Founder’s Day celebrates “what makes this university great,” said U President Michael Young to hundreds of alumni and U donors assembled to honor the legacy of some of the university’s most influential graduates from its nearly 160 years of history.
At the event held Tuesday night at the Little America Hotel, the U Alumni Association distributed awards to four distinguished alumni, coach Kyle Whittingham and a former U president and his wife. They also honored one student with a full-tuition Founder’s Day Scholarship.
Lindsay Allen, marketing director for the Alumni Association, described the four recipients of the alumni awards as “people who have taken their degree and made a difference.”
Young heralded the accomplishments of Judge Andrew Valdez of the 3rd District Juvenile Court; arts educator and benefactor Beverley Taylor Sorenson; former Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Kendell; and William Rutter, who pioneered gene cloning, as legendary.
Each person made an impact in and out of Utah in areas ranging from biotechnology breakthroughs to personal outreach to troubled youth. The association presented short films of each honoree and the introduction of each recipient was followed by a standing ovation from the crowd.
The event also inducted Chase and Grethe Peterson as honorary alumni. Chase Peterson served as president of the U from 1983 to 1991, a period of significant growth, and Grethe Peterson founded and chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse. Both left a mark on higher education and the community.
Alumni Association President Michele Mattsson lauded the U football team for its 2008 Sugar Bowl win. Whittingham received the Distinguished Achievement Award for leading the football team to an unforgettable season. Quarterback Brian Johnson was also honored.
Allison Spehar, a sophomore modern dance major, received the Founder’s Day scholarship for overcoming hardships during her high school years and contributing to the community.
Mike Mattsson, former vice president for development at the U and father of three U students, said the U sets an academic standard for all institutions of learning in the state and gives rise to many enriching and impactful organizations across the state.
“Imagine Utah without the University of Utah,” he said. “It gets more remarkable all of the time.”
Patrick HarringtonU President Michael K. Young speaks at the Founder’s Day celebration held Tuesday night at the Little America Hotel. Distinguished Alumni were honored at the event for their achievements in the community.