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

Month: February 2024

Exploring the journey to success during Utah Tech’s career fair

by Angel WoodPosted on

Over 80 employers from several states came to Utah Tech University to participate in a career fair Feb. 22 in the Gardner Ballroom. 

Hosted by Career Services, the fair was organized in hopes of helping guide students on their path to finding a career. Over 300 students were in attendance. 

Leann Weibert, a career coach for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, was in charge of the career fair this semester. In preparation, she advertised for it, put different materials together, contacted companies and communicated with catering services and facilities. 

“This career fair is where students can actually see what these employers are doing and talk to the employer face to face and find out what kind of positions they have,” Weibert said. “It helps them prepare to apply for that kind of position, and it helps get them ready to find a career.”

Among the different employers in attendance, Utah Behavior Services had a booth set up and informed students of the career options that can be found within healthcare services. 

“We actually have a lot of our members in our office started in our registered behavior technician position, which is typically where we would find them in a college setting,” said Saige Hayes, the clinical director for the Utah Behavior Services office at the St. George location. “I started here as a student at Utah Tech, so we really like to find our people and like to help them grow in whatever area they want.”

There were numerous other employers at the fair including: 

Weibert said: “This fair gives students the opportunity to network with employers, and if they’re applying for positions or looking for positions, it is a great way to find out what’s available. Just taking that time to present themselves in front of employers and learning more about them is really important for students.”

Brandon Lopez, a freshman finance major from St. George, attended the fair to see if there were any financing positions open to give him job experience while still in college. 

“I was hoping to gain as many options as possible for the experience, and what I’ve taken away from the fair is definitely a different outlook,” Lopez said. “There’s a lot of different jobs that I didn’t realize required finance, and it kept my mind more open.”

The next Career Services event will be Networking Nights, a collaboration with the Alumni Ambassadors, aimed at helping specific majors learn more about what jobs are offered within different areas of study. This event will be March 4 and March 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Alumni House and will be targeted toward majors related to business. Students can register for the event on Handshake. 

Although the career fair may be over, there are many ways students can continue looking for a career. Weibert encourages students to make an appointment with a career coach at Career Services so a coach can help guide them in the right direction for a career. 

“Be open to trying new things and giving things a shot,” Hayes said. “Develop a better idea of where you’re wanting to grow into and understand how companies can help you get there. Make sure that you’re going for an employer that’s going to help you invest in you.”

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OPINION | Gen Z needs a reality check when it comes to conspiracy theories

by Emily VanmiddendorpPosted on

From the Illuminati to COVID-19 conspiracies, Generation Z has been exposed to one online conspiracy after another.

Being born into this digital age, we might consider ourselves experts on consuming digital media and are therefore immune to misinformation. However, we fall for fake news and false narratives fed to us on social media all the time. This needs to stop.

We often see older generations as the main targets for spam emails and being gullible enough to fall for half-truths on the internet. The truth is we are just as likely to fall for those traps.

Our willingness to believe in conspiracy theories is one example of how misinformation can affect how we see things happening in our world. The belief in conspiracy theories stems from the need to feel safe in our environment. The theories provide clarity and a possible explanation for secretive and confusing events.

Gen Z is a generation that has lived through the aftermath of 9/11, the pandemic, school shootings, war and racial injustice protests. These events have caused Gen Z to lose trust in the system. A survey by Gallup and Walton Family Foundation-State of American Youth Survey found that members of Gen Z generally lack trust in U.S. institutions. The survey showed Gen Z having the lowest trust in Congress, the news, the presidency and large technology companies.

Due to this lack of trust, Gen Z is more likely to believe conspiracies and spread them through the use of social media.

Conspiracy theories can be dangerous because while some can be outrageous and unbelievable, others can be wildly intricate and convincing. One of the best examples of the damage misinformation can cause is when the conspiracies about COVID-19 being planned or that the vaccine for it was causing infertility ran rampant on the internet. This caused skepticism and rumors to take over the public.

During this time of uncertainty, I found it hard to navigate the things I was seeing on social media. This feeling came again when the media was filled with news about the war in Israel. When there are so many posts playing into one bias or the other, it is hard to know what is true and false. The distinction between real news and fake news becomes blurred.

