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Show "' THE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL • S0UTH£ltN UTAH UNIVERSITY • MONDAYt NOVEMBER 17, 1997 THE CAMPUS Bennion inaugurated (continued from page 1} inaugurations aren 't just about the investment of power, but the way we as a community show appreciation for this university. "Steve is up to the challenge of leading this university, not only to launch a new century, a new millennium, but to carry forward the great tradition of this institution," said Leavitt. Steven R. Covey, co-chairman of the Franklin Covey company, and founder of the Covey Leadership Center, offered the inaugural address. "This university, founded by uncommon men and women, carries the legacy of superior standards, strong tradition, and the ideal that nothing is impossible," he said. Covey s uggested that vision, passion and discipline rule the world. He spoke with a passion about the importance these three factors are in leaving a legacy behind because anyone who adds value, anyone who carries stewardship successfull y utilizes them. · "What a legacy for them who make the sacrifices, who suffer, who care, to leave behind," he said about those who fi nd a cause and make it their mission to accomplish. Covey said he believes that everyone can detect in their own soul their mission to further the larger cause. Each person can as k: 'What will be my cause? What will I be will ing to pay the price for?' " Bennion has done this soul scarching ... the power of this sweet and brilliant man with a vision to create a culture that is embedded in the minds and hearts of everyone is great," he said. Covey offered that because Bennion has this vision, he will be able to lead SUU into the future, because he has a power to help students realize how they can change the futu re. Through the extracurricular activities on campus to increase leadership abilities and through the learning in the classroom, SUU students will lead on into the future with goals, with visions, with direction, he said. -Covey challenged each member of the audience to get a vision and develop a mission. He addressed the students about the "incredible opportunity to prepare, to bless the future. Don't take the shortcuts, decide what you want now, and accomplish it." He also cited President Emeritus Gerald R. Sherratt history of the fo unding of the university. The story, he said, is full of passion, vision and discipline. Following Covey's address, Regent Kenneth G. Anderton, chairman of the Utah State Board of Regents too k the floor and offered the officia l charge and investiture. "This is an historic day for an institution so Luncheon, tours, displays cap big day The events of Friday's inauguration ceremony lasted throughout the.day with a luncheon, reception, display fair, student performances, and campus tours. Acclamation and various-student performers took the stage and energetically entertained guests, friends, family, and students gathered in the ballroom following the convocation for a luncheon with the day's honoree, SUU President Steven rich in his tory and heritage ...of the 109 candidates for the position of this university's president, Bennion was chosen because of his unique qualifications for this job, and he is prepared to lt!ad SUU in to the 21st century," Anderton said. The formal charges were for Bennion to see that teachers serving students is first priority, to always be sensitive, to have a strong advocacy to maintain faculty-student relations, to encourage greater awareness, to find ways to increase campus funding efficiently, to offer more scholarship opportunities, to see that faculty and staff are productive, and to carry along the universal ideas of the past and move SUU into the future with excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship. With the end of the fonnal charges, Bennion was officially sworn in as president of Southern Utah University. "I heartily accept your charges, and to the SUU students, faculty, my family and friends I than k you for yo ur support," said the new president. "As we enter this new century, th is new millennium I know that we will only be successful with the teamwork of everyone here today." Bennion declared Friday as a day to celebrate SUU, "as we launch a second century. Our founders have left an astounding legacy and love for learning. We stand on the shoulders of my grandfather, and other founders who created the motto of this institution : 'Let this institution always be a sanctuary for the honoring of thought in all its finest forms'." Bennion's grandfather, Milton, was the principal of the Branch Normal School, the first incarnation of SUU. Bennion offered a brief history of the construction and founding of SUU, and then discussed the meaning of education. "Education is an investment for our future, because children arc our legacy. No sacrifice is too great to prepare the children for the tasks for the world ahead," he said. "The future is humming with progress, and to have students who can think clearly and function properly is our goal. Discernment, knowledge, and understanding are purposes beyond the latest trends ... they are purposes that are both timely and ti meless. We are here to train s tudents to be lifelong leamers ... being an educated person means connecting knowledge from the classroom with the reality of life." Bennion ended his address again thanking everyone for the love and support offered, "We all stand on a threshold of a new century, let us work together to prepare the students for life and careers." D. Bennion, and h is wife, Marjorie. "The aftem oon served as an opportunity for everyone to relax, be together, and en joy Southern Utah University," said Marsha Lundgren of the SUU Advancement Office. A reception was held through the afternoon in the Starlight Room which gave guests a chance to meet with the Bennions. Photographs of the Bennions, their family, and their accomplishments were on display during the reception. Also on display was the inaugural cake, which was made and decorated by Kelly Lowe of the Alumni Office. The Presidential Ambassador organization was available to take guests on campus tours in the afternoon. While other guests could walk through the academic and staff exhibit fair in the Sharwan Smith Center and the Living Room. Most organizations an d groups of the university were on display to demonstrate what is going on at SUU. "The fair was excellent. It was so great to see everyone come together and show off the great things this university has to offer," said Bennion. •SEE PAGE 14 FOR MORE ON INAUGURATION NIGHT. • IN WEDNESDAY'S JOURNAL, A LOOK AT SUU FIRST LADY M:ARJORIE BENNION. |