UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 05, 2025

Month: October 2021

‘GOT’ what it takes: Dixie’s Got Talent auditions now open

by Nasya ManciniPosted on

Southern Utah residents can show the community they GOT what it takes.

Dixie’s Got Talent 2022 auditions are open and waiting for you to show your skills. DGT is a chance for performers to showcase their skills to the community. The event is hosted by the Dixie State University Alumni Association. DGT is open to any performers from southern Utah currently living in Washington County geographic boundaries. The showcase helps raise money for DSU student scholarships. 

To audition for DGT, submit your video to the alumni website. Submissions are due by Nov. 11 at 11:59 p.m. The submission fees range from $10 for a current DSU student, $15 for an individual or pair, and $30 for a group of three or more. 

DGT will host callbacks at DSU Saturday, Dec. 4. You will be provided with all the information regarding the callbacks after you audition. The final show will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022 in the M.K Cox Performing Arts Center. The finalists are required to participate in a photoshoot, bootcamp and rehearsals.  

The people’s choice finalist callback round opens Nov. 17 and closes Dec. 4 at 10 p.m. People’s Choice is an opportunity for community members, family and friends to pick their finalist for DGT. People can donate to their favorite callback round candidate to automatically advance them to the DTG Finale Show.

Jefferson Beatty, a junior communication studies major from St. George, said he encourages people to audition as every step of the competition is a blast. He said his favorite part of getting to compete was performing in the final round because it was like performing professionally with the lights and technical elements.

“I became more confident in myself as a musician,” Beatty said. ” It gave me the experience of working hard to achieve something.”

Karley Garrett, DGT 2021 Adult Winner, gave a performance with the song “Never Enough” from the hit movie “The Greatest Showman.” Garrett said competing and winning DGT has excelled her music career immensely. She has been able to secure a job teaching musical theater classes at multiple studios.

Garrett said DGT is a unique way to to meet community members who all enjoy performing. She said she will never forget the moment of gratitude she felt performing her talent in front of an audience.

“No matter your talent, singing, dancing, juggling or comedy,” Garrett said. “You have just as much as anyone else. The community deserves to see you shine.”

Del Beatty, vice president of student affairs, said he sees a multitude of incredible talents each year. Ranging from youth, middle school, high school, college and adult performers. He said for the last 10 years this event has become one of the largest events in the area and a community favorite. Beatty said it gives them a chance to showcase their talents and skills while learning to perform in front of a vast audience.

“When someone chooses to submit a video for Dixie’s Got Talent auditions, they are not only showcasing their own talent, they are supporting a fundraiser as well,” Beatty said. 

There will be a 2022 adult winner and runner-up as well as a 2022 youth winner and runner-up. Each winner and runner up will receive cash prizes while gaining cherished experiences in front of a live audience.  

Have any more questions? Visit this link to view frequent FAQ’s or contact the DSU Alumni Association at (435) 879-4400 or alumni@dixie.edu and follow @DixiesGotTalent on social media for updates. 

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OPINION | Freshman should be required to live on-campus

by Yara Al-BadriPosted on

Freshmen should be required to live on campus because it allows them to navigate through responsibilities with a guiding hand while making friends along the way. 

Fresh out of high school entering the adult world, being a college freshman is a lot of responsibility. You’re not old enough for a lot but you are old enough to move out and start your life on your own. Being guided with the help of your school should be a requirement for every freshman.

When I was a freshman at Dixie State University, living away from home for the first time was not only scary but hard. Learning how to pay rent and be responsible for a home was a lot for an 18-year-old, but it was a great learning experience. 

Only now, at 21, have I been able to live in regular housing and feel like I know what I’m doing, but it’s still difficult at times. There’s so much more that goes into moving out, deposits, insurance, budgeting, etc. It would be crazy to expect students to navigate through all of these responsibilities, without help from their school.

Living in student dorms allowed me to meet new friends and experience college in a completely different way that I don’t get living in regular housing currently.

Making a home for yourself in the first year is necessary. A sense of community while experiencing something so frightening and new can teach responsibility and independence. 

“Some colleges argue that living on campus is critical for students, especially freshmen because it allows them to fully participate in all of a school’s activities, social networks, and academic support while fully immersing the student in the school’s culture,” The Washington Post writer Danielle Douglas-Gabriel said.