When it comes to spreading fake news, we are part of the problem.

There is pressure to repost and share posts about major events, even if we are not fact-checking the content we are sharing. This amplifies the spread of fake news and false narratives. We need to understand that not sharing doesn’t mean we don’t care about what’s going on. We simply want the experts to share the information. There is a line that must be drawn between advocating for what we believe and spreading misinformation.

We all must make an effort to stop choosing to believe online conspiracies simply to satisfy mistrust in an institution. Stop sharing posts without fact-checking the source. We, Gen Z, are not immune to misinformation.

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Fashion Club empowers students to embrace style sustainably beyond the runway

by Grace KazmierskiPosted on

Beyond the runway, the Fashion Club is fighting for a sustainable future by spreading awareness on ways students can build an eco-friendly, stylish wardrobe.

Aubrey Richardson, a freshman biology major from Louisville, Kentucky, decided to start the club with her friends at the beginning of this school year. She is now serving as the club’s president.

“We wanted to make a space where people can come and learn how to express their style through their clothing in ways you might not have thought of before,” Richardson said.

Whether it’s thrifting, upcycling, supporting eco-friendly brands or recycling clothes, the Fashion Club aims to teach students how to shop sustainably. Their activities are based on finding fun ways to spread that message.

For the club’s first meeting, members took an old puzzle with half of its pieces missing and turned what was left into new earrings. Their goal was to show how recycling waste into a wardrobe can be fun and easy.

The club held a fashion show Feb. 5 using thrifted, recycled and handed-down materials. Models sported a variety of looks, from eccentric dresses made of rope and plastic to casual thrifted outfits that any student could wear to class.

“We wanted to show variety,” Richardson said. “You can thrift things for summer and winter, fancy and comfortable. You can find all of it in a thrift store.”

Richardson was in charge of the “Trashion Show,” a portion of the event featuring models wearing outfits made entirely of trash. It was aimed at spreading awareness of fast fashion’s negative impact on the climate and environment.

“Fast fashion” is a term used to describe fashion business models that rely on cheap and speedy production of low-quality clothing. It typically feeds into popular trends that quickly run out of style. Most fast fashion companies are based in countries with little environmental regulation and fewer worker protections.

According to a report from the Princeton Student Climate Initiative, fast fashion impacts the environment in three major ways: excessive water usage, the spread of plastic microfibers and mass consumption of clothing. The fast fashion industry and its related companies remain one of the largest contributors to climate change.

Olive Wood, a freshman biology major from Poulsbo, Washington, was a model in the show and wore a pink dress made out of plastic. 

Wood wears a dress made entirely of recycled waste. | Photo courtesy of Bryan Amistron

“I was really nervous at first,” Wood said. “But it was really fun and rewarding to be a part of a project that our club had been working on for a while.” 

The idea for the fashion show came from Emily Ashton, a freshman English major from Eugene, Oregon, and the vice president of the club. Ashton came up with the idea for her environmental humanities midterm, which asked students to create a proposal for ways to promote sustainability on campus.

“Overproduction is a huge issue for our climate, and the fast-fashion industry is a major part of that,” Ashton said. “But our message is to not just shop sustainably, it’s to embrace your style and what you like to wear sustainably.”

Aside from educating others on how to dress sustainably, the Fashion Club was created to be a space where people can express themselves through their wardrobe.

“Fashion is not just for girls or a certain political group,” Ashton said. “We want to create a safe and comfortable community where we can enjoy ourselves and others.”

As the club continues to expand, they are hoping to meet more frequently and hold more events. Students can find meeting information on the Fashion Club’s Instagram page.

“It’s a space where people can come and work on looking their best self and feel confident in what they’re wearing,” Richardson said. 

For students in the Fashion Club, wardrobe is a tool used both in the art of expression and the fight against the industry’s negative impact on the environment. Although still growing, students in the club are making an impact by implementing sustainability one outfit at a time.

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New myUT app unveils central hub for student resources

by Lexy BorgognoPosted on

The myUT app not only features a variety of Utah Tech University websites in one, but it also presents a personalized home screen for each user. 

