Utah State University Honors Seven at Founders Day Ceremony
Seven Utah State University alumni will be honored Friday, March 5, at a Founders Day ceremony that celebrates the university's 122nd anniversary.
The USU Alumni Association Executive Board gives the Distinguished Alumnus Awards and the Distinguished Service Awards to those who have had a significant impact on their communities though both professional impacts and civic engagement.
The 2010 award recipients are Harold W. Dance and Lonnie and Cheryl Smith, who will receive Distinguished Alumnus Awards, and Jay and Suzanne Glasmann and Jeff and Bonnie Clark, who will receive Distinguished Service Awards.
"In many ways, the greatness of Utah State University can be defined by the successes of its alumni, so every year it is extremely rewarding to see that Aggies are having, and have had, a dramatic impact all around the world," said Patty Halaufia, executive director of the Alumni Association at USU. "These awards tell stories of commitment to their professions and to their communities. Their efforts bring great credit to Utah State University, and we are proud to honor them, as they've honored us so well in so many ways."
Watch the video highlighting the honorees.
Harold Dance
Harold Dance has distinguished himself throughout his life in many ways. He contracted polio at the age of 3, and, knowing he couldn't make a living with his body, he learned how to succeed with his mind. Always maintaining a positive attitude, he used this potential obstacle to turn him into the man he would become.
Dance always had a love for singing. By junior high, he was already an accomplished performer and a student leader in Blackfoot, Idaho.
After one year at Utah Agricultural College, he left to serve an LDS mission in the New England area. When he returned to Logan, Dance became involved in a variety of organizations and activities on campus, including Student Council, Inner Fraternity Council, Intercollegiate Knights and Alpha Sigma Nu honor society. He served as chairman of Winter Carnival and "A" day. One of the greatest impacts he made was his part in construction of what is now the Taggart Student Center.
He graduated from UAC in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Commerce. After returning from Harvard Business School, he was hired as the insurance manager of Utah Mortgage in Logan where he later was promoted to vice president. It was during this period that he married the love of his life, the former Ruth Ballard.
Dance built an impressive career in the insurance, banking and investment industry. In 1961, he opened Harold Dance Brokerage. He helped found the independent Association of Financial Planners. He also taught classes on personal finance at USU, and served on the School of Business advisory board.
In 2004, his beloved son Brad was killed in a tragic car accident. After the accident, Dance set up business scholarships at USU in memory of Brad.
Giving back to others has been a principle he has built his life upon. He served as a LDS bishop twice and completed a couple's mission with his wife in Nauvoo, Illinois. Ruth Dance believes his greatest accomplishment has been the role he played as a husband, father and grandfather.
Lonnie and Cheryl Smith
Lonnie Smith joined Intuitive Surgical, Inc. in 1997 and is currently the chairman of the board of directors. During his tenure as CEO, Intuitive has grown from a start-up company with no revenue to an established corporation with over one billion dollars in revenue and approximately 1,300 employees.
Prior to joining Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Lonnie was senior executive vice president of Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. He joined Hillenbrand in 1978, and during his tenure was a member of the executive committee, the office of the president, and the board of directors. He has also held positions with The Boston Consulting Group and IBM and served as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army. Lonnie is a native of Twin Falls, Idaho. While at USU, he was active in Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, served on the Engineering Council, and was a member of the Student Senate. He received his bachelor's of science in Electrical Engineering from Utah State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, graduating with distinction. He enjoys skiing, boating and exercising.
Lonnie met his wife, Cheryl, while they were both attending USU. During her time at USU, Cheryl was involved in Kappa Delta Sorority, serving a term as president. She also was involved in Sponsors, Panhellenic Council and Alpha Sigma Nu honor society. She was a member of the Buzzer yearbook staff and active in student government. After graduating from USU with a bachelor of arts in secondary education, Cheryl taught English at West High School in Salt Lake City and at Ogden High School. She has been a hospital volunteer, president and board member of the Hospital Guild, PTA board member, community library volunteer, temple worker and served in many areas of the LDS church. Cheryl's interests include reading, traveling and music.
Although they both have busy schedules, family is the most important aspect of Lonnie and Cheryl's life. Their favorite thing to do is spend time with their five children and 13 grandchildren.
Jay and Suzanne Glasmann
Jay and Suzanne Glasmann live in Washington, D.C., but they are proud Utah natives and maintain a high interest in supporting education in Utah. Jay established the Glasmann Foundation, which is founded on two mains goals: supporting higher education and helping to break the cycle of illiteracy.
Jay enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII. The Navy sent Jay to Idaho State as part of its officer training program. Later he was assigned to the destroyer USS Power in the Mediterranean. After the war, Jay earned his business and law degrees from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. He graduated cum laude.
He spent 40 years in Washington as a partner with the law firm Ivins, Phillips & Barker, specializing in international tax law. During the Eisenhower administration, he served as assistant Secretary of the Treasury, where he was responsible for tax legislation and head of the legal advisory staff. From 1966 to 1968, Jay advised the Philippine government on the revision of its tax laws.
He and his wife, Sharlene Brewer, who died in 1985, raised six children.
Jay married Suzanne Richards in 1994. She was born in Logan and graduated from USU in 1963. Suzanne was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and active in student body affairs. She taught English and French while her late husband, Dennis R. Garff, was earning his doctorate. When Dennis died in 1985, she raised three children as a single mother.
After moving to the Washington, D.C., area, Suzanne was active in PTA and served as a president of the youth and children's organizations in her church while volunteering on Capitol Hill. She is currently on the board of Lakeside Community in Alton, N.H.
Jay and Suzanne enjoy playing tennis, swimming, hiking, traveling and spending time with their families.
Jeff and Bonnie Clark
Jeff and Bonnie met in high school, fell in love and are currently living happily ever after. They are the parents of five children, love their daughter-in-law and are active participants in community and church service.
Jeff is the chairman and chief executive officer of J D Clark & Company. He is also the managing member of Praesideo Management, LLC and chief investment officer of the Praesideo Funds. Jeff graduated from USU with a bachelor's degree in accounting. Upon graduation he joined KPMG in Seattle as a Certified Public Accountant. Jeff is active in community service as a member of USU's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Advisory Board. He is a past board member of the Weber Foundation, where he chaired the Business Development Committee and of Habitat for Humanity. Jeff has also served as chairman of the Utah Junior Miss Board of Directors.
Bonnie is a devoted community advocate and currently chairs the board of directors of Boys & Girls Club of Weber and Davis County. She is the past PTSA President of Orion Junior High and Lomond View Elementary. Bonnie has also served as the co-chair of Utah's Junior Miss and director of Junior Miss of Northern Utah. After graduating from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in education, Bonnie taught physical education and business education at Sky View High School in Cache Valley.
Contact: Cecile Gilmer (435) 797-8275, cecile.gilmer@usu.edu
