USU Introduces Initiative-Driven Impact Campaign USU and the USU Foundation Board hosted a celebration event to officially launch the Create Your Aggie Impact Campaign. The initiative-driven fundraising campaign focuses on four priorities that are centered around outcomes that accelerate student access and opportunity, elevate the education experience, develop solutions to the world’s challenges and build a university of distinction. Read More USU Foundation Board Receives National Recognition The USU Foundation Board received the John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges for its exceptional leadership and initiative. Leveraging its standing as a respected voice that has paved the way for ambitious university initiatives, the board has championed efforts in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the newly launched “Create Your Aggie Impact” initiative-driven fundraising campaign. Read More Turning Grief into Good During her time at USU, Julie Cook ’14 “blossomed” from a “shy, little, scared-of-her-shadow-type-of person” to someone who was very social and loved people and learning about different cultures. After Julie died in a car accident in 2016, her parents, James ’87, M.E. ’93 and Debbie ‘87, M.S. ’89, created the “Data Ninja” scholarship in honor of her love of the Data Ninja trophy she received as the top student in USU Professor David Olsen’s class. Read More USU’s Peacebuilding Initiative Gets Substantial Gift and New Name Alumn Mehdi Heravi ’63, ’64, has made a sizeable gift to rename the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Peace Initiative to the Heravi Peace Institute, which will bring additional resources and raise its profile. Heravi’s donation also includes a generous endowment to subsidize institute students. Those who receive support from the endowment will be known as Heravi Peace Scholars. Read More USU Alum Creates Podcast for a Better Life and Thriving Career “Expand Your Zone” is a podcast designed to be highly actionable. Each episode is short and distills down research and key insights for your daily use. Hosted by USU alum Zachary Ames ’08, founder of XYZ Leadership, each episode explores a different aspect of leadership from the stories and experiences of world renown experts, authors, entrepreneurs and more. Listen Enhancing the University Experience: Alumni Couple Support Spaces for Students In honor of their time spent at USU, Jim ’82 and Jeri Spinner ’81, decided it was time to give back to the institution that gave so much to them. The Jim and Jeri Spinner Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Lab in the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources will include the latest lab equipment and supplies in a space designed for students to conduct high-quality research. In addition, the Spinner Weeks Terrace, located in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, provides an overlook on the west side of Huntsman Hall that Jeri hopes can be enjoyed by all students. Read More Purpose and Passion: Working Together Solidifies Gift from USU Alum to College of Humanities and Social Sciences USU alum Jim Ratcliff’s prosperous career helped make the idea of giving back to USU a reality. His gift to support the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center, a new building on USU’s campus slated to begin construction in 2023, impacts CHaSS and the university at large in many ways. Read More Cache Valley Couple Treasured for Providing Aggie Family Experience for USU Athletes For USU community member Mike Kohler and his wife, Juanita, a former USU employee, supporting Aggie athletes and USU Athletics has become a life-long passion. Read More For more stories about Creating Aggie Impact, visit: https://www.usu.edu/advancement/stories. AP Photo/Rich Pendroncelli Sam Merrill ’20 The first pick in the NBA G League draft by the Cleveland Charge, Merrill debuted for the Charge November 4 and made a first-of-its-kind game-winning 3-pointer.   Photographed by MANICPROJECT Breanne Yamauchi ’17 Yamauchi, partner and COO of Frugll, was named one of 20 in their 20s 2022 by Utah Business Magazine.   Photographed by MANICPROJECT David Aaron Ball ’15 Ashley J. Bloxham ’03 Ball and Bloxham were named Marketing Professionals of the Year by Utah Business Magazine for having measurable impacts on their companys’ bottom lines and going above and beyond to share their visions with the world.   Jacob M. Van den Akker ’15, ’19 MEd USU named Jacob Van den Akker as director of Academic Advising for Statewide Campuses.   Photographed by MANICPROJECT Andy Frasure ’96 As president of Advanced Health Care, Frasure was named a 2022 Healthcare Hero by Utah Business Magazine for working to ensure the optimal patient experience and for creating a world-class culture for his team of healthcare heroes.   Charisse Bremond Weaver ’87 As part of The Los Angeles Sparks #WeAreWomen campaign, Brotherhood Crusade president and CEO Bremond Weaver ’87 was named 2021 Woman of the Year for her passion and dedication as a leader in the non-profit sector.   Photographed by MANICPROJECT Abby Palmer Cox ’98 First Lady of Utah, Palmer Cox, named a 2022 Women of the Year by Utah Business Magazine. Isaiah Emmanuel Jones ’12, ’15 MA USU hired Isaiah Jones as its senior director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.   Robert Wayne Allen ’09 MBA Intermountain Healthcare named Allen, the organization’s long-standing chief operating officer, as its new president and CEO of the health system in November.   Jon Michael Parrish ’09 The Two Road Hat Co., founded in 2020 by Parrish, was featured in Swagger Magazine in a story celebrating the brand’s encouragement for men to step outside their comfort zone and embrace their own path.   Photo courtesy of Sarah Reale Sarah Reale ’07, ’11 MS Reale, Salt Lake Community College’s director of digital marketing, will represent District 5 on Utah’s State Board of Education after winning the 2022 election.   Photo courtesy of Jordan Ferney Jordan Ferney ’05 Ferney, a mom of three and successful blogger, designer, party planner and founder of Oh Happy Day Shop, wears many hats.   Katrina Kennedy ’05 AS, ’08 As CEO at Degreed, Kennedy helped build the upskilling platform that connects learning, talent development and internal mobility opportunities in one place, and then became a partner at Kickstart.   Kacie N. Malouf ’03 As co-founder of Malouf Companies and board chair of the Malouf Foundation, Malouf was named as a Pathfinder Awardee by The Salt Lake Chamber. Aggie Network The Aggie Network allows alumni to network with fellow Aggies as well as connect with and mentor students currently attending USU. Sign up for free today! Sign Up Aggie Outings Explore the outdoors with fellow Aggies and friends on adventures taught by certified guides. Whether a beginner or expert, there are opportunities for all skill levels that range from fat biking to full moon hiking. February 11: Fat Biking in the Snow February 25: Backcountry Skiing March 1: Snowshoeing March 18: Cross Country Skiing April TBD: Cabin Fever Hike June 2: Full Moon in June Pre-Register February 24: Aggie Ski Day at Powder Mountain Bring the whole family to Powder Mountain with an Aggie-only rate, discounted rentals and Big Blue sightings on the mountain. Learn More February 25: Aggie Night with the Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are excited to welcome Aggies to attend the Jazz vs Spurs game. Discount ticket purchase includes VIP early entry to watch pregame warmups from the first few rows. Learn More June 19-27: Aggie Elizabethan Tour with Dr. Norm Jones Go on a historical tour of England with the Alumni Association and USU History Professor Norm Jones. Register Online Mini-Courses for Aggies USU alumni can save $5 on a number of online courses with topics ranging from water-efficient landscaping to pressure cooking basics. Register Goldenwest Insurance As an Aggie, you are eligible to receive exclusive discounts on all your insurance needs, including home and auto, from Goldenwest Insurance Services. Get your free rate quote today. Quick Quote