Marie Eccles Caine Foundation Honored
The Marie Eccles Caine Foundation is known throughout Utah as a preeminent charitable organization. In the past decade, the foundation has generously supported projects all over the state, including USU’s new Manon Caine Russell Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall.

On November 10, 2005, the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation was honored for its work with the prestigious Foundation Spirit of Giving Award. The award was given as part of Utah Philanthropy Day 2005 in Salt Lake City. The Utah Philanthropy Day is an annual event set up to recognize organizations that exemplify outstanding volunteerism and philanthropy in Utah.

Utah State University has enjoyed a long relationship with the foundation. Among the USU programs supported by the foundation are: the Merrill Library, the music, theatre, and interior design departments, the Women’s Center, and the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art.

College of Business Dean Accepts Position At FSU
College of Business Dean Caryn L. Beck-Dudley is leaving Utah State to become the new dean of the College of Business at Florida State University. She has served as dean at USU since 2002 and will continue here until sometime in the spring or early summer.

Dean Beck-Dudley graduated magna cum laude from USU with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She has taught business law, employment law, and business ethics at Utah State and served as department head for the Department of Management and Human Resources. Prior to arriving at USU, she was an attorney in Salt Lake City. In 2004, she was recognized by Utah Business magazine as one of its “Visionaries: 30 Women to Watch”.

USU ROTC Places Second At Ranger Challenge
The annual ROTC Ranger Challenge is a demanding competition that brings together schools from Utah, California, Nevada, and Arizona to test the cadets’ physical and mental prowess. The two-day event took place November 18-19, 2005 at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey, CA. After completing events such as physical fitness tests, orienteering courses, marksmanship tests, a hand grenade assault course, and a 10K rucksack march, the USU ROTC division placed second in the overall standings.

Members of this year's team were: Stanford Bell, Garland Pierce, Cuyler Clifton, Tyler Denton, Remington Curtis, Georganne Bell, Josh Springer, Brandon Andreasen, Ben Lee, and Stuart Brough. Georganne, the wife of team captain Stanford Bell, placed third in the personal fitness test in the female category, while Garland Pierce came in second in the male category of the same event.

Extension Vice President Headed To Iowa
USU Vice President and Dean for University Extension Jack Payne has accepted a position at Iowa State University. Dr. Payne will become the new vice provost for Extension and outreach there. The change will become effective on January 15, 2006.

Dr. Payne graduated with a master’s degree in fisheries science and a doctorate in wildlife sciences from Utah State University. He served on the faculties of Penn State University and Texas A&M before beginning a career with Ducks Unlimited, most recently serving as their National Director of Conservation.

Dr. Payne has served in his current position at USU since 2001.

Innovation Campus Celebrates 20 Years
After 20 years of success, Utah State University’s Innovation Campus celebrated its anniversary on November 21, 2005. Founded in 1985 in a North Logan field, the Innovation Campus has grown from one building to a high-tech research center. Today, 45 businesses, employing nearly 2,100 people, generate around $121 million in revenue per year. Among the USU facilities housed on the Innovation Campus are: the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the USU Research Foundation, and the Gemini Life Sciences.

At the anniversary celebration, former USU Vice President for Research Bartell Jensen was honored as the founder of the Innovation Campus. In 1984, Jensen and then Graduate School Dean Larry Piette came up with the idea for the research center. They designated the 30 acres of land the Innovation Campus now sits upon.

For more on the Innovation Campus, visit www.usu.edu/innovationcampus.

Fall Commencement Information
Commencement time is fast approaching for approximately 550 USU students and their families. The 114th commencement will take place on December 17, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. in the Spectrum. Students will assemble in the Fieldhouse first for the traditional procession to the Spectrum.

The commencement address will be given by USU Professor Sonia Manuel-Dupont, with President Albrecht moderating the event. A brief ceremony will also be included for the official investiture of President Albrecht as the university’s 15th president.

For more on all the commencement activities, visit the USU Commencement webpage.

There's Still Time To Learn About Medicare-D Program
November’s Medicare-D seminars were a success as many came to learn about this important program. Medicare Specialist Jon Christopher led the seminars, explaining the program and answering questions. Many in attendance signed up for the program.

If you or your loved ones would like to sign up for Medicare-D, or just learn more about it, feel free to call 801.628.3608.

Alumni Calendars Coming Out Soon
The much anticipated Alumni Calendars are finished. All our Sustaining Members will receive their calendar around Christmas time. If you are not a member and would like to receive your free calendar, sign up for a Sustaining Membership at www.usu.edu/alumni/sustain.html.

Looking For A Great Gift? How About Aggie Ice Cream!
For many of us Aggies, one of the fondest memories of Utah State is Aggie Ice Cream and Aggie cheese. With the holidays fast approaching, a half gallon of Aggie Ice Cream or cheese gift basket would make a great gift and can be sent all over the country. Visit the Aggie Ice Cream website for more information on ordering these delicious gift ideas.

Students file past Old Main during Commencement in 1914

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

Classnotes

Obituaries

Chapter News

Athletics

USU Cross Country Finishes Great Year
The Utah State University Cross Country team enjoyed a year of both team and individual successes in 2005. The men’s team won its first WAC Cross Country Championship with the best score in the event’s history in October, while the women’s team finished second. Runner Trevor Ball was named Cross Country Athlete of the Year and a first-team all-WAC selection. Ball also became the first All-American runner in school history.

In addition, Seth Wold and Vanessa Hawkins were named as Male and Female Freshmen of the Year by the WAC, and Men’s Cross Country Coach Gregg Gensel was named as Coach of the Year. This is Gensel’s 24th year of coaching the USU team. In the past, he was named Big West Conference Coach of the Year 16 times and led Utah State to four Big West Championships.

For more on cross country’s remarkable season, click here.

Travel Opportunities Acapulco and Mexican Riviera Cruise January 28-February 5, 2006 Sail the beautiful Norwegian Star all the way to Acapulco from Los Angeles and experience Mexico’s vibrant culture along the Mexican Riviera. On this unique 8-day itinerary you can dance all night long in Acapulco, discover the colonial beauty of Puerto Vallarta, dive into the exotic underwater world of Cabo San Lucas and relax on the beaches and boulevards of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. Tour of Italy's Great Cities May 9 -17, 2006 Join fellow Aggies on this nine-day trip through Italy. Visit the highlights of Rome, Florence, and Venice; stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa; marvel at Juliet's Balcony in Verona; and drive through the Chianti wine region of Tuscany. For more information on upcoming alumni travel events, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/travel.html or call the Alumni Relations office at (435)797-2055.

USU Magazine
To receive issues of the USU Magazine online, subscribe now by sending an
e-mail to: MAILSERV@cc.usu.edu and typing SUBSCRIBE USUMAG in the subject line. View the Magazine online at www.utahstate.usu.edu.

Subscribe or unsubscribe to the eNewsletter here.