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Show 8.24.2009 news Indebted to one man's progressive vision UVU's second president leaves a long-term legacy PSICABURNHAM JACK WATERS Exec. Campus editor Wilson Sorenson, the second president of UVU and longest-tenured at 36 years, passed away Thursday July 30 at the age of 92. Sorenson pioneered the way for UVU and was able to witness each phase of the school's many transitions since the beginning of his involvement in 1941. First known as the Central Utah Vocational School, the institution has undergone phases including the Utah Trade Technical Institute, Utah Technical College, Utah Valley Community College, Utah Valley State College, up until our current Utah Valley University. Sorensen was tenured during the first three stages of the school's establishment. "I am immensely grateful to have met Wilson Sorensen last May to discuss the rich history and exciting future of this institution. I was so taken by his passion and vision, he was truly an extraordinary character," said Pres. Matthew Holland, who became UVU's sixth president in June. " He saw needs arising before the rest of the community did. He then forged ahead with a lot of grit and enthusiasm and self-sacrifice to go put in place those things necessary to me,et such needs. The result of all of that is this wonderful institution we now call UVU, which still retains Wilson Sorenson's open, practical, and can-do spirit." "The community and UVU family owe much to Wilson Sorensen, who was a pioneer for this institution in the strictest sense. of the word. Leaders of his caliber are rare, and we ought to celebrate all that Wilson Sorensen did for UVU and Utah Valley. He will be missed," Holland said. Many associates of UVU have voiced their deep admiration for the former president and recurrent expressions of gratitude have been made. "Wilson Sorensen's leadership as president of Utah Valley Technical College for 36 years -- and continued involvement with the institution ever since — has been an important influence in the growth and development of Utah Valley University," said Utah Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg, who served as UVU's president from 2003 to 2008. "He established an institutional culture of meeting the economic and educational needs of the region — a legacy that UVU honors today." Sorensen, was in attendance at the new library dedication as former UVSC presidents, civic leaders and library archi- "I consider Wilson Sorensen a great visionary and a good friend. He was preaching UVU when "UVU wasn't cool." He had to bring nearly all of the legislature in line with his vision as they kicked and screamed and proclaimed that Trade Tech would never amount to anything, and the state shouldn't waste its precious resources on "that" school. He persisted and fought and finally was able to acquire the Orem property where UVU is today. This campus stands as a monument to him and his tenacity. We lost a legend when Wilson died. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time." Val Hale What they said... "Wilson was such a great example of a servant leader. He was kind, generous, determined, hardworking, principled, and visionary. But, what I will remember most is his wonderful sense of humor. His quick wit remained sharp even in his advancing years. Thank you, Wilson, for your commitment to local higher education opportunities for the citizens of Utah Valley Your legacy will not be forgotten!" -.; Linda Ma kin • Discounts for Missionaries • Root Canal Therapy • IV Sedation for Ultimate Comfort • Insurance/Emergencies Just Across the Street from UVU! 4 Private Bedrooms • 2 Full Baths Per Unit • Fitness Center & Sport Court • Free Cable • Internet Access • Great Social Environment • Washer & Dryer in EVERY Unit LU Ito ft; OFF Extraction of 4 Wisdom Teeth Not valid with any other discount or offer. Orem office 1834 S. State 720 South 1200 West Orem Call Now to Reserve Your Spot! (801)802-0522 AUG. 4 THROUGH SEPT 19 | COMEDY * www.summerwoodcondos.com HALF PRICE TICKETS - STUDENT RUSH 20%-60% cheaper than other online stores on average* Skives $225 on average 50% C h«mer multi-Item textbook ordersn than bi on averaged A special viewing was held in Centre Stage in the Sorensen Student Center on Wednesday Aug. 5 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. to specifically accommodate UVU employees wishing to pay their respects without conflict to their daytime work schedule. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 12 p.m. in the Edgemont South LDS Stake Center in Provo. "When I was hired as the CTE . director I was told that Wilson Sorenson expressed concerns that a woman might not keep his vision alive of vocational training at UVU. i sought out and met President Sorenson..I assured him I was keenly appreciative of the role he played in the history of UVU and told him that I was ready to learn from the best. It was a sincere pleasure to visit with him and I am honored that our conversation ended with his blessing and support of me ^to assist in keeping the vision of his legacy. Thank you President =_, Sorenson for planting the seeds of opportunity." ..,; Susan Thackeray \ Orem's Premier Single Student Housing TRENT BATES/ UVU Review President Monson caps former UVU President Sorensen at the library ribbon cutting. "Dear family members of Wilson Sorensen, from all of us working at the Center for Engaged Learning at Utah Valley University, we send to you our deepest sympathies at the passing of Wilson. His influence as an educator and as an individual has touched the lives of thousands, including ours. Our program would not exist with out his vision and persistence. His legacy is one of true engagement and care for individual students, faculty staff and community members." Jack R. Christianson Wisdom SUMMERWOOD Condominiums tects gave remarks on the transition from UVSC to UVU. Sorensen followed by declaring that he knew the time would come when the institution he helped build and preside over for so many years would become a university. Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concluded the ceremony with a dedicatory prayer as well as a few remarks on Sorenson. "He has shown us the way to follow," Monson said. He continued by relating the story of UVSC's first groundbreaking in 1975 when he and other civic leaders were waiting for Sorensen to arrive so they could begin the ceremony. He described Sorensen's arrival on horseback, as he simultaneously proceeded to tie his horse to the bleachers and grab a shovel for the groundbreaking. "I call him a pioneer," Monson said. I Student* w/curreni ID can buy Ttxr.T PRICE Monday - Thursday tix weak of show date. ; j ; Students w/cuxxent ID can bay HALF PRICE Friday & Saturday after 4 p.m. day of show. HALE CENTER THEATER ff OREM 8oi.ia6.S6oo • 225WEST 400 NORTH • WWWJIALETHEATEILORC^II SAVVY 9 from A1 courses for the year. All courses are taught by professionals and are noncredit. Firm Advantage is the first of these new classes, created by Becky Sanderson, the Workforce Development Coordinator. "After finding that most small business members who attended our courses had similar needs, we developed Firm Advantage," said Sanderson. Training covers areas like understanding generational differences in the workplace, creating fierce customer to client loyalty, marketing with Facebook and Twitter for a social media presence and building a more efficient workplace through organization. Classes are the first Tuesday of every month and provide not only great tools for business owners but networking opportunities as well, all for only $20 per session. Sanderson has also created Fiber Optic Certification courses. "It is a focus point of the Obama administration to have the country on a fiber optic network," said Sanderson. "It is important to us to provide training that is forward thinking and long lasting." Students may be j certified as Fiber Optic i Technicians (CFOT), T Fiber Optic Specialists in Testing (CFOS/T) or Fiber Optic Specialists in Splicing (CFOS/S), and cost between $675 to $700. Classes are offered between Oct. 19 and 27 and may be taken in succession for multiple certifications. This attention to the dynamic nature of technology and the community that propels it is what makes these classes so successful. The Community Education program is the first and only in the state to have a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification, being added this fall. Students who completed certification had a 100 percent pass rate on the rigorous Senior Professional in Human Resources exam as compared to the national pass rate for the exam at 54 percent. Classes are $995 and run from SeptemberNovember. To register for classes and learn more about class prices and times or to view all course listings visit www.uvu.edu/ce/ Prior to the beginning of each term, the Discover brochure also has a list of all classes and is distributed throughout the community. Copies are also available at multiple locations on the UVU Orem "" Campus. To learn more or to subscribe visit www. uvsc.edu/conted/optin/ |