< PreviousSNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 2025 By Carlie Fowles The Malt Shop originally opened in 1950 as a Dairy Queen and has been a beloved staple in Ephraim ever since. Karl and Jolene Nielson took over the business when their daughter, Bradie Crane, was just a senior in high school. At the time, Bradie had no idea she would one day become the owner of this nostalgic Sanpete landmark. Karl and Jolene infused the business with values of community, friendship, and compassion. During his time serving in a Latter-day Saint Young Single Adult (YSA) bishopric, Karl often invited students over for ice cream on Sundays as a way to connect with and mentor them. Supporting and guiding young college students became one of the highlights of his time at the Malt Shop. When Bradie got married, her husband supported the idea of someday taking over the business. When her parents decided to retire, Bradie knew it was the nudge she needed to step in and carry on the family tradition. Today, Bradie is not only the proud owner of the Malt Shop but also is a group fitness instructor at Snow College. She loves keeping her students involved in the business and has brought her own modern touch to the shop while still honoring its legacy. Updates include offering gluten-free menu options, Then and Now: THE Malt Shop The Malt Shop has been a favorite hang-out spot for students since 1950. Below, Karl and Jolene Nielson, Brady and Bradie Crane2025 | SNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE 9 seasonal soups in the winter, and partnering with DoorDash for delivery. She jokes that the regulars can always tell when she's rearranged pictures or added new décor to the restaurant. What Bradie loves most about the Malt Shop are the stories shared by Snow College alumni—how they had their first dates there, got engaged, or spent time after campus events. These cherished memories are part of what makes the Malt Shop more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where community and tradition meet. During the 2024 football season, the Malt Shop introduced the “Reggie” shake to honor Reggie Frischknecht, a Sanpete native and Badger football star. Many of the employees who once worked for Karl and Jolene now work for Bradie, and she’s quick to acknowledge the important role they've played in ensuring a smooth transition. Their loyalty and dedication have been a key part of the shop’s continued success. One especially heartwarming tradition at the Malt Shop is the “Malt Shop Friends Cup.” This initiative helps cover meals for customers who may not be able to afford one. It was started by an anonymous patron who, with each visit, quietly donates to keep the fund going—a simple yet powerful act of kindness that reflects the spirit of the shop. When asked if a third generation might one day take over the Malt Shop, Bradie laughed. Her 12-year- old daughter, Harper, already shows signs of being a budding entrepreneur. She loves helping out, offering suggestions, and putting her own creative spin on how things are run. To alumni considering entrepreneurship or returning to a family-owned business, Bradie offers this advice: “Do it. Nothing comes easy, but putting in the work is worth it—and truly rewarding.” Photos by Jim Bob PipesSNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 2025 10 Navigating By Jacob Thomas For many students, the transition to college is as thrilling as it is daunting. The newfound independence comes with a host of responsibilities—balancing academics, social life, and mental well-being. At Snow College, a network of faculty, staff, and student mentors is dedicated to easing this transition, ensuring that students not only survive but thrive during their years as a Badger. The Challenge of Independence “Coming to a place like Snow makes that transition a lot easier,” notes Snow College President Stacee Yardley McIff. “We have caring and genuinely concerned staff Above, A student gives his loved one a final hug on move-in day. Right, New Student Orientation helps students build connections and feel at home on campus. Facing Page, Students enjoy a break during New Student Orientation. Photos courtesy of Creative Bend2025 | SNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE 11 ng the College TransitioN: How Snow College Supports Students and How Families Can Help in housing, our professors are approachable, and we have the First Year Experience (FYE) structure—all designed to help students transition successfully.” McIff points out that adjusting to a new setting, often without knowing anyone, can be both exciting and intimidating. For many students, learning to manage their own schedule, navigate college expectations, and maintain their well-being presents a significant challenge. Bryan Moulton, Director of Counseling & Wellness, has seen this pattern firsthand. “There’s a honeymoon phase,” he explains. “At first, there’s excitement about moving out and ‘adulting,’ but after about a month, when assignments pile up and reality sets