Alumni Avalanche December 2011

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Birthday Richfield Campus

n the past 50 years, Snow College’s Richfield campus has grown from a small technical school with classes held in the back of an ice cream plant to a flourishing campus with strong faculty, numerous course offerings, and more than 800 students, including those in concurrent high school enrollment and outreach programs. In recognition of this valuable institution’s contribution to Central Utah throughout the years, a 50th birthday celebration for the Snow College Richfield Campus was held from October 24-29.

The celebration began with a week-long exhibit at the Washburn Building Library, entitled “Snow College Richfield through the Years,” which featured memorabilia from the Richfield Campus. The exhibit included posters, pictures of employees, and displays of generations of families who have been affiliated with the Richfield campus. On October 24, the Snow College Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band presented a concert at the Sevier Valley Center.

On Friday, October 28th, an open house showcased the many opportunities and offerings provided at the Richfield Campus. Attendees were able to participate in active and hands-on demonstrations from each of the Career and Technical Education departments. Twelve mini-lectures featured topics ranging from job interview skills to cosmetology to the

geologic history of the Sevier Valley. Friday’s events featured two concerts by musician and award-winning composer, Kurt Bestor. The final concert of the evening included a recognition of the five former directors of the Richfield campus.

On Saturday, a Halloween carnival and masquerade dance concluded the week’s events.

The Richfield Campus was originally established in 1961, as Sevier Valley Tech (SVT). It was part of the Sevier School District, and 27 students were enrolled in auto mechanics and drafting courses. The auto mechanics courses took place in the back room of In This Issue the Forsey Ice Cream Richfield Anniversary 1 Co. plant in downtown Homecoming 2011 3 Richfield, and the draftSnow College Foundation 4 ing classes were held at Alumni President’s letter 5 Richfield High School.

In Memoriam 5 By 1967, SVT offered Psychology Study 6 10 vocational subjects Performing Arts Schedule 7 and had an enrollment Athletics 2012 Schedule 8 of approximately 200

students. In 1971, SVT was placed under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education and became one of Utah’s three Area Vocational Centers.

The next big change occurred in 1977, when the Sevier Valley Tech Area Vocational Center moved into a new $2.5 million facility at 800 West 200 South in Richfield. In 1986, the building was named after Dewain C. Washburn, the school’s long-time director. In 1990, the Center became an Applied Technology Center (SVATC) by legislative enactment. The campus expanded again in 1996 with the addition of the Administration Building.

The Center merged with Snow College in 1998 and has complemented the Ephraim campus with strong career and technical programs and a growing number of academic courses. In 2003, the Sevier Valley Center was added to the campus.

Faculty and staff affiliated with the Richfield campus have seen the campus expand in numerous ways. Craig Mathie, Vice President for Student Success, started working at the Richfield campus in 1995, when it was still the SVATC. He says that the campus has a bigger impact as a branch of Snow College because students have so many opportunities for credit classes, general education, and college degrees. Mathie says that the Richfield campus “anchors Snow College as the college for Central Utah, serving both the epicenters of the six-county area.”

Rick White, Associate Vice President for Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness, has observed ongoing changes with the Richfield campus since 1998, when the SVATC merged with Snow College. During this time, he has seen the Richfield and Ephraim campuses continue to become more integrated. Through technology, a student in Richfield can take a course taught by a professor in Ephraim, and vice versa, without having to make a long drive to another campus. Faculty and staff on both campuses are also more connected through the use of technology.

Patsy Daniels, Richfield Campus Assistant to President Scott Wyatt, has worked on the Richfield campus since 1995. However, her connections to the campus go much further; she also attended Sevier Valley Tech’s Business Block Program. She said that the 50th birthday celebration commemorates an institution that has significantly impacted countless students. “The Richfield campus offers dedicated administration, staff, and faculty members who are devoted to giving students a quality and individualized learning experience.”

hom

A large crowd supported the Badgers as they

battled the Matadors of Arizona Western College.

Historical information compiled and written by Alissa Blackburn Bailey and Heidi Stringham.

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Alumni Avalanche

ecoming Saturday, November 5

T

he cold weather didn’t put a damper on the Snow College spirit at this year’s Homecoming festivities, held Saturday, November 5.

