Founders Week - SUU's Birthday Celebration

To all who have come to love Southern Utah University, the story of the founding of the institution has long stood as a source of pride and of inspiration. It is a story of heroism and selflessness, and serves as a constant reminder of the precious value of higher education. Watch the docudrama Back Up the Mountain, and read Fae Decker Dix's poem Tribute To the Founders

Each March, our Founders Celebration salutes our rich past and promising future with a variety of events. Importantly, it pays tribute to the steadfast and visionary men and women who sacrificed greatly to establish the institution and to the enduring spirit of those founders, as it honors, as well, those who have devoted comparable service to the building of the University over many decades.

2024 Founders Week

Monday, March 11

Dino-Mite Tradition Week Kick-Off
2:00 p.m. in the Geo Science Building. Join the Student Alumni Association in kicking off a week of Traditions during Founders Week! Stop by the dinosaurs in front of the Geo-Science building for a chance to win prizes and mark off #SUUTraditions. Complete 25 traditions by the end of the week to earn a Tradition Keeper T-Shirt.   Tradition Keeper

Tuesday, March 12

Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture
11:30 a.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center. Zonnie Gorman, a recognized historian of Navajo Code Talker of World War II, will present. Tradition Keeper

Paint Your Own Portrait
7 p.m., Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center. Mark off a #SUUTradition by painting a portrait in the Gilbert Great Hall! Come for a fun night full of campus traditions and snacks. Tradition Keeper


Wednesday, March 13

Lunch on the Main
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Main, ELC Plaza, Library Plaza, Centurium, Founders Monument, Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), and the Sharwan Smith Center Rotunda. Enjoy food and stories from SUU's founding. Tradition Keeper

Thursday, March 14

5's & Fries
Noon, Sharwan Smith Center Ballroom. Join the Student Alumni Association in completing a #SUUTradition by high 5-ing Sharwan Smith and get free Chick-Fil-A Fries!  Tradition Keeper.

Founders Awards Banquet
6:30 p.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center. Honorees: Carrie Trenholm, Dan & Jane Roberts. 

Western Swing Night
Time TBD, Multi-Purpose Gym. Join the Swing Club for a night of western dancing. 


Friday, March 15

Red Friday
All-day. Wear Red and show your T-Bird pride. Tradition Keeper. 

What's Your Tradition?
9:30 a.m., Sharwan Smith Student Center Living Room.   Tradition Keeper.

Music Department Recital
Noon, Thorley Recital Hall, SUU Music Building. Complete a #SUUTradition and learn about the founding of SUU by watching Back Up The Mountain!  Tradition Keeper

Saturday, March 16

Casino Night
8 p.m., Sharwan Smith Student Center.