ST. GEORGE – As part of its annual Homecoming Week festivities, Dixie State University will officially dedicate the DSU Alumni memory garden in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, at 2 p.m., at the memory garden’s location in the northwest corner of the DSU Encampment Mall next to the Gardner Student Center. The event is free and open to the public to attend and refreshments will be served.
In all, eight memory gardens will be unveiled as part of the celebration. Each memory garden, crafted with native sandstone, will serve as a student study area, complete with a metal canopy-type cover, benches, electrical outlets and wireless internet access to create a tranquil place for students to study, while taking advantage of the mild weather and beauty of the campus.
The construction of all eight gardens, located in various parts around the DSU campus, was possible thanks to the generous donations made by a number of longtime Dixie alumni and friends, five of which are named for families of multiple Dixie graduates. In addition to the DSU Alumni Garden, memory gardens have been named for the Sidney J. and Mary Ann Atkin family; the Peter Sr. and Karren Neilson family; the Sterling and Marilyn Spafford family; the LeRoy and Janice Nisson family; and the Les and Reva Olson family. Two other memory gardens, the “Rebels Forever,” and “A Widow’s Might Matters,” were funded through a collaboration of many alumni donors.
“These memory gardens truly add a sense of beauty and class to Dixie State University,” said DSU President Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld. “Our students will be able to enjoy these new study areas year round, and these will be places where they can collaborate with each other and enhance their educational experience.”
The completion of the memory garden project is all part of the institution’s Centennial Campaign, made possible through the hard work, dedication and the “Dixie Spirit” of the Campaign’s co-chairs and Dixie alumni, J. Ralph and Cheri Atkin. The Atkins have taken on the task of spearheading the final fundraising push on behalf of DSU to raise $7 million in committed endowment dollars, including at least $4 million to fund a number of campus capital projects, including the creation of the new Centennial Plaza.
“None of these memory gardens would be possible if it weren’t for the love and dedication Ralph and Cheri Atkin have for Dixie,” President Nadauld said. “Cheri has been a tireless champion for this project, working virtually every day to ensure that each memory garden is perfect. We are truly grateful for her efforts and passion for this institution.”
Event details and contact information
- When: Oct. 24, 2 p.m.
- Where: DSU Alumni Memory Garden’s, northwest corner of the DSU Encampment Mall
- Contact: Brad Last – 435-652-7858 or [email protected]
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Submitted by: Dixie State University Public Relations Department
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
