success with 2,627 students or 21 percent of the student body making the honors list in the Fall 2021 semester. Specifically, 1,212 students were highlighted on the President's List, with 1,415 students making the Dean's List. Inclusion on the honor roll requires all students to complete a minimum of 15 credits, with President's List awardees achieving a GPA of 3.9 or higher and students on the Dean's List obtaining a GPA of 3.5 to 3.89.

Dixie State University film students spent two years creating the feature film "Into the Fire: A Utah Boy's in the Blues," which was recently showcased in the 12th annual DOCUTAH Film Festival. DSU music major Isaac Erikson collaborated with the film students to create this film, bringing to life his father's passion for the blues. Through this collaboration with the DSU film students, Erikson was able to combine his passion for music and love for his father to shed light onto the modern era of blues music. These students were given hands-on experience in creating a documentary style film and were also able to travel to Nashville, Tennessee where Isaac's father, Dick Earl Erikson, was judging at the International Blues Challenge.

Students in Dixie State University's Dance Program recently had the opportunity to experience active learning firsthand by choreographing for and performin in the university's annual Student Dance Concert. Held November 18 and 19 on the Dixie State campus, the concert offered 29 dance students the chance to participate in 12 choreographed pieces. The concert is a collaboration of students in three distinct courses within Dixie State's Dance Program: Choreography Practicum, Dance Production and Dance Performance. The Dance Program at Dixie State University helps a diverse population of students achieve their dance education goals by teaching the skills of embodied practice and scholarly and creative inquiry.

Erik Hughes is the first student at Dixie State University to receive the Global Scholar Award. The award was created last year by the DSU Global Engagement Committee to recognize students who incorporate global studies into their education to further enrich their experience. Erik studied at Meijo University in Japan from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019, as part of an exchange program through DSU Study Abroad. "I learned much about the Japanese culture and their way of life," said Erik. "There are things that I adopted that I still use to this day." This study abroad opportunity allowed Erik to beocme immersed in the Japanese culture and also interact with students from around the globe. "There were also students from France, China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, and many other countries that I interacted with and had the chance to learn about their cultures. I think this knowledge about cultures is the most valuable thing I learned during my time spent in Japan," he said.

In honor of Native American Heritage month, Dixie State University recently held the 25th annual Miss Native Dixie Pageant on the DSU campus, with Delaina Becenti being crowned Miss Native Dixie 2022. This year the pageant showcased three contestants - Cristal Elias, a senior exercise science major from Cedar City, Utah; Delaina Becenti, a freshman general studies major from Green River, Wyoming; and Naji Runs Through, a sophmore art major from Ivins, Utah. As Miss Native Dixie royalty, Delaina and her attendants will serve as ambassadors for the Native American population at Dixie State University, inspiring students to complete their education.

Recently, Dixie State University commenced in their 70th annual Miss Dixie Pageant that began as a DSU homecoming tradition in 1951. Taking the crown in this year's pageant is Miss Carli Gumm, a 21-year-old junior from Minden, Nevada, majoring in Mathematics Education.

Dixie State University's nursing student Teralin Petereit recently won first place in the 2021 Rebelle Rally race for the 4x4 class. The Rebelle Rally is a week-long event covering 2,500 kilometers of stunning terrain across the Nevada and California desert. With no cell phones or GPS, this eight-day competition is the ultimate challenge of precise navigation as competitors race to accurately find hidden checkpoints using only a map, compass and roadbook.

Dixie State University senior Allie Garrow developed the "We Are Career Ready" campaign by creating six scarecrows to represent each of DSU's colleges for the Red Hills Desert Garden 2021 Scarecrow Walk and Haunted Canyon. The project was a huge undertaking but was rewarding, not only for Garrow but also for the nearly 20,000 attendees who have already visited the garden in the month of October. The local community can continue to enjoy the scarecrow displays at the Red Hills Desert Garden until October 31. "The vision with the scarecrows was to represent the unique 'active learning. active life.' opportunities each college department offers," Garrow explained. "I wanted the community to see through the scarecrow display that Dixie State is different from any other university because students have so many hands-on learning experiences."

Twelve recent Dixie State University graduates who were accepted this spring to Rocky Vista University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, received their white coats on October 9, signifying the official beginning of their medical school journey. Many of these DSU alumni were able to acheive their medical school goals through the Utah Health Scholars program at Dixie State. Rocky Vista University is located in Parker, Colorado and in Ivins, Utah. "The hope is that many of these students will return to Utah communities to practice once they have completed their medical school and residency training, "Rita Osborn, executive director of the Utah Center for Rural Health, said.

Sixteen DSU students and five faculty members participated in the ultimate hands-on learning opportunity this summer filming a television series pilot in the green rolling hills of Ireland. Students took on the roles of a professional film crew, working with professional actors, deadlines, budgets, weather challenges and more. They lived together, bonded, played games and were able to explore their new surroundings for a month. Dixie State University is committed to an "active learning. active life" approach to education, providing students with hands-on opportunities both in the classroom and in the community. This approach equips students with the skills needed to be successful while attending DSU, in the local community and in their future careers.

DSU students Kylee Newsome and Megan Combs recently participated in an enriching, career-focused event held by The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors in Boston, Massachusetts. The annual ASCLD Symposium is an industry-leading conference designed for leaders and managers in the forensic laboratory space. The symposium boasts workshops and plenary talks designed around all aspects of forensic science, but particularly focused on enhancing leadership and management in a forensic laboratory.

