Category: Features

The flash of a camera, the whir of a computer fan, the smooth glide of fresh paint on canvas and the brilliant glow of a test tube — all experiences you can find in programs at Utah Tech University.

Once a semester, Career Services and the Academic Advisement Center host an event where students can learn about these programs. Informational booths offer students a unique opportunity to speak with members of these degree paths and ask questions about each department.

This semester’s event was held Sept. 23 at the Gardner Student Center Ballroom. Several departments made an appearance, including the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of the Arts, College of Health and Human Performance, and College of Individualized Studies. The United States Army also had a booth.

Students were encouraged to engage with academic advisers to learn about majors, minors and certifications available to them. There was also the opportunity to learn about what departments paired well in major-minor combinations.

When asked what she recommends pairing with a performing arts degree, Danielle Johansen, an academic adviser for the College of Arts, said, “Secondary education, business and media studies.”

Katie Armstrong, the director of college advisement, greeted students at the door of the Gardner Ballroom with a packet listing many of the degree programs and certifications students could inquire about, including:

• Certificate in 2D animation
• Certificate in 3D animation
• Certificate in choral conducting
• Certificate in social media
• Minor in history
• Minor in criminology
• Minor in theatre
• Minor in mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity
• Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art
• Bachelor of Arts/Science in English — English education emphasis

For more information on these opportunities, you can visit the Utah Tech website or schedule an appointment to talk with your adviser through Navigate.

Armstrong said this event is one of the highlights of the semester for their department, as it provides an excellent opportunity to build connections between students and faculty. Because of this, she encourages students to spend time at the event, not just stop in for a complimentary snack and leave.

“[Don’t] be afraid to go and talk to people about the different degree programs, minors, certifications we have. Get out there and practice your people skills,” Armstrong said.

Hannah West, a freshman management major from St. George, said that the event had been helpful to her so far, as she was interested to learn more about law-related programs at Utah Tech.

Students interested in attending future Career Services and Academic Advisement Center events should keep an eye on the standees, cork boards around campus and Handshake.

Since 1960, the Santa Clara community has gathered for Swiss Days, a three-day celebration of heritage, food and community spirit. 

The purpose of this annual event is to celebrate Swiss heritage and the pioneers who settled in Santa Clara in 1861.

“I remember going to this event as a kid, and now coming back it feels so nostalgic,” Addisyn Painter, St. George resident, said.

Swiss Days is held the last weekend of September, starting with a community dinner and a welcome speech from the town marshal. 

“You come for the entertainment but stay for the community,” Lincoln Miller, St. George resident, said.

The three-day event is full of activities for all ages to enjoy. The festival features local vendors, live entertainment, a mooing contest and more. Country musician Cody Webb performed a free concert Friday night as the festival’s final act of the day. 

The events and entertainment showcased included Swiss dancing, a founding families booth, the mooing and yodeling contests and the Swiss Miss and Mister Pageant. 

“I look forward to this event every year because it is one of those events that you know you will have a good time at and find an event for everyone to enjoy,” Macyi Smith, Washington County resident, said. 

Residents are able to order a cow or calf cow standee and have it displayed along the road or at their home or business. Proceeds from cow standee sales go to raise funds for the community in projects, events and improvements. The cows also help keep Swiss Days an annual event. 

Santa Clara uses the cow standees as marketing to represent the tradition of the Swiss migrating the cows for the seasons.

“Between the live music and local vendors, it’s a great place for the community to come together to support the town and its Swiss heritage that comes before us,” Brody Davis, Santa Clara resident, said.

The main event is the parade on Saturday, with a helicopter flying over and trucks tossing treats into the crowd. There were floats from local individuals and community members including Miss Santa Clara, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Girl Scouts and others. The parade featured a cow that people could pet and take pictures with afterward.

“This is my first year coming here and I wasn’t sure what it was about,” Chloe Stevens, St. George resident, said. “I just saw the cows on the street and thought it was something cool to do for the weekend. I have enjoyed this very much and plan on coming back next year.”

The St. George Downtown Farmers Market is more than a place to shop; it is a unique local tradition.

Every Saturday, all year round, buyers and vendors gather at the Downtown Farmers Market in St. George, not just to sell or buy locally grown organic food and handmade goods, but to unite community spirit.

The Downtown Farmers Market was launched in 2007 to give local people access to fresh produce.

