SAVE THE DATE!
Homecoming 2004 will be held the week of Sept. 20-25, beginning with the Greek house decorating contest and concluding with the football game—Utah vs. Air Force. In between, activities will include the “3 Club Golf Tournament,” a bonfire and pep rally, and various reunions—the class of 1963, the Emeritus Alumni Association, and the Beehive Honor Society.

UTAH MAN BECOMES PART OF FOOTBALL LORE
By the time you read this, “Utah Man” will be on his way to making football history.

Not the song—the player.

Head football coach Urban Meyer came up with the idea, which grew out of the success of “The MUSS,” or “Mighty Utah Student Section”—cheering, screaming student fans who faithfully attend games and meets wearing identifying red T-shirts to support Ute football, basketball, and women’s gymnastics teams. The energy of the MUSS has connected players to fans, boosting team efforts and raising team spirits. Coach Meyer has referred to the MUSS as one of the most important elements in the Utes’ making it all the way to the Liberty Bowl last season.

Meyer took MUSS support one step further by holding tryouts in April to select “Utah Man”—a student who will play on the kickoff coverage team wearing a specially designed jersey. According to U of U athletics, he will serve as “the University of Utah’s uniting force and a daily reminder that with hard work and dedication anything in life is possible.”

Two lucky students (who will alternate as Utah Man) were chosen to represent the camaraderie that exists between the student body and Utah’s football team and coaching staff.

Aspiring candidates were required to attend an information and compliance meeting and undergo a conditioning and strength test to qualify. The two students chosen will be required to attend all the team’s practices and conditioning workouts during August football camp, and to travel with the team on all road trips.

“A Utah man, sir, a Utah man am I...” Go Utes!

FOUNDERS DAY 2004: CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY’S PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY
Founders Day is a tradition that dates back to 1899, when the Utah State Legislature voted to move the University of Utah to its permanent campus on Salt Lake City’s east bench. The event coincided with the University’s Feb. 28 founding date and inspired a major celebration that continued with the school’s 50th anniversary in 1900.

In the years that followed, Founders Day was often observed with a moment of silence and a memorial address. In 1925, the University marked its 75th anniversary with an elaborate gala, setting a more celebratory tone. By the 1950s, Founders Day had become a weeklong extravaganza, complete with a student queen, speakers, dances, oratory and writing contests, and a formal banquet. Over time, the student body has grown and campuswide assemblies are a thing of the past, but the essence of Founders Day remains: It is a time to celebrate the University’s place in the community and to honor its outstanding alumni and supporters.

The Alumni Association wishes to thank the sponsors of the 2004 Founders Day banquet: Deseret Morning News, Ken Garff Automotive Group, KSL News Radio, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah, and Zions Bank.

Honorees at Founders Day 2004 were L-R: Honorary Alumnus Clyde M. Heiner, retired president and CEO of Questar InfoComm, Inc.; and Distinguished Alumni Olene Walker PhD’87, governor of Utah; Carmen B. Pingree BA’65 MS’83, autism advocate; Jerold Ottley MFA’67, former musical director of the Tabernacle Choir; and David Neeleman ex’81, founder and CEO of JetBlue Airways.

BEEHIVE HONOR SOCIETY: 2004 INDUCTEES AND SCHOLARS

In April, Christine M. Durham, chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court, was inducted as an honorary member of the Beehive Honor Society. This year, the Beehive board selected 23 graduating seniors to become new members of the society (see sidebar). The board also awarded two scholarships to outstanding U students Alisia Abegg, an undergraduate studying political science and organizational communication, and Christopher T. Otto BA’03, a Beehive member and graduate student in the public administration program.

CHRISTINE DURHAM: 2004 HONORARY MEMBER
Christine M. Durham received her law degree from Duke University, where she was also an instructor of legal medicine. She practiced law in North Carolina before moving to Salt Lake City, where she became a partner in the law firm of Johnson, Durham & Moxley. Durham was appointed to the Utah Third District Court bench in 1978 and to the Utah Supreme Court 1982. In April 2002, she became the first woman to be appointed chief justice of Utah’s highest court.

