On Sept. 25, the University of Utah announced the naming of Spence Eccles Drive, in honor of notable alum, longtime philanthropist and community leader Spencer F. Eccles. The dedication of the main campus street was led by U President Taylor Randall, along with university leaders and Eccles family members.
The newly named “Spence Eccles Drive,” the road along 1900 East to South Medical Drive, sits at the heart of the health sciences campus. Here, the impact of Eccles and the five family foundations he leads is felt across research, education, medical training and health care.
“There are a lot of famous streets in the world I can think of—the Champs-Élysées for one—but this one may be most famous on our campus,” said Randall at the announcement. “Spence Eccles has been a transformative figure for the University of Utah and what’s even more amazing is that now, Spence Eccles Drive leads to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.”
“I’m deeply honored and humbled by this recognition,” said Spencer F. Eccles. “To me, this road represents our shared journey towards excellence in health care and the bright future that lies ahead.”
A true Utah man, Eccles has been a driving force behind the advancement of higher education across the state, championing student success and institutional excellence for the past 60 years. His dedication to the University of Utah has been transformational to both the main campus and the University of Utah Health system. He chaired the U’s Sesquicentennial Campaign in 1994, which raised more than $768 million for his alma mater. He is a member and former chair of its National Advisory Council and serves on the David Eccles School of Business National Advisory Board. While his influence can be seen across campus—including in the university’s health care system, medical research, athletics programs, business education and campus infrastructure—his greatest legacy will live on in the thousands of students empowered to lead and succeed because of opportunities he helped create.
In March, Eccles and his family announced a $75 million gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation to construct the new University of Utah Eccles Hospital and Eccles Health Campus in West Valley City. This gift is part of a long history of Eccles support for University of Utah Health, including his parents’ support of the Health Science Library in 1965, a $10 million initiative to expand University Hospital in 1981, and a $110 million transformative gift for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in 2021, among many others.
“Spence Eccles’ vision and generosity have elevated the university’s national profile and long-term impact across Utah and beyond,” said Bob Carter, executive vice president for University of Utah Health. “The impact he has made here is unparalleled, so it’s fitting that this street in the heart of our health science campus bears his name.”
Under Eccles’ leadership, several Eccles family foundations have invested in innovation and education, funding student scholarships, research and academic excellence. These philanthropic initiatives include numerous education and research programs and more than a dozen endowed chairs in health sciences. Notable additions to the health campus include the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Critical Care Pavilion, Emma Eccles Jones Medical Research Building, Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Health Sciences Education Building, the expanded John A. Moran Eye Center and the George and Lolie Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, which have made the U a world-class health care destination.
The University of Utah has long been a special place for Spence Eccles and his family. A native of Ogden, Utah, he arrived at the U in the early 1950s and quickly adapted to campus life. His success as a four-year letterman and All-American on the U’s ski team—along with active participation in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity—set an early precedent for his later renown as a Utah Man. It was also at the U where he met Cleone Peterson from Fairview, Utah, who would become his wife of more than 54 years before passing in 2013. Together with their four children—Hope, Lisa, Katie and Spencer P. Eccles—and 10 grandchildren, Spence and Cleone have been deeply committed to the university and continue to support students and programs across campus.
“I was fortunate to be born into a family that believes in the importance of giving back and doing our best to leave things better than we found them,” said Spencer F. Eccles. “It’s been such an honor to partner with my alma mater to elevate University of Utah Health. I look forward to continuing our work together in the years to come.”
The generosity and leadership of Spence Eccles have left a lasting impact on everyone on the University of Utah campus and will continue to do so for generations to come. The naming of Spence Eccles Drive honors his and his family’s extraordinary support of the University of Utah and University of Utah Health.