Community

Weber State alumna, businesswoman and civic leader Kearston Cutrubus was elected as chair of the university’s Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting on Aug. 9.

Karla Bergeson, a retired corporate legal counsel for Citigroup, was elected as vice chair. It’s the first time two women have served together in the leadership positions of the board, which advocates for the university and advises the president on issues such as budget, programs, personnel and planning.

Cutrubus, who was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2016, and has served as vice chair since 2017, thanked the board for its confidence in her leadership.

“I’m honored and humbled to serve as chair of the Weber State University Board of Trustees,” Cutrubus said. “I look forward to working with an incredible team of trustees, WSU leadership, faculty and staff who endeavor to collaborate with the community, businesses, Hill Air Force Base, and each other, to ensure that the students and their education are the top priority.”

Cutrubus is the customer and community relations director for her family’s multiple automotive dealerships in northern Utah. She serves on various boards and committees for community organizations, including the Top of Utah Military Affairs Executive Committee, YCC (Your Community Connection), the WSU Wildcat Club Executive Board and many others.

Cutrubus succeeds Nolan Karras, who has led the board as chair since 2016.

Ogden native, Karla Bergeson, was appointed to the board in 2017. She is the former executive vice president and deputy general counsel for Citigroup’s credit card business in the U.S., where she worked for 23 years before retiring. Throughout her career, Bergeson supported higher education in northern Utah. In 2017, she received an honorary degree from Weber State and delivered the commencement address.

Eight of the university’s 10 trustees are appointed by Utah’s governor and approved by the Utah Senate before being sworn in. Appointees are eligible to serve two four-year terms.

Two new members are expected to join the board officially at its next meeting in September: Keith Titus, president and CEO of MarketStar, an Ogden-based global sales organization, is also a member of Weber State’s National Advisory Council. Brent Bishop is the founder of Greenbacks All-a-Dollar and co-founder of Franklin Covey.

Other appointed members of the board include Amanda Covington, Louenda Downs, Karen Fairbanks and Donald Salazar.

Weber State student body president, Ben Ferney, and Alumni Association president Curtis Funk, which are not appointed positions, serve one- and two-year terms respectively.

Visit weber.edu/PresidentsOffice/Trustees for more information about the Board of Trustees.

This Mural will be representing inclusivity and a sense of belonging during special community ceremony. MarketStar, one of Ogden’s largest private employers, has partnered with the Ogden Downtown Alliance and local artist Cole Eisenhour to present “You Belong,” a new painted mural celebrating diversity and inclusivity in downtown Ogden.

A community ceremony will be held on August 6 at 6:00 p.m. to introduce the mural and celebrate the vibrancy and diversity within Ogden. Keith Titus, MarketStar Chief Executive Officer, Kim Bowsher, Ogden Downtown Alliance Executive Director, and local artist Cole Eisenhour will give remarks during the event. Community members will have the opportunity to create art, enjoy local food trucks, and listen to live music from Ogden’s own Cherry Thomas. This community celebration is also part of the Ogden City First Friday Art Stroll, which happens the first Friday of every month throughout the year

The mural, painted on the south side of the company’s parking structure, is representative of MarketStar’s dedication to building and maintaining an inclusive culture within the communities in which the 33-year-old company does business. The theme of the mural, “You Belong,” is taken from one of the company’s six core values.

The mural will now become a prominent part of Ogden’s downtown art scene thanks to collaborative funding from the MarketStar Foundation, RAMP and the Ogden Downtown Alliance.

The mural kicks off the first of many community-oriented projects MarketStar has in store for their communities this summer. It is significant because of the partnership it represents with the company’s home city of Ogden.

Weber State University’s Center for Community Education (CEC) invites the community to the Food FUNding & Your Future Carnival at 2605 Monroe Blvd., Aug. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

This event will give students and their families the opportunity to learn about scholarship and financial aid options available to them at Weber State. Experts will be on hand to help students with applications on the spot. Applicants will need to bring identification and estimated gross annual income information. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students are encouraged to attend.

