SUU Celebrates Tradition with 2024 Founders Week

Published: March 04, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Founders week 2024 poster

Southern Utah University (SUU) proudly presents Founders Week, an annual celebration from March 11 to March 16, bringing together students, alumni, and the entire SUU community to honor the rich history and enduring legacy.

Dino-Mite Tradition Week Kick-Off - Monday, March 11

Commencing at 2:00 p.m. in front of the Geoscience Building, the Student Alumni Association invites all to the Dino-Mite Tradition Week Kick-Off. Cross off 25 traditions from the Tradition Keeper list by the week's end to earn a coveted Tradition Keeper T-shirt.

Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture - Tuesday, March 12

Highlighting the week will be the annual Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture, combined with the Eccles A.P.E.X. Lecture on Tuesday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center. This year’s guest speaker is Zonnie Gorman, a recognized historian of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. She has served as a consultant to numerous documentaries, museum exhibitions and authors. Gorman is currently the Project Coordinator for the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project (CLNEP), a nonprofit organization founded in May 2001 and located in Gallup, New Mexico. This lecture is free and open to the public. Later, at 6:00 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center, unleash your artistic side in "Paint Your Own Portrait" – an enjoyable evening filled with campus traditions and snacks.

Lunch on the Main & Softball vs. Utah State - Wednesday, March 13

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., various locations including Old Main, ELC Plaza, Library Plaza, Centurium, Founders Monument, Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), and the Sharwan Smith Center Rotunda will host "Lunch on the Main." Delight in food and stories from SUU's founding. Following this, catch the softball action at 1:00 p.m. on Kathryn Berg Field.

5's & Fries, Founders Awards Banquet, & Western Swing Night - Thursday, March 14

At 11:30 a.m. in the Sharwan Smith Center Ballroom, join the Student Alumni Association for "5's & Fries," completing a #SUUTradition by high-fiving Sharwan Smith and receiving free Chick-Fil-A Fries. The evening continues at 6:30 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center, with the prestigious Founders Awards Banquet where Carrie Trenholm and Dan & Jane Roberts are being honored with distinguished service awards. Additionally, a lively "Western Swing Night" awaits in the Multi-Purpose Gym at a time to be determined – an evening of western dancing.

Red Friday, What's Your Tradition?, & Music Department Recital - Friday, March 15

Embrace "Red Friday" all day, showing your T-Bird pride as a Tradition Keeper. Join the community at 9:00 a.m. in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Living Room for "What's Your Tradition?" to share and celebrate unique traditions. At noon in the Thorley Recital Hall, SUU Music Building, experience the Music Department Recital and learn about SUU's founding through "Back Up The Mountain." Concluding the day, catch the softball game at 1:00 p.m. on Kathryn Berg Field.

Softball vs. Stephen F. Austin & Casino Night - Saturday, March 16

Noon sees the softball action continue against Stephen F. Austin on Kathryn Berg Field. Concluding Founders Week, don't miss the lively "Casino Night" at 8:00 p.m. in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.
Join SUU in this vibrant celebration of Founders Week, where traditions come alive, and the spirit of community thrives. For the latest updates and additional information, please visit the Founders Week website.


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