Presidents Help Induct Friends into Old Main Society at Gala Event

Published: January 01, 2007 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Seven couples and entities will be inducted into the Old Main Society of Southern Utah University next week (Tuesday, December 5) during the President’s annual Gala, hosted by Interim President Greg Stauffer and incoming President Michael Benson. The Old Main Society program gives recognition to individuals and corporations who have given generously and extensively. Just as Old Main symbolized dedication to a vision and a dream for the University’s founders, induction into the Society appreciates the extended margin of excellence members have made to meet the challenges of being a superior higher education institution. Thank you to each of these, and congratulations.

WELLS FARGO The largest financial institution headquartered in the western U.S., Wells Fargo’s application of its business philosophy—that is, not to become bigger, but to become better through exemplary service to its customers—has certainly worked to the benefit of SUU and its students. Wells Fargo has been a friend to SUU in it assistance to the institution to succeed economically, too. For this direct support to SUU, as well as Wells Fargo’s its various community and student support programs, SUU gratefully welcomes Wells Fargo into its Old Main Society.

KUTV CHANNEL 2 A vital contributor to making Utah and the intermountain area of the United States one of the most desirable places to visit and live, KUTV Channel 2 has also benefited SUU with significant measures of community and financial support. KUTV’s goal is to be an important part of users’ daily lives. With this, and its combination of commitment, expertise and integration efforts, SUU is afforded a progressive opportunity to creatively market itself to a vast and key audience. For this reasons, SUU is delighted to have KUTV as part of its Old Main Society.

IHC In addition to its commitment to provide care to those with a medical need, regardless of ability to pay, each Intermountain Health Care facility gives to its communities as well. The case is no different in Cedar City and the relationship between SUU and IHC. Through its mission to benefit the community, not to maximize profit or benefit shareholders, IHC has given to SUU in significant ways and amounts. IHC has received top national awards for providing quality health care and community service; SUU sincerely offers induction to its Old Main Society as another gesture of thanks and accolade to IHC.

Gale and Alice Waite
Gale and Alice Waite are two particular enthusiasts and supporters of SUU. Exceptional volunteers throughout the community, they have an adoration for SUU. Active members of the Utah Shakespearean Festival for more than 15 years, Alice served as president of the USF for three years. Gale has served on several SUU curriculum advisory boards including those for the Business, and Integrated Engineering programs. A retired engineer from the country’s Space program, Gale taught in SUU’s School of Business for five years. He was integral in the fundraising effort for the redesign and expansion of the football stadium, and through his presidency of the Kiwanis Club, he gave SUU a donation after bringing the Globetrotters to the Centrum for a community performance. Gale and Alice have monetarily supported SUU through the years, including contributions to USF, T-Bird Athletics and scholarships. In 2000, they established the Gale and Alice Waite Scholarship for the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and also a specific one for the Engineering program, too. A much as the student-athletes and Thor, Gale and Alice are regulars on the fields and in the information booths of SUU athletic events and the Utah Summer Games.

Joe and Jean Lopour
In 2001 Joe and Jean Reeve Lopour and it was a union that has been very romantic and progressive for SUU, too! Joe came to SUU in 1971 and taught physical education and coached football, wrestling, track and field, and cross country for 28 years. His four sons attended too. One year before Joe retired, Jean came to SUU as an professor of physical education. During her 16 year tenure here, she has been nominated several times for the professor of the year award. She has published several articles, and presented at state, regional and national conventions--her research area of interest being in qualitative analysis of human movement. At one point, too, she stepped up and served as interim chair of the PE Department. She is the recipient of the SUUSA President’s Award1995 and the Utah Association of Health PE, Recreation and Dance Presidential Citation for outstanding service 1999-2000. When her knees wore out from marathons and triathlons, (she took fourth in her age group in 1987 in the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon), she turned to her childhood passion of horseback riding. Because of this avocation, she became the advisor of the SUU Rodeo Team program, managing it for 11 years. She has been given the Advisor of the Year award for her work with the Rodeo Team. Jean and Joe maintain their own ranch at home. Because of her parents’ belief in the need for a college education, they honored her by endowing a scholarship in her name in the SUU Physical Education Department. Following their footsteps, Joe and Jean have been instrumental in endowing two SUU scholarships in memory of their former colleague and SUUan, good friend Dr. Craig Morrison.

Gayle and Carolyn Young Winterrose
Born and raised in Cedar City, Gayle attended BAC. That’s where he met Carolyn. He met Carolyn in Professor George Lebanon’s class. . .where they were seated alphabetically! They’ve been married for 54 years and have six children. Through the years they opened their home to a host of foster children, many of whom came from foreign countries. The Winterrose’s have shared their obviously-big hearts and unconditional generosity with SUU, too. Their contributions of their heart and spirit, as well as their resources, are immeasurable. For them, SUU is enriched and thankful.

Garrett B. and Carrie VanNess Gunderson
A graduate from SUU Finance program in 2000, Garrett quickly positioned himself, too, as an outstanding young alumnus of Southern Utah University. He is the owner of five highly successful and prosperous companies, including Gunderson and Associates, and Engenuity, both companies fostering innovative estate engineering proud parents of one son. While a student, he served as a presidential ambassador, a business senator and as vice president for Sigma Chi Fraternity. At age 18, he was awarded the Utah's Entrepreneur of the Year. He is co-author of the highly-acclaimed Curriculum for Wealth and is currently writing The Strongest String, and How to Break It. Even though he has departed physically from campus, Garrett has not stopped giving of his heart and mind and resources to his alma mater. He has been back often to give and speak to current students. He and Carrie have a son.

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