Newly released, the app includes access to meal plans, printers and tuition balances as well as each student’s schedule with their due dates for assignments. This schedule is called myDay and features Navigate appointments and the Outlook calendar. 

The app also includes the following:

  • Calendar to add events directly to phone calendar
  • Access ID barcode to scan at the Human Performance Center
  • Direct access to Canvas
  • Utah Tech Ticket Office
  • Applications for scholarships
  • Tutoring and study buddy sign-ups
  • On-campus jobs

The majority of the work completed to create the app was done by Utah Tech’s IT Services department.

Mark Walton, chief information officer, said while the IT department has been involved, many individuals across campus have also had a part in the app’s creation.

“Because this app will impact every current and future student’s journey here at Utah Tech, we wanted student input from the very beginning,” Walton said. 

The original development was completed by a student employee, which resulted in feedback from student focus groups for suggestions pertaining to improvements.

Alyssa Ponce, a computer programmer and analyst, was involved in the development of the app as a senior last semester. She also presented the app to the University Council.

While many individuals have pointed out the need for one centralized hub for all things related to Utah Tech, plans started coming together in summer 2022. Walton said actual development didn’t occur until the summer of 2023. 

“Student apps and portals are common tools at many universities,” Walton said. “With the most important resources in one place, they help students combat app fatigue, multi-channel messaging and unnecessary confusion. Utah Tech’s substantial growth has made it necessary for all areas to come together in a more organized manner.”

Students, faculty and staff have been requesting more organization with student resources, which is the purpose of this app. 

Ali Threet, assistant vice president and dean of students, said she often gets asked about ways to get involved around campus, how to know what’s going on and how students can understand their balances. 

Up until recently, she’d had to go through a list of websites, apps and various social media pages to provide the answers to those questions. Now, this app ensures the convenience of having everything in one place.

“The best part is that they can personalize their app to populate with the most exciting and relevant information for them,” Threet said. “In addition, this app puts all the academic apps in the exact location.”

Ponce added that student feedback is vital. Being a student herself when involved in the creation of the app, she said it is refreshing to see how student-centered the app is. 

“The most important thing to us now is that students continue contributing their feedback so that we can meet their needs as they grow and change,” Ponce said. 

At the footer of myUT, a “Report a Problem” button is available to fill out issues students encounter. Students can also fill out the feedback form to report a bug or suggestion.

The forms will then be sent directly to IT to fix. Future focus groups will also be created to continuously ensure the collection of student feedback. 

“In all seriousness, I don’t see any downsides to this app,” Threet said. “With that said, it’s new, and there will be a few bugs. However, I encourage everyone to utilize the app and then suggest what could be improved.”

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EDITORIAL | What Student Press Freedom Day means to us

by Sun News StaffPosted on

We strive to be powerfully persistent.

To be a student journalist requires having grit in pursuing truth, investigating prominent stories and fighting against censorship, which is why Student Press Freedom Day’s theme is “Powerfully Persistent.”

Student Press Freedom Day’s sixth annual celebration occurs Feb. 22 and allows student journalists to celebrate their contributions to the community while advocating for the importance of First Amendment freedoms like freedom of the press. As Utah Tech University’s student-run news organization, it is important to highlight this day and all that it means to us.

The role of a student journalist is rewarding but not easy. Smiles are brought to our faces as we see the campus and community enjoy our stories; however, it occurs after several interviews, hours of writing and editing, and meeting deadlines while still tending to all of our other student responsibilities.

On top of that, we live in a world of constant information and deception, and navigating through that is an incredibly grueling task. Student journalists don’t let this stand in the way of telling the truth, even if that is going against common beliefs. We have to be the ones to stand up against opposition and confront others at face value because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t ever uncover the truth. Due to this, we often get backlash when we don’t report on the majority opinion and refuse to conform to peer pressure.

As student journalists, we are putting in the work, yet we are often not taken as seriously as major media platforms. Nonetheless, we are not just fulfilling our staff positions to get credits to graduate. We are striving to tell stories that matter.

We are proof of the “active learning. active life.” motto at Utah Tech through the hands-on experiences of our day-to-day Sun News commitments. Through interviews and taking newsworthy photos, we are experiencing the world of journalism.