Early in the morning, runners and walkers took to the chilly Ephraim streets for the Frozen Badger 5K Fun Run/ Walk. Also that morning, Snow College’s 2011 Distinguished Alumni, Dr. Mitchell Palmer and Verla Sorensen, were honored at a special breakfast. Both honorees were given a special tribute and received a plaque acknowledging their award. Family and friends of the award recipients, along with Snow College representatives, were also present.

Saturday’s Homecoming Parade featured entries from Snow College student clubs, local organizations, the 2011 Distinguished Alumni, the Snow College Alumni Association, and others.

Even though the parade had to move quickly due to the cool temperatures, both the participants and those viewing the parade had a great time.

2011

This year’s tailgate party was moved into the Greenwood Student Center, where students, alumni, and friends of Snow College gathered before the big game. Those in attendance could jump on inflatable toys, spray-paint a hat, or relax with a quick lunch and a hot chocolate, sponsored by the Snow College Alumni Association, before heading to the football stadium.

While the football game against the Matadors of Arizona Western College ended in defeat for the Badgers (14-7), the team played hard, and the crowd was energetic and supportive. During halftime, the 2011 Distinguished Alumni and the Golden Badgers (alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago) received recognition. The Golden Badgers also gathered at a special reunion banquet held that evening, while students attended the annual Homecoming dance.

Saturday’s Homecoming

events included a fun and festive parade.

Dr. Mitchell Palmer, one of Snow College’s

Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients for 2011,

was honored during a special breakfast.

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S NO W • C OL L E G E • F O U N D AT ION

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ounded in 1982, the Snow College Foundation is dedicated

to the philanthropic support of Snow College. The

Foundation provides support through the development of

charitable contributions as well as through creating community awareness of, and involvement with, the College. The Snow

College Foundation Board of Directors is a volunteer group of community leaders and alumni. Recently reorganized, the Foundation Board includes the following individuals:

Snow College Foundation Board members (clockwise from bottom left): LeAnn Stoddard, James Tatton, Isaac Jacobson, Marvin Dodge, President Scott Wyatt, and Rosie Connor. Not pictured: Doug Barton, Eddie Cox, and Dan Jorgensen.

James Tatton, M.D.—Chair Jim Tatton is an adjunct professor of biology at Snow College. After graduating from Snow College, Jim received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and an M.D. from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He has served as a clinical associate professor in family medicine at both the University of Utah and A.T. Still University in Missouri. Jim and his wife, Kristine, reside in Nephi.

Doug Barton Doug Barton has owned and operated his broadcast company for over 33 years. In 1975, he built KMTI-AM in Manti, and his broadcast company currently includes six radio stations. He currently serves on the Snow College Board of Trustees, is a former stake president of the Snow College First LDS Stake, and is president of the Mormon Miracle Pageant. Doug and his wife, Marianne, have eight children.

Dan Jorgensen Dan Jorgensen owns the Bar-J Ranch in south-central Utah. His family has been farming and ranching in Sanpete, Grand, and Sevier counties for six generations.

Dan has been active on the boards for both the Traditional Building Skills Institute and the Horne School of Music. He and his wife, Elaine, have restored and renovated an old pioneer home near the Snow College campus.

Isaac Jacobson—Vice Chair Isaac Jacobson has held various executive positions with companies and has been an entrepreneur and business owner for over two decades. Isaac is currently the CEO of eTAGZ Inc., a Utah company he acquired in 2006. He also founded Hispano Hope, a charity supporting education services for children in the local Hispanic community. A Sanpete County native and a Snow College alumnus, Isaac resides in Mapleton with his wife, Tara, and their three children.

Eddie Cox Eddie Cox is the president and general manager of CentraCom Interactive. He and his cousin Branch have worked together in the telecommunications business for over 38 years, turning a small business into a full-service communications company that serves more than 20,000 customers. He was the first chairman of the Sanpete County Economic Development Committee and has also served as a Sanpete County Commissioner. Eddie and his wife, Lesa, have eight children.

