VOLUME 1 » ISSUE
10
October 2003
In
This Issue:
1) FRONT PAGE
2) EVENT LISTINGS
3) CONNECTIONS
4) CONTACT INFORMATION
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FRONT PAGE
 USU
Alumni Spotlight -
John C. Nelson, M.D., Alumnus of the Year
Utah State alumnus,
John C. Nelson, M.D., was recently named president-elect of the
American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees. The prominent
Salt Lake City obstetrician and gynecologist is expected to become
president of the organization next year.
Dr. Nelson has been
instrumental locally and nationally in addressing domestic violence
and child abuse. He was invited by the AMA Alliance to act as
a spokesperson for the "Stop America's Violence Everywhere" (SAVE)
campaign, and assisted the American College of Emergency Physicians
in developing guidelines to evaluate sexual assault victims.
In addition to his leadership
roles with the AMA, Dr. Nelson has served as president of the
Utah Medical Association and Salt Lake County Medical Society.
An active advocate on the medical liability reform front, Dr.
Nelson continues his private practice and has active privileges
at two Salt Lake City hospitals.
As president-elect,
Nelson said the top issues he hopes to address are improving
Medicare for senior citizens, providing health care for 41 million
uninsured Americans and mitigating the recent maelstrom of malpractice
lawsuits.
Nelson graduated with
Utah State's class of 1965 in biology, and Dr. Tom Bahler was
his pre-med advisor. He was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta,
the honorary pre-med fraternity. A student during the same era
as Merlin Olsen (Merlin was a senior when John was a freshman),
Dr. Nelson said he looks back on his days in Logan fondly.
For his years of exemplary
dedication to the health and well being of the citizens of Utah,
and his outstanding service to his profession, the Utah State
University Alumni Association is proud to recognize Dr. John
C. Nelson as the 2003 Alumnus of the Year.
*Story
by Patrick Williams
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USU
Freshman's Nuclear Reactor
 A
physics project by a Utah State University student that creates small
occurrences of nuclear fusion has been producing something else lately:
a media buzz. The nuclear fusion reactor built by freshman Craig
Wallace was the subject of a recent feature story in the Desert News.
The article led to a mention of the experiment by Paul Harvey on
his nationally syndicated radio show, and the notoriety keeps growing.
(Herald Journal, 09/20/03)
Read
more » |
 Homecoming
The tradition
of Homecoming continues at Utah State University this fall with the golf
tournament, dance, parade and great Aggie football. Now Forever:
Living the Aggie Tradition is this year's theme. Join us on Friday,
October 10th for the golf tournament at Logan River Golf Course and the
Homecoming Dance that evening in the Taggart Student Center. Saturday,
October 11th begins with the parade at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street, the
Alumni/Big Blue Club tailgate at 4:00 p.m., and Aggie football against
the Wyoming Cowboys at 6:00 p.m. in Romney Stadium. Call 1-800-291-2586
for more information on these exciting Homecoming activities and remember,
wear your Aggie blue to the game!
Back to
the Buzzer
Homecoming
of Fall 1961
Think
Utah State!
Utah State University
has launched a new campaign to get people to “Think” Utah State. Recruitment
publications have a new look using the “Think” theme. Included
are the backlit billboards in the Salt Lake International Airport and
a new web design is on the way.
The new look is heavily supported
by market research. The image building campaign began with research
and focus groups conducted by Dan Jones and Associates. As a
result of the research, Utah State Public Relations and Marketing created
a marketing plan for the next three years. The
plan concentrates on one of Utah State’s strengths each year. During
that year, publicity will focus on the theme while highlighting all
of Utah State’s outstanding programs. The first year will focus
on Utah State’s achievements in the area of space, including the Space
Dynamics Lab and student experiments in space. The second year
will highlight land and water programs such as Genomes and the Utah
Water Research Lab. Human Services, including the Center for
Persons with Disabilities, Audiology, and Education will be highlighted
the third year.
Research and discovery, alumni
outcomes, residential campus, hands-on learning and statewide engagement
are all strong secondary themes that will be promoted throughout the
campaign. Another key theme to permeate every message is the idea of
academics first.
 Go
Big Blue!
Almost any student on campus today can tell you that Utah State's
mascot is Big Blue. Most people, however, don't realize that before
1989, there was no Big Blue, and that since then, four have become
mascots for professional teams.
In 1989, a student
graduating from Ricks College contacted Cheer Squad Advisor, Linda
Zimmerman, inquiring about a mascot position. At the time, USU had
no mascot. While only the Big West basketball tournament remained,
this student persisted until he was allowed to travel all the way to
Long Beach for the tournament (mainly so he would quit being a bother). Donning
an ancient and ugly royal blue suit, he dazzled the crowds and was
such a hit that the squad had to have him. This student, whose name
cannot be disclosed since he is now the professional mascot for the
Denver Nuggets, began one of the biggest traditions on USU’s campus.
A new mascot position and scholarship were created, and his official
name was naturally “Big Blue”, which had simply been used in the development
of the mascot in reference to his new costume.
