TIPOFF IS 4:45 PM (MDT). The Utah State men’s basketball team plays Washington in NCAA Tournament first-round action at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The nationally-televised (TNT) Midwest Regional matchup pits the eighth-seeded Aggies (28-6, Mountain West champs) against the ninth-seeded Huskies (26-8, Pac-12 regular-season champs). The winner will meet either top-seeded North Carolina or 16th-seeded Iona on Sunday, March 24.

Go Aggies!

Rare is the event that speaks the heart of an Aggie more eloquently than Founders Day and the Old Main Society banquet. Founders Day marks the anniversary of the university’s inception, and the Old Main Society honors USU’s most generous donors.

For years, the university observed these signature celebrations as separate events. This year, however, signaled a return to earlier tradition, one that embraces the events not as independent occasions, but rather as two stanzas of the same poem. Indeed, USU has provided students with rich educational experiences and life-enhancing opportunities for 131 years, but this good work would not have been possible without the contributions and leadership of our generous donors.

This year, the Old Main Society welcomed 161 inductees, a record inspired in part by the addition of the new Heritage level to honor those who document a society-level planned gift to USU. The March 8 event was attended by more than 340 members, donors, friends, and alumni.

2019 Awards

Old Main Society Awards

New Generation Award: Justin and Jocelyn Hamilton
Emeriti Award: Larry and Helen Cannon
Spirit of Old Main Award: Scott and Michele Watterson

Founders Day Awards

Distinguished Service Award: Peter Q. Lawson
Distinguished Service Award: David B. Lee

Over 3,300 strong, Old Main Society members throughout the world leverage their time, talent, influence, and resources to benefit Utah State University. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make Utah State such a great institution.

Betty Miller understood, as very few can, the wonders of plant life. A master gardener, she propagated prize-winning tea roses, chrysanthemums, and irises; and she shared a lifetime of wisdom with backyard amateurs and seasoned horticulturalists alike.

Though Betty passed away recently, her legacy lives on. Her children established the Betty Miller Family Endowment to provide scholarships for future master gardeners and to sustain the community demonstration gardens at USU Extension in Cedar City. Betty cared for plants and continues to care for people through her gift.

Thanks, Betty, for making gardening and giving so personal.

Pamela and I finally became True Aggies as we kissed atop the Block A during Homecoming 2018—51 years to the very day that I proposed to her and gave her a ring.

Thank you for sending the photo of our kiss in front of the cheering crowd. What a surprise! I have really never been applauded for anything before, but my wife, the former Pamela Harwood (class of 1967), certainly has had the experience.

Thanks for your kindness and the sweet expressions from all the students. It was just lovely. The experience reassured us that here in Cache Valley we are really something! Homecoming was wonderful. Thank you.

Most sincerely,
Stephen and Pamela Done

Spring is a great time to take a look at your estate plan. It’s important to periodically review those plan documents, and most lawyers would probably encourage you to check in with them every three to five years.

I’ve found, though, that I’m much more likely to forget tasks that aren’t scheduled at least annually. Birthdays and holidays can be great reminders to get new windshield wipers on the car, but breaking out the will on a birthday might not exactly feed the festive atmosphere.

Some people I know make an estate plan review part of their annual tax preparation to concentrate the irksome tasks into one week. Others include a review as part of preparing for their annual vacation, finding that knowing everything is set makes their travel more relaxing and care-free.

Whenever you find works best, here are three questions to start you thinking:

• Is my situation different now because of my health, a move, relationship change, financial transition, or new laws?
• Does my plan still accomplish what I want for my children, grandchildren, parents, and others I care for?
• Can I still depend on those I’ve selected to help after I’m gone?

Some Aggies find that their estate plans give them options for helping USU that they otherwise wouldn’t have. If there’s something you’d like to accomplish with your resources that would be meaningful to you, we can help you make it happen. Give us a call (435) 797-7191 or visit usugiftlegacy.org. Have a great spring!

Karin Hardy is the newest member of the USU advancement team. She brings more than 18 years of fundraising experience to our portfolio, the last 10 of which as the Director of Planned Giving for the University of Utah.

At the U, Karin also worked for KUED Channel 7, the J. Willard Marriott Library, and the Department of Communication, where she was adjunct instructor of media law. She worked previously at the Ford Foundation in New York City and practiced law in Utah before transitioning to the nonprofit sector.

Karin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Utah and a law degree from Brigham Young University. In 2016, the Utah chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized her with its Outstanding Development Officer Award.

