Utah State University First University in Nation to Sign Community Covenant

On Nov. 3, Utah State University President Stan Albrecht and Vice President for Extension Noelle Cockett joined members of Utah’s military as well as representatives of USU’s ROTC to sign a community covenant. This is the first time that such a covenant has been signed between a university and the military. The covenant is a formal commitment of support to service members and their families.

The goal of the Army-sponsored Community Covenant program is to educate local leaders and citizens on the challenges that service members and their families experience in all phases of deployment (before, during and after). In its role, the university will make information available on programs that help service members, veterans and their families. 

Although Community Covenant is an Army program, it extends to the other military services as well. 

USU recognizes the contributions of all service members and their families regardless of the uniform they wear.

Though covenants are generally signed by localities and municipalities, the Utah National Guard felt that Utah State University would be an ideal partner due to its robust state-wide Extension program as well as its strong connection to the military through on-campus ROTC programs.

“The Community Covenant Program wants to include every type of community,” said CPT Earl Simmons of the Utah National Guard Community Covenant Program. “We are thrilled that USU will be working with us to meet the needs of service members, veterans and military families.”

Noelle Cockett, vice president for Extension, feels that the extensive USU Extension network has much to offer military families.

“Through Extension, USU offers educational resources and programs in financial literacy, relationships and family life and family resource management to name a few,” said Cockett.

“With offices in all 29 counties across Utah, military families will have easy access to these existing and helpful resources.”

One-hundred-twenty-five Utah towns and cities and 12 counties, including Cache County, have signed a community covenant.

Fittingly, the signing ceremony took place Nov. 3, Military Appreciation Day, during halftime of the USU-Texas State game.

For more information about the Community Covenant program visit the website

Contact: Brian Higginbotham, 435-797-7276, brian.higginbotham@usu.edu

Writer: Paige Pagnucco, 435-797-1429, paige.pagnucco@usu.edu