Since 1989, there have been
six different students in the Big Blue costume. The first Big Blue
is still currently the mascot for the Denver Nuggets. The second Big
Blue became the mascot for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (hockey). When
the Salt Lake Hockey team sold their franchise, this student moved
to Fort Wayne, Indiana and became the mascot for their hockey team
-The Comets. The third Big Blue went on to become the first mascot
in history for the Cleveland Cavaliers. While spending time looking
for the next perfect Big Blue for Utah State, a member of the cheer
squad filled in as Big Blue. This student then became the professional
mascot for the Denver Soccer team. The fourth and fifth Big Blue both
received degrees from Utah State University and they now reside in
the Salt Lake City area. Current Big Blue is in his second season
with Utah State University. Four of the six mascots
were all on Utah State’s cheer squad prior to becoming Big Blue.
Currently,
Big Blue is funded by both the Student Activities Department and the
Athletics Department. He receives a full scholarship and keeps
a very tight schedule. Not only will you see Big Blue at all the games
and campus activities, but he also volunteers many hours to the community,
local elementary schools, hospitals, assisted living centers and private
parties. Big Blue’s favorite appearances are those with
the Special Olympics
Scholarship
Recipients
Alumni
chapter scholarships this year brought 22 new students to USU. These
scholarship recipients were honored at a dinner on September 24
at the Alumni Center. Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Las Vegas
are just a few chapter areas that raised support for student scholarships
this past year. Alumni Sustaining Memberships, Aggie licenses
plates (in Utah), and chapter events provide strong support for
scholarships. Here are a few of those recipients:
 Eleanor "Liz" Wheatley,
Box Elder County, Utah, wants to teach and share the joys of
music with children. A flute player, she also can play
the piano, piccolo and tenor saxophone. Her love of children
fits in with her chosen career, as well as her hobby. She collects
Pez candy dispensers and has about 130 of them.
 As
one of ten children, Elizabeth Rich, Summit County, Utah, says
she would not be at USU without her scholarship. “Words
cannot express the gratitude I feel,” she says. Loving
anything to do with design, she majors in interior design and
hopes someday to have her own interior design business.
 Like
most of his fellow scholarship recipients, Scott Lee, Malta,
Idaho, has a keen interest in outdoor activities. He is
hoping to attend law school and says he wouldn’t be at USU without
the support. His mother and father went to USU and four
siblings are Aggie graduates.
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 New
Engineering Building Dedication
The new Engineering
Building dedication will take place Thursday, Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m. in
the George S. and Delores Doré Eccles Foundation Display Center
of the building on the USU campus. Utah Lt. Gov. Olene Walker will
be on hand for the occasion. Everyone is invited to come early
for a tour of the new four-story, 105,000 square-foot teaching facility
that was built with a combination of state, private and corporate funding. The
new building was designed by MHTN Architects of Salt Lake City to take
full advantage of modern technology-enhanced teaching methods that emphasize
team work and interactive learning. Click
here for more pictures »
EVENT LISTINGS
Utah State University Alumni
Relations sponsors many exciting events throughout the year. To keep
informed about the most current ones, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/events.html often.
CONNECTIONS
Chapter News:
Box Elder County
On November
15, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Box Elder County Aggie Chapter
will host a pre-game party at the Alumni Center. Cost per person
will be $10 and will include the pre-game meal and a ticket to the USU
vs. Troy State Football game. Door prizes will also be given. Please
R.S.V.P. to the Alumni Office at 1-800-291-2586 (locally 797-2055) by
November 13.
New York City
An organizational
meeting will be held November 12 at 7:00 p.m. (site to be determined). Anyone
interested in being involved with helping to organize the New City Chapter,
contact Patty Halaufia at 1-800-291-2586.
Washington D.C.
President Kermit L.
Hall will lecture at the National Press Club on the JFK Assassination
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Did investigators of the
murder of President John F. Kennedy get it right? A week before the 40th
anniversary of the assassination, President Hall fills in the blanks.
He was one of five Americans appointed by President Clinton and confirmed
by the U.S. Senate to the Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board.
Please join President Hall for a presidential lecture and reception at
the National Press Club.
For more information, call
1-800-291-2586. You may also contact the D.C. Alumni Chapter
President Michelle Merrill at 703-369-0834. Please R.S.V.P. to
1-800-291-2586.
Athletics
Check out utahstateaggies.com for
the latest news and information about Aggie Athletics. If you
would like to receive electronic updates from Athletics, e-mail Joli
Hatch at joli.hatch@usu.edu.
Travel
Opportunities
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 Cruise
Tahiti
October
25- November 2, 2003
Sail aboard the Pacific Princess as she visits the enchanting
island of Tahiti.† Ports include Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea,
Bora Bora, and Moorea. Prices begin at $1895.00 per person,
double occupancy, and include cruise, airfare and all taxes
and fees. |
 China
May 12-21, 2004 - (rescheduled from September 2003)
To find more
information, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/china.html or
contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055.
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 Peru:
Empire of the Incas
March 17-24, 2004
This exciting tour includes visits to Lima, Cozco, the Sacred
Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu National Reserve and the Amazon. Prices
begin at $2299.00 per person, double occupancy. To
find more information visit www.usu.edu/alumni/peru.html or
contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055. |
 England
and Scotland
October 2004
Don't miss the spectacular sights of London, Oxford, Stratford
Upon Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, and more. Exact dates
and pricing will be available at a later date. |
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