Freshman year is exhausting in itself. When living with other students experiencing the same “firsts” as you, it’s likely school will become easier. For me, roommates were a resource. Having someone else to navigate campus and college life for the first time kept me on track academically. 

“The recommendation to live on campus isn’t just an arbitrary decision made by universities — it’s because we know that students are more likely to stay in school and be successful in their studies when they live on campus their first year,” Arizona State University’s website stated.

I found it motivating when my roommates were doing homework in the living room, there wasn’t anything else to do. Because everyone I lived with was busy doing homework, I was motivated to do mine.

I found an opportunity in living with people who had academic strengths that I didn’t and vice versa. We were able to pull from each other, allowing my freshman year to go by steadily. 

Living on-campus freshman year aids a helping hand. By being so close to campus, everything you could need is right across the street. For example, staying on top of homework is a whole lot easier when the library is just a 5-minute walk away.

“Statistically speaking, a study done at Brigham Young University showed that freshmen who live on campus tend to have higher first-year GPAs than those who don’t,” The State Press stated.

Living on campus should absolutely be required for freshmen because it allows for growth in independence all while finding a community. Moving out is a huge responsibility, doing so with fellow students can reduce can lend a helping hand.

DSU should require freshmen to live on campus, and priority needs to be given to freshmen when it comes to housing. Upperclassmen don’t need the help that first-year students do. The first year is vital, and making sure freshmen feel supported can ensure academic success.

At the end of the day, freshmen are kids straight out of high school, receiving some guidance and help to navigate college life should be provided by DSU by accommodating housing to newcomers.

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Students left without housing

by Madisyn DwigginsPosted on

Dixie State University experienced on-campus housing shortages before the fall 2021 semester began.

Seth Gubler, director of housing and resident life, said Campus View Suites I holds 352 beds and Campus View Suites II holds 534 beds. When including other on-campus housing, DSU provides approximately 1,200 beds for students to live on campus.

Gubler explained the week before the fall 2021 semester began, CVS I housing applications had been unavailable due to housing filling up quickly before the semester.

Gubler said they had enough beds for any females who wanted housing, and during the first week of the semester is when very limited spots opened up for male housing.

Gubler said the week before the semester started, all on-campus and off-campus housing looked full because at the time every bed was accounted for; however, as the semester started, some people did not show up for check-in day and/or decided school was not for them.

“If people were willing to stick around mid-way through that first week, there was housing for students, but leading up to it [the semester] it looked like there wasn’t any,” Gubler said.

DSU has a high demand for more on-campus housing because of the resources students have access to when living in dorms like CVS I or CVS II.

“The most significant difference [between on-campus and off-campus housing] is our live-in professional staff,” Gubler said. “We have full-time resident life professionals and resident assistants who provide a variety of services to the students.”

Gubler said currently 74.2% of students who live in CVS are freshman, 13% are sophomores, 7% are juniors, and 5% are seniors. Gubler recommends first-year students to live in the dorms so they are able to get any help they may need throughout the semester.

Gubler explained what kind of services resident life professionals and resident assistants provide for the students who live in CVS I and II.

“They provide cleaning checks, activities, hosting a resident hall association, and also act as a voice for students to try and help resolve any concerns or issues they might have,” Gubler said.

Kenedy Edwards, a sophomore photography major from Twin Falls, Idaho, is currently serving as a resident assistant in CVS II.

Edwards said: “I really like to interact with the students on my floor…I love to just be able to help out because there are a lot of things that I personally struggled with when I was a freshman. It is nice to be able to help them figure out things I struggled with when I first started here.”

CVS II is now full and Gubler said the university has started creating a plan for CVS III.

Gubler said CVS III would take place where the Nisson Towers are currently located. Gubler explains the process DSU has to go through in order to get the plan for CVS III approved.

Gubler said: “This process has to be vetted through local officials, state officials and ultimately the state legislature. So, things are in the works; it is a matter of whether or not people at the state level will allow us to move forward.”

CVS III could take years to build as they would have to demolish the Nisson Towers first, but Gulber estimates it would take about three years to finish.

DSU started building CVS II because of high demand of on-campus housing, so as CVS II was done being built DSU decided to get a head start on the plans for CVS III.

Katie Hauck, a general studies freshman from Saratoga Springs, said she got lucky with on-campus housing for the fall 2021 semester.

“I chose to come to Dixie last minute… so when I came here I was just on a bunch of waitlists and wasn’t really expecting anything, but then I got super lucky and got into CVS II,” Hauck said.

