October 13 marks a unique convergence of anniversaries in the combined celebration of three organizations most influential in developing, promoting and connecting southern Utah to the rest of the nation.

In grand fashion, The Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library at Southern Utah University will celebrate the legacy of the Union Pacific Railroad, the Utah Parks Company and the Library's own Special Collections in its annual Friends of the Library Gala, though this year's celebration will be unlike any other in both scale and custom, beginning with a reunion, of sorts, for former employees of the Utah Parks Company from the '20s through the '70s.

Please join them for the Gala which will begin at 6:30 p.m. with registration and hors d'oeuvres in the main lobby. At 7 p.m., a formalized program will begin in the Garden Level with remarks from Union Pacific Director of Public Affairs, Daniel Harbeke, and former UPC employees Mary Ellen Edmunds and brother Paul Edmunds will address the audience. Mary Ellen Edmunds is a popular speaker, who worked in the Utah Parks as a young lady, and has authored several books.

Following the program, attendees will join in a live SingAway in the Huntsman Reading Room at 7:45 p.m.  Birthday cake will be served to the sounds of hits from the 1940s and 50s, played by SUU's Jazz Band.  

Read more about the Gala and purchase tickets (only $10) online 

In its just released collegiate survey, "2013 Best Colleges: Region by Region," The Princeton Review identifies the top tier of colleges and universities across the nation that "stand out as academically excellent institutions of higher learning." And in what is beginning to feel like an annual tradition at Southern Utah University, SUU has again been recognized as one of the West's best schools on the "Best in the West" listing. This is the University's ninth consecutive appearance on this top national listing. 

Above all, according to The Princeton Review, colleges and universities are selected for this prestigious recognition primarily for excellence in academic programming.

Says Robert Franek, Princeton Review's Senior VP / Publisher, "We're pleased to recommend Southern Utah University as one of the best schools to earn their undergrad degree. From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisors whose recommendations we invite." 

Read more about SUU and the 2013 Best Colleges: Region by Region 

The U.S. Department of State has selected Southern Utah University as one of ten U.S. higher education institutions this year to receive a grant to establish an American Cultural Center in China. A joint undertaking between SUU and Hunan Normal University (HNU), the center will be housed on the HNU campus in Changsha.

The main purpose of the American Cultural Center of Changsha is to foster understanding of American culture, history, values, policies and institutions by students, faculty and local community members. No less important is the goal of conveying to the Chinese people the good will and generosity of the American people.

According to SUU Music Professor Xun Sun, who is originally from China, "It's so important to inform the younger generation of Chinese, especially college students, about American culture, the U.S. political system and democratic institutions. This center will create a path toward more discussion and less conflict between the U.S. and China." 

Read more about SUU establishing an American Cultural Center in China