LeAnn Stoddard LeAnn Stoddard is a stay-at-home mom with three adult children, one teenager, and three adorable grandkids. Over the years, she has been involved with various civic, church, educational, and political organizations, and she currently volunteers with Rural Health Care Foundation.

She is a proud graduate of Snow College; her husband, Mark, also attended Snow College, and, to date, she has three children who are Snow College graduates.

Rosie Connor—Executive Director Rosie Connor joined Snow College in September 2009. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois, she moved to Southern California where she spent most of her professional career with numerous non-profit organizations. She earned her master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Southern California.

Marvin Dodge Marvin Dodge currently serves as Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services at Snow College. He oversees all financial operations at the College, including the business office, cashiers, treasury services, purchasing, and auditing.

Prior to arriving at Snow College, Marvin worked for three Utah governors in various assignments. Marvin has been involved in a number of civic activities and enjoys living with his family in Ephraim.

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Scott L Wyatt Scott Wyatt became the fifteenth president of Snow College in July 2007. He was the Cache County Attorney from 1995 to 2002 and a partner in the law firm Barrett, Daines & Wyatt from 1990 to 1995. Since coming to Snow College, he has launched a strong marketing/image campaign, which has helped boost student enrollment more than any other college or university in Utah. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children.

Alumni Avalanche

ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S LETTER

W

hile walking up 100 North with my family to attend this year’s Snow College Homecoming game, I couldn’t help but reflect on a few of President DeVere Day the unusual campus experiences that Snow College has to offer. I reminisced about watching the sheep being herded down the mountain and through the middle of campus. I remembered the time as a freshman when I was a little late and was literally running to my class in the science building. I thought the smells were a bit stronger that day, but it wasn’t until I was halfway across the lawn by the humanities building that I looked down at my Reeboks and realized the grounds crew had just fertilized with turkey manure. I doubt that there is another campus in America that affords students such up-close and personal agricultural experiences; yet, in some strange way, these unique experiences help endear Snow College to us.

I am in my third year as a member of the Snow College Alumni Board. During this time, I have had the opportunity to meet and visit with many Snow College alumni. As we talk, I try to make it a point to ask them how they feel about Snow College and what we as an alumni association can improve. From these conversations, I would like to address two recurring themes.

The first goes something like this: “I have given my contact information to Snow but I don’t get any correspondence from the school.” To help me understand this problem, I made a visit to campus to review how alumni information is gathered, stored, and accessed. I learned that there were numerous challenges with the alumni database. However, I am pleased to report that the Advancement Office has implemented new software, creating an alumni-specific database that should help eliminate many of these problems. If you or someone you know has not been getting communication from Snow College, you can update your information at www.snow.edu/alumni or call (435)283-7060.

The second theme can be summed up this way: “I would be happy to give money to Snow but they have never asked me. I hear from other schools I have attended but not from Snow.” The staff in the Advancement Office has been working diligently to remedy this. You can now make a contribution through the Snow College website at http://www. snow.edu/alumni/give.html.

I believe that one of the best ways to give back to Snow College is by helping to provide scholarships for students.

Most of us will never be able to fund an endowment scholarship. Collectively, however, we can combine the smaller donations of many to reach this same goal. To help accomplish this, the Alumni Association has created the Snow College Alumni Scholarship.

This way, those who are only able to donate in smaller amounts can still provide a meaningful contribution.

One of the difficulties in donating to an organization is knowing how that money will be used. With the Alumni Scholarship, there will be transparency and accountability, which should let those who donate feel comfortable and confident about their donations. Details about the scholarship, including how you can donate and who will be eligible to receive the scholarship, will be communicated in the spring.

As always, I would love to get feedback or suggestions.

Comments: alumnipresident@snow.edu

Gifting highlight A nderson family­ - A u ni qu e way to give

Preparing food is a hobby for the Jack and Eileen Anderson family, but giving back is a habit. Jack is a Snow College alumnus and a retired science faculty member who advised the Badger Ag Club for many years. Jack and his family have prepared barbecued turkey at Ephraim’s annual Scandinavian Days festival for many years; the proceeds provide Snow College scholarships. Even in retirement, Jack and Eileen continue to give back. This year, they served tailgate food for the Top of the Mountains Bowl. Many thanks to the Anderson family!

