SUU Celebrates Founders Week

As Southern Utah University continues to celebrate 125 years of excellence, this year's Founders Week reminds us of the determined and ambitious men and women who sacrificed so much to establish this wonderful institution. Founders Week celebrates SUU’s founders, the impact our alumni make in the world, and today’s students becoming the next generation of leaders. It is important to acknowledge their legacy, a source of pride and inspiration to SUU’s community.

In 1897 the founders of Southern Utah University believed so strongly in the power of education that they risked their lives and finances for the privilege of building and hosting an institution of higher education in rural Cedar City, Utah. Their determination and grit are woven into the cultural fabric of SUU. SUU’s enduring legacy is built on 125 years of fortitude, determination, and community triumph.

Each March, the Founders Celebration salutes our rich past and promising future with a variety of events. This year Founders Week will be held Monday, March 27 through Saturday, April 1, 2023, and includes events like Lunch on the Main, a showing of the movie Back Up The Mountain, and a masquerade ball.

Highlighting the week will be the annual Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture on Thursday, March 30 at 11:30 a.m. Held in the Gilbert Great Hall of the Hunter Alumni Center, Power of Place will tell the remarkable story of five individuals whose vision, dedication, and work shaped the University into the place it is today. The five include Howard R. Driggs, Burch Mann, Randall L. Jones, Anne Judd, and Walter Granger. This event is free and open to everyone.

Then on Thursday evening the Founders Awards Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall. This year’s honorees include the Paiute Tribe of Utah and retired Justice of the Peace Margaret Miller. SUU’s annual Festival of Excellence will also be held during Founders Week this year. The one-day event showcases scholarship in all forms and highlights scholarly efforts through interdisciplinary dialogue. The Festival is held at various locations across campus.

You can see all the events planned for Founders Week by going to this website.