Utah Tech University receives $5M student center pledge amid continued growth
Along with updates on campuswide growth and strategic goal accomplishments, Utah Tech University President Richard B. Williams announced Wednesday during his annual State of the University Address that the university has received a $5 million pledge to go toward updating the institution’s student center.
“The Marc C. and Deborah H. Bingham Family Foundation has generously pledged $5 million of the $10 million needed to help us kick off our fundraising campaign to update the student center,” Williams said. “We appreciate Marc and Debbie, their family and the foundation board members for their commitment to higher education, our students and the Southern Utah community.”
The $5 million is a matching and challenge grant pledge with benchmarks and milestones that the university needs to meet. Besides their financial commitment, foundation board members have committed to work alongside Utah Tech to help secure the other $5 million.
An expanded student center will accommodate UT’s growing student body. Williams shared in his address that Utah Tech has experienced a 47 percent increase in student enrollment since 2014. He added that the university increased its academic offerings by 26 programs in the last academic year, and 91 percent of all UT graduates were employed, attending grad school, or serving in the military within six months of graduating.
In another effort to meet the needs of the university’s expanding student body, UT is adding its third on-campus housing facility in eight years. Set to open in fall 2024, Campus View Suites III will be home to 563 students and feature suite-style apartments and close access to campus resources. Campus will also gain a General Classroom Building with 45 classrooms, 105 faculty offices and 20 study rooms in fall 2025.
Additionally, giving increased by 33 percent from last year to nearly $3.6 million this year, helping contribute to the $28.5 million students received in scholarships.
Williams also shared about active learning opportunities available to the entire Southern Utah community. This year, Utah Tech added education centers in Water Canyon and Panguitch to offer concurrent enrollment and college-level classes in rural communities. To prepare the youth of Southern Utah to eventually fill careers that fuel the regional economy, Utah Tech offered 154 STEM programs to 11,344 local kindergarten-12th grade students. As a resource for innovation and entrepreneurism for community members of all ages, Atwood Innovation Plaza applied for 40 patents and 33 trademarks this past academic year.
The university also engaged with the community by partnering with the City of St. George to offer students real-world learning opportunities that address local challenges. As part of the City Alliance program, students helped St. George route new bike paths, streamline staff scheduling for SGPD, conserve water on golf courses, design signage for the IRONMAN World Championship, and audit the city’s promotions and marketing.
“The value of a Utah Tech University education only continues to grow as we expand active learning opportunities that prepare students to graduate career-ready,” Williams said. “I deeply appreciate the continued dedication and support of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community that make our continued growth possible.”
To learn more about Utah Tech University, visit utahtech.edu. For more information about the Marc C. & Deborah H. Bingham Foundation, go to binghamfoundations.org.