Photo by Jesse Sanchez
Founders Day, which began in 1992, is sponsored by UVU’s Student Alumni Association. The tradition initially started with student alumni simply handing out cake and ice cream in the halls with a banner that said,“Happy Birthday UVU.”
“This is our 75thyear, so it’s a little more special. That’s why the event is a little bigger,” said Kevin Walkenhorst, senior director of student alumni.
Students listened to covers of famous songs by local band, Fire At Will, while enjoying hot dogs, cake with green frosting and ice cream. They also participated in a raffle, with prizes ranging from a plush wolverine to gift cards to a brand new television.
Matthew Holland, president of UVU, congratulated students, faculty and staff for contributing to UVU’s tradition of engaged learning at the celebration. He gave an honorable mention to Hyrum E. Johnson, the founder of UVU, for creating a school based upon hands-on learning.
The event concluded with the singing of happy birthday and president Holland blowing out the candles on UVU’s birthday cake.
Founders Day is not only a celebration of the institution’s anniversary, it is also a celebration of how UVU has grown since its humble beginnings. The school was founded in the fall of 1941 as a WWII vocational school under the direction of Hyrum E. Johnson. In 1967 it became a technical college, in 1982 a community college and in 1993 a state college. It wasn’t until 2008 that the college finally became a university.
“It’s really exciting. We’ve come so far as a university. What a way to get students together to celebrate UVU pride and the pride of Utah Valley,” said Matthew Bryson, an economics major at UVU.
The birthday celebration marked the beginning of homecoming week, but there were new events each day. Homecoming week featured activities such as the Shakespeare play, “The Winter’s Tale,” various sporting events and the Emerald Ball, UVU’s homecoming dance.