“You can also explore educational programs from badges and certificates to degrees to secure a better future in just a few months,” said Niki Tonks, marketing manager for the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics.

Spanish and English speakers will be on hand to answer questions.

The carnival will have a number of activities to entertain family and friends, including lawn games. Hokulia, a local food vendor, will hand out free shaved ice as long as supplies last. Participants may visit various booths from Weber State organizations and learn about different activities and services.

Along with financial information and assistance, the CEC offers a variety of services including English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for non-native speakers. The Weber-Morgan Health Department is also offering COVID vaccine clinics on Mondays and Wednesdays in August from 1-8 p.m.

This carnival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fb.me/e/159yqLVPN.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Contact:

Niki Tonks, Goddard School of Business & Economics marketing manager
801-626-7397 • nikitonks@weber.edu

Author:

Melissa Smith, Marketing & Communications
801-626-6348 • melissasmith9@weber.edu

Ogden, Utah joins national mountain town partnership Pledge for the Wild! Visit Ogden announced their partnership with Pledge for the Wild on June 2, 2021. This collaboration is an opportunity for Visit Ogden to further its efforts to promote responsible tourism to Weber County.

Pledge for the Wild encompasses a number of mountain towns around the country committed to supporting responsible tourism and building awareness around opportunities to directly give back to the wild places in these iconic mountain towns. Whether you’re a visitor or resident frequenting your favorite local adventure spot, Pledge for the Wild encourages users to pause and consider who supports and cares for these wild places day-to-day.

Visit Ogden will launch an outreach campaign titled Wild4Ogden, to encourage participation in the Pledge for the Wild program. In addition to sharing outdoor principles and responsible tourism tips, through Wild4Ogden, Visit Ogden will create a direct channel to give back locally through online or text-to-donate options with their selected community non-profit partner, Trails Foundation Northern Utah (TFNU). Each donation is sent directly to TFNU so 100% of donations made in Weber County, stay in Weber County.

Those wishing to participate, can donate to TFNU by texting WILD4OGDEN to 44321 or by visiting www.visitogden.com/wild4ogden/ . Participants can also learn more about how they can take care of our wild places or purchase a series of four (4) special edition, vintage-style Weber County outdoor recreation posters at this same website. The posters will be available for purchase at the Visit Ogden office starting Monday June 14, 2021. A portion of the proceeds of each poster sale will be donated to the Trails Foundation of Northern Utah.

“We are excited to have Ogden join this notable group of mountain towns supporting responsible tourism in wild places, per the Pledge for the Wild mantra. We know how special our wild spaces are and want to provide resources to support the protection and maintenance of them for future generations to continue to enjoy,” said Sara Toliver, president/CEO of Visit Ogden.

Visit Ogden encourages all to consider a $1 donation for every mile of trail used, or every hour of time spent in our wild places. These small donations add up and make a real difference!

About Pledge for the Wild: Pledge for the Wild is proactively sharing outdoor principles and responsible tourism tips while creating a direct channel to give back locally through online donation or text-to-donate. Each donation is sent directly to the community non-profit partner of choice. Bend donations stay in Bend, Steamboat donations stay in Steamboat, and so on.

Visit https://www.pledgewild.com/ for more information and a complete list of participating communities.

About Trails Foundation of Northern Utah (TFNU): Trails Foundation of Northern Utah builds trails that create culture where all have places to walk, run and ride as they enjoy nature and connect with their neighbors in the greater Weber County area. The mission of TFNU is to plan, construct, and protect a network of public pathways, trails, and related open spaces for non-motorized users throughout the greater Weber County area.

Visit www.tfnu.org for more information.

Photo Credit: Jay Dash

The annual Lindquist Family Symphony Pops and Fireworks will attract thousands of people to Weber State University, July 18 from 9-11 p.m.