“We have continued it [the market] and it started from a little, tiny parking lot,” Kat Puzey, co-owner of the Downtown Farmers Market, said. “And then, we have moved it down here [Vernon Worthen Park], and it [has] grown into this and we love it.”

The market operates every Saturday from May through October, 8 a.m. to noon, and November through April, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the market, visitors can buy:

• Natural products
• Prepared food
• Baked goods
• Hand-crafted items
• Clothing
• Self care products

Puzey said the market had about 92 vendors Sept. 20. They offered a variety products, from fresh fruits and vegetables to tacos and smoothies. The market also included works of painters and jewelers. 

“We do not allow resale and we are one of the only markets in the state that does that,” Puzey said. “So that is what we love about our market, that is everything here is locally made.”

There are many booths at the market, each of which offers different goods for buyers.

Fred Openshaw Farms

The owners of Fred Openshaw Farms have a family farm and sell homemade products.

“We have got a variety of fruits and vegetables,” Carlotte Openshaw, co-owner of the Fred Openshaw Farms, said. “We trade our apples and our peaches and fruit with them [another farm] so we can have a bigger offering at this market.” 

The booth offers apple-based juice, a drink that many visitors come to buy from Fred Openshaw Farms.

The average price of the farm products varies from $5 per pound of a product to $25 for a box of fruits or vegetables. Outside of the St. George Downtown Farmers Market, the family also sells their products across Utah in Orem, Bountiful, Draper, Springville and Eagle Mountain. 

Fred Openshaw Farms can also be found on their website, Facebook and Instagram. 

Buyou Creations

Another booth that gathers a lot of people around it is Buyou Creations, a business that sells handmade goods for both women and men. Virginia White, the owner of the company, offers a range of designed women’s bags, sports bags and towels. The starting price for the goods is $45.

KB Artisan Jewelry

Also featured at the market is KB Artisan Jewelry. The seller, Kathy Butler, showcases a variety of jewelry, which includes necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. One special product that Butler sells is pet memorial pendants. The price at the shop varies from $50 up to $120 and products can be found on the website or Facebook page.

Pure Serenity Organics

The booth Pure Serenity Organics offers organic skincare for both men and women. The owner of the business, Danielle Kloepfer, has 15 years of experience in the industry and sells different types of juniper-infused skincare that uses safe ingredients for the skin. The average price for the cosmetic products is $30.

To discover more information about self care products, visit the website, connect through email Pureserenityorganics@gmail.com or visit their Instagram account.

Loaf You Sourdough

Another booth that attracted visitors was Loaf You Sourdough. The owner, Erin Silverthorn, offers different kinds of bakery products. The most popular ones are bagels, cinnamon rolls and muffins. All the baked products that Silverthorn suggests are made from organic flour and have no artificial ingredients. Prices for baked goods vary from $4 to $10.

Besides the market, the bakery Loaf You Sourdough can be found on its Facebook and Instagram, where visitors can see product options and visuals.

The St. George Downtown Market is a great opportunity for students to participate and start their own business.  

“If you have an idea and you want to test the market, this is the perfect place to get your feet up off the ground,” Puzey said. “I think it is the most valuable thing for students to be able to function in real life without just having to be a student.”

The Downtown Farmers Market is not only a place to sell products; it is a tradition that continues to unite local people. Find something special for yourself at this market and become a part of the long-standing farmers market community.

On Sept. 24, excitement buzzed as students, faculty and community members gathered for the unveiling of five new statues in the statue garden. 

The unveiling was hosted on Constitution Day and during Dixie Days, celebrations that follow freedom, courage and leadership — these values reflected in the figures honored in the garden. 

Utah Tech University presented five new statues near the College of Education building, featuring statues of:

• George Washington
• Benjamin Franklin
• Albert Einstein
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Abraham Lincoln.

Each statue was donated to the university by people in the community: Daryl C. Kelly, Steve Zolman, David Lee, Stephen Bos, Andrew Ball and K.C. and Nancy Ericksen. The garden was created in partnership with the city of St. George.

There were remarks from President Smeed, Michele Randall (St. George Mayor), Victor Iverson (Washington County commissioner) and Jeff Jarvis (dean of the College of Arts). 

The garden was designed to honor heroes who devoted their lives to learning, freedom and expanding knowledge, said Brad Last, Utah Tech vice president of advancement and development, who welcomed everyone to the ceremony.

