What a difference a year makes! I am so proud of what the Snow College team of faculty, staff, and students has accomplished. Reading through the news stories, seeing social media posts, and having conversations with you remind me of just how much we have collectively done since August! Students have excelled at national competitions, and employees have been recognized in their areas of expertise. We have strengthened our image with stakeholders, and countless students have been impacted by your good work. Thank you!
We started the year with a “Simply the Best” theme, and I am convinced more now than ever that Snow College is simply the best! I feel a positive momentum and hope you do, too. The next few weeks will be busy as we finish up all of the end-of-year activities, including commencement, which is our biggest celebration of the year. Seeing graduates walk across the stage is so rewarding, and I love visiting with students and their families after the ceremony. This really is our payday, and I hope you will join us on May 2-3.
After the activities wind down and commencement is behind us, I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on goals reached, lessons learned, and successes celebrated this school year. Thanks for making Snow College such a special place to work and learn. Many of us spend more time with work colleagues than with anyone else. That’s why it’s so important to support one another, give grace, and assume the best. I love this quote from Brené Brown: “All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best.” During monthly birthday celebrations, we ask employees what they like most about their jobs. “The people I work with” is always a response, without exception.
So, again, I thank you for the life-shaping, life-transforming work every one of you is doing. The strength of Snow is in the individual contributions of every person who works here. Enjoy each remaining opportunity with the Class of 2024! I look forward to being all together again in the fall!
Stacee
I would like to share some numbers with you:
Information security is a big deal and with human error being the biggest risk, we all must play a role in the solution. Security training is required in order to learn the skills that will keep you, the institution, and our students’ data safe. Please consider how you treat data.
Doing your required training and adhering to these best practices keeps us safe.
Snow’s Construction Management recently competed at two major events. First, a national competition at the National Home Builders Show. The team was tasked with producing architectural drawings, estimate, schedule, SWPPP, safety, and project management plan for a complex high-end luxury home. Their presentation required a 112-page submission and a face-to-face presentation to the judges. The six-student team was recognized as Rookie of the Yearand placed 4th overall against major universities from across the nation.
Second, David Barker trained, practiced and rehearsed 5 teams (Architectural Drafting, Masonry, Cabinetmaking, Team Building, and Carpentry) to compete at the SkillsUSA Utah. Kyle Olsen placed 2nd in Architectural Drafting, and Becca William placed 4th in Masonry. In Cabinetmaking Brett Bundy took 2nd and Rance Christensen placed 4th. In the Team Build competition Hunter Christensen, Carter Bezzant, Jose Cisneros Jr. and Georigio Bernal, took 2nd. And Eli Beagley placed 1st in Carpentry and will be competing in June at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta.
Congratulations to the students and thanks to Snow’s Construction Management faculty and Department Chair David Barker for raising Snow College to the top in these competitions. We are extremely excited for this success in Snow’s first representation in many years at SkillsUSA and a first at the National Home Builders Show. These students are coming away with thousands of dollars in scholarships and offers for internships and careers with major contractors throughout the west.
Spring is an exciting time, and the Center for Global Engagement was excited to bring back the International Food Festival! This tradition dates back over 20 years and had a temporary hiatus due to COVID. But on March 28th, the CGE welcomed almost 300 students, faculty, staff, and community back to the student center to sample dishes prepared by current students. Thank you to everyone that attended, and the many hands that helped it come together. We are so happy to have this tradition back and are already taking notes for next spring’s festival.
During spring break, Prof. English Brooks traveled with the Literature of the Outdoors class on a study abroad to Belize & Guatemala. Students could connect their class material to the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization. The class group project was to create a "Bioregional Bestiary/Field Guide" based on the Maya Biosphere Reserve, English Brooks & Dr. Matthew Gowans led the student group through various archeological, conservation, cultural, and historical sites.
We also want to recognize the amazing things international students are doing each day to bring the world to Snow! From participating in leadership positions such as Resident Assistants, Student Body Advocates to Club Presidencies and the GRIT Center, you can find them succeeding across campus. Recently we had multiple students from around the world qualify to attend the National FBLA competition. One more example of how #globalsnow is putting Snow College on the map.
