Countdown to Aggie Spirit: Celebrate USU's 2025 Homecoming

Utah State University’s 2025 Homecoming is just around the corner — Oct. 13-18 — and it’s shaping up to be a week packed with Aggie pride, tradition and celebration.

Homecoming week will kick off with Aggie spirit as the Student Alumni Association leads the annual painting of the “A” at the intersections of 400 North and Main Street, and 1000 North and 800 East.

On Monday, Oct. 13, student clubs and organizations will add their own flair by transforming the Taggart Student Center Bus Loop into a vibrant display of artwork that showcases the creativity and pride of each group. Students can also look forward to fan-favorite traditions throughout the week, including the high-energy Powder Puff Tournament and the always-entertaining Mr. USU Pageant.

On Thursday, Oct. 16, Aggies everywhere are invited to participate in A Day of Giving — a chance to make a meaningful impact by supporting student scholarships and strengthening the Aggie experience for years to come.

The excitement will build Friday night, Oct. 17, with the Homecoming football game at 7 p.m., when the Aggies face off against San Jose State in a showdown sure to ignite Maverik Stadium. The celebration will continue at midnight as Old Main glows blue for True Aggie Night, bringing together students and alumni around the iconic “Block A” for one of USU’s most beloved and unforgettable traditions.

Saturday, Oct. 18, will keep the energy high. The day begins with the Running with the Bulls 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m., when the streets of Logan fill with Aggie spirit as the parade winds from Center Street to 800 North.

Check out all the Homecoming week events at usu.edu/homecoming.

Homecoming Honorees

As part of the celebration, USU will recognize four outstanding Aggies for their contributions to the university and beyond. Leading the parade as Grand Marshals will be Doug and Juanita Kohler; joined by Gary Marlowe, Alumnus of the Year; and Curtis Michael Anderson, Young Alumnus of the Year. Together, they embody the service, leadership and pride that define the Aggie family.

Mike and Juanita Kohler

Grand Marshals

Few couples embody the spirit of Utah State University more than Mike and Juanita Kohler. For decades, they have opened their hearts and home to Aggie student-athletes, creating a tradition of mentorship, encouragement and their famously lively “crazy Kohler family dinners.” Their steadfast support has made them beloved members of the Aggie family and true champions of the Aggie Blue and Fighting White.

A proud North Logan native, Mike enjoyed a 36-year career with Select Sires, the largest global AI cooperative for beef and dairy, while also co-founding Twin-K Enterprises with his twin brother, Wallace, and their wives. Together, they pioneered a successful Dutch oven supply company with national reach, published the World Championship Dutch Oven Cookbook — which sold more than 114,000 copies — and taught Dutch oven cooking through USU Enrichment for 15 years. Their expertise became legendary across the state and the nation, but more importantly, they used it to fuel fundraising dinners and community events that benefited USU Athletics and the Cache Valley community.

Juanita served Utah State for 25 years in the Department of Languages, Philosophy and Speech, where she helped establish the “Child of a Classified Employee Scholarship” and was named USU Classified Employee of the Year in 1983-84. She also served on the Big Blue Club Board and made history as its first female president. Together, Mike and Juanita dedicated countless hours to advancing student-athlete scholarships, hosting team gatherings and volunteering for major USU events such as the World Championship Dutch Oven Cookoff at the Festival of the American West.

Married for more than 60 years after meeting in the seventh grade, the Kohlers raised three children — including two proud USU alumni — and now enjoy cheering alongside their grandchildren at Aggie sporting events. Whether in the stands, at their dinner table, or out on the golf course, their love for people and for Utah State shines through.

For their decades of generosity, leadership and True Aggie spirit, Utah State University is honored to recognize Mike and Juanita Kohler as the 2025 Homecoming Grand Marshals.

Gary Marlowe ’99

Alumnus of the Year

Gary R. Marlowe, first officer for American Airlines and retired U.S. Air Force colonel, exemplifies the Utah State University spirit of service, leadership and excellence. A summa cum laude graduate in political science from the former College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Marlowe was commissioned through USU’s Air Force ROTC program as a distinguished graduate before earning his pilot wings in the elite Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.

Throughout his 23 years of military service, Marlowe commanded the 389th Fighter Squadron, leading a 21-jet F-15E unit that played a key role in the liberation of Mosul, Iraq. A command pilot, he flew 866 combat hours in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, and Inherent Resolve.

His leadership extended beyond the cockpit — he served as division chief of current operations (J-33) on the Joint Staff, overseeing real-time military operations in the National Military Command Center, and provided direct support to senior defense leaders, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of Defense and the president of the United States. His assignments also included serving as military aide to the president and speechwriter to the vice chief of staff of the Air Force.

Marlowe’s academic and professional excellence continued with advanced degrees from The George Washington University and the Naval War College, as well as his selection as a Seminar XXI Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before his military retirement, he joined the faculty of the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University, educating future senior military and civilian leaders on pressing global security issues.

Today, Marlowe continues his lifelong passion for aviation as a commercial pilot with American Airlines. He and his wife, Jewel Marlowe ’02, also a USU alum, are the proud parents of four children.

For his distinguished service to his country, commitment to education and leadership, and embodiment of Utah State University’s highest ideals, Gary R. Marlowe is recognized with Utah State University’s 2025 Alumni of the Year award.

Curtis Michael Anderson ’14

Young Alumnus of the Year

Curtis Michael Anderson, a visionary entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist and graduate of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, embodies the spirit of innovation, service and leadership that defines Utah State University alumni.

Curtis is the founder and CEO of Nursa, a real-time digital platform that connects health care facilities with qualified nursing staff to fill short-term staffing gaps. He created Nursa in 2019 with the belief that innovative software could solve many of the challenges faced by health care providers and nurses alike.

Drawing on his experience scaling a traditional health care staffing agency, he has built Nursa into a disruptive industry force, now serving a nationwide community of more than 400,000 nurses and caregivers and 3,500 facility partners.

Under his leadership, Nursa has been recognized among Newsweek’sAmerica’s Greatest Startup Workplaces 2025, The Salt Lake Tribune’sTop Workplaces 2024, and Slice of Healthcare’s2025 Company to Watch. Curtis himself has earned recognition as one of Utah Business Magazine’sCEOs of the Year and as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Mountain West Award in both 2024 and 2025.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Curtis has remained deeply connected to his alma mater. Together with his wife, Stacie, he established the Stacie Anderson Nursing Scholarship, which has already supported multiple Aggie nursing students in pursuit of their education. He has also served as a judge for USU’s Horizons Competition, joined the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Advancement Board, and is actively collaborating with the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Data Analytics Center to provide real-world learning opportunities for students.

Curtis’s commitment to purpose, curiosity and tenacity guides both his business and his service. He defines success not by rapid growth or accolades but by the lives changed through his work — ensuring that every patient has access to a nurse at their bedside. Curtis lives in the Salt Lake City area with Stacie and their three children.

For his outstanding professional achievements, philanthropic leadership and unwavering dedication to Utah State University, the institution is proud to honor Curtis Michael Anderson with the Young Alumnus of the Year Award.