in, stress, anxiety, and even depression start to rise.” A Strong Foundation: First-Year Experience (FYE) and Peer Mentoring To ensure students don’t feel alone in this transition, the First Year Experience (FYE) program connects each new student with a peer mentor during the summer before school begins. These mentors check in regularly, both before and during the school year, answering questions about everything from housing to time management. “Historically, we waited for students to come to us,” says Brittany Cornelsen, Director of the Student Connection Center. “Now, we take a proactive approach—helping students navigate everything from registering for classes to finding community on campus.” Dedicated Peer Mentors also run Monday Moments and Wednesday Study Breaks, giving students an easy way to meet people and get involved without any pressure. These gatherings mix casual social time with helpful tips on navigating college life, whether it’s finding the best study spots, managing stress, or just making new friends. They’re designed to be fun, low- key, and welcoming—perfect for anyone looking to feel more at home on campus. Gaining a Competitive Edge: Résumé-Wor- thy Experiences from Day One One of Snow College’s unique advantages is its small size, which allows students to gain meaningful experience earlier than they might at larger institutions. McIff emphasizes that Snow’s structure creates numerous opportunities for students to engage in leadership roles, internships, and hands-on learning experiences from the start of their college journey. “Because we are a two-year institution, our students aren’t competing with upperclassmen for leadership positions, student employment, and other experiential learning opportunities,” she explains. “This gives them an incredible advantage when they transfer or enter the workforce.” Whether it’s student government, research projects, campus jobs, or club leadership, Snow College ensures Continued-TransitionSNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 2025 12 Transition Continued students get real experience from the start. These opportunities don’t just pad résumés—they help students build confidence, figure out what they enjoy, and get a head start on their careers. By jumping in early, students make the most of their time on campus and set themselves up for success down the road. As President McIff puts it, “Part of transitioning to college is taking the initiative to find these opportunities, but at Snow, you don’t have to look very far.” Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Counseling and Wellness Support According to Rachelle Holbrook, Prevention Specialist at the Counseling & Wellness Center, anxiety and depression are the top two concerns among students seeking support. The Wellness Center offers therapy, workshops, and even social activities designed to combat isolation. “We’ve learned that many students struggle with making connections,” Holbrook says. “We hold events but also attend events, looking for students who seem disconnected and inviting them to engage.” One such initiative is Badger Connect, a program that provides students with opportunities to gather for lunch, socialize, and form friendships. Sophomore and Healthy Badger Advocate Sam Olsen highlights how small efforts make a big impact: “Last year, I barely knew my roommates. But I learned that just making an effort to talk to people helps. Our events help students step out of their comfort zones.” Serving Every Student For many students, especially those who are the first in their family to attend college, adjusting to campus life can be daunting. Fernando Montano, Student Connection Center Coordinator, understands this challenge firsthand. “As a first-generation student, I came to the Snow campus three times before I had the courage to walk inside and ask for help,” Montano recalls. “That experience shaped how I work with students today.” The Student Connection Center helps all students find resources for financial aid, academic support, and campus involvement. “We want every student to feel like they belong here,” Montano says. “Whether they need help navigating college processes or just someone to talk to, we’re here to support them.” What Families Can Do to Help While Snow College offers a wealth of support, parents and grandparents also play a crucial role in helping students adjust. Moulton advises families to strike a balance between support and independence. “I don’t necessarily agree with parents who just drop their kid off and reach out again at the end of the semester,” he says. “But I’ve also had students whose parents track their every move. The best approach is to check in periodically without micromanaging.” For parents of first-generation or multicultural students, Montano stresses the importance of staying engaged. “A simple phone call can be incredibly grounding,” he notes. “Encourage your student to take advantage of resources—scholarships, tutoring, peer mentors. We now even have a web page specifically for parents to help them