During the Co-op open house, we had the opportunity to meet with over 100 alumni, most of whom updated their contact information. It’s worth noting this doesn’t include the prospective students, kids, grandkids, community members, and students we interacted with daily during the three week event. Everyone seemed to be fond of the historic building and appreciated the fact that Snow College is returning to its first home. You probably saw many golf carts around campus giving tours. Our Alumni enjoyed reconnecting with Snow College.
I am pleased and grateful to announce that the class of 2024 has shown great philanthropic spirit by donating to the Alumni Scholarship Endowment through the Alumni Cord Sales. We are proud to have sold 120 cords so far, which means we are just $71.20 away from reaching our goal of $2,500. With two weeks to go, we are excited to surpass that goal. Thank you, Class of 2024, for your generosity and support!
We welcome the following individuals to the Snow College Team:
| Kyndal Johnson | Part-Time HR Coordinator Richfield Campus |
| Chase Engelstead | Head Cross Country Coach Richfield Campus |
| Melissa Draper | Music Adjunct |
| Craig Jensen | Assistant Professor of Practice, Software Engineering |
| Ricky Allifua | Assistant Football Coach |
| Stefan Ruminski | Senior Buyer |
| Rob Tubman | Construction Management Instructor Ephraim Campus |
Snow College’s contracting policy has been updated. Policy 203 defines a contract as a written agreement between the College and a third party that is binding and enforceable. While it may be titled something different (like MOU or Agreement), these agreements are considered contracts.
Snow College has two authorized individuals who can sign contracts – the President and the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. Additional individuals may be delegated signing authority, but it must be granted in writing by one of those two individuals.
There are dollar limits for contract approvals and special requirements based on those dollar limits. When considering the value of contracts, the entire contract is considered. For example, a 3-year contract of $50,000 per year would have a total value of $150,000. These requirements are as follows:
Students at the Richfield campus recently put their views into action for a Political Science class led by adjunct professor and Sevier Valley Center Director Kevin Arrington. For a class project, the students suggested changing the name of a street connecting College Avenue to 400 West to Badger Way in Richfield. They believed that this alteration would help foster a sense of school spirit within the community. Presenting their idea to the Richfield City Council on Tuesday, March 26, the students were delighted when it was approved unanimously. This decision highlights the influence of student engagement and the impact that young individuals can have on their neighborhoods. The students' dedication to Snow College and their readiness to speak up for their views is truly inspiring. Badger Way will now stand as a lasting reminder of the students' classroom experience and their Badger pride.
Please join us for our annual Staff Association Professional Development Day on Wednesday, May 15. All part-time and full-time staff are invited to attend the day-long activities, speakers, and workshops. Our event theme is “Snowy Team Spirit: Frosty fun uniting everyone.” Our keynote speaker will be President Emeritus Gary Carlston, who will share his secrets to leading through service and gratitude.
Details will go out to staffers later, but the fun includes:
We hope to see you there,
Lisa Laird, President
Tammy Hales, Past President
Tracy Madsen, President-Elect
and Board Members: Mardee Allen, Donna Birk, Kenley Steck, Tyra Taylor, Paul
Tew, Denise Tippets, and Carlie Fowles
Faculty at Snow College are working hard to finish a busy, at times challenging, and always rewarding academic year. Divisions continue to host seminars and student events. Many thanks for their commitment to student success and to their respective disciplines. Thanks also for their contributions to the numerous committees that help keep the college running smoothly. Congratulations to those faculty members who successfully completed sabbaticals, who presented or published their work this year, or who were awarded funding for future work. Of particular mention are Liberty Peterson, Allan Stevens, and English Brooks who each were selected for the CAORC Faculty Development Seminars. Congratulations to Dr. Melanie Jenkins who successfully defended her dissertation this past week. Finally, big thanks to Professor Diane Ogden who will be retiring at the end of this year. She has given 34 years of dedicated, fulltime faculty service to students and to Snow College, and will be greatly missed.