In Memoriam: From August 22, 2011 to November 21, 2011

Alumni

Mary Olsen (Jensen) ’41, October 2, UT Nedra Stewart (Denison) ’48, September 24, UT Charles Kay Whitlock ’50, September 10, UT

Attenders Hazel Hart (Simmons) September 12, UT

Jared Kent Despain October 4, UT Calvin Ray Keller October 7, UT

Friends

Sherman Emery Huff ’61, September 14, UT

Paul LeRoy Braithwaite August 24, UT

Raleigh Taylor Curtis ’64, October 23, ID

Bruce Gloyd Tidwell August 29, UT

Bret Banks Hicken September 21, UT

Carl Christian Poulsen September 17, UT Edna Duffin Benson (Andersen) Sept. 18, UT

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The Psychology behind

Texting and Driving

T

he Snow College Psychology Department and its students have recently taken the initiative to research reasons for texting while driving. It is not only dangerous for the individual, it puts others at risk.

With all the studies that have been done regarding this issue, it is hard to find research that explains why people do this. A group of students in Professor Nick Marsing’s Advanced Psychology course came up with the idea to further research this topic and find out if there is a direct connection between emotions and texting. For instance, when students receive a text, they may feel they have a need to answer it. This need can be so strong that, if a student is unable to answer a text message, he or she may have a negative emotional result, such as anxiety.

During the 2010- 2011 school year, psychology students at Snow College started a pilot study. They surveyed over 300 students on campus and asked about their texting habits, frequency of texting, etc. The survey also included questions about how they felt when they could not respond to a text message. The adjacent table shows some results from their study.

For the 2011-2012 academic school year, psychology students have surveyed over 1,600 students. They have refined the study to gain more insight 6

Some Results from Study: 1) 86% of Snow College students text and drive.

2) Many do not consider it “texting and driving” if they seldom do it.

3) 80% of students who text regularly say it disrupts their class time.

4) Most students don’t know anyone who does not have a cell phone.

5) The best predictor of students texting while driving, or waking up in the night to send a text, is if they text during class time.

most significant findings from study : 1) O n average, students were awakened 2-5 times a week due to texting.

2) About 65% of students report depressive or anxiety-related emotions when they are unable to text.

Last year, Snow College psychology students and Professor Nick Marsing attended the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference. During the conference, they had the opportunity to meet nationally recognized experts in psychology, such as Dr. Elizabeth Loftus (center), an internationally recognized expert on human memory and false memories.

Alumni Avalanche

into the phenomena. So far, many of the students who have been surveyed say they don’t wake up to send a text; instead they stay up late to text—the average time is until 3-5 a.m.

In the future, the Psychology Department plans to take the research further by giving the study to students across the nation. To do this, they will seek grants to support their research.

The final phase of the research will be to set people up to skin conductance machines, similar to lie detectors, to better measure the emotional changes when a student receives a text but cannot answer it.

One exciting part of all of this hard work is that Snow College will have two students attend a national conference in Florida to present their research. The Psychology Department provides the opportunity for students to attend conferences and helps them to get their research published, which at the freshman and sophomore level is quite remarkable. Last year, 20 Snow College psychology students attended the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA) conference, and they plan to return to this year’s conference.

Along with the great things that are happening in regards to the texting research, students from the Psychology Department are volunteering their time in numerous ways, such as teaching

self-defense and sexual assault prevention to female students on campus, collecting local ghost stories and collaborating with other campus departments to make short films of these stories, and studying how the messages conveyed in magazines for women and teenage girls reflect self-image.

Students also volunteer through the Survivors Hope Project.

They are starting to record stories from survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse. These students will share the information they obtain with the Snow College Wellness Center so when others go through these events, they can gain the courage, strength, and hope to overcome their past by hearing fellow survivors’ words of encouragement.

The Psychology Department is excited for their ongoing and future research projects and volunteer activities. They encourage all future Badgers, current students, and alumni to learn more and get involved.

For more information, please contact Nick Marsing at nick. marsing@snow.edu.

