Founders Banquet Honors Community’s Best

Published: March 16, 2011 | Read Time: 3 minutes

For more than a century Southern Utah University has grown from a teacher training school to a prestigious university with over 8,000 students who every day receive a personalized education. And beginning this March 16, faculty, staff, students and community members will all gather in the annual celebration of the University's heritage.

The celebration will begin with the annual Founders Celebration Banquet & Award Ceremony on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. Friends of the University and broader southern Utah community will gather in the Hunter Conference Center to honor those who have been a tremendous asset to SUU throughout the years.

Because of their avid efforts toward higher education and SUU, Ken Benson and Warren Bulloch will be inducted into the University's Hall of Honor.

Benson, former vice principal of Cedar City Junior High School, also served at SUU for 14 years as director of student activities. Above all, he encouraged students to make their own decisions and chart their own destinies with a broader understanding of the world around them.

Benson was also one of the first directors of the Upward Bound program at SUU, created to support low-income and first-generation prospective college students as they prepare for life beyond high school. Benson's additional extracurricular pursuits include serving as former president of the Lions Club and of the University’s alumni association. He also wrote one of the first Dutch oven cookbooks.

Benson's is a lasting legacy at SUU. He and his wife Donna, their children, spouses and grandchildren have all attended SUU.

Though Warren Bulloch died in 1980, he left a legacy that will long be remembered . He was an avid supporter of higher education in Utah and led the town in a successful bid to make SUU a four-year school and gain independence from Utah State University.

Bulloch also served in the community in various positions such as president of the Cedar Sheep Association and Southern Utah Power Company. He was one of the founders of the State Bank of Southern Utah and was also a member of the Iron Country Commission for 16 years.

Bulloch was proud to be among the first graduates of the Branch Agricultural College in 1914 and in 1971 was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities from SUSC President Royden Braithwaite. Bulloch's influence will be felt by both Cedar City and Southern Utah University for generations to come.

In addition to the evening' formal recognition, hand-painted portraits of these two award recipients will be revealed at the Banquet and will henceforth hang in the University's Great Hall.

Longtime locals Mary MacDonald and Lois Bulloch will also be recognized at the Founders Banquet; they will both receive Distinguished Service Awards.

A retired 90-year old artist, Mary MacDonald contributed greatly to SUU by using her prodigious artistic ability as a professor in ceramics and design. She has mastered several instruments including the violin and also has pottery that has been showcased in countless exhibits.

A 1957 alumna, Lois Bulloch has made her mark in southern Utah in real estate and mortgage endeavors. She has also been involved in public service and has severed on several committees such as the Library Board, Hospital Board and Utah State Park Board.

The University’s Founders Celebration festivities will continue on Wednesday, March 23 at the Lunch at The Main activity. This is a unique opportunity for students to learn about the history of the University and a variety of food will be provided at different locations. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and food will be served at Old Main, Braithwaite Liberal arts Center, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Sharwan Smith Center Rotunda and at the Old Sorrel Statue.

The celebration will conclude March 24 at the Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture. This year award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer Dayton Duncan will be speaking.

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