Ben Stahmann, Senior Director of Gift Planning at USU, reports,“Karin has been quite the coup for us. She is a star talent, and it is a pleasure to announce that her skill, insight, and judgment now serve Utah State University and our good donors.”

Karin is originally from Salt Lake and is a member of the Utah State Bar. Discover more at usugiftlegacy.org.

Jonathan Young is an accomplished philanthropist, explorer, dreamer, husband, and father. He joins Alumni Engagement as the Director of Annual Giving. Jonathan worked previously with LDS philanthropies where he fine-tuned a talent for connecting people with amazing giving opportunities in higher education.

As a student, Jonathan was an energetic campus leader both at CEU (now USU Eastern) and USU. A strong work ethic and a few timely leadership scholarships helped Jonathan earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007.

“Generous donors made my education possible. Their kindness inspires my efforts each day to help others give back, to help others create the same kind of impact on a student’s life that my benefactors had on mine. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

In his new role, Jonathan oversees unrestricted giving to the university, including the USU Annual Fund, Aggie Funded, Phonathon, and other programs in the works. Please join with him in helping students reach their educational dreams at USU.

Share your pic with us!

We’re always on the prowl for creative Aggie plates! Here are a few of our favorites since our last issue of Aggie Insights. If you’re in Utah, you can get your own A-plates for just $25 a year. Your contribution supports USU students through the USU Legacy Scholarship.

Want to Ace the Interview? Know the organization.

Your career search begins before you ever write a resume or cover letter. It begins the moment you develop a relationship with someone inside the organization. As a recruiter from Rio Tinto once explained, “Prospective employees must thoroughly research the company so they can discuss who we are, what we do, and how their skills apply.”

Visit Career Services for more information about researching employers and meeting with one of our career coaches to expand your interviewing success!

I worked on campus for ten years after finishing my master's degree in elementary education. I enjoyed the ambience and excitement of campus life, but after retirement I felt separated from it. At this time, I have been a member of the USU Emeriti Association for 15 years now, and it has been a really good experience. I joined the association when I married my husband who was already a member. The Emeriti group has kept me aware of campus research, projects, and happenings. The association also has given me an exceptional group of good friends.

When my husband passed away three years ago, I evaluated if I should continue. I wondered about going to activities without my husband. I am glad that I made the choice to continue. Having a nice meal—one I didn't have to prepare myself—once a month is, of course, a welcome plus. USU parking is another benefit. But what has been way more advantageous are the programs and activities we hold each month.

This year, we have heard a presentation on the “Challenges of Research in Mongolia,” a study about the “Ethics of Journalism,” and a report on “Diving for Geological Climate records.” Coach Rich Gordin stimulated a good conversation about “Preparing U.S. Olympic Athletes.” Another really fascinating presentation taught us about “Spider Silk Research and Application.” At least twice a year, the Emeriti are privileged to attend performances by such groups as the Fry Street Quartet, the Westminster Bell Choir, and the Utah Festival Opera.

The last several years I have had the opportunity to serve on the Emeriti Counsel, which serves diligently to ensure that the organization provides fellowship for its members and that it responds to members suggestions for programs and activities.

This brings me to one very important reason I have chosen to remain a member of the Emeriti Association. We sponsor and raise funds to support one of the rare few USU scholarship awarded to Sophomores. It is a very personal way of paying back to students who need financial help to continue their educations after they have demonstrated academic ability in their freshman year. For more information about how you can join with us in making a difference, please visit our website.

What brings a student to Logan, Utah, particularly if that student lives outside the state? Well, for ten current Aggies from one high school in Redmond, Washington, the answer is simple. Family.

“The transition from living at home to living on your own and starting college becomes a lot easier when you have a solid support system,” says Sidney von Niederhausern. “Because my dad grew up in Logan, I had visited at least once a year my entire life, so Logan felt like a second home to me.”

Each Redmond Aggie was attracted to the numerous opportunities for student involvement and the positive vibes that surround the university and the Cache Valley community. Two had grandfathers who attended USU, but only Spencer and Sidney’s parents attended.

“My dad had a huge impact on at least half of our classmates’ college decisions. His passion and career accomplishments that resulted from his USU education showed us all that we could have the same success.”

Spencer, Tristan, and Maddie were also very influential to the group, since they had already made their decisions to attend. The others followed suit, content in the knowledge that there would be familiar, friendly faces on campus.

While their individual focuses at USU are diverse—chemistry, student committees, Greek life, business administration, women’s clubs, journalism, volleyball team—they remain a tight-knit family because of their shared experiences in one small Washington neighborhood and at one great Utah University. Go Redmond! Go Aggies!