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.
2026 Founders Week
Monday, March 23
Catch Carter
Carter Carillon scavenger hunt at various locations on campus.
Tuesday, March 24
Howard R. Driggs Memorial Lecture
11:30 a.m. in the Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center.
Catch Carter
Carter Carillon scavenger hunt at various locations on campus.
Wednesday, March 25
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.
Catch Carter
Carter Carillon scavenger hunt at various locations on campus.
Thursday, March 26
Fossil Find
Noon to 1 p.m. at the Svoboda GeoScience Building.
Catch Carter
Carter Carillon scavenger hunt at various locations on campus.
Friday, March 27
Donuts & Back Up the Mountain
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Living Room.
Founders Banquet
6:30 p.m., Gilbert Great Hall, Hunter Alumni Center.
Red Friday
All-day. Wear Red and show your T-Bird pride. Tradition Keeper.
Catch Carter
Carter Carillon scavenger hunt at various locations on campus.
Saturday, March 28
SUU Service Day
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join T-Bird Nation in a day of service to our local community. RSVP for Service Day