Durham has taught at both the University of Utah and Brigham Young University law schools. She is a trustee of Duke University, and a member of the American Inns of Court Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Council of the American Law Institute. She is also past president of the National Association of Women Judges.

Her work for Utah’s courts has included service on the Utah Judicial Council, the Commission on Justice in the 21st Century, the Constitutional Revision Commission, and several key judicial committees. She also leads the Education for Justice Project, which aims to improve education about the justice system in Utah’s public schools.

2004 BEEHIVE HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES

Sonja H. Anderson, Human Development and Family Studies
Allyson J. Baldwin, Nursing
James C. Bergstedt, Accounting and German
John-David Black, Exercise and Sport Science
Elizabeth A.Brown, Organizational Communication
Matthew L. Burgemeister, Economics and Political Science
Melanie A. Clegg, Human Development and Family Studies
William E. Edwards, Accounting
Micah W. Elggren, Speech Communication and Political Science
M. Todd Ethington, Speech Communication and Political Science
Amanda N. Hemmert, German
David A. Kelly, Biology
Miryoung Kim, Biology
Erik F. Larson, Mathematics
Mark E. Oblad, Economics
James H. Pearce, Geology
Ryan R. Plewe, Behavioral Science and Health
Paul M. Pohlman, Mechanical Engineering
Mark P. Pulver, Spanish
Hillary Rawlings, English
Kristen A. Redd, Ballet Performance
James R. Thorup, Accounting
Vanna T. Tran, Exercise and Sport Science

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

University of Utah faculty and staff play a critical role in students’ lives during their time on campus, working to ensure that each student has the best educational experience possible. In recognition of faculty and staff excellence—their commitment to the University, their respective departments, and their students—the Young Alumni Association (YAA) each year presents awards to select individuals, honoring their achievements in counseling and teaching. In addition, the YAA’s Par Excellence Award recognizes an exceptional alumnus/a who has not only excelled in his or her profession, but has also contributed to the enrichment of the community.

2004 YAA AWARD RECIPIENTS

PAR EXCELLENCE AWARD: Luther Elliss

Children are gifts from God. I’ve got to take that gift and live it out to its fullest each and every day, and that means sharing who I am with my family and my children — taking something from them, combining the two, and raising some beautiful kids. —Luther Elliss

Football phenomenon Luther Elliss ex’95, a 6-foot-5-inch, 305-pound defensive tackle with the Denver Broncos (previously with the Detroit Lions for nine years), is known for his force on the field. What he is perhaps less recognized for is his extensive service to the community and, in particular, his devotion to children. He and his wife, Rebecca, have eight; four are adopted. The Ellisses’ involvement in the process has encouraged them to support other families in choosing adoption.

While playing football at the U, Elliss held football clinics and golf outings for charity, initiated a homework and reading incentive program for an elementary school in Farmington, and made numerous personal appearances at fundraising events supporting student scholarships.

In Michigan, he expanded his community involvement, serving as statewide spokesman for Michigan’s “Father is Forever” Campaign, a program that stresses the important role a father plays in his child’s life; regularly speaking to youth groups at schools and to children in hospitals; donating 25 tickets per home game to local youth groups; collecting donations for the Lions’ annual “Toys for Tots” campaign; serving as spokesman for the Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving Day Coat Drive; participating in the Lions’ School Assembly Program, which stresses drug prevention and the importance of staying in school; and holding off-season football camps for underprivileged children in Michigan, Utah, and his home state of Colorado.

ADJUNCT FACULTY AWARD: Michelle Moench Hawes

Michelle Hawes BS’72 BA’81 MS’84 is adjunct professor and director of the Department of Communication’s Conflict Resolution Certificate Program. She oversees a two-semester course that provides intensive training for working professionals who want to enhance their ability to handle conflict situations.

Hawes is characterized by her colleagues and students as “an outstanding faculty member who has made a unique contribution to her students,” “a mentor and guide,” and “a gifted teacher and communicator.” She has “enormous patience” and an interest in helping that extends beyond the classroom, freely offering advice to current and former students.