Now in its 42nd year, the celebrations are a welcome return to normal after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic. Initiated by John A. and Telitha E. Lindquist in 1978, the Lindquist Pops is a longstanding tradition in northern Utah that brings the community together each year. John E. Lindquist, President of Lindquist Mortuaries and Cemeteries in Ogden, proudly continues this tradition.

“We are so grateful to the Lindquist family for continuing the tradition of the Lindquist Pops Concert, said President Brad Mortensen. “After all that we have endured as individuals and a community during the pandemic, coming together to celebrate provides real evidence of turning the pandemic corner. We are happy to bring a wonderful community together again on our beautiful campus for a joyous celebration.”

The New American Philharmonic, directed by Shannon Roberts, will provide a free 60-minute concert beginning at 9 p.m. at the Ada Lindquist Plaza. The performance will include a selection of patriotic music, featuring Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with a battery of 16 cannons provided by Cannoneers of the Wasatch to accompany. The group has provided the cannons each year for the concert since it started in 1978.

At approximately 10 p.m., attendees will enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays in Utah, accompanied by the symphony. Due to drought conditions, extra precautions are being exercised with this year’s fireworks display, including the possibility of canceling the show if wind and weather conditions pose threats.

Several food trucks will be on hand to sell drinks and refreshments.

On-campus parking and seating will be available, but may be limited due to ongoing construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through campus. The roundabouts off Harrison Boulevard and Dixon Drive will be closed to traffic. Access to campus will be through Edvalson Street, Skyline Drive, and Birch and Taylor avenues.

Guests traveling in motor homes or larger vehicles are encouraged to park on the east side of campus near Stewart Stadium. The Dee Events Center also offers additional parking.

To minimize damage to the grounds, attendees may not leave blankets or chairs to save spaces before July 17 at 6 p.m. Items placed on the lawn prior to that time will be removed. Tarps, stakes and tent pegs are not allowed due to safety concerns and will be removed. No personal fireworks or pets will be allowed on campus, with the exception of service animals. Spectators are asked to clean up their area and drive with courtesy and caution following the event.

D.L. Evans Bank has announced the 2021 Employee Directed Donation Initiative. This donation initiative gives D.L. Evans Bank employees an opportunity to nominate their favorite non-profit organizations in Idaho and Utah to receive a donation from D.L. Evans Bank. D.L. Evans Bank also added an additional 5% to each total in the employee’s name.

A donation in the amount of $1575 was made to CAPSA nominated by David Mumm, Logan Vice president Branch Manager. CAPSA is a non-profit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center that serves the Cache County and Bear Lake area. With a mission to “provide safe, caring, and confidential shelter, advocacy, and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to reduce incidents of abuse through prevention education.” Their vision is to end domestic violence in the community while empowering survivors, safe homes, and children living without fear.

Pictured from left to right: Brian Anderson (D.L. Evans Bank Assistant Vice President Commercial Loan Officer), Halle Wilson (D.L .Evans Bank Teller), Tyler Alleman (CAPSA Board Member), Scott Souter (D.L. Evans Bank Vice President Commercial Loan Officer), Makenna Anderson (D.L. Evans Bank Personal Banker), David Mumm (D.L. Evans Bank Vice President Logan Branch Manager), and Justin Shaw (D.L. Evans Bank Operations Supervisor).

The Annual City Celebrations are back! As summer continues, surrounding towns are celebrating their heritage! Click the links for more information on events and happenings in each town.

West Haven Days – June 24 – 26
Pleasant View Founders Day – June 26
Farr West Freedom Festival – July 2 – 5
Plain City July 4th Celebration – July 2 – 4

North Ogden Cherry Day – July 3
Huntsville Independence Day Celebration – July 3
Marriot-Slaterville Independence Day Celebration – July 4
Riverdale Old Glory Day – July 5
Ogden Pioneer Days – July 20 – 24
Roy Days – August 6 – 7
Ogden Valley Ballon Festival – August 16 – 18
Hooper Tomato Days – September 3 – 6

As the weekend is coming closer, we are thrilled to announce a revamp of one of our bike trails that is accessible now! The Squirrel Downhill Bike Trail located near the base area has been revamped by our trail crew the last few weeks and you can now give it a try. You can access it just above the Wildcat Parking Lot and it flows down through the trees to come out near the bottom of the Earl’s Parking Lots.

