For 125 years, Southern Utah University has positively impacted the lives of generations. SUU will begin a year-long celebration of our past, present and future during the 2022 Founders Week, which begins on March 21. The week-long event will celebrate SUU’s founders, the impact our alumni make in the world, and preparing today’s students to be the next generation of leaders. “This will be a commemoration of our past, a celebration of our current success, and an opportunity to focus on our future,” said Mindy Benson, SUU’s interim president. “From our founders’ steadfast determination to build this campus to a thriving university of over 14,000 students, we’ve come a long way in 125 years. And the best is yet to come. We welcome all SUU alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to join us for this special celebration.”
Since Cedar City was first selected as the location of the Branch Normal School in the Spring of 1897, the same campus location has been the home of higher education serving southern Utah and beyond.
In SUU’s 125 years, it’s had many names – Branch Normal School, Branch Agricultural College, College of Southern Utah, Southern Utah State College and since 1990 Southern Utah University. It’s mission, however, has remained the same – to provide greater accessibility to affordable higher education opportunities to the region. For the past eight years, SUU has seen unprecedented growth and has led all other Utah universities in the percentage of growth. All while maintaining high academic standards and a commitment to affordability.
Launching the celebration at Founders Week is just the beginning of special events throughout the next year. Spring 2022 events include a concert featuring country music superstars Midland on April 5 and this year’s annual commencement ceremony on April 29. Other commemorative events are still being planned. All special activities surrounding SUU’s 125th celebration can be found at https://www.suu.edu/125/.