USU Institutes December Graduation
It’s been a long time coming, but students graduating in December will finally have a commencement of their own.  For years, thousands of students who finished their degree requirements in December had to wait until the spring to participate in the traditional commencement ceremony.

“Commencement is the culmination of their time here at Utah State, but for some students it has been inconvenient to return for the event,” Assistant Provost Sydney Peterson said.  “We hope that adding a December commencement will allow more students to participate.  We want every one of them to take part in the celebration!”

Students graduating in December will receive a certificate of commencement at the ceremony, with their diplomas reaching them by mail at a later date.  There will be a student speaker and college valedictorians, but no honorary degrees or faculty awards will be presented.  The processional route, due to weather concerns, has yet to be determined.

The commencement ceremonies are scheduled for December 18 in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Aggie Pride in Iraq
USU Aggies of the 115th Engineer Group, Utah National Guard, in southern Iraq recently requested an Aggie banner from the Alumni Office to hang in Camp Adder.  The mission of the 115th Engineer Group is rebuilding infrastructure throughout the Dhi Qar province.  This includes completing the construction of Highway 1 that connects Kuwait and Baghdad.  The 115th EN GP has worked with Iraqi engineers to rebuild schools and public utilities and is working on expanding Camp Adder for future rotations of American and other Coalition Forces.

USU Aggies of the 115th EN GP pose before the Ziggurat, temple of the Moon God, near the ancient city of Ur in Mesopotamia.

Back row from left to right: CSM Sid Cardon (att 66, 69) MAJ Scott Reading, (PhD, 01’, COS) LTC Robert Dunton (88’ BS, CNR), MAJ Lynn Hinckley (BS 78, MS 94, CE &HS), SPC Aaron Matthews (att 03) and CPT Patrick Osmond (BS 92,’ CHA& SS). Front row from left to right: LTC Don Summit (BS 85’, MS 90’, CE), SGT Ron Hammond (att 69-72), and SPC Ashley Phillips (att 03’). Not shown: CPT Dan Dygert (96’ BS,CHA &SS), MAJ Joel Miller (97’ MS, CHA & SS), SPC Thomas Dannenberg (att 03’)

“The Aggie banner arrived and was the envy of U and BYU fans here,” reported LTC Robert Dunton.  “I have posted a guard on it to ensure its well being.”  The Aggie banner was used in a ceremony on September 11 to honor the soldiers who have served in the conflict.  The dozen Aggies in this group have decided to sign the banner and return it to the Alumni Center when they come home next spring.  Hopefully, Aggies in other units will also participate.

Sheikh Mott of the Al Toba tribe and LTC Robert Dunton

“Most of the people in the picture were tribal members. The Sheikh is holding a coin, that we gave him. There is a tradition in the military to give out unit coins to soldiers and leaders that have served in the unit.”

Soldiers of the 115th have developed a good working relationship with the local tribal leaders and Iraqi police officers. 

COL Willis and Command Sergeant Major Sidney Cardon appear with Iraqi Police

A ceremony was held recently to honor many of the policemen.  “The Iraqi Police are very brave men that put their lives and their families’ lives in harms way daily,” he said. 

When asked how we can help, LTC Dunton replied, "We have received so much support from so many wonderful people in Utah that we decided to use many of the supplies for the tribes and the orphans in An Nasiriyah.”

“Logan and Utah are never far from our thoughts," said Dunton via email, "and hopefully AFN (Armed Forces Network) will give the Aggies some air time this fall.”

Homecoming Honorees
Vernon Maughan Buehler - Homecoming Grand Marshall
Vernon Maughan Buehler’s formal education began in a rural two-room schoolhouse and continued at Utah State Agricultural College.  There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, as well as a reserve officer commission as a second lieutenant.

Upon his leaving the army as a colonel, Vern returned to Logan and Utah State University as Associate Professor of Business Administration.  He was later promoted to Professor and Assistant Dean.  In 1970, he founded the College of Business Partners Program.  Vernon directed this program, which brings business, academic, and government leaders to USU for lectures and seminars, until his retirement in 1989.

Following his wife’s death in 1990, Vern became a consultant at Weber State University ’s School of Business, working with its international programs.  It was this service that led to his acceptance of a UN professorship at an academy in southern Poland in 1991.  During the 1990’s, Vern served as a volunteer professor in Poland, the Ukraine and Russia, as well as consulting in Thailand.

Among the many awards he has received are membership in the prestigious Cosmos Club, the Legion of Merit and the Commendation Medal.  Utah State University honored Vern with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1989 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2001.

David G. Sant - 2004 Alumnus of the Year
David G. Sant has never forgotten where he came from.   After growing up in Preston, ID, David attended Utah State University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering.  Since his graduation in 1964, he has made a lasting impact on the telecommunications and computer industry.  David has worked for IBM, Rolm, VMX, Stratacom, and numerous other start-ups.

Through the years, David has done much to support USU.  He has said that it was the time that he gave back to the university that helped him succeed in his life.  David has donated a significant amount of time and money to the College of Engineering.  He has served as a member for the College of Engineering’s campaign steering committee, as well as donating countless volunteer hours to various fundraising efforts.  So great has been his support that the third floor of the new Engineering Building has been named the David G. and Diann L. Sant Student Success Center.

But David’s generosity spreads beyond the borders of the College of Engineering.  Recently, a letter reached David from a young Ogden woman whom he didn’t know.   The letter explained the woman’s difficulty in paying the hospital bills for her infant son who suffers from a severe brain disorder.   After one phone conversation, David wrote out a check to pay the boy’s medical expenses.  In addition, David recently assisted with a scholarship fund designed to help the children of soldiers killed in Iraq.

Now semi-retired, Sant consults for firms seeking venture capital.

Free USU Screensaver
Just a reminder to download your free USU screensaver!  Simply click here and then hit “save”.  Please note:  This is a safe source.

Back to the Buzzer

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

More information on these events will be forthcoming.

Salt Lake County Aggie Chapter
January 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

Athletics

Former Volleyball Player Named NCAA Woman of the Year
For the first time in Aggie Athletics, a USU student-athlete has been named the NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Utah . Former USU volleyball player Erin Cartwright-Davis was honored with the award, which recognizes outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leadership, and have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility. Cartwright-Davis was chosen from 276 candidates from all over Utah .

During her playing days, Cartwright-Davis was a two-time All-Big West selection, a two-time all-academic honoree, and the 2002 and 2003 Big West Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was also named an honorable mention All-American in 2003. This marked the first time in 23 years an Aggie had received All-American honors.

Women's Football Clinic
Women, come learn all you ever wanted to know about the game of football! Utah State ’s Big Blue Club is sponsoring an Aggie Women’s Football Clinic on October 14, 2004 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

The clinic is free of charge and will be held on the turf at Romney Stadium. All aspects of the game will be covered: learn the plays, learn the rules, learn the skills, and also meet the coaches and players

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Aggie football.  (In case of bad weather the clinic location will be moved to the Stan Laub Center.)

 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 19-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.