Hauck said she loves how CVS II is within close proximity from her classes and how the dorms are a great place to meet and make new friends.

DSU recommends students to find on-campus housing a few weeks if not longer before the semester starts to prevent any unavailable housing issues. With the spring 2021 semester coming up shortly, make sure to renew your on-campus housing application.

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On-campus housing versus off-campus options vary in cost

by Emma BrownPosted on

Movies and TV shows address the fun of roommates and college dorms but not so much the expenses that come with it.

One of the numerous factors in deciding which housing to move into is whether or not it is affordable for the individual. Generally there are three options for housing: On-campus student housing, off-campus student housing, and renting apartments or homes.

Shared or private bedrooms are available in on-campus and off-campus housing, and renting an apartment or home leaves that option up to you.

Shared Room On-Campus Housing

The average price of shared on campus housing is $1,524 per semester. This average is from Campus View Suites I, Campus View Suites II, Nisson Towers, and Abby Apartments.

In comparison to shared off-campus and shared two bedroom apartments, shared on-campus housing is the least expensive.

Benjamin Filkins, resident life area coordinator of Campus View Suites I, said, “The cost of on-campus housing tends to be significantly lower than off-campus housing, especially after factoring in the reduced distance to travel for classes, food and all utilities/WiFi/maintenance services being included.”

The low price may be attributed to the public washers and dryers rather than personal washers and dryers.

The low price also may be attributed to the public kitchens and meal plan options. CVS I, CVS II and the Nisson Towers do not include kitchens in the dorm. CVS I and II include public use kitchens but Nisson Towers does not. All three require students to purchase a meal card.

However, the Abby Apartments and the Chancellor Apartments are both DSU on-campus housing and include full kitchens in each dorm. The Chancellor Apartments also have in-dorm washers and dryers.

Private Room On-Campus Housing

The average price for private on-campus housing is $2,059 per semester. The same situation of washers, dryers and kitchens also applies to private rooms. CVS I, CVS II, Nisson Towers, Abby Apartments and Chancellor Apartments all have the option to upgrade to a private bedroom.

Off-Campus Student Housing

The range of off-campus housing prices varies for an average of $2,011 per semester. This average is from Dixie Red Sands North and South, Red Rock Ridge, The Stay, Raintree and Dixie South. DSU’s website lists ten other options for off-campus housing.

Most off-campus housing offers shared and private rooms as well as a variety of the number of bathrooms and bedrooms in each apartment.

All off-campus housing includes a kitchen in unit. An in-unit washer and dryer varies depending on the complex.

For example, 7th and University is an off-campus group of units. It costs roughly $1,600-$2,400 per bed per semester. A washer and dryer are included in unit. 7th and University provides options for private and shared rooms.

Taylor Taft, a sophomore dance major from Herriman, said, “I like how you can find a place that fits your needs, because there is a larger variety to choose from.”

Taft has lived at 7th and University and is currently living at Red Rock Ridge Student Housing.

Non-student Apartments

With apartments there are a plethora of options regarding size, number of rooms and laundry options. Apartments and townhomes have an average price of $1,500-$2,000 per month but adding roommates can decrease that cost. Depending on the complex, in-unit or public use laundry varies.

When it comes to cost, renters must keep in mind that most apartments do not come furnished. Furniture will increase the cost quickly as it can be expensive.

Students should keep in mind that apartments can be farther away from campus compared to most off-campus housing at DSU. Red Rock at Sienna Hills Apartments are located about 15 minutes away from campus.

Kendra Brown, a freshman population health major from Herriman, said, “I’m always leaving at least 30 minutes before my class starts.”

Brown lives in a townhouse in Santa Clara with five other roommates. She is surrounded by a neighborhood with kids and families.

All housing options come with a varied list of pros and cons but it can help students to have so many options in order to find their best fit.

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DSU E-Sports team provides students with sense of community

by Grayce PaynePosted on

You can find this Dixie State University’s sports team in the computer lab, not on the field.

DSU’s E-Sports team is a club sport for students interested in online gaming. Daniel Finnegan, a junior design major from St. George, is the team’s current president. The E-Sports team was established in 2018 and transitioned to a club sport this semester. The team is split into two branches: Casual and competitive gamers, Finnegan said.

Finnegan said the team has over 500 discord members, including students and St. George community members. The team’s discord is the most active platform for gamers.

