A Tradition of Aggie Blue and Fighting White: Aggie’s Enduring Love for USU Athletics
Fall at USU is more than just a season; it's a time of electric anticipation, with Maverik Stadium coming alive to the roar of the Aggie faithful. The excitement extends beyond the football field, carrying through winter to the Spectrum, where the Aggie basketball teams ignite a similar fervor. For devoted Aggie alum, Clark Whitworth ’82, these experiences aren’t just fond memories — they are a cornerstone of his life, fueling a deep commitment to the university and its student-athletes.
For Clark, the game experience isn’t just about the thrill of competition. It’s about this unique place and the students who make it exceptional. Clark’s support for USU Athletics goes beyond attending games. He believes in the power of giving back, especially when it comes to supporting the university’s student-athletes.
“Aggie Athletics is made up of student-athletes, and that’s what our donations are going to support,” he explains. “My family and I have enjoyed every high and every low with Aggie sports. We do what we can to help, and we hope someday, we can make even bigger contributions.”
Clark is a father of five, all of whom are USU alumni, and a grandfather to eight. He and his wife, Jennifer, also an Aggie who earned her degree and graduated in 2023, are committed to the welfare and development of young people. As the years go by, his love for Utah State and its athletics program continues to grow.
“Utah State has always been a great university,” he says. “As alumni, we all need to share how great USU is and how much good it does for students and the community in so many different areas. I’m proud to be an Aggie, and I’ll keep doing whatever I can to support this incredible institution.”
Read More
Support From Every State
Utah State received donations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Donors in 27 Utah counties gave $36,448,282.45 to USU, with the highest total amount of $15,248,931.48 in gifts coming from 1,084 donors in Salt Lake County. Cache County, with $11,657,024.62 from 2,606 donors and Sevier County with $3,006,762.50 from 29 donors rounded out the top three. Outside of Utah, the top three states in total dollars donated were Idaho with $8,478,574.99 donated; California, with $3,998,579.07 donated; and Kansas, with $3,176,572.20 donated.
Alumni Giving
Alumni Donors
4,410
Total Giving
$21,526,592
Investing in Education: Alum Shares Gratitude for USU Experience
Randy Rhodes with his wife, Heidi, posing in Winslow, Arizona, with a statue of Glenn Frey from the classic rock band, the Eagles.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 1972, Randy Rhodes explored multiple career paths, including serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Eastern Caribbean, and working in oil and gas drilling and exploration. Randy’s journey eventually led him to a 28-year career with a Fortune 500 company managing complex water resources — a skillset he attributes to his foundational training at USU.
“My degree gave me the fundamental knowledge I needed, from measuring stream flow to understanding natural resource management,” Randy explained. “It was a great start to my professional journey, and I want to ensure that future students have the same opportunities.”
Now, with a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to give back, Randy has made a generous planned gift to support the university that played such a pivotal role in his life. Randy’s gift will help fund research initiatives and scholarships, allowing students to pursue their academic goals without the financial challenges he once faced.
“Education and research are so important for our future,” Randy said. “Students who engage in research not only help advance discovery, but also gain hands-on experience that shapes their careers. It’s a double win.”
Interested in learning about all the different ways to make a planned gift to USU?
USU Faculty and Staff Giving
Faculty and Staff Donors
876
Total Giving
$1,545,328
Giving by Aggie Impact Area
A Monument to Progress: Visionary Donors Fuel Educational Opportunities and Community Growth at USU Monument Valley
A transformative chapter in education and community development is unfolding in Monument Valley, where Utah State University is constructing a modern, multi-functional academic facility along the Utah-Arizona border. This 10,000-square-foot building will be a beacon of progress and opportunity, providing critical educational, vocational, and community resources to the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
Strategically located near Monument Valley High School, this landmark facility is USU’s first Statewide Campus situated on tribal lands, representing a 40-year commitment to serving Native American students and their communities.
This ambitious project reflects not only USU’s dedication to its land-grant mission, but also the generosity of visionary donors like Joe and Anna Graf. Their philanthropic support has catalyzed this initiative, exemplifying how private giving fuels USU’s Excellence Initiatives — strategic efforts to elevate the university’s reach and impact statewide.
“Education isn’t just an investment in individuals; it uplifts entire communities,” Joe said. “Many of us take for granted the opportunities we’ve had. Traveling has shown me how unequal access to those opportunities can be. We all have a role to play in ensuring education is within reach for everyone.”
Giving By Year
Endowed Scholarships
New Scholarships
107
Student Recipients
2,469
Total
Awarded
$4,334,515
Expendable Scholarships
New Scholarships
35
Student Recipients
3,360
Total
Awarded
$5,358,261
Peak Summer Research Fellowship Showcases USU’s Undergraduate Research Excellence
Michelle Norman, a geosciences major in the College of Arts & Sciences and Peak Summer Research Fellow, exemplifies the transformative power of undergraduate research.
Undergraduate research is more than just an academic exercise at Utah State University — it’s a defining experience that sets students on the path to discovery, critical thinking, and professional success. For many students, research provides hands-on learning that deepens their understanding of their fields and helps prepare them for their next steps — whether they’re entering the job market or going on to pursue graduate study.
Established in 2019, the Peak Summer Research Fellowship provides funding that allows students to dedicate ten weeks solely to research, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from fully engaging in their projects. The Peaks’ generosity to create and support this expendable scholarship has opened doors for students across disciplines, encouraging them to push boundaries and aspire to national scholarships and top graduate programs.
Interested in learning more about creating a scholarship at USU?
Annual Impact Report Archive
2024
2023
2022
2021