“The next time you’re on campus, make this garden a part of your visit,” Jarvis said.

This community gift creates a space where students and visitors can connect with the leaders who shaped history, leaving a legacy for generations to come.

The garden is considered a living classroom, a place for students to study or talk with friends. Rather than walking the hallways or being in the classrooms to learn, students are able to take time outside and reflect on the statues before them — to think of the people who came before them and the history they made.

“May this garden inspire us all to live with curiosity, compassion and courage,” Randall said. 

Students and faculty are appreciating the addition of the statues to campus. 

“With my office being right here, I’ve come through this area. We used to have events here before the statues were put up, so it’s good to be able to find a place to put them [statues],” Mikey Nelson, director of student belonging, said. 

The event highlighted the changes that are being made to campus and gave students the opportunity to see the physical changes that are happening — changes that aren’t just new buildings.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without so many community members, so it is really good to bring attention to it and let students know they have so many people in their corner,” Jyl Hall, director of public relations, said.

St. George is often recognized for sightseeing, and now a piece of that scenery has been brought to campus.

The university also has a Statue of Liberty replica. The statue is currently being loaned from the organization Liberty Village and will be put in front of the old courthouse for the public to visit. 

The beginning of the semester comes with a slew of academic challenges, but one that is often forgotten about are the joys (or terrors) of living in the dorms on campus.

While it can be fun, dorm life can be tricky to adjust to for those who’ve never had to contend with sharing space or living with roommates. But fear not, dear reader. Just like any challenge, there are ways to avoid the stress, and following these tips can help mitigate it. 

Communicate with your roommates

This sounds cliché, but if you’re going to survive eight months living in a 30-square foot box with another person, you’re going to have to talk to them. 

You don’t have to be best friends, but saying, “Hey, I’m going to have some friends over later tonight,” or “Hey, would you mind trying to stay a little quieter when you get home at night?” goes a long way. It establishes respect between the two of you and can help set the boundaries and rules you want to live by.

You can communicate about the smallest of things, from asking them to keep their side of the room clean to letting them know there’s ice cream in the freezer if you’d like to share it with them. These little things go a longer way than you might think.

Set boundaries

Just like any relationship, setting boundaries and rules will ensure a smooth experience. Communicating about space within the room, cleaning responsibilities and quiet time is critical, especially when it comes to managing conflict.

Delegating space within the room and deciding on cleaning responsibilities are the two biggest boundaries, but Kinzi Robbins, a freshman pre-nursing major from Payson, emphasized another point.

“[Set] designated time to be quiet,” she said. “[Knowing] what the times are can be super helpful. It’s knowing the time when you shouldn’t be [loud].”

Snacks and food are a must-have

This is more applicable in traditional dorms that don’t have a kitchen, unlike the Campus View Suites dorms or Abby Apartments, but trying to study in your room with an empty stomach is brutal. Keeping snacks on hand won’t seem important until you don’t have any when you need them.

Alongside that, keeping your pantry stocked can be helpful if you’re in a morning rush and need a quick boost of energy before class. The food you eat has effects on your brain’s function, and being proactive will benefit you in the long run.

Keep the room clean

Cleanliness is important for a myriad of reasons, but keeping the room clean is important for your mental health just as much as your physical health; a dirty room could lead to decreased focus, which is never good for busy college students.

Annie Brown, a freshman design major from West Jordan, recommends divvying up the work between you and your roommates and communicating with them to ensure the work gets done. 

Keeping a clean space extends past sweeping the floors and picking up trash. Some students use air purifiers and dehumidifiers to help combat mold and other allergens that can enter the room. This is especially important since you’re living in close quarters with other people, where germs can spread easily. 

Involve the resident assistant if necessary

This may be awkward, but it’s better to involve the RA if there’s a problem as opposed to silently suffering through it. 

“Last year, I had an RA give us the suggestion that if your roommates are being really loud at unreasonable hours, you can always put in an anonymous complaint,” said Ellie Wilcox, a sophomore management major from Sandy. “They’ll never know it was you. They’ll just think that it is somebody else.”

Noise complaints aren’t the only issues an RA can deal with; they can also handle disagreements about space, cleaning and the other topics listed above. It’s important to remember that putting up with a problem might not be sustainable in the long term, and ensuring your living space is comfortable and safe should be a priority. 

College is stressful enough, and eliminating stress from your living environment is a surefire way to make the experience more enjoyable.

