Aggies Return From Iraq
As was reported in the October 2004 issue of Aggie Insights, a group of Aggies with the 115th Engineer Group, Utah National Guard, were stationed in Iraq. Their mission was to rebuild the infrastructure throughout the Dhi Qar province, including the completion of Highway 1 which connects Kuwait and Baghdad. The USU Alumni Association sent an Aggie banner to these Aggies last year and the banner was used in a ceremony to honor the soldiers serving in the conflict.

On August 29, 2005, several of the Aggie members of the 115th EN GP returned to the David B. Haight Alumni Center to present the Aggie banner to the university. Among the Aggie troops in attendance was CSM Sid Cardon. For his outstanding leadership, CSM Cardon was recently named the Utah National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Accompanying CSM Cardon were MAJ Scott Reading, LTC Robert Dunton, MAJ Lynn Hinckley, and SGT Ron Hammond. After remarks by USU President Stan Albrecht, Alumni Relations Director Carlos Smith, LTC Robert Dunton, and retired Air Force Colonel and USU Director of Athletics Randy Spetman, the servicemen presented President Albrecht with the banner. The banner was signed by all the Aggies of the 115th EN GP.

The signed Aggie banner will be on display at the David B. Haight Alumni Center.

Inside the New Library
The finishing touches are being completed on the new Merrill-Cazier Library for its upcoming opening. The new library will replace the aging Merrill Library and greatly expand the existing Sci-Tech Library to over 300,000 square feet. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on October 13 at 12:30 p.m., but the Merrill-Cazier will be open to the public as early as September 19.

The Merrill-Cazier Library will feature an auditorium, café, wireless internet, and a state-of-the-art Information Commons. The Information Commons will house 150 workstations for patrons’ research needs. The library will also feature 30 group study rooms where only six were previously available.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the new library will be the automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The ASRS will house the library’s collections in a five-story rack structure. When an item is requested, a crane moves along the racks, locates the item, and delivers it to a library staff member. This new system is fast, accurate, and decreases the cost of storage for the library. The ASRS represents the first of its kind in Utah libraries.

For all the information and history on the new Merrill-Cazier Library, go to http://library.usu.edu/yournewlibrary.

Dominican Republic Ed. Minister Visits USU
As part of the Presidential Higher Education Program for Superior Students, Dominican Republic Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona made a recent visit to Utah State University. Cardona was accompanied by 56 Dominican Republic students set to begin their college career at USU.

The Presidential Higher Education Program for Superior Students was established to assist Dominican students in attaining an education at Utah State. During the first phase of the program, the Dominican government invested $1.5 million to pay tuition, room, board, and books for the inaugural group of 36 students in June 2000. USU President Stan Albrecht traveled to the Dominican Republic last April to sign the second phase of the program with Dominican President Leonel Fernández Reyna. This new phase will provide $4 million to fund the education of these latest Dominican Aggies.

Minister Amada de Cardona was accompanied by her grandson, Juan Luís Lozada Cardona. Lozada is a USU graduate and president of the newly formed USU Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter.

USU Reacts to Katrina
Hurricane Katrina wrought tremendous devastation to the Gulf Coast and Utah State University is pitching in to help those affected. Lynn Wright, USU’s emergency management coordinator, traveled to Houston with representatives of the Cache Valley Red Cross to help relief efforts there. Also, USU Assistant Professor Kelli Cargile Cook and her husband, Robert, traveled to Camp Williams near Salt Lake City to lend a hand. Refugees from Louisiana and Mississippi are being housed at the facility. Cook kept a record of her experiences at Camp Williams that is available to read at www.usu.edu/features/katrinarelief/campwilliams.cfm.

Donations are currently being accepted for “Katrina Relief” at the USU Service Center. A concert is also being planned during Service Week with all proceeds going to relief efforts. For more information on “Katrina Relief”, visit www.usu.edu/features/katrinarelief.

Aggie Family Day
The Utah State University Alumni Association would like to remind all Aggies of Aggie Family Day on September 24, 2005. Come enjoy a wide variety of activities for kids and adults alike. Stay and cheer the Aggie football team on as they play UNLV that evening. Discount tickets to the game are available for $7 on the Quad during the day’s festivities.

Reminder: Alumni Calendar Photo Contest
Send us your photos of campus and Cache Valley for consideration in the 2006 Alumni Calendar. A negative must be available, but does not need to be sent with submission. Submissions by mail or email are acceptable. The deadline for entry is October 15, 2005. Mail your submissions to:

Utah State University Alumni Association
7500 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322

Email: alumni@cc.usu.edu

Didn't receive your 2005 Alumni Calendar? Become an Alumni Sustaining Member and the calendar is free! Click here for more information.

A student takes a nasty fall from the "bull" in 1968.

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

Classnotes

Obituaries

Chapter News

Cache County Aggie Chapter
September 23, 2005 – Cache County Golf Tournament BYOW (Bring Your Own Wedge) at 6:00 p.m. on Old Main Hill. The cost is $35/person or $140/team and includes golf, barbecue, and Aggie ice cream. Cost for dinner is only is $10/person. For more information or to register call the USU Alumni Center at (435)797-2055.

Athletics

Football Opener Cancelled
The Aggie’s home-opener against Nicholls State was cancelled due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Nicholls State is located in Thibodaux, LA, approximately 66 miles southwest of New Orleans. The game will not be rescheduled. The Aggies have a bye-week and the new season-opener will be against Utah on September 10.

Starting Quarterback Named
Citing consistency, Aggie Football Head Coach Brent Guy announced that his starting quarterback for this season will be Leon Jackson III. Jackson is a sophomore from Long Beach, CA, who played in eight games last year as a backup to Travis Cox. In those games, Jackson completed 26 of 46 passes for 404 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Travel Opportunities Hawaii and Aggie Football - Limited Space Still Available! November 9-15, 2005 Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Hawaii and the thrill of Aggie football at the same time. The Alumni Association invites all Aggies to join them for a five-night stay at the Ohana East Hotel and cheer on the Aggies as they battle the University of Hawaii Rainbows. Acapulco and Mexican Riviera Cruise January 28-February 5, 2006 Sail the beautiful Norwegian Star all the way to Acapulco from Los Angeles and experience Mexico’s vibrant culture along the Mexican Riviera. On this unique 8-day itinerary you can dance all night long in Acapulco, discover the colonial beauty of Puerto Vallarta, dive into the exotic underwater world of Cabo San Lucas and relax on the beaches and boulevards of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. For more information on upcoming alumni travel events, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/travel.html.