“The best way to join the club and get all the information is to join the discord,” Finnegan said.

The E-Sports team’s Instagram is another resource for students to find out about gaming events, Finnegan said. The team hosts a variety of events throughout the semester that students are welcome to participate in.

The Trailblazer E-Sports team hosts weekly “Magic the Gathering” events on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Atwood Innovation Plaza in Room 164. For students interested in playing Smash Bros, there is a weekly Smash Bros tournament called “Red Rock Rumble” on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Atwood Innovation Plaza.

“Right now, we have three LAN parties throughout the semester,” Finnegan said. “Those are game parties where you can just bring your computer and play with a bunch of people.”

LAN stands for local area network, meaning students and community members can join the party.

The E-Sports team also hosts service events for team members to participate in. Members of the team held an unofficial hike to honor those struggling with Alzheimer’s, Finnegan said.

“We walked about four miles and I donated $20 to the organization,” Finnegan said.

An official Walk to End Alzheimer’s event was held on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon in St. George. Finnegan said he and other members would not be able to attend the official walk, so they held their own walking event instead.

Carlos Plummer, a junior film major from San Luis Obispo, California, joined the E-Sports team to make friends and explore the world of online gaming. He learned about the team through someone he met on campus who played “Overwatch” on the team.

“Everything was just kind of gloomy around here and I was just looking for something to do and people to connect with,” Plummer said.

Plummer said his favorite game is Overwatch because he enjoys story-based games. He has spent nearly 3,000 hours playing Overwatch to learn everything he can and get better at the game.

“It [Overwatch] takes everything I like about character design and good story into a competitive, fast-paced multiplayer setting,” Plummer said.

The E-Sports team currently plays six games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Smash Bros, Call of Duty and Hearthstone. The team competes against E-Sports teams at other universities and the success of the team depends on the game, Finnegan said.

“Our Overwatch team is [ranked] top 64 in the nation right now,” Finnegan said.

Last year, the team spent more time gaming in the Atwood Innovation Plaza, but now they have a lab in the Udvar-Hazy building. Plummer said the plaza was out of the way which made it difficult to get access to the building.

“Being right here on campus, at the heart of the Hazy, it’s really nice,” Plummer said.

T.J. Tutasi, a junior criminal justice major from West Valley City, joined the E-Sports team because he wanted to strengthen his gaming skills. He was drawn to E-Sports due to the diverse crowd of gamers on the team. Tutasi is a narrative-driven person, so he enjoys games with strong plots and storylines.

“[Online gaming is] the best form of media because you’re playing a character but you’re feeling everything that they’re feeling,” Tutasi said. “Their story is collectively your story within the game.” 

As for the future of the E-Sports team, Finnegan said he wants to move the team into a department at the university and hopes to have professors teaching courses around E-Sports and online gaming.

The team’s mentor Nate Snow, an associate professor of media studies, has previously taught a history of video games course. With the potential expansion of the team into a department, Tutasi said he hopes students can receive scholarships through the team in the future.

For students interested in checking out the E-Sports team, there will be a Halloween-themed LAN gaming party on Friday, Oct. 29 from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. in the Atwood Innovation Plaza. Students can dress up, play games and food will be provided.

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OPINION | Dixie State University not equipped for non-traditional students

by Kristi ShieldsPosted on

Dixie State University needs to provide more support to its non-traditional students.

Non-traditional students are those who meet any of seven categories: Delayed enrollment into postsecondary education, part-time college student, full-time worker, is financially independent for financial aid purposes, has dependents other than a spouse, is a single parent, or does not have a high school diploma.

It’s also often any individual over the age of 25 is considered a non-traditional student, which, according to a Daily Advertiser article, is 74% of students who are currently enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. In fact, non-traditional students now outnumber those who traditionally start college out of high school with the help of their parents, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Considering how common it is for universities to have non-traditional students, DSU should have more programs in place to accommodate these students and help them finish their degrees in a timely manner.

I am a full-time student with a 5-month-old baby. Finishing school has not been easy due to the lack of class times in my major (media studies), specifically the lack of multiple sections for a class, time of day/days of the week, and online options.

My major classes usually only offer one time and day option. There is no variability as to what day and time classes are available, so if I can’t find a babysitter who can watch my baby for an hour and 15 minutes in the afternoon, I can’t take the class. There are rarely online options for my media studies classes and zero nighttime options.

