Daylong celebration for UVU

Reading Time: 2 minutes Big things have happened since the announcement of UVSC becoming a university. With the addition of master’s programs, the new library, and the ever-rising count of bachelor’s degrees, the transition to university status couldn’t be more exciting.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Big things have happened since the announcement of UVSC becoming a university. With the addition of master’s programs, the new library, and the ever-rising count of bachelor’s degrees, the transition to university status couldn’t be more exciting.

Celebrations have been held monthly in anticipation for July 1, the day UVSC officially becomes UVU. The next event will be at the Woodbury Art Museum, located in the University Mall, featuring The Da Vinci Experience, an exhibit of mechanical models based on the drawings of Da Vinci. Events in June include the alumni reunion and an alumni golf tournament.

The final event for the upcoming changeover to university status is the UVUphoria Grand Celebration on June 30, a full day of events and activities for students, alumni and members of the local community.

The celebration will begin with an Orem Owlz game at 11:30 a.m. at Brent Brown Ballpark. Other festivities that day include the Family Fun Fest at Pace Park — just south of the McKay Events Center — and the library showcase, where the new 190,000 square-foot building will be open to the public for viewing.

"We are thrilled to share our excitement with the community," said Val Hale, vice president for advancement at UVSC and chair of the UVUphoria committee. "This will be an evening that not only celebrates UVSC becoming UVU, but will hopefully be an event that brings our community together in a way that only a new university can."

The culminating event of the day will be a concert, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Brent Brown Ballpark. Opening with the "UVU’s Got Talent" finalists, the concert will feature Country stars Joe Nichols, Josh Gracin and Collin Raye. Gracin caught America’s attention in American Idol’s second season, and Raye is known as a hit-maker from the ’90s with five platinum albums. Nichols came into the music scene in 2002 with his debut album Man With a Memory.

Fireworks will close out the concert, but the party will continue with a dance in the Grande Ballroom for the countdown to UVU.

Package deals and tickets for the concert can be purchased at the McKay Events Center (801) 863-7469, at all Smith’s Tix outlets, and at www.mckayeventscenter.com