From blindfolded piano to hip-hop dancing, local performers of all ages took the stage at the annual Dixie’s Got Talent.

Dixie’s Got Talent is a fundraiser for scholarships for students. The program started in 2011 and became a community event. 

“We are changing lives one scholarship at a time,” said Del Beatty, vice president of student affairs. 

The event is donation and sponsor-based. There were six sponsors this year, some of them being Utah Tech Alumni Association and The Pasta Factory. Contestants also raise donations, and when the audience votes, they are required to donate a minimum of $1. 

The scholarship aspect is why this event is important for students. They get the opportunity to win scholarship money by doing something they are passionate about, said Brianne Crismon, a senior digital media major from Sandy, and performer at DGT.

This year’s winners were:

• The Revivers, a group of vocal artists
• Mason Staheli, a youth pianist
• Miles Jeppson, an adult singer

When asked about how she felt when her name was announced as a runner-up in the adult category, Eliza Pond, a freshman design major from Santa Clara, said, “I was not expecting it, to be honest, but first of all, I’m way younger than everybody else in the category. I’m only 18 [years old].”

Contestants applied by sending in a video of their performance, and the judges picked the top 40 performers to go to callbacks. 

Students worked hard to earn a callback.

“It was a rigorous process,” Crismon said.

If students got a callback, then they went through another audition process where 16 performers and four groups were picked as finalists. 

This year there were three different categories, youth, adult and group. Each group had one winner who was awarded $500 and the opportunity to represent DGT at community events. 

The performers ranged in all ages and talents, including pianists, singers, dancers and a comedian. The audience’s reactions were strong for comedian Chase McPhie in the adult group and Mason Staheli in the youth category, who played the piano blindfolded. 

Dance Fuzion Studio did a hip-hop dance and had all ages performing. One of the performers drove a mini car on stage. 

Before the winner was announced, DGT had last year’s youth winner, a hip-hop dancer named Enoch Braunberger, and adult winner, pianist Mark Gubler, come back to perform again. The previous winners also gave this year’s winners their scholarship check. 

Visit their website to find more information and keep up with their Instagram to know when they are accepting auditions for next year. 

For members of Kappa Sigma, fraternity life isn’t about parties — it’s about leadership and service throughout St. George.

The Kappa Sigma fraternity, unaffiliated with Utah Tech University, has recently appeared on campus.

The members must keep school activities separate from the fraternity. They are allowed to attend events as students, but not as representatives of the fraternity.

Kappa Sigma was founded over 150 years ago at the University of Virginia in 1869, but has been around in Italy since the 1400s. Kappa Sigma is also the world’s largest collegiate social fraternity.

The fraternity’s main focus is to promote leadership, community and involvement.

“The four pillars the fraternity is built upon are fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service,” said Brooks Ayre, a junior management and accounting major from Houston. Ayre is the grand procurator, meaning the vice president.

The members of Kappa Sigma want to help students become leaders.

“We are just another avenue, another option for students to pursue leadership, for students who want to get involved,” said Ian Kelly, a senior communication studies major from Chicago. 

Kelly, the campus involvement chair, is the main bridge between the fraternity and campus. He focuses on finding events and clubs that members are interested in, helping students get more involved on campus.

The fraternity is primarily service-based. They plan to help out at the St. George Marathon and assist with setup for Afuego Fridays and Young and Dumb parties. The brotherhood also helps with community service projects at a local Catholic church that one of their members attends.

The chapter’s events are invite-only. Members and their invited guests are welcome to their events. If someone would like to attend an event, they have to reach out to get an invitation.

“Kappa Sigma is this big, huge organization and they spread their ideology or their traditions through each school,” Ayre said.

Kappa Sigma is the only male Greek organization in St. George. The brotherhood recently charted a club called Greek Leader Committee, where they teach Greek-like values.

“We are one of the few, if not the only organizations on campus, that I can confidently say we’re about merit,” Kelly said.

The current members learned about the original frat that was created in 2019, before it was dissolved by the organization, from fellow classmates who invited them to come to a meeting. Thomas F. Cudd III, a senior finance major from Calgary, Canada, saw a future in the fraternity and wanted to recharter it to truly follow the values that Kappa Sigma is known for.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know, it sounds kind of weird,’” Cudd said.

They realized if the people they trust are in it, then they could give it a chance. After learning more about the morals and ethics, the current members realized it aligns with what they believe in. They also saw how the networking opportunities were beneficial for the future. 

