Presidents' Historical Highlights

Alma Greenwood
On November 5, 1888, Snow College, then called Sanpete Stake Academy, officially opened. Alma Greenwood, from Filmore, Utah was chosen as the first principal. At the time it opened, there were 121 students who paid a tuition of $4.00 per term for the Preparatory Department (elementary school) and $6.00 per term for the Intermediate Department (high school).

The Academy was originally opened to both males and females with ages ranging from 11 to 30 years. Classes were held in the top floor of the Ephraim Social Hall, as there was no campus then.

George Christensen
Principal George Christensen was born in Denmark. His term as director was the shortest of any of the administrators who served at Snow College. For that reason, not much is written about his tenure. However, the book Snow College Historical Highlights: First 100 Years tells us that Principal Christensen insisted that the students abide by the following school regulations:

1. Obscenity or profanity of any form is forbidden.
2. The use of tobacco or strong drink is not allowed.
3. In selecting boarding places students must consult the principal.
4. No student can honorably discontinue attendance without obtaining specifications of standing.
5. Students irregular in their habits, keeping late hours, having improper associates, or visiting any places of questionable repute, may be placed on restrictions.
6. Students must receive permission from the principal to attend public or private parties [including dances].

Newton E. Noyes
Principal Newton Noyes served as principle for 29 years. He did much for the Academy. During his administration many worthwhile changes took place. The curriculum was expanded, the present campus site was acquired, and the current administration building (Noyes Building) and original gymnasium were erected. Principal Noyes also laid the ground work for the school to become an accredited Junior College.

In March of 1930, Principal Noyes and William D. Livingston, went to Salt Lake City to convince the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of the need to become a part of the Church Educational System. The presidency accepted. In 1902, during Principal Noyes' administration, the name of the Academy was changed from Sanpete Stake Academy to Snow Academy in honor of two of the early LDS missionaries, Erastus and Lorenzo Snow, who served in Scandanavia--where many of the early settlers in the valley were originally from. In 1917 the name of the institution was again changed to Snow Normal College.

Wayne B. Hales
President Wayne B. Hales was the first to hold the title of president at Snow College. During President Hales' administration, in March of 1922, the name of the college was changed to Snow Junior College. In 1923, Snow Junior College received academic accreditation from the State Board of Education. When this happened, all high school courses were abandoned at the college, and full emphasis was placed on preparation for transfer to four year universities.

Milton H. Knudsen
Snow College received its current name on March 17, 1923, when its name was again changed from Snow Junior College. It was during President Knudsen's administration that the Badger became the mascot for Snow College.

Another Snow College symbol came into being while President Knudsen was presiding. The "S" on the hill to the east of Snow College was finished on May 20, 1926. During President Knudsen's tenure there was very little funding available, and Snow College was threatened with closure. Due to a massive push by many citizens and some good men in the government House Bill 101, providing state funding for Snow College, was barely approved. This made it possible for Snow College to stay open, and Snow became a state school on July 1, 1932.

I. Owen Horsfall
President Horsfall, the sixth President of Snow College, made many changes when he arrived. Among the changes made were improvements to the Campus Services (lighting, plumbing, and painting), higher certification requirements for teachers, and more importance placed on student government. Because the depression was going strong while President Horsfall was in office, he helped many students find work, not only while going to Snow, but also afterwards.

One of the great traditions of Snow College was begun during President Horsfall's administration, that being, the annual performance of Handel's The Messiah. This great musical has been performed since 1934.

James A. Nuttall
President Nuttall did much for the growth of the Snow College campus. Through his vision and under his capable leadership, there resulted the building of the vocational arts building, a gymnasium, a science building, a lighted athletic field and campus, an equipped college farm, a radio station, a remodeled administration building, two dormitories, increased departmental facilities, the beginning of construction on a new auditorium, improvement of streets and walks around the campus, as well as numerous other physical additions to the campus.

Lester B. Whetten
One of the first things President Whetten did after being appointed president of Snow College was revamp the Snow College catalog. For years, the catalog had been basically the same; it was unattractive to prospective students. For this reason, President Whetten convinced the faculty to restyle the catalog.

President Whetten also made some important structural changes at Snow College. He grouped the academic departments into five major groups, namely: the Division of Education and Social Science, the Division of Farm and Home Science, the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, the Division of Business, and the Division of Humanities.

J . Elliot Cameron
President Cameron was another man who did much to expand the current college campus. Land was purchased to the north and to the east to increase the square footage of the college campus. Also, during President Cameron's leadership, the student senate was formed. With the formation of a student senate, the students at Snow were able to have more influence on the different aspects of student life.

Another great thing which happened during President Cameron's administration was construction of Fern Young Hall, a new women's dormitory. Overseeing the transition from a four year entity, including two years of high school classes, to a two year institution with only college-level courses was one of President Cameron's greatest challenges.

Floyd S. Holm
During President Holm's administration more dormitories were built, namely Mary Nielson Hall, Nuttall Hall, Snow Hall, Anderson Hall, and Castilleja Hall. Other buildings renovated or completed during his administration include the following: the Campus Center (now the Social Science Building), the Applied Arts Building, an addition to the Auditorium, the Physical Plant, and the Lucy A. Phillips Library. The Science Building was also completed under President Holm's direction.

President Holm worked very hard during his administration to get Snow College accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools (NASHS). This accreditation made it possible to transfer credits easily to other schools accredited by the NASHS.

J. Marvin Higbee
During President Higbee's administration, the Activity Center, or AC as it is commonly known, was built. The AC not only services the Snow College, but the entire community. Because of the AC and all the excellent facilities available Snow College sporting events became very successful. The women's athletic program got off to good start during President Higbee's administration. Before this time there were no collegiate teams for females; now Snow has excellent volleyball, softball, and basketball teams for female athletes.

President Higbee adopted the now commonly heard phrase "The Warmest Snow On Earth." This slogan became a philosophy for President Higbee as he opened up the campus to the outside world. During the summer months, the campus was, and is still, used as a popular place to hold youth conferences. Foreign students also began attending Snow during Higbee's tenure. Now, Snow College has a very strong international representation in the student body.

Steven D. Bennion
President Bennion was another president who did much to help Snow College improve. While he led Snow College, he was able to raise much needed money to be used for scholarships. President Bennion actively worked for much of this money, as can be shown by his running the St. George Marathon, raising $17,500 for this cause.

Snow College had a very successful year nationally in 1985. The Snow College football and the forensic teams won national titles. The forsenic team beat out four-year universities for its title, including UCLA and MIT. The football team's victory was over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the Mid-America Bowl. The Snow College football season ended with zero losses, an excellent year!

West Campus, which is located four blocks west of main campus, houses the Business and Technology Division and was acquired during President Bennion's first year of leadership.

Gerald J. Day
A lot of changes have also taken place during President Day's administration. The Humanities Building was renovated, and the Lucy A. Phillips Library was remodeled. The Greewood Student Center was also built, and the Noyes Building was restored to more closely reflect its original architecture.

In addition to increasing the number of Campus Services, President Day has been resourceful in increasing the number of educational opportunities for the people of Central Utah. Legislative HB 114 officially made the former Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center a branch campus of Snow College. Snow College South became the Applied Technology Division of the college, and a new Fine Arts Division was created.