Utah State University celebrates its 118th anniversary with a Founders Day dinner and reception Friday, March 3, in the Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom at the Taggart Student Center on campus. The evening opens with a reception at 6 p.m. and the award dinner begins at 7 p.m.

The USU Alumni Association sponsors the event, which includes an award ceremony honoring five distinguished alumni whose actions and achievements reflect positively on the university and the community. The public is invited.

“On Founders Day we will pay tribute to five individuals who have made significant impacts in their communities,” said Scott Olson, director of events for alumni relations at USU. “The actions of these five people bring honor and distinction to Utah State University, and they continue this university’s 118-year tradition of greatness. Founders Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the impact of Utah State University in the community, state, nation and the world.”

The 2006 award recipients are Melanie P. Raymond and Robert B. Murray, who will receive Distinguished Alumnus Awards, and Josey Barnes Wayman, Martell Menlove and Sumner M. Swaner, who will receive Distinguished Service Awards.

Melanie Poole Raymond graduated from USU in 1965 with a degree in elementary education. While attending USU, she was an active member of many clubs and organizations, including the USU symphony orchestra and the Kappa Delta sorority. Throughout her career she has held many leadership positions. Raymond spent three years as the president of the Logan City School foundation board. In 1992 she served as the committee chair of Gov. Michael Leavitt’s transition team, and two years later she became a member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Utah.

Robert B. Murray graduated from USU in 1951 with a degree in finance and marketing. Later he received a graduate degree from Harvard Business School. He is a decorated veteran of the Korean conflict where he served as a pilot in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He is also an entrepreneur and has owned many successful companies, including Miller Floral Company, Steve Regan Company and Alpine Confections Inc. In addition to his business undertakings, Murray has also taught at Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management and is a six-time recipient of the Student Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Josey Barnes Wayman graduated from Utah State in 1951 with a composite degree in speech and English. She has been a pioneer for women in broadcast journalism, winning three consecutive Lifeline of America broadcast awards before the age of 30. She has served as the National Trustee of Boys and Girls Club of America and has established scholarships at USU for female students in theater and broadcast journalism.

Martell Menlove graduated from Utah State in 1976 with a degree in elementary education. He later received his master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Utah before returning to Utah State to earn his doctorate in special education. He is currently the superintendent of Utah’s Box Elder School District and was named the 2006 Utah Superintendent of the Year by the Utah Education Coalition.

Sumner M. Swaner graduated from Utah State in 1984 with a degree in landscape architecture and environmental planning. He as served on the boards of Utah Open Lands and the Utah Department of Commerce Landscape Architects. He has also been involved with the American Institute of Certified Planners, and in 2002 he was asked to speak at the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development. He has given generously to USU, and in 2003 he and his mother, Dr. Paula M. Swaner-Smoot, pledged more than $1 million to establish the Sumner M. Swaner Endowed Professorship and the Swaner Green Space Institute at USU.

Tickets to the Founders Day event are available though the Alumni Association (435) 797-2055 or (800) 291-2586.

 

Contact: Scott Olson, (435) 797-0931

Writer: Natalie Naylor, (208) 680-0993

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