Utah State University Holds Virtual Founders Day & Old Main Society Celebration

Utah State University is celebrating the strength and resiliency of the Aggie Spirit during the 2021 virtual Founders Day & Old Main Society Celebration on Friday, March 26. The program begins at 6 p.m. with a pre-event photo gallery starting at 5:35 p.m. Register for the event at usu.edu/foundersday.

Utah State is honored to recognize our outstanding alumni, donors, students, faculty and friends who have persevered and created opportunity from uncertainty. The evening of inspiration showcases those who exemplify Utah State’s mission of service through learning, discovery and engagement. The virtual event includes music, interactive breakout sessions and stories from our “Aggie Strong” Family.

The 2021 celebration marks the 133rd anniversary of the founding of the university and the 53rd annual recognition of our Old Main Society members. The excellence of many university programs depends on the support of private donations, especially members of the Old Main Society.

This year’s Spirit of Old Main and Distinguished Alumni awards go to exceptional alumni and supporters for their community leadership, generosity, selfless service and investments in USU's future.

Stan and Carolyn Block will receive the 2021 Spirit of Old Main Award for their efforts in advancing Utah State as an institution through years of service to the mental health community.

Stanley H. Block, M.D. and Carolyn Bryant Block

Stanley H. Block, M.D. and Carolyn Bryant Block are the founders of Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) and the I-System Model of Human Behavior. The basic premise of their work is that humankind is not lacking, and the world is not broken. The sole focus of their techniques is to lessen the hindrance (I-System) that separates us, individually and collectively, from our intrinsic goodness, power and wisdom, thereby creating a world where suffering, racism and inequality are replaced by healing, fairness and harmony.

Their work is supported by their eight books published in 10 foreign languages, numerous peer reviewed research articles published with or by scholars, and 20+ years of clinical application around the world. MBB, a brain and evidence-based clinical technique, successfully treats an entire spectrum of mental disorders and dysfunctional conditions including anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), domestic violence, conflict, stress and addiction. The I-System Model of Human Behavior expands MBB’s application to collectives (e.g., families, groups, organizations, nations, etc.) with the aim of optimizing functioning and engendering inner and world peace.

Stan and Carolyn are grateful to have found a perfect home for MBB and the I-System Model of Human Behavior in the I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies at Utah State University within the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology in the College of Humanities and Social Science. In addition to providing multiple gifts to support the institute, they have donated their intellectual property thus enabling USU to be the global center of I-System research and initiatives. Over the past three years, thousands of USU students and student athletes have learned through classes and workshops MBB skills that promote resilience, wellness and excellence. Human services professionals, teachers, children and families throughout the world have also gained tools through participating in MBB workshops that help them to be resilient in these stressful and trying times.

Their lifetime body of work as well as their philanthropic efforts to make the I-System Institute at USU a nationally acclaimed institution makes the Blocks deserving of this year’s Spirit of Old Main Award. This award is designed to recognize the work of exceptional individuals in advancing USU as an educational institution.

Stan, a physician with 55 years of experience, is board certified in Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis and has held academic appointments at multiple Universities including his alma mater UCLA. Carolyn, a vessel of God, is a mother, wife, author, poet and gardener. The Blocks have a 40-year history of helping those in need. They happily reside in Copalis Beach, Washington.

Charisse Bremond Weaver

Charisse Bremond Weaver is a passionate, dedicated leader in the not-for-profit sector. Her focus and desire are to serve her community and make it a better environment for those she touches and those they touch.

Bremond Weaver is leading the Brotherhood Crusade that was founded by her late father Walter Bremond in 1968. She’s been the president and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade for nearly 15 years. During her tenure, she has significantly expanded the organization’s reach, profile and partnerships. Bremond Weaver leads a team of 75, 45 of whom are full time. They have raised more than $70 million and increased annual operating budget to $6.7 million from $1 million in 2006. Her team directly serves approximately 3,000 low-income youth and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24 through various trauma-informed youth development programs, and impacts more than 20,000 youth, young adults and families annually.

Earlier in her career, Bremond Weaver made strides with other non-profits in raising funds and increasing their impact. These skills served as a foundation for later growth. The combination has created a virtuous circle of favorable impact.

As a community leader, Bremond Weaver has been recognized locally and nationally through numerous awards, including by KTLA Channel 5 as a Black Visionary; KJLH Radio 102.3 FM as a Proven Achiever; Black Business Association as the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award; County of Los Angeles in recognition of Outstanding Leadership; African American Film Marketplace/S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase as Humanitarian of the Year; NBA great Stephen Curry, who selected Brotherhood Crusade as his charity to support for the NBA All-Star game; Bank of America as the Neighborhood Builder Recipient; and, along with her husband George Weaver, she was given the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award.

Bremond Weaver came to Utah State University on a basketball scholarship, where she received a degree in communications. She was previously recognized by USU as a Young Alumna of the Year in 2009, and will fittingly add this year’s Distinguished Alumna award to her accolades. She feels her journey is well underway, but nowhere near completed.

Bremond Weaver and her family reside in Los Angeles, California.

Sam and Kacie Malouf

Sam and Kacie Malouf co-founded Malouf in 2003. Now a household brand name with products available in major retail stores nationwide and internationally, Malouf has established a reputation for quality products and meaningful community involvement since the early days of operating their young business out of a two-bedroom apartment.

Beyond their successful business ventures, Sam and Kacie have consistently sought ways to do good. In 2016, the couple formalized the Malouf Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, to maximize the company’s ability to enact positive, impactful changes in countless lives.

The Malouf Foundation works to confront child sexual exploitation through education, healing and justice. One of its main initiatives is the survivor-led and informed OnWatch™ training that’s designed to empower people to spot, report and prevent trafficking.

Aiding the Cache Valley community wherever possible, Malouf employees were able to raise nearly $30,000 for the Cache Community Food Pantry in support of local COVID-19 relief efforts last year and have previously given support to organizations like Make-A-Wish Utah, CAPSA, The Family Place and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Both Utah State University graduates, Sam and Kacie have been selected as recipients for this year’s Distinguished Alumni award. This award is presented to individuals who actively demonstrate outstanding traits of leadership and character to such an extent that it brings great credit to the recipient and to their alma mater. Sam and Kacie’s role as industry leaders in Cache Valley and their tireless efforts to be a force for good within the community mark the couple as deserving recipients for such an award.

Kacie and Sam are proud parents to five children and currently reside in Nibley, Utah.