USU Announces New Football Coach
Brent Guy has been named as the 25th head football coach at Utah State University it was announced by Aggie athletics director Randy Spetman on Friday.

Guy, a former Utah State assistant coach from 1992-94, has spent the last four seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arizona State.  For the complete story . . .

112th Commencement Ceremonies
The 112th Commencement of Utah State University marks the first time in the school’s history that a graduation ceremony has been held at the conclusion of the Fall semester. The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. All the candidates for graduation will hear their names formally announced and their degrees will be conferred.

For a complete list of the graduation events, visit the USU Commencement webpage.

USU Advancement Hub Opening in Salt Lake City
To assist in Utah State University’s continuing efforts to better connect with alumni, a new university hub has been established at the Wells Fargo Center in Salt Lake City. To celebrate the opening of this new office, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 15 on the second floor lobby. Aggie ice cream will be served to the public from noon until 2 p.m., with the ribbon cutting taking place at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

As reported in September, this new hub will house Vice President for Advancement M. Scott Mietchen, a small staff, and even a shop selling Aggie merchandise. This office was designed to enhance the relationships with the fifty thousand USU alums living in and around the Salt Lake area.

Snowmen at Night
Some may call it destiny when you look at the lives and careers of Mark and Caralyn Buehner. Mark is a renowned illustrator of children’s books, while Caralyn is an equally accomplished author. Both attended Utah State University. Mark graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in art.

Growing up in Salt Lake City, each of the Buehners discovered their respective talents early in life. By the time she was teenager, Caralyn had won state and national awards for her writing. Mark started drawing as soon as he was big enough to hold a pencil.

"I’ve been told that I learned to walk by holding a pencil; maybe that’s where this illustrating thing got started!” explains Mark. “One of my earliest memories is my father drawing pictures for me in church.”

Together, they have collaborated on seven published books for children. In 2002, the Buehner’s published their hugely popular collaboration, Snowmen at Night. This story follows a young boy’s imagination as he wonders what really happens to snowmen when night falls. Mark’s rich illustrations and Caralyn’s simple and beautiful language bring the town’s snowmen to life for adults and children alike.

Utah's Carnegie Professor of the Year Named
Over the last 10 years Utah State University has won the Carnegie Foundation Utah Professor of the Year award seven times. This year Utah State has the honor of continuing that pattern of excellence through the bestowment of the Carnegie Foundation Utah Professor of the Year award to Dr. Bonnie Glass-Coffin.

For the full story, click here.

New Program for Alumni Announced
Part of the USU Alumni Association's mission is to bring the best programs and services to all Aggies world-wide. As part of this mission, the Alumni Association is proud to announce the recent partnership with Washington Mutual. This new program is available for all alumni.

Washington Mutual offers USU alumni $350 off closing costs, no origination fees, 1/8th point off consumer loans and Home Equity lines or loans, and fast loan decisions. In addition to discounts on home loans, you can also take advantage of other great Washington Mutual benefits such as discounts on checking accounts, savings accounts and more. Call them toll free at
(888) 708-2825, visit them online or stop by a local Financial Center today to learn more!

Back to the Buzzer

The USU Army ROTC out on a field exercise in 1953

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

We invite you to check out the new Classnotes section of the alumni website.  Included are some recent postings.  Please feel free to add some of your own.  Click here to view the Classnotes web page.

Obituaries

Click here to view the Obituaries section of the alumni website.  This is a new project to keep alumni informed.  If you are aware of related news please send your information to alumni@cc.usu.edu.

Chapter News

Salt Lake County Aggie Chapter
January 21, 2005 – Utah Grizzlies game
April 2005 – “To Kill A Mockingbird” at the Hale Center Theatre
June 20, 2005 – Utah/SLC Chapter Golf Tournament at Thanksgiving Point
August 2005 – Family Swim and Aggie Ice Cream Night

Utah County Aggie Chapter
December 18, 2004 – Ice Cream Social and USU vs. BYU Basketball game
February 11, 2005 – Sweetheart Dinner at the Utah County Rotunda Ballroom
June 20, 2005 – Utah/SLC Chapter Golf Tournament at Thanksgiving Point
July 16, 2005 – Aggie Family Swim Night at the Scera Pool

Note: More information on these events will be forthcoming.

Athletics

LaVell Edwards
LaVell Edwards may be best known for turning the Brigham Young University football team into a national powerhouse. Perhaps not as well known is the fact that Edwards was an Aggie long before he was a Cougar.

Coach LaVell Edwards was recently inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame for his stellar career at BYU. After taking over Cougar football in 1972, Edwards led the team to a 257-101-3 record, which included 20 conference titles, 13 bowl games, and a national title. He also mentored a number of prominent football players, such as Steve Young and Jim McMahon.

Before heading to Provo, however, Edwards’ blood was a darker shade of blue. He graduated from Utah State University in 1952 with a degree in Physical Education. Edwards also lettered three times while playing on the USU football team (1949, 1950, and 1951). In 1984, the same year he guided BYU to a national title, Edwards was honored as the USU Alumnus of the Year. He is also a member of the HPER Hall of Fame.

Coaches Luncheon Schedule

Check out utahstateaggies.com for the latest news and information about Aggie Athletics.

Travel Opportunities Panama Canal Cruise February 6-15, 2005 Sail aboard the Coral Princess to visit the ports of Limon, Grand Cayman, Belize and Cozumel and marvel at the wondrous Panama Canal on the 10-day adventure. Branson, Missouri May 10-15, 2005 Enjoy the excitement of Branson, Missouri while seeing shows by Andy Williams, the Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds and more. An optional extension is also offered, visiting the historical sites of Nauvoo (extension dates: May 15-18, 2005). Norwegian Fjords Cruise July 29-August 9, 2005 This 7 day cruise departs Copenhagen, Denmark and visits Norwegian ports including Flam, Bergen, and Oslo while also sailing the beautiful fjords.   For more information on upcoming alumni travel events, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/travel.html.