Influential members of the Utah Tech University and Washington County communities were recently recognized at the university’s Presidential Awards Ceremony for blazing new trails and making a difference in Southern Utah.
“Utah Tech University’s Presidential Awards honor the best of who we are as a university community,” Utah Tech President Shane B. Smeed said. “This year’s honorees are visionary leaders who embrace innovation in the way they approach challenges, imagination in how they see new possibilities, inspiration in the way they lift those around them and integrity in their unwavering commitment to doing what is right for our university and our community.”
In recognition of the positive impact it’s making on campus, Utah Farmers Market Network was honored as the Community Partner of the Year. The award was accepted by the network’s director, Jaclyn Pace. Utah Farmers Market Network partners with Utah Tech faculty and students across disciplines to create real-world learning opportunities.
Also as part of the Presidential Awards Ceremony, the Board of Trustees awarded three categories of Trustees Excellence Awards. The Distinguished Citizen Award was bestowed to Don Watkins and Colleen Kvetko.
Watkins was recognized for his commitment to leadership, generosity and human connection. He has been an adjunct instructor at Utah Tech for the past ten years while also donating upwards of a million dollars, filling needs where he knew he could make a difference. He has contributed to an advising center, nutrition center for student-athletes, a new golf van and a mentorship program.
Kvetko, a past Utah Tech University trustee, was recognized for her dedicated civic leadership. She has been a valuable supporter of the university, including making a large impact on the golf program. She and her husband, Kirk, have mentored student-athletes, provided scholarships and welcomed them into their home, demonstrating their support and dedication.
Excellence in Service Awards were given to Utah Tech Director of First Year Advisement Deborah Decker and Executive Director of Athletics Ken Beazer.
Decker, who has supported thousands of students in achieving their goals at Utah Tech, has also served in many leadership roles and on many committees and work groups. Additionally, she helped initiate the Staff Association’s Mini Trailblazer employee recognition program.
Beazer, who has more than 32 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration, helped Utah Tech complete its transition to NCAA Division I status and is now positioning Trailblazer Athletics to compete in the Big Sky and Mountain West Conferences across its sport programs.
The Board of Trustees also honored Art Professor Del Parson and Dr. Joy McMurrin, an associate professor of English and the coordinator of the Technical Writing & Digital Rhetoric graduate program, with Excellence in Education Awards.
Parson was recognized for his dedication to students since beginning to teach at the university in 1988. With experience as a gallery painter himself, Parson guides his students to professional success in the art world.
McMurrin teaches classes from developmental composition to senior capstone research and graduate studies. She also helps students secure scholarships, grants and internships as well as mentors them through presentation and publication-worthy scholarship.
Also at the ceremony, Honorary Doctorate Degrees, which will also be recognized at the university’s 115th Commencement Ceremonies on May 6 and 7, were presented to Sen. Don L. Ipson and Lyman Hafen.
Hafen became executive director of the Zion Natural History Association in 1998, where he founded the Zion Forever Project in 2016 and served as president of the national Public Lands Alliance. He’s written hundreds of magazine articles, written and directed three documentary films and published more than a dozen books on the history, culture, and character of Southern Utah.
Ipson was first elected in 2008 to the Utah House of Representatives and was appointed to the Utah Senate in 2016, where he is the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee. Along with his business partner Stan Snow, Ipson founded a family trucking business, DATS Trucking Inc., and Overland Petroleum. He also founded Ernie’s Stores, a convenience store with locations around Utah.
The ceremony also honored each of the university’s college valedictorians, exemplary graduates who have been selected to represent their colleges by speaking at Commencement Ceremonies next month. Utah Tech University’s Class of 20026 valedictorians are Johana Florian, College of the Arts; Parker Willardsen, College of Business; Kayana Archermann, College of Education; Lilly Olsen, College of Health Sciences; Ireland Salvo, College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Kayla Wolf, College of Science, Engineering & Technology; and Kallianne Toomer, University College.
Additionally, Outgoing Student Body President Shellsea R.F., Faculty Senate President Dr. Jennifer Ciaccio and Outgoing Staff Association President Jamy Dahle were thanked and recognized.
“I am beyond grateful for all our honorees’ dedication to Utah Tech University and the impact they are making on Southern Utah,” Smeed said.