The communication studies classes I take for my minor are easier to work with because each of the classes has an online option if I can’t fit the in-person time slot into my schedule. General education classes are also offered online and have several time options, some even nighttime options.

Rhiannon Bent, media studies department chair and professor, said since media studies is a small major — only consisting of 80 students — most classes only need one section. It basically comes down to the history of enrollment and if there is a professor to teach the class.

With this in mind, it makes sense a smaller major does not have a plethora of options for class times; however, DSU should have additional options for the non-traditional students who may be held back due to the lack of options.

My husband has been a non-traditional student far before we had a baby; he is almost 26 years old and has had a full-time job since he started college five years ago. For the majority of his college experience, he has had to work the graveyard shift because that’s the only way he could take classes, but when our baby was born, he got a new position at the company so he could be home more to help with the baby. The tradeoff was that he couldn’t finish school at DSU. His adviser told him the only way to finish school is to quit his job, which obviously is not an option. Now, he is going to transfer to Western Governors University, an exclusively online university, to complete his remaining credits.

DSU should have more class time and day options for students to choose from so if the one time offered doesn’t work, then instead of continuing to put off the class until it will work, they can pick the one that will work best with their schedule.

Bent mentioned the Degree Completion Program where students who have their associate degrees can take a class one night per week and complete one course per month (each class is four weeks), and they graduate with a bachelor’s in 18 months.

This sounds like a great opportunity to help out non-traditional students, but so far, it is only offered for 5 majors: Nursing, health administration, communication studies, enterprise management and technology innovation.

Since I only have one more semester left, I am doing everything I can to finish these classes, but if I wasn’t so close to graduating, I would likely transfer to WGU or a different university that has better options for classes.

My other struggle is professors not being more understanding about missing class; however, this is not the case with all professors. I had to miss one of my chemistry lab days because my babysitter canceled and I could not find a replacement. I knew a week in advance, so I talked to my professor hoping I could work something out to make up the points. She told me there was nothing she could do because it was not an excused absence, which includes COVID quarantine and a student-athlete missing class for a sporting event. 

Me not having someone to watch after my child is not excused but an athlete can go to a game and be excused? How is that fair? Professors should be there to help their students gain the most out of their education, and they always say to talk to them about any troubles we’re having, but then I go to a professor for help and I’m turned away.

In this situation, a campus day care or drop-in center would be highly beneficial to student parents, but DSU is the only public university in Utah that doesn’t have this option. 

I am pleased to have found out the university created an On-Campus Child Care Working Group in spring 2021 consisting of students, faculty and staff to look into child care options for the university.

In the meantime, professors should take this into consideration when it comes to attendance for their classes, as long as the student is proactive in communicating with the professor about any issues regarding childcare.

Non-traditional students should be given more assistance in finishing their degrees because they have different needs than traditional students do.

DSU should offer the Degree Completion Program for more majors or at least provide non-traditional students with more support, such as advisers keeping track of who their non-traditional students are and checking in on them every semester and assisting them with any issues they may have with completing their required classes.

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Five things to keep in mind when searching for housing

by Sydney JohnsonPosted on

Are you fully aware of the hidden fees, amenities and even the reputation of the property management team of the place you are living?

The process of seeking a place to live is long and tiresome. There are most likely going to be things you forget to check, so here is a list of what to keep in mind when searching for a place to live during the school year.

Number of rooms and roommates

As a future resident, you should be thinking about if you want roommates and how many you would want. Having two roommates versus five roommates will make a big difference in your living situation. You will notice differences in space, amount of collective stuff, ability to get along, and even your level of comfort.

“I don’t always love having five other roommates, but I’ve made lifelong friends,” said M’Lynn Suwinski, a junior integrated studies major from Taylorsville. “Sometimes it causes drama, but overall I like having built-in friends.”

According to Rent.com, it is good to keep in mind that having more roommates generally means the cost of housing is cheaper. You will end up splitting both the rent costs and utilities.

Location of the property

Living close to the university offers multiple benefits, but are you the type of person who loves a drive to school in the morning? Consider what is important to you. If you enjoy walking to school, a unit close to the university will be the ideal choice for you.

The biggest difference between living on-campus versus off-campus is generally the location. If you are living on campus it is much easier to make your way to class in the morning, but if you are off-campus you will be better able to disconnect from school at the end of the day.

“I have to drive to school which decreases my motivation to come to campus for a single class,” Suwinski said.

