Events Welcome USU Eastern Students Back

Students are back at Utah State University Eastern, and the start of the new academic year has been about more than returning to classrooms.

Through Town Ties, the Luminary Ceremony and the Blue Blast Block Party, USU Eastern welcomed students with opportunities to connect with campus programs, local businesses, community resources, and the people who will support them throughout their time at Eastern.

On Friday evening, hundreds of students gathered at the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center for Town Ties, an annual event designed to introduce students to local businesses and services.

“The idea behind Town Ties is to introduce students who are new to the area to businesses that they might not know,” said Barbie Haeck, director of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce.

Healthcare, banking, recreation, shopping, and other services were represented, with participating businesses bringing carnival-style activities for students. Dinner was provided free of charge, and students who visited the businesses could win a variety of prizes.

For Samantha Madrid, nurse practitioner with Castleview Urgent Care, Town Ties made students aware of healthcare resources available to them.

“I thought it was awesome to interact with the students and make sure they were aware of the free visits they are offered,” Madrid said. “The students seemed to enjoy it and so did we.”

Friday concluded with USU Eastern’s Luminary Ceremony, where Kevin Hurst, Kristian Olsen and Price City Mayor Terry Willis helped light the way into a new school year.

“We need USUE students to feel they are part of our community from the minute they arrive until the day they graduate,” Willis said. “I feel Town Ties and Luminary is an amazing way to start letting the students understand that we truly want that to happen.”

The celebration continued Monday with the Blue Blast Block Party, bringing students, USU Eastern departments, local businesses and the general public together to showcase programs, services and opportunities.

For campus departments, Blue Blast connects students with resources they may need during their college experience.

“This event is awesome for us so we can get our names out as the therapists on campus and let them know of the services available to those in need,” said Eric Hansen with the Social Work Program and Counseling Services. “Then it's a great way to recruit new students into our program and educate the community.”

Community partners also highlighted opportunities beyond the classroom, including businesses such as Intermountain Electronics that work closely with the university to connect students with internships and career opportunities. Through its growing internship partnership with USU Eastern, Intermountain Electronics is able to educate students about available career paths while also recruiting future interns.

Despite Blue Blast being moved indoors at the last minute due to weather, Student Life Coordinator Allie Chamberlain said the campus and community quickly adapted.

“Everyone was so flexible and willing to jump in and make the best of it,” Chamberlain said. “It was great to see our students, campus and community all come together to kick off the year.”

Now in her ninth year organizing Blue Blast, Chamberlain said the event continues to be made possible by the many people who show up each year to support Eastern and its students. She expressed her appreciation for the local businesses, sponsors, university employees, volunteers, and community members whose continued support helps bring the event together and makes it a successful start to the school year.

Together, the three events reinforced an important message as another academic year begins at USU Eastern: Students are not only part of a campus, but part of a community invested in helping them feel welcome, supported, and successful.