For many of us staff members, journalism is the career path we are planning on pursuing after graduation. These staff positions are like our future jobs. Therefore, we take our positions on Sun News very seriously and deserve to receive the same respect and care in return.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the freedom of the press. This freedom is often overlooked and not appreciated as much as it should be. The freedom of the press allows journalists to inform society about what is happening and ultimately helps make democracy function smoothly.

Despite this, student journalists are often left with fewer rights in comparison to both professional journalists and their fellow students. This can be seen in the way student news organizations are often deprived of their First Amendment rights, whether that be through frequent stonewalling or other forms of censorship.

Student Press Freedom Day falls on Feb. 22 because it is during Scholastic Journalism Week, and it is close to the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District decision that occurred Feb. 24, 1969. This court decision was one of the first steps in the right direction of allowing student voices to be heard. Through student journalism, we are able to push to have the voices of students heard and fight against censorship.

As a student-run news organization, we endure these struggles to make the community better one story at a time. Therefore, we will powerfully persist in seeking out the truth, investigating noteworthy stories and fighting against censorship.

Because at the end of the day, we are the voice of Utah Tech.

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The importance behind celebrating Student Press Freedom Day

by Laura McClurePosted on

The celebration of Student Press Freedom Day is being written in history for the sixth time Feb. 22 with the theme being “Powerfully persistent.”

This day holds a strong importance to those student journalists who work hard every day to get countless interviews, write hundreds of articles and spread important information not only to the schools they attend but to the public surrounding them. The jobs of student journalists include real-world experiences and opportunities for these students to practice their First Amendment freedoms.

Rhiannon Bent, assistant professor of communication and department chair, said, “People in power need to be held accountable, and journalism was created for the state of government to be able to scrutinize what’s happening.”

The First Amendment protects people’s rights to free speech as well as the freedom of the press in journalistic practices. This allows the public and press to have reasonably uncensored opinions and to publish credible and factual information without the fear of getting into trouble with the government. There are many stories that are written by students in college and high school that leave a lasting impact on the school and the community.

News corporations such as KSL News and St. George News cover topics pertaining to subjects in the government, but so do student journalists. The information and reporting is not limited to those bigger companies, and student journalists are learning to be able to share that same information, just on a different scale. That does not mean that they are any less important within society.

Bent said, “You’ve got to have grit to persist in a difficult career, and this [journalism] is one of them.”

Avril Kester, a junior marketing major from Los Angeles, is the president of the club, Creatives Anonymous. Kester works to get a group of students together throughout each month to allow them to share their written stories within a safe environment. She also gives them a chance to get feedback and help from their peers.

“Once you limit what one person can say, then eventually everyone and everything will be limited,” Kester said. “If you give someone an inch, they’ll go a mile. Allowing people to speak freely about topics and give factual information is so important.”

In other cases, articles that are in student publications are some of the only ways that students or the community are able to get information. This also gives students the chance to research and report on stories they feel are important and impactful. Finding newsworthy stories is just another important factor in what these students are able to accomplish.

Freedom of the press allows news publications to not be limited to what information they can and can not share. This also allows the public to be more knowledgeable about what is happening. If there is information about something that directly impacts someone, it is in the public’s best interest for news publications to announce that information. 

Owen Johnson, a junior English major from Washington, is a part-time IT web technical writer and fiction editor for the Southern Quill, a literary publication at Utah Tech University. This publication allows students to submit poetry, creative non-fiction pieces, artwork and stories to be published.

“Without freedom of press, there is no way for people to create and share their own new ideas,” Johnson said. “People need to be able to gather information from all sides of a topic to form an opinion, not just one controlled side.” 

Student Press Freedom Day is about bringing awareness to those student journalists who go through the effort and stress of writing and publishing stories that won’t always be accepted by the public. These students are commended on this day for their hard work and efforts put into interviewing, writing, publishing and staying powerfully persistent to make impactful and newsworthy stories.