Amenities offered to residents

Do you want your housing complex to have a pool, in-unit washer and dryer, assigned parking spots, or to be pet-friendly? Amenities are not something to forget about when seeking a place to live. Here is a list of amenities to consider when house hunting:

  • Kitchen appliances
  • In-unit washer and dryer
  • Pet Friendly
  • Covered/assigned parking
  • Pool and hot tub
  • Gym or fitness area
  • Wi-Fi
  • Cable TV
  • Furnished
  • Air conditioning

Create an ordered list of the amenities important to you. This will help simplify the process of selecting somewhere to live. Each of the individual housing websites will provide a list of the offered amenities. If you are unable to find this list online, give them a call and they will be able to inform you of what they have to offer.

Property management

Picture this: It is 11:30 p.m. and you just got home from work, your roommates are all out partying and you realize you left your key in your bedroom. What do you do now? Do you feel comfortable and know how to get ahold of your management team for help?

Knowing who your management is and how to get ahold of them is highly important. There will be situations that arise where you need help and the only people who will be able to assist you is the management team.

According to Kanga Property Management, good management ensures the safety of you and others living at the complex. Oftentimes in student housing, the management teams are the ones pairing roommates. If they are inconsiderate and not caring, it could turn out bad.

“If you are having difficulties with your roommates and go to management for on-campus housing and don’t like the outcome, the university can do something about it because it’s owned by the university,” said Kyra Chambers, a senior communication studies major from Tooele who is a Residents Assistant at Campus View Suites II.

This is especially important if you are living in off-campus housing because Dixie State University will be unable to get involved in any issues that arise. Ensure you check the reviews on the management of your prospective complexes. This will be the best way to know if you are moving into a place with a management team that wants to help and give you the best experience possible.

Cost of living

How much do utilities cost? What is the monthly payment? Do you have to pay extra to have a pet? Is there an application fee? Did you know you need to have renters insurance? These are all questions to ask when touring and looking for a future place to live. If an apartment complex is hesitant about any of these questions, that is a red flag. These are all open questions residents need to know the answer to.

According to Rentec Direct, it is in the best interest of the management team to inform you of hidden fees, random fees and monthly costs because it will only benefit them. If they are notifying people of these things they can ensure that they will be able to pay on time and be reliable with their monthly payments.

It may seem like a lot to consider when finding somewhere to live, but remember to ask as many questions as needed and read plenty of reviews. Consider the things that are important to you and really think about what you need in a place to reside in. This is the best way to ensure you have a good living experience in college.

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DSU Board of Trustees welcomes new leadership members

by Emma BrownPosted on

The Dixie State University Board of Trustees has undergone seven changes since August 2021.

The Board of Trustees welcomed five new members in August. Betty Barnum, Ginger Chinn, Mitch Cloward, David Elkington, and Danny Ipson, are experiencing their first year on the board during a time of increased growth for the university.

Tiffany Wilson has been elected to serve as the chair of the board and Colleen Kvetko has been elected as the vice-chair.

According to DSU’s website, the governor of Utah selects eight of the members with the consent of the Senate. The president of the DSU Alumni Association and the president of DSU Student Association are two additional members for a total of 10.

Alumni Board President Betty Barnum said, “Board of Trustees is a team of dedicated individuals not employed by the university that provide support, consistency, transparency and success at DSU.”

The board also consults with the Utah Board of Higher Education on behalf of DSU, facilitates communication with the community regarding university traditions and goals, approves candidates and earned diplomas given by DSU, and executes fundraising and projects to supplement the university.

“Everyone on the board volunteers their time, talents and even their money to help establish, support and monitor the goals of the university and its commitment to the students,” Barnum said.

Each member of the board brings with them individual talents and passions. The diversity of the members helps the board to make decisions with multiple facets in mind.

Barnum said: “My career as an educator has instilled in me a passion for working for the students. No matter what age or background, we need to provide the best teachers and the best environments to foster their
learning.”

Mitch Cloward and Ginger Chinn bring new important aspects to the board as well that will help them to be the best they can for the students at DSU.

Cloward has extensive life experience in insurance, physician practice management and hospital management. As a school with 14 healthcare majors, his knowledge will assist DSU in growing those programs.

Chinn coordinates with government policies in her career and DSU’s continual growth will use her expertise.

