A year of commemorating the University of Utah’s 175th anniversary launched at a Founders Day celebration on Feb. 27.
From Founders Day to Homecoming, the state’s flagship institution of higher education will be marking its own history as well as the role of higher education in elevating Utahns’ lives. Last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a declaration recognizing the U’s contributions to not only Utah but the world as well.
“The University of Utah has been a beacon of knowledge, discovery and innovation for 175 years, inspiring and impacting generations of students,” Cox wrote in the declaration.
For President Taylor Randall, a fourth-generation attendee of the university, the U’s history is personal.
“The U has been an institution where my family has studied,” he said. “Here we have stressed out, partaken of the arts and cheered fantastically. For our family, like many of yours, this institution has made us who we are.”
“So many of my family’s dinner table conversations revolve around this university,” Randall continued. “What we’ve learned, what we’re thinking about and how it changes our world—not only our past, but our future as well.”
Originally named the University of Deseret, the U was founded on Feb. 28, 1850, shortly after settlers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Classes started later in the year at pioneer John Pack’s humble log cabin. Lack of funding and feeder schools forced the university to close three years later. Classes were held intermittently until the school was re-established in 1867.
“The University of Utah has been a leader in so many fields, acting as a catalyst for progress in research and discovery as well as the arts and sciences to serve and improve the communities of Utah and future generations,” states Cox’s declaration.
During the Founders Day dinner on Thursday evening, six U alumni were recognized for their contributions to the university and beyond: M. John Ashton (BS’66 JD’69), Reverend France Davis (MA’78), Lisa Eccles (BA’86), Cecelia H. Foxley (MA’65 PhD’68), and John (BS’56) and Marcia Price (BA’57).
“At the U, we are grateful for and proud of the accomplishments of our alumni,” said Kris Bosman. “U alumni give back to their community and their school in many essential ways that make life better for all of us.”
Join the U in celebrating its 175th anniversary with a series of events from now until Homecoming in late October, including:
- RED Talks, April 3
- Presidential Bus Tour, June 11-13 and June 23- 25
- A student art competition
- A special U Rising podcast mini-series
- Anniversary merch at the Campus Store
Find more events here. Learn more about the history of the U and goals for the future in the latest edition of the University of Utah magazine and view an interactive, supplemental timeline here.