During her month-long internship with Pelagios Kakunja, DSU student Liberty Krieger participated in what she describes as an absolutely golden hands-on experience. The internship included taking diet and nutritional analysis, learning biopsy and blood sampling techniques, habitat sampling, underwater and aerial drone surveys, assisting with shark tagging trips, and more. Dixie State University's "active learning. active life." approach to education promotes hands-on, personalized learning experiences both in and out of the classroom and encourages a dynamic, engaged approach to life. This enables students to flourish not only while attending DSU but in their careers, community and in life.

Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced on Friday that Dixie State post-graduate student wide receiver Deven Osborne has been named to the 30th-Anniversary 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Osborne is among 22 football student-athletes and one honorary coach selected to the 30th-Anniversary team. In all, 109 student-athletes from all divisions across the nation were nominated by sports information directors with stories of exemplary community service, alongside academic dedication and impact on and off the field.

Dixie State University's Business Resource Center offers no-cost business consultations and services to people seeking to launch or grow their business. Recently, the BRC began offering a Launch Series designed specifically for brand-new business owners and entrepreneurs. This 4-week, virtual series and follow-up business advising is free thanks to a grant provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The class teaches individuals how to successfully launch and grow a business. Participants learn about market testing, business development, financial strategy and more. New CEO and founder of OG Creative, Oreo Ogunsola, is just one example of how the Launch Series has not only impacted his education, but improved his future as both a digital designer and business owner.

In his first-ever appearance at the College National Finals Rodeo, DSU student Sebastian Hotalen placed 29th for bareback bronco riding last week in Casper, Wyoming. The national competition included all qualifying rodeo competitors from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. There are 11 regions included in the rodeo association. After placing 2nd in the Rocky Mountain region, Hotalen became the first member of the Dixie State Rodeo Club to qualify for nationals in four years.

DSU student Baylee Nelson-McKeachnie took second place in the Best Student Film awards at the Red Rock ScreenDance Film Festival last week with her film "Reformation". Inspired by the song "One by Sleeping at Last," the film is about perfectionism and striving to be the absolute best at everything you do. The Red Rock ScreenDance Film Festival is an international event filled with dance-film platforms in conjunction with the Red Rock Dance Festival, held in St. George, Utah. This has been the first year the film festival was introduced, while the Red Rock Dance Festival completed its 13th year. With submissions accepted nationwide, three major awards were given with titles of first, second and third place. These awards include Best Overall Film, Best Editing and Best Student Film.

Dixie State University's Nursing Program will welcome 49 new students this coming fall semester. The program promotes a student-centered learning environment that facilitates active learning and the acquisition of skills, knowledge and attitudes consistent with the practice of a professional nurse. DSU offers an Associate Degree as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and both are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. "We are excited to welcome the fall 2021 semester incoming pre-licensure BSN students. These outstanding students were chosen from a group of 144 qualified and exemplary applicants," said Nursing Department Interim Chairman Judy Scott. "The rigor of our program will prepare them to function as a beginning nurse, as well as help them to grow in their chosen profession. Welcome to the DSU Nursing Department." Chosen applicants have a GPA ranging from 3.1 to 4.0. Many are first-generation students or from a challenging socio-ecomonic background. "No matter their background, all want to share their talents, helping those who need healthcare in ways that only a registered nurse can offer," said Scott. To learn more about DSU's Nursing Program, visit health.dixie.edu/nursing.

Brooke Marchetti-Curtis; a senior 23-year-old Trailblazer, recently won second place in a film festival titled Concorsi di Danza, held in Florence, Italy. Her film, "Searching for a Feeling" was inspired by the research process of creating movement that resembles looking for someone or something, the journey of getting to that final place, and your body's reaction once you've found it. Not only was her film submitted in the Concorsi di Danza Choreography Competition held in Florence, Italy, but it has also been featured in the Undergraduate Research Symposium at Dixie, Red Rock Choreography Competition and was recognized in the Red Rock ScreenDance Film Festival held earlier this month.

As a recent graduate from Dixie State University, Connor Lee has been awarded a $70,000 scholarship as part of a graduate program at Longy School of Music, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he will pursue his master's degree in Vocal Studies. With many musical talents starting at the age of seven, Connor has taken advantage of multiple opportunities during his college career to elevate his musical talents to new heights.

Dixie State University alumnus Austin Montgomery was recently accepted into a MD/PhD program at Penn State, making him DSU's first student to enter this type of program. In 2019, Montgomery was the first student to graduate from Dixie State's Bioinformatics program. The degree was introduced in Montomery's sophomore year and is designed for students interested in the interdisciplinary fields of Biology and Computer Science.

After receiving a grant from the Mathematical Association of America, Dixie State University is organizing an Enhancing Advancement to Graduate Education through Research experience to provide students with the opportunity to participate in full-time research for seven consecutive weeks. By participating in this National Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, the four selected students get to take part in meaningful research. The program aims to increase undergraduate completion rates and encourage more students from underrepresented groups to pursue advanced degrees and careers in mathematics by exposing them to a focused and challenging research experience.

Dixie State University celebrated the accomplishments of 2,273 degree candidates at the institution's 110th Commencement Ceremony on May 7. During the ceremony, held in Greater Zion Stadium on the DSU campus, the university honored the Class of 2021, including 25 master's candidates, 1,212 baccalaureate candidates, 773 associate candidates and 263 certificate candidates.