Generous citizens inducted into
SUU Old Main Society
The circle of SUU's most generous and supportive friends
has been enlarged with the induction of several new members into the Old
Main Society, December 3, 2002 at the President's Club Holiday dinner.
Just as "Old Main" symbolizes dedication to a vision and a dream
for the university's founders, the Old Main Society is comprised of individuals
who recognize and embody those same principles. Members of the Old Main
Society provide that extra margin of excellence through their generosity
that enables the university to meet the ever increasing challenges facing
higher education in today's world. To qualify for membership in this most
prestigious society of givers individuals or couples have made cumulative
cash, in-kind, or deferred gifts of $25,000 or more to Southern Utah University.
W. Boyd and Jean C. Christensen 
Have dedicated much of their lives to serving others and contributing
to their state, community and church. Their warmth, kindness and sincere
interest in and concern for helping others have been their hallmark in
the 56 years that they have been married. Their four children, 18 grandchildren
and 2 great grandchildren are but a few of those who have experienced
the boundless love and service that the Christensens have showered on
others throughout their lives.
After a most successful career with All State Insurance, culminating in
his service as President and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Boyd
served his government as Assistant Secretary in the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development. He then returned to Utah to serve his
alma mater, Utah State University for six years as Vice President for
Business and Finance.
Always community minded, Boyd has served as Executive Vice President and
member of the Board of the Utah Symphony and as a member of several other
prestigious boards, including serving on SUU's Board of Fellows. Jean
has likewise served the various communities in which they have lived as
an educator, community volunteer, advisory board member for the Festival
of the American West and has received numerous community awards for her
dedicated service.
In addition to their professional and community service, Boyd and Jean
have served their church in numerous capacities including being responsible
for visitor activities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and Boyd's calling, as President of the New York, New York mission, with
Jean being "mission mom" for hundreds of missionaries. They
currently reside in Salt Lake City where they continue to render service
in a variety of community endeavors. They also show great interest in
SUU. Boyd says, with enthusiasm, "I am very supportive of Southern
Utah University and I want to help lift it just as high as is possible."
George Neil and Willadean Bryce McRae 
Celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary recently. Born and raised in
Arizona, the couple met and married while attending the University of
Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. While there Neil received a bachelors degree
in agriculture and a masters degree in agronomy. Willadean earned a bachelors
degree in home economics with a minor in business. The McRaes have six
children, three boys and three girls. Three of their grandchildren currently
attend Southern Utah University. They are Melissa McRae Hyde, Megan and
Matthew McRae.
After graduating from college, Neil worked as an agronomist for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture at the Cotton Research Center-Phoenix, Arizona.
Following a brief stint as a cotton farmer, Neil then worked as a vegetable
specialist farm advisor in the Extension Service of the University of
California in Indio, California beginning in 1965. They still reside in
Indio today.
Willadean's great great grandfather was Ebenezer Bryce for whom Bryce
Canyon National Park and Bryce, Arizona are named. The McRaes have been
active members in their church and in their community in providing service
to others. Willadean indicates that at the age of six her mother sat her
on the piano bench and she has spent the greater part of her life being
an accompanist, serving 17 years straight as ward organist. Both Neil
and Willadean have served in significant local leadership positions in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are currently serving
a temple mission as ordinance workers in the San Diego temple, commuting
three hours each way.
The McRaes indicate with pride that their greatest success has been the
rearing of their family. They are individuals who have made a difference
in the lives of countless people. Southern Utah University is fortunate
to have them as friends of the University.
Miles D. and Mary Taylor Morris 
are southern Utah natives. Miles was born in Parowan and grew up in Cedar
City; Mary was born in Cedar City, moved to Park City and then returned
to Cedar City. Both Miles and Mary attended schools in Cedar City and
attended the BAC, now Southern Utah University. Mary later attended the
University of Utah. After serving 2 years in the U.S. Army, Miles and
his brother Haymer and their father, Durham Morris established Cedar Motor
Company selling Kaiser, Frazer and Packard automobiles. In 1954 Miles
established Tri-State Motors selling Oldsmobiles, Ramblers and Jeeps.
In 1959, he sold the dealership to Haymer.
Miles and Mary then moved to Provo where he established Morris Motors
with Oldsmobile, Rambler, Jeep and GMC truck franchises. He has operated
this dealership for 43 years. The Morris's have 4 children, 18 grandchildren
and 4 great grandchildren. All of their children and several of their
grandchildren have worked in the family business. Mary served as office
manager for Morris Motors for 35 years. Both Miles and Mary have been
very active in civic, community and church service. Miles has served as
two time President of the Utah Valley Exchange Club, President of the
Utah County Automobile Dealers Association and President of the Utah Automobile
Dealers Association. He is also a member of the Utah Valley State College
Automotive Advisory Board, and has received awards for his distinguished
community service. Mary presently serves on the Business School Advisory
Board of UVSC and has served as President of the women auxiliary organizations
of the local Jaycees and Utah Valley Exchange Club. She is an accomplished
pianist and has served her church in a variety of service and leadership
positions. Miles and Mary have been great examples of people who have
made a significant contribution to their community, profession and higher
education.
President Steven D. and Marjorie H. Bennion
Following in his grandfather Milton Bennion's footsteps, who served as
the institution's first Principal in 1897, President Steven D. Bennion
has served Southern Utah University as its President since 1997.
With his talented wife Marjorie at his side, Steve has served the institution,
its students and the Southern Utah community with total dedication, boundless
energy and a commitment to always take the "high road."
Hard work has always been a significant feature of Steve's life beginning
early with his work as a teenager on a farm in Teton Valley, Idaho. He
served as student body president at Olympus high school and was an outstanding
three sport athlete. He later went to the University of Utah and then
took time out to serve in the army and a mission to Scotland for his church.
Marj lived with her family in Vernal, later moving to Salt Lake City where
she met Steve. She attended and graduated from Utah State University and
became a school teacher. The Bennions have been married for nearly 39
years and have been parents to five children and grandparents of 10 "nearly
perfect" grandchildren. Marj and Steve moved to Ithaca, New York
where Steve completed a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Cornell
University, they then moved to Madison, Wisconsin where Steve served as
a budget and academic planner with the University of Wisconsin System
of Higher Education. It was there that he earned his Doctorate in Higher
Education Administration.
After returning to Utah to serve as an Associate Commissioner for planning
with the Utah System of Higher Education, Steve was soon selected to be
President of Snow College. An invitation to serve as President of Ricks
College, now BYU Idaho, was extended to President Bennion after seven
years at Snow College and then on July 1, 1997 President and Mrs. Bennion
moved to Cedar City to begin their service as President and First Lady
of Southern Utah University.
Both Steve and Marj have given years of service as members of community
and state boards, as frequent speakers to a variety of education, community
and church groups and as role models for people of all ages. Ever affable,
gracious and genteel, President and Mrs. Bennion have given generously
of their time, talents and resources for the improvement of Southern Utah
University and the Southern Utah community. |