Born and raised in Utah, Hawes describes herself as a “proud alumna” of the U. She earned degrees in music and communication before honing her skills in conflict resolution. Off campus, she has a private consulting practice in the resolution of organizational conflict, and serves as vice chair of the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution (UCCR). In 2002, as recipient of the UCCR’s Peacekeeper Award, a “Peace Tree” was planted and dedicated in her honor in the Salt Lake City International Peace Gardens.

The mother of four sons, Hawes is married to Leonard Hawes, professor of communication theory in the U’s Department of Communication and recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Teaching Award.

FACULTY COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Calvin M. Boardman

Calvin Boardman, Kendall Garff Professor of Finance, has an extensive history of service to the University, the David Eccles School of Business, and the community. Says business school dean Jack Brittain, “Cal’s community service is wide reaching, touching the arts, under-represented minority populations, human services, and economic development. He embodies the spirit of volunteerism among faculty at its best.”

Boardman has taught at the U since 1977. He has held a number of administrative positions, including acting dean, department chair, associate dean for executive education, and associate dean for academic studies. He also teaches “Foundations of Business Thought,” based on his book of the same name (now in its fifth edition). The course takes a unique approach: students study the classics in the arts, economics, and business in order to understand the individual values that motivate people and the way markets work.

Boardman has served on the boards of Utah Issues, Graceland College, and the Financial Management Association, among others, and is on the boards of Advanta Bank Corp. and the Indian Walk-in Center.

For his dedication to teaching, Boardman has received numerous awards, including The University Professor Award (1993), the ASUU Student Choice Award (1995), the Presidential Teaching Scholar Award (1996), and the David Eccles School of Business Distinguished Service award (1997).

Boardman and his wife, Laura, have five children, eight grandchildren, and a cabin in Torrey, Utah. He enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, reading, traveling, and dabbling in art.

PHILIP AND MIRIAM PERLMAN AWARD IN STUDENT COUNSELING: David Hanscom (faculty)

As professor and director of undergraduate studies in the School of Computing, and faculty advisor for the computer science and computer engineering programs, David Hanscom spends almost half of his time at the University advising and counseling students—a responsibility he has assumed for 22 years.

Hanscom has been effective in recruiting top students to the computer science program through the High School Computing Institute and High School Programming Contest, which involve campus enrichment activities for high school juniors and seniors for five weeks during the summer. He has also advised scores of teaching assistants through his annual TA training workshop, and has served as a primary link between the school and its undergraduates by teaching many freshmen and sophomores in required classes.

In 2002 Hanscom received the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Teaching Award, and has received the dean’s commendation for outstanding teaching five times.

Off campus, Hanscom is a cross-country skiing aficionado.He wrote Wasatch Tours, a three-volume guide to cross-country skiing in the Wasatch Mountains, and has organized cross-country ski races for about 15 years. He was assistant chief of timing for cross country and biathlon events in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Games.

He and his wife, Mary, have been married 40 years and have two sons and two grandchildren.

PHILIP AND MIRIAM PERLMAN AWARD IN STUDENT COUNSELING: Annie Nebeker (staff)

Annie Nebeker BA’87 (art history) BA’87 (psychology) has worked in the Dean of Students’ office for the past five years, “surrounded,” she says, “by colleagues who love their work and truly care about improving the lives of students.”

Nebeker began her U of U career at the Counseling Center before becoming associate dean of students. Dean of Students Stayner Landward, a previous award recipient, describes Nebeker as a “talented counselor, who combines compassion and empathy with constructive criticism and suggestions from a perspective of genuine concern for students.” She is also advisor to the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU), counseling over 60 students each year.

Known for her open-door policy, Nebeker handles issues ranging from a student’s inability to pay tuition, to parking problems, to dealing with the loss of a parent or loved one, to sexual harassment or assault, to crisis management. Recently, she worked with six students who were driven from their apartment because of a fire. She was instrumental in arranging alternate housing, counseling, replacement textbooks, and meal cards. The students commented afterward that, even though they had lost much in the fire, it was reassuring to know that the University cared about them.

Nebeker is pursuing a Ph.D. in the College of Social Work