For Founders Day?the U’s birthday?the university honored community members for their support and contributions.
The U, founded in 1850, turned 152 on Feb. 28. However, the Alumni Association postponed Founders Day activities because of the Olympics.
“I think that the events we have hosted would be acceptable to the founders to postpone our celebration,” said U President Bernie Machen at Wednesday evening’s Founders Day celebration at the Grand America Hotel.
The four alumni and one non alumna have distinguished themselves professionally and individually by supporting the U and local and national communities.
Timothy Evans
Timothy Evans received his bachelor’s of science in 1974 and, after receiving his degree in dentistry from the University of the Pacific in 1977, opened a dental practice in Salt Lake City. In 1982, he founded the Andean Children’s Foundation, which helps provide aid to impoverished countries.
“One of my objectives was to provide the opportunity for people to have their own opportunity to help,” Evans said. “Both groups learn, both groups help, and I think both groups inspire.”
He has helped establish a number of charities, such as the Center for Humanitarian Outreach and Intercultural Exchange, which helps mobilize volunteer participation in grassroots village initiatives in developing countries.
Mark Fuller
Mark Fuller, who received an honors bachelor’s of science in 1976, graduated from the U as the outstanding senior scholar in civil engineering. He received an award from the American Institute of Architects for his undergraduate honors thesis.
Fuller earned a master’s degree in design from Stanford University and is the founder and CEO of Water Entertainment Technologies Design. He has designed more than 100 fountains, including the fountain at the Bellagio Hotel?the largest fountain ever built. He also designed the 2002 Olympic cauldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“To design the Olympic cauldron in Salt Lake City, and here at the university, was amazing,” Fuller said.
Richard and Susan Jacobsen
Richard Jacobsen, who received a bachelor’s of science in 1968, and Susan Jacobsen, who received a bachelor’s of art in 1966, founded the California Family Foundation in 1984. The foundation focuses on resolving educational, housing and employment problems with low-income communities in and around Palo Alto, Calif.
In 1987, the Jacobsens proposed the idea for the Bennion Community Service Center, which now initiates community service projects in the local and U community.
“The sweetest moments are when I see someone I’ve tried to teach turn around and teach someone else,” Susan Jacobsen said.
Shirley Russon Ririe
Shirley Russon Ririe, who received a bachelor’s of science in 1950, is the artistic co-director of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, which she co-founded in 1964 with Joan Woodbury.
Ririe taught at Virginia Tanner’s Conservatory of Creative Dance and at Brigham Young University before she came to the U in 1955. She taught at the U for 40 years and retired in 1995. She has choreographed more than 100 works for Ririe-Woodbury and other professional companies, and she is a leader in the field of dance for children.
“I love working with children; I just know what to expect from them,” she said.
She thanked the U for the award and acknowledged the part the university has played in her career.
“The U has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, when I first went to dance lessons as a kindergartner,” she said.
Carol Fay
Carol Fay, who received her bachelor’s of art from the University of California-Berkeley, received the Honorary Alumna award. She became the first female district manager of the Social Security Administration in Arizona in 1969.
In 1981, she became the first female district director of the Internal Revenue Service. During her 15 years at the IRS, she implemented many changes, including the recruitment of minorities and women.
Fay was also the first woman to hold positions as officer in the Salt Lake Rotary and chairwoman of the National Board of Advisors of the College of Business and Graduate School of Business from 1986 to 1989.
Fay and her husband are major donors to the health sciences, and established the Richard and Carol Fay Presidential Endowed Medical Informatics Center in the School of Medicine.
When Fay sees a problem, she immediately sets out to fix it.
“I believe things are always going to get better,” Fay said. “I look at people and know how to connect them to do that.”
She is currently a member of the U National Advisory Council and the Scholarship Committee of the U’s Women’s Club.