Utah Tech University Foundation’s 22nd Annual Fire & Ice Scholarship Gala showcased Southern Utah’s support for Utah Tech University students, as the community came together and raised $465,965 for need-based scholarships and the Student Resource Center, breaking the university’s record for the most support raised at a single event.
Proceeds from items featured in the silent and live auctions at the annual gala directly benefit Utah Tech scholarships that are awarded to students who may not be able to pursue a college education without financial assistance.
“I’m beyond appreciative of the incredibly generous Washington County community for supporting our students so graciously at the Fire & Ice Scholarship Gala and helping them achieve their academic goals,” Utah Tech President Shane B. Smeed said. “This amazing evening truly exemplified the power of what we — the university, volunteers and the community — can do when we come together. I’m so proud to have raised more support at Fire & Ice than any other past event in university history.”
As a reminder of the power of education and a display of the talent that exists on the Utah Tech campus, entertainment for the evening was provided by 33 Utah Tech students from a variety of academic disciplines, mentored by faculty from across campus. Throughout the evening, students also participated in living portraits and plein air art as well as performing as a jazz quartet and the Chamber Orchestra.
For featured dinner entertainment, Miles Jeppson sang “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, Calvin Clark performed the dance piece “The Waxing of Becoming,” Myles Hart recited the poem “A Frame Made of Us” that he wrote specific for the event, Kami Foster and Savannah Johansen performed “Some Things Are Meant to Be” from “Little Women,” Skye Thomas sang “Through Tenderness and Flattery” from “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” David Parry and Annalenna Jacobs performed fight choreography from “Tristan and Ysault” and members of the Blaze Dance team performed from their national championship routine.
Additionally, the Fire & Ice Scholarship Gala helped kick off Utah Tech’s work that will take place as part of the Community Engagement & Philanthropy priority within the university’s Uniting Trailblazers: Strategic Plan 2030. Supporting Utah Tech students is a key component in the university’s strategic plans for philanthropic growth and university advancement.
Organized by foundation and university volunteers, Fire & Ice Scholarship Gala has provided $1.9 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students over the past two decades. The gala, which was founded by community members Marica Wade and Dorothy Orton, celebrates their commitment to paying it forward by directly supporting students through the Marcia Wade and Dorothy Orton Pay It Forward Scholarship.
Support for students through the Marcia Wade and Dorothy Orton Pay It Forward Scholarship is still being accepted here.