FRONT PAGE

USU Alumni Spotlight - Kathleen Clarke Nominated by President Bush to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management, Kathleen Clarke was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on December 20, 2001. She is the 16th person to hold the title of Director in the agency's 56 year history, and is the first woman to be appointed to the position. As Director of the BLM, Ms. Clarke is responsible for the agency's stewardship of 262 million acres of public lands, located primarily in the West, and more than 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate across the Nation. Prior to her appointment as Director of the BLM, Ms. Clarke served as Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources in Utah. In that post she gained extensive experience in resource management issues and led the Department's efforts to build collaborative partnerships among federal, state and tribal interests, local communities and private organizations.  Ms. Clarke's career in public service also includes work in the legislative branch of the United States government. On the staff of U.S. Rep. James V. Hansen of Utah, she held the positions of Executive Director of his Ogden, Utah Office and Director of Constituent Services. She also served as an assistant to the late Senator Wallace Bennett of Utah.  A native of Bountiful, Utah, Ms. Clarke graduated cum laude from USU with a BA degree in Political Science in 1972.

Coach's Wife and Foster Mom to over 40 Babies
When USU head basketball coach Stew Morrill first got married at age 29, he knew he was getting an instant family. His fiance, Vicki, was a widow with two young sons. What he probably didn't know is that over the years he and Vicki would be foster parents to 42 babies (and counting). 

As one of 12 children, Vicki felt a special kinship to children which evolved into action after she was widowed with two babies. When she contracted what she thought was a life-threatening illness she says she realized how easily children could become orphans.  Soon after marrying, she and Stew became licensed to provide cradle care, which includes children from birth to five years. The first child they took into their home would now be 19 years old and there have been 41 children since.  Some only stay overnight.  Some for months. "The longer you're with them, the more you get attached," she says. "And it doesn't get any easier to let them go no matter how often you do it."  But she adds that the rewards are huge and she sees no end to her foster motherhood.

Vicki says she knows it isn't always easy for the mothers, some as young as 14, to give up their children, but praises them for having the foresight to realize it is probably best for the babies. She and Stew eventually had two children of their own and he adopted her sons from the previous marriage.

» More...

Ideas from Your New Alumni Association President
The newest president of the Alumni Association, Randy Watts, hopes to get you involved.  "Naturally, we'd like to have more alumni helping us provide scholarships to deserving students, but most importantly we want our thousands of alums to feel connected to their university," Watts says.

Activities around the country allow alumni to meet old friends and fellow Aggies and many of these also raise scholarship funds.  Watts compliments past alumni presidents for helping expand alumni activities nationwide and said he hopes to kick that expansion into high gear.

Among his priorities is locating the so-called lost Aggies.   These are the people who are no longer in the alumni directory.  And he'd like to see more alums become Lifetime Sustaining Members of the Association.  Lifetime Sustaining Members have their names engraved on bricks that currently are in the walkway and courtyard of the Alumni House.  He wants to see the patio in the courtyard covered with the bricks.

"I also want to get more Utahns displaying the Aggie license plates," he says.  "That extra $25 a year for an Aggie plate goes totally into scholarships."

The Vietnam vet was at USU from 1967 to 1969 when he joined the Air Force. He's a longtime fan and contributor to Aggie athletics and is a member of the Old Main Society. Three of his four children are Utah State grads and the fourth plans to complete his USU degree in the near future.

Alumni Scholarships Awarded
With a current count of more than 50, Alumni Association scholarships keep growing.  This fall, dozens of freshmen and transfer students will enroll at USU with one year scholarships from Aggie chapters in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona.  Some chapters provide full tuition, others give cash awards ranging from $500 to $6,000.

With support from golf tournaments, Aggie license plates, car shows, and other fund raising events, all alumni chapters have scholarship endowments.  Some are not yet large enough to provide scholarships.

Beanies

Hard to believe there was a time in Aggie history when a large number of freshman could be persuaded to wear beanies!  The tradition was a part of Utah State history.  This picture was taken in 1961.

Student Loan Consolidation Program
A loan consolidation program is now available to Utah State alumni.  A new law passed by Congress has enabled alumni to consolidate their student loans, potentially lowering their payments significantly.  The Utah State Alumni Association is offering this benefit to all qualifying alumni.  To learn more, call (866) 311-8074 or go to www.usu.edu/studentloans

» More...

EVENT LISTINGS

Utah State University Alumni Relations sponsors many exciting events throughout the year. To keep informed about the most current ones, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/events.html often.

CONNECTIONS

Chapter News:

Salt Lake and Utah Counties Remember to join the fun on June 23, 2003 at Thanksgiving Point.  Both chapters have joined together to raise scholarship money at this golf tournament.  Additional information about this event can be found in last month's eNewsletter.  To participate, contact Patty Halaufia at 1-800-291-ALUM (2586). Hurry to assure your place before the deadline of June 16.

Weber County
Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Weber County Car Show July 19 in Ogden's Liberty Park.  To enter a car in the show, get donor information or have questions answered, contact Trudy Young through e-mail  at trudyy@ext.usu.edu or phone (801) 399-8200.  More details can be found in May's electronic newsletter. 

Las Vegas
Everyone is invited to the Aggie Vegas Weekend.  You can join fellow Aggies for dinner or golf on July 26th.  All proceeds go to scholarships.  To register or make dinner reservations, call Utah State Alumni Relations at (800) 291-2586 by Friday, June 27 , 2003

Athletics

2003 Football Schedule
View the fall schedule.

Check out utahstateaggies.com for the latest news and information about Aggie Athletics.  If you would like to receive electronic updates from Athletics, e-mail Ken Beazer at ken.beazer@usu.edu.

Travel Opportunities Arizona Football Weekend September 12-14, 2003 Enjoy this weekend in Arizona which includes round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City, accommodations at the luxurious Tempe Mission Palms hotel, pre-game party and game ticket as the Aggies take on Arizona State.  Package price is $469.00 per person.  Land only packages also available for $219.00 per person.

Cruise Tahiti October 25- November 2, 2003 Sail aboard the Pacific Princess as she visits the enchanting island of Tahiti.  Ports include Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Moorea. Prices begin at $1895.00 per person, double occupancy, and include cruise, airfare and all taxes and fees.

Peru: Empire of the Incas March 3-10, 2004 This exciting tour includes visits to Lima, Cozco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu National Reserve and the Amazon.  Prices available July 1, 2003.

China May 2004 - (rescheduled from September 2003) To find more information, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/china.html or contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055.

England and Scotland October 2004 Don't miss the spectacular sights of London, Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, and more.  Exact dates and pricing will be available at a later date.