Historical Buildings- David B. Haight Alumni Center

History

Along with the Agricultural Experiment Station (Public Relations – 003), the Alumni Center received its funding through an appropriation from the Utah Territorial Assembly of 1890. It was built as a "Model Farm House" for the new Utah Agricultural College.

Utah Agricultural College President Jeremiah Sanborn helped in the design of the house and upon completion decided that it would be the perfect place for the president of the college to live. It was thereafter the official residence of the president and became known as the "President's Home." It served this purpose until President Stanford Cazier and his wife built a home off campus in 1983 following encouragement of from the State Board of Regents.

President and Mrs. Cazier thought that the Alumni Association would be the appropriate occupant for the "President's Home." The Alumni Council enthusiastically agreed to the arrangement and Utah State University's Development office began a campaign in the spring of 1984 to raise money for the remodel of the president's Home for the new Alumni Center. Nearly $300,000 was raised and the remodel was completed in October 1986.

The Alumni Center served well as an office for the Alumni Association but many dreamed of a larger facility that would facilitate larger groups for receptions, programs, and dinners. Jon and Karen Huntsman donated a generous incentive gift and over 1000 other friends and alumni followed with contributions in excess of $1,000,000.

Work was completed on the David B. Haight Alumni Center and it was dedicated in July 1991. The 110 year old home with its history, setting and beauty is a wonderful home for the Alumni Center and its reception center is one of the finest venues for meetings, dinners and receptions in northern Utah.