This past winter our new access ski trail to Canyon Rim Parking went directly through a large portion of the old Squirrel downhill bike trail. So this spring our Trail Crew has been busy building two new sections of trails built to allow the Squirrel trail to reopen with a better flow. There is a new optional rock drop on the lower section of the trail, that will offer a more advanced route. The revamped Squirrel Trail is open for guests to enjoy and well marked. You can access it near the Wildcat Parking Lot. This is the first trail maintenance ever done with our new mini excavator and operator. With this trail revamped, we will continue to work on improving the biking experience around Snowbasin. In the next few weeks our team will be focusing on the upper Needles Trail as the snow melts before we open for biking for summer operations.

Remember Needles Gondola opens for summer operations on Saturday, June 12th.

A donation amount of $5,250 was made to Utah Certified Development Company (CDC) nominated by Senior Vice President Utah Area Manager Bruce Ashcroft. The Utah CDC works as a partner with the SBA and a and a private-sector lender to assist small businesses in financing up to 90% of the purchase of long-term fixed assets, such as land, building (existing and new construction), and equipment. The purpose of this program is to contribute to the economic development of the community through job creation and contribution to public policy goals. The first goal the Utah CDC has is to assist in the expansion of existing businesses looking yo increase their operations. The second goal is to assist new businesses/employers who have found sound financial and management skills to increase the over all business base.

Pictured from left to right: Nicki Richards (Utah CDC Accounting Manager), Todd Madsen (Utah CDC Loan Underwriter), Rob Richards (Utah CDC President and Chief Executive Officer), Bruce Ashcroft (D.L. Evans Bank Senior Vice President Utah Area Manager), Caryl Eriksson (Utah CDC Senior Vice President Chief Operations Officer), Jadree Lehosky (Utah CDC Loan Assistant), Mikel Bowman (Utah CDC Senior Vice President Credit Manager), Janae Jones (Utah CDC Loan Processor), Jaylene Derring (Utah CDC Vice President Closing Officer), Kristy Torres (Utah CDC Executive Assistant), Dixie Spitale (Utah CDC Portfolio Manager).

Big-D Construction recently completed its 20th project for Lindquist Mortuaries, with its newest location in Syracuse, Utah. The 12,850-square-foot building continues the long and productive partnership between Big-D Construction and Lindquist and matches the distinguished Roy mortuary previously built by Big-D for Lindquist in 2004.

The new mortuary is located at 869 South 2000 West in Syracuse. While the build presented various unique challenges along the way, including a pandemic, Big-D partnered with several local subcontractors on the project to ultimately deliver the finished venture along with Frank N. Murdock Jr. Architect and Associates, all of whom greatly contributed to the new, high-quality mortuary.

“Big-D has an excellent eye for details and has always delivered on its projects for us by building first-rate mortuaries,” said Lindquist president John E. Lindquist. “Big-D continually adds value by fulfilling our expectations, on time and within budget. We look forward to our continued partnership with them as Lindquist continues to expand to meet our community’s needs.”

The partnership has been a long and prosperous one between both parties, dating back more than 35 years. Big-D has helped Lindquist expand to nine locations with this most recent Syracuse addition.

“Lindquist is one of our best customers and has been for over 35 years,” said Forrest McNabb, president of Big-D Construction Northern Utah. “We’ve had an excellent working relationship with John E. Lindquist and his entire team that’s allowed both organizations to achieve their goals and provide for the local community of Northern Utah.”

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Weber State Welcomes New Trustee Leadership

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