stay informed.” Holbrook adds that teaching basic life skills before college is invaluable. “We’ve had students come in overwhelmed because they don’t even know how to shop for groceries,” she says. “Encouraging independence in small ways before they leave home can ease the transition.” Success Starts with Support At Snow College, the focus is on customizing the student experience to ensure every individual finds their path. “We’ve been doing this for 137 years,” McIff says proudly. “With 85% of our students either graduating or transferring—nearly double the national average for two-year schools—our approach works.” Whether through peer mentoring, wellness initiatives, or simply creating a welcoming environment, Snow College is committed to helping students navigate the challenges of college life. And with the right balance of institutional support and family encouragement, students can make the most of their time at Snow—building confidence, connections, and success for years to come. Students walk under the Bell Tower to commemo- rate the beginning of their Snow College journey.2025 | SNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE 13 September 15 Faculty Concert 18 Trent Hanna Concert 30 Wind Symphony/Symphonic Band Concertt October 10 Choir Concert 23-25 Puffs – Play 27 String-a-Palooza 28 Jazz Big Band with Spotlight Concert 30-31 Puffs – Play November 1 Puffs – Play 4 Four Bands, One Concert 7 Founders Day Concert 10 Jazz Combo Concerts 11-12 Chamber Concerts 13 Percussion Concert 14 Orchestra Concert 19-22 H.M.S. Pinafore – Operal December 1 Production Showcase 1 Student Composers Concert 2 Jazz Big Band Concert 5 Holiday Music Spectacular 5-6 Fall Dance Concert 6-7 Messiah Come and see the amazing student talent and unforgettable performances 2025-2026 Events January 21 Spotlight CME Concert 27 Wind Symphony Concerto Concert February 11-14 Snow Original Play 24 Jazz Big Band Concert 25-28 Snow Original Play 27 Choir Concert March 17 Wind Symphony/Symphonic Band Concert 18-21 Bright Star – Musical 25-28 Bright Star – Musical 27 Studio Blue Concert 31 Jazz Combo Concert April 1-2 Chamber Music Concerts 7 Jazz Big Band Concert 8 Percussion Concert 10 Orchestra Concert 16 Spotlight Concert 20 Production Showcase 20 Student Composers Concert 23 Choir Concert 24 -25 Spring Dance ConcertSNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 2025 14 From Page to Stage: By Matthew Gowans In her book The Human Condition, historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt writes that “[e]very activity performed in public can attain an excellence never matched in privacy; for excellence, by definition, the presence of others is always required.” Her words are a gentle reminder that our best work usually involves different people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In Fall 2024, the Theater Department at Snow College put this idea into action. As they prepared to stage Persuasion, a play based on the novel by Jane Austen, professor and actor Jenn Chandler decided to approach the production a little differently. She reached out to two of her colleagues in the Literature Program, Maren Hyer and Hilary Withers, to help her and her students get a deeper understanding of the story and its characters. What followed was a campus- wide collaboration that not only resulted in the highest ticket sales for a non-musical play at Snow College but also illustrated the clear benefits of working across disciplines. Working with others across disciplines, an activity often referred to as interdisciplinary collaboration, helps students learn and understand more effectively by connecting ideas between subjects. Students are encouraged to think more deeply and creatively as they discover how information is interrelated. It also teaches the importance of teamwork and prepares them to solve the challenges and real-world problems they might face in the future. As theater students at Snow College worked through Jane Austen’s novel with English professors, they began to see how literary analysis of a text could strengthen their performance skills. This collaboration didn’t just benefit the theater students, however. The whole campus became involved. English faculty launched a book club for both students and professors. Librarians created a display of Austen’s works and hosted short performances by theater students. The Humanities Division invited Nick Mason, a British literature scholar from BYU, to speak at their seminar. The play’s adapter, local playwright Melissa Leilani Larson, even joined the book club and spoke at the college’s Convocation series. What started as a single production became a shared campus experience—a great example of how bringing different perspectives together can energize a community. That energy showed up on stage. Professor Chandler, finding a greater appreciation for Jane Austen’s world, said, “This ended up directly translating into our play, because I was able to help my student actors understand the class structure their characters were