“We are men of excellence and that is what Greek life offers,” Ayre said. 

The fraternity has not become an approved organization at Utah Tech because the university doesn’t have Greek life on campus. The school focuses on having clubs and leadership organizations for students to participate in.

Any male student enrolled at Utah Tech and taking 12 credits or more is welcome to join. The fraternity is accepting new members and will allow more members after their two-week training period. Members are required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 and follow its 65-page code of conduct, Cudd said. 

The process to join starts with contacting a member and attending a meeting. After a one-on-one conversation, prospective members can read and sign the bid form. 

Fraternities are widely known for big parties and drinking culture. Kappa Sigma would like to disassociate from these stereotypes.

“It might take my entire lifetime to change that stereotype, but I’ve basically made a vow to myself that’s what I’m going to be working on my whole life,” Cudd said.

CLARIFICATIONS AS OF SEPT. 26:

• Utah Tech doesn’t sanction fraternities or sororities on campus, as the Utah Tech Student Association Club Council Bylaws explain that national fraternity and sorority charters aren’t permitted. Student clubs can’t use Greek letters, national fraternity names or imply university-recognized fraternity status.
• Members part of unaffiliated groups are welcome to attend campus events as individuals. However, they can’t hold meetings, recruit members, give tours, or use campus facilities in ways that imply university affiliation.

Let your creativity show at the Atwood Innovation Plaza Makerspace, where students have access to a variety of machines to prototype their concepts, personalize clothing and explore 3D printing.

The makerspace was opened to help people create and make their ideas a reality.

“The whole plaza was built as a place just to innovate,” Bailey Larkin, manager at the makerspace, said. “It was just a place where people could bring their ideas and come and bring them to life.”

Students from different departments of the university receive help from the makerspace to start their businesses, make a successful project or promote their social media, Larkin said.

The makerspace operates Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and offers different types of machines that students can use during open hours.

• Laser cutters: Available in one large size and two medium sizes to make usage of the machines more convenient.
• Different types of printers: These include 3D printers, large printers for making posters, Bambu Lab printers, direct-to-film printer and fabric printers.
• A wood shop machine: This equipment can be used to create shapes or sculptures from wood.
• Sewing station with embroidery: With the help of the machine, visitors can sew or patch up clothes.

Some resources, such as training at the makerspace, are free, while usage of machines needs to be paid. 

Use of the machines costs between $2 to $5 for 30 minutes. A 12-hour block of 3D printing time is $5. The cost of lasers depends on the size and can be up to $5. Larkin said the makerspace is funded through the university, and the price cost only covers the maintenance of the machines.

Students have the opportunity to buy the materials for their ideas or to bring their own materials to the makerspace and work with them. For example, students can bring their own fabric they want to use for the sewing station, or paper that will be used for printing.

The makerspace employees recommend that visitors book the machines in advance to avoid the wait time.

“It is helpful to book in advance, especially on some of our popular machines, like our Roland printers, which do the stickers and posters, or our laser cutters,” Larkin said. “So, if you do not book in advance, a lot of times, there is not a time slot open for you when you come in.”

For students who want to come to the makerspace for the first time, the faculty offers tours during which students will have the opportunity to get acquainted with all the machines.

“I think this is a great place to either just be creative,” Larkin said. “If you are a crafty person and you want to come in and do some crafts, whether or not you are wanting to sell those products or whether you are just wanting to do them for yourself.”

Sadie Sorenson, a senior integrated studies major from Richfield, who has experience with the makerspace, said it is a great place to visit.

“Mostly, I have made lots of birthday presents, lots of party decor stuff for other small businesses,” she said. “It has so many resources for any project.”

Jamie Cox, a parent of teens who come to the makerspace to craft by themselves, said they have visited a few times and are designing their own shirts.

“I like it [the place] because my teenagers who have gone through training can come and 3D print,” Cox said. “The possibilities are endless and there is always people here to help them, so I do not have to figure it out at all.”

Larkin said in the near future, the makerspace faculty plan to bring more machines that students can use without waiting. Visitors can suggest new machines they would like to see, and the faculty will add them to the list of things to buy.

Beyond the equipment and possibilities to create, there is another feature that makes the makerspace special.

“I think the people do [make the makerspace special],” Larkin said. “[It’s] the amount of people [who] come in with amazing ideas that they are wanting to use.”