Performing Arts Upcoming Schedule

Date

Event

Dec 30

Feb 23-25 Mar 1-3 Feb 28 Mar 13 Mar 15 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 27

Cadence with the Utah Symphony— 8:00 p.m.

Video Games Live—Abravanel Hall, SLC, UT Theatre—Once Upon a Mattress 8:00 p.m.

Theatre—Once Upon a Mattress 8:00 p.m.

Choir concert / Phat Old Professors 7:30 p.m.

Jazz Summit Concert 7:30 p.m.

Sophomore vocal recital 7:30 p.m.

Vocal Area Recital 5:30 p.m.

Wind Ensemble/Symponic Band 7:30 p.m.

Jazz Combo concert 7:30 p.m.

Jazz Combo concert 7:30 p.m.

Woodwind Chamber Music concert 7:30 p.m.

Time

Date

Event

Time

Mar 28 Percussion Chamber Music concert 7:30 p.m.

Mar 29 Brass/Strings Chamber Music concert 7:30 p.m.

Apr 3 Cadence in concert 7:30 p.m.

Apr 9 Faculty recital 7:30 p.m.

Apr 10 Jazz II concert 7:30 p.m.

Apr 11 Jazz I concert 7:30 p.m.

Apr 13 Concerto Competition winners 7:30 p.m.

Apr 16 Choir concert 7:30 p.m.

Apr 17 Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band 7:30 p.m.

Apr 18-21 Theatre —Caught in the Villain’s Web,

or More Sinned Against than Sinning 8:00 p.m.

Apr 26-27 Carmina Burana with Dance Ensemble,

Wind Ensemble, Combined choirs 7:30 p.m.

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Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D

S.L.C., Utah Permit No. 6

POSTMASTER Send address changes to Snow College Magazine 150 East College Avenue Ephraim, UT 84627

Athletics Schedule 2012 * Bold Italic Denotes Home Games Men’s Basketball Dec 28-30

Jan 5 Jan 7 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 21 Jan 27 Jan 28 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 11 Feb 16 Feb 18 Feb 24 Feb 25 Mar 3 Mar 8-10

Clark College Holiday Invitational (WA) North Idaho Southern Idaho Eastern Utah Colorado Northwestern Salt Lake Community Southern Idaho North Idaho Colorado Northwestern Eastern Utah Salt Lake Community Southern Idaho North Idaho Colorado Northwestern Eastern Utah Salt Lake Community Regional Tournament (SLC, UT)

TBA 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm TBA

Women’s Basketball Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 5 Jan. 7 Jan. 13 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 27 Jan. 28 Feb. 3 Feb. 4 Feb. 11 Feb. 16

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Central Arizona Pima (AZ) Chandler-Gilbert (AZ) North Idaho Southern Idaho Eastern Utah Colorado Northwestern Salt Lake Community Southern Idaho North Idaho Colorado Northwestern Eastern Utah Salt Lake Community Southern Idaho

2:00 pm 6:00 pm 2:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm 5:30 pm

Feb. 18 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Mar. 3 Mar. 3-10

North Idaho Colorado Northwestern Eastern Utah Salt Lake Community Regional Tournament (SLC, UT)

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

Feb. 17 Feb. 18 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Mar. 2 Mar. 3 Mar. 9 Mar. 10 Mar. 16 Mar. 17 Mar. 23 Mar. 24 Apr. 6 Apr. 7 Apr. 13 Apr. 14 Apr. 20 Apr. 21 Apr. 27 Apr. 28 May 4 May 5 May 10-12 May 17-19

Colorado Northwestern (St. George, UT) Colorado Northwestern (St. George, UT) North Idaho North Idaho Southern Idaho Southern Idaho Western Nevada Western Nevada Salt Lake Community Salt Lake Community Southern Nevada Southern Nevada Colorado Northwestern Colorado Northwestern North Idaho North Idaho Southern Idaho Southern Idaho Western Nevada Western Nevada Salt Lake Community Salt Lake Community Southern Nevada Southern Nevada Regional Tournament National Tournament (St. George, UT)

3:00 pm 5:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm TBA

Lady Badgers Softball 12:00 & 2:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 &3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm 1:00 & 3:00 pm 12:00 & 2:00 pm TBA TBA