Vice-chair Colleen Kvetko said: ” I have been in the financial business my entire life (since age 16) and have banking and investment experience that greatly benefits the University. It is a true honor to serve as vice-chair.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees Tiffany Wilson has been on the board since 2017. She was voted into the position of chair in 2021 after serving as vice-chair for one year.

The board meets throughout the year to discuss developments for future growth at DSU.

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How to game day prep

by Izzy JohnsonPosted on

Football season is the time for Trailblazers to get excited to watch their team blaze new trails on the field.

In October, Dixie State University’s football team has two home games and two away games.

For information on upcoming games and events, students can refer to DSU’s social media pages.

On the social media accounts, students can find information on upcoming dress-up themes, times and days of games along with information on tailgates.

Two hours before each home football game DSU hosts a tailgate on the east side of the Greater Zion Stadium. Tailgates are a great way for students to get hyped before the game even starts.

“There is food, music, games and a whole lot of things to do,” Stampede Operations Manager Sydney Bauer said.

The tailgates also have lawn games, food trucks and non-alcoholic beverages for students, community members and alumni.

This year the student section has started a new tradition, the “Third Down Stop.” During the “Third Down Stop,” DSU students hold up stop signs to cheer on their trailblazers.

According to US News, as of 2019 DSU had 11,160 students. Each year the student body continues to grow.

With the growing student body size at DSU, attendance at football games has also increased. The student section, better known as The Stampede, seats have not increased in size at the Greater Zion Stadium.

The entire stadium can hold just over 10,500 fans but the student section is only a small part of that.

“Our student section fills up fast,” Bauer said, “If you are not in line waiting for the gates to open then good luck trying to find a place in the student section.”

At the prior home games this season, students have been turned away when capacity has been filled. In order to make sure you get a seat, it is recommended for students to come 30-60 minutes early.

The gates open an hour and a half before kick-off so students can go early enough to get a seat.

“The best way for students to show their school spirit is by participating in the student section,” Bauer said, “We are constantly doing different cheers to get everyone hyped as well as showing our football team that we are here for them.”

Whether you participate in the school’s game traditions or have traditions of your own, come to the game ready to cheer Trailblazers on to a victory.

“Be invested in the game, and that makes it so much more fun for everyone,” Bauer said.

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DSU’s women’s swim team under direction of new head coach

by Emma BrownPosted on

A new coach brings high expectations and attention to detail for the Dixie State University women’s swim team.

Dan Kesler brings the experience DSU Athletics is looking for, including coaching under Bob Bowman, who coached the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, according to DSU Athletics’ website.

“Dan has a lot higher expectations for us, rightfully so, and it’s just been interesting to adjust and focus on detail,” said Gabbie Adams, a sophomore elementary education major from Nampa, Idaho.

Prior to coming to DSU, Kesler has worked with the swim teams at Florida State University, Arizona State University and Wingate University specifically with distance and mid-distance swimmers.

Kesler said: “Dixie State provides the total package of everything: The vision of the university, the vision of Dr. Boothe, the location, and the facility. I think it is a place that can get better pretty quick.”

The past coach, Tamber McAllister, chose to take an opportunity at Brigham Young University, leaving the coaching position open.

“The prior staff left a really good culture of women, and now it is building on that and trying to make us a little better each day,” Kesler said.

Dan Kesler coaches swimmers in preparation for their next meet on October 23rd against Brigham Young University.

Kesler doesn’t want to focus on the times his team receives but instead on the progress it has made in paying attention to detail and dealing with the change of a new coach and transitioning to Division I.

“It’s nice to have him come in knowing this is a DI program rather than having to make that switch [from DII to DI] in his mind,” Adams said.

The growth in women’s swim could propel more teams in the pool. More students attending the meets could bring that growth.

Director of Athletics Jason Boothe said, “We want to add diving because it’s a natural fit; we have the boards and the pool, so that would be an addition we are looking at adding within the next two years.”

DSU complies with Title IX to decrease discrimination against individuals. This relates to sports because it rules that there must be equal opportunity for both men’s and women’s teams. In order to comply with Title IX, the addition of a diving team would only be for the women’s team. The addition will be further down the road as DSU Athletics tries to focus on improving the teams in DI.

The addition of Kesler is a change for the swim team but the team has noticed growth.

“Physically, a lot of us are further ahead than we were last year at this time,” Adams said.

The team has had one meet already this season and hopes to continuously improve as the season goes on.

“Change is hard but they are taking it on like true bison, headfirst into the storm,” Kesler said.

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