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The Super Bowl commercials that were super memorable

by Anna CaseyPosted on
After this year’s Super Bowl, some people were left with a memorable game and commercials. However, which ones do students and faculty remember? Anna Casey | Sun News Daily

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Utah Tech takes loss against GCU

by Benjamin DawsonPosted on

The Utah Tech University women’s basketball team had a rough night against the No. 1 team in the Western Athletic Conference, Grand Canyon University.

The Trailblazers lost their game Feb. 15 against GCU 41-88. The 47-point loss is their single biggest loss of the season, and it is also their lowest-scoring game of the season.

Despite this, the team remained optimistic after their loss.

Associate head coach Matt Thune said: “I think it is one of those games you just kind of have to throw away… We are going to regroup and we will be ready Saturday. We are not going to hang our heads too long for this one.”

From the beginning of the game, the offense had a hard time finding a rhythm. Over the course of the game, Utah Tech had a total field goal percentage of 32%.

Thune said the defense was not the problem of the night. The team was unable to perform offensively and get clicking.

The Trailblazers are fighting adversity in terms of injury at this point in the season. Out of the total 12 players on the roster, only eight were dressed for the game. They are missing starting guard No. 2 Macie Warren who is the third leading scorer on the team. 

Alyson Deaver, a sophomore population health major from Sumner, Washington, said, “Playing with only eight girls is kind of hard because, with our rotation, we all need to be ready to go.”

Thune said he was proud of the team fighting the whole game and how they never gave up no matter what the scoreboard said.

Even with the loss, the team remains optimistic about their chances of winning if they see GCU again this season. If they are able to play GCU again, they are hoping to have more depth on the roster with some of the injured players healing and have a better night shooting.

Nicole Willardson, a freshman exercise science major from Richfield, said, “Hopefully we will see them [GCU] again in the [WAC] tournament, and we will show them what we have.”

Thune said he is happy with where the team is currently as they are sitting in fourth place in the WAC. He said they fought to get to fourth place and the team is going to fight to stay there. 

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The day in the life of an engineer major

by Madison AndersenPosted on
An engineer major is known for being a difficult major to study. However, what do you do as an engineering major, and what does Utah Tech offer in its curriculum? Madi Andersen | Sun News Daily

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‘Perfect imitation of a casino’: Utah Tech event brings fun prizes and games

by Laura McClurePosted on

The clink of champagne glasses, the flipping of cards and the cheers from a big win are some of the sounds you would hear in casinos throughout Las Vegas, Atlantic City and even Utah Tech University.

Casino Night is an annual event where the Utah Tech Student Association is able to give back to its students. This anticipated event provides students the opportunity to dress up in elegance and class with the 80s and 90s theme of fashion as well as the music. Even students under 21 years old were encouraged to play classic casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em and Craps. Mock champagne and soda beverages were available for students to sip on as they enjoyed the evening. 

Courtney Grob, a guest who attended with a student, said, “It was a great excuse to get dressed up and have a good evening with friends and try something new.” 

Grob said she was surprised at how many people were at the event. She did not expect it to be so busy.  

In past years, this event has had thousands of attendees participate, and this year’s Casino Night was anticipated that 700 or more people attend.

“My favorite part is the perfect imitation of a casino,” said event organizer Asher Anderson, a senior marketing major from Mesa, Arizona. “Especially since most college students are underage and we are in Utah, there is no gambling or casinos, so it’s fun to pretend like you’re in one of those casinos you see in Vegas.”

The decor throughout the Gardner Center resembled that of a casino. As guests walked in, they were given the chance to walk across a red carpet and get photographed. Throughout the building, there were different sections for each type of game as well as an exclusive section blocked off for those with enough chips.

UTSA took the opportunity to give back to their students with high-end prizes. The first 200 students received a limited edition toothpick holder, and some of the top prizes to win this year included:

  • State park pass
  • PS5
  • Helicopter ride for 2 above Zion State Park
  • TV
  • Ninja Creami
  • Lululemon backpack
  • Nike hoodie
  • Lego set

With each raffle ticket worth $500, prizes could be won by trading in chips won in the games for tickets. Audience members at Casino Night were encouraging and cheered on those who won the raffle for these prizes.

Jon Balls, an attendee, said he enjoyed the evening with everything it had to offer, going on to say that it is a great testament to what the university has to offer for both its students and the public.

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