functioning in. This is a class structure that we don’t have here and could not have even come close to understanding without Maren and the other Lit teachers’ help.” With insight from the English faculty, theater students gained a better appreciation of the characters, setting, and social dynamics in Persuasion— one of Austen’s most mature and emotionally rich novels. This collaborative effort didn’t just spark student engagement, it also enriched individual disciplines. Professor Hyer noted, “I have read Austen’s novel dozens of times over the years, but reading it with the actors, designers, and director of its adaptation changed and grew my experience of the novel.” In essence, theater had breathed life into literature, and literature lent depth to the stage. The Fall 2024 production of Persuasion is just one example of what can happen when faculty look beyond their own areas of expertise. It inspired students, deepened learning, and reminded everyone involved why we do this work in the first place. It is one more way that Snow College empowers its students, inspires a love of learning, and lifts individuals and communities. “I have read Austen’s novel dozens of times over the years, but read- ing it with the actors, designers, and director of its adaptation changed and grew my experience of the novel.” Connecting Literature and Theater for a Powerful Performance15 Snow College students bring powerful performances to the stage in Persuasion , captivating the audience with emotion, talent, and timeless storytelling. Photos courtesy of the Snow College Theatre DepartmentSNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE | 2025 16 Snow College is once again showing what it means to be a student-focused, community-driven institution. With the recent approval of its strategic reinvestment plan by the Utah Board of Higher Education, the college is taking bold, forward-thinking steps to strengthen its academic and technical programs while staying true to its rural roots. In response to House Bill 265, Snow College will reallocate nearly $1.7 million over the next three years. The approved plan now moves on to the state legislature for final review in September, but the work is already well underway. Snow’s faculty and staff took a central role in formulating the reinvestment plan. Guided by data, inspired by student needs, and shaped through collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, lawmakers, and local industry partners, this plan reflects the values and priorities of Central Utah. “Our goal has always been to give students a personalized path to success,” said Snow College President Stacee Yardley McIff. “This reinvestment plan helps us do just that— offering career-focused opportunities in areas where we know our students can succeed and where our communities need them most.” The reinvestment centers around four key themes: aligning with workforce needs, improving operational efficiencies, supporting student success, and empowering rural communities. Programs that will receive new or expanded investment include: “These programs weren’t chosen at random,” McIff added. “They reflect the real needs of our students, our region, and the state of Utah. From health care to education to high-tech trades, these are the fields that will define our future.” Board of Trustees Chair Rick Robinson shared his confidence in the college’s direction. “Snow College’s impact on our region cannot be overstated,” he said. “These initiatives ensure that we remain relevant, responsive, and ready for the future. Our students, communities, and the entire state will benefit.” As Snow College looks ahead, one thing is clear: this isn’t just about reallocating dollars. It’s about reimagining possibilities—for students, families, and rural Utah as a whole. The Future is Bright with Strategic Reinvestment • Automation Technology • Behavioral Health • Biology and Life Sciences • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) • Elementary Education • Pre-Architecture and Drafting • Prison Education • Radiologic Technology • Respiratory Therapy • Rural Entrepreneurship • Strategic Communication and Public Relations2025 | SNOW COLLEGE MAGAZINE 17 The Utah Board of Higher Education approved an updated mission statement for the college on June 6, 2025. The new statement, which includes the dual mission of Snow College to provide both degree-granting and technical education, highlights the school’s unique ability to provide a personalized education for each student. The update was the result of a collaborative effort by a task force of faculty and staff, who reviewed data and gathered input from across campus before drafting the statement. After refinement and approval by the Snow College Board of Trustees, the updated mission will serve as a guiding framework for the college’s future. We empower each student with a personalized path to success through comprehensive education, advanced technical training, and the confidence to create a thriving future. OUR MISSION: Photo by Jim Bob PipesNext >