CEDAR CITY — “I love SUU. It’s not only in my blood, it is who I am,” Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson said during her inauguration on Friday.
Benson, who had been serving as SUU’s interim president for more than one year, was formally installed as the university’s 17th president during Friday’s program, held inside the America First Event Center on the SUU campus.
Benson is the first woman president in the 125-year history of the institution, which began as Branch Normal School in 1897 under the direction of Milton Bennion. A graduate of SUU herself, Benson is also the first SUU president to have been born and raised in Cedar City.
“I believe President Benson is the right person at the right time, because she’s one of the most competent and ethical people I’ve ever met,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said during the program.
“I trust her. I trust her with this institution. But more importantly, I trust her with my three kids,” Cox said, noting that he has three college-age children who are currently attending SUU.
“I’m here to tell you, there’s something very special about Mindy, and that is she treats every student on this campus as if they were the governor’s kid,” he added.
During his remarks, Cox also noted that instead of classifying people as being to the left or right on the political spectrum, he has taken to thinking of them as either builders or destroyers.
“I believe it is time to build,” he said. “I believe we need to build institutions … we need to restore trust in institutions.”
“We must protect freedom of speech on our campuses,” Cox added. “Whether it comes from both right or left, builders or destroyers, I don’t care.”
“This has to be a place where we can be challenged in our ideas. We have the freedom of knowledge, to share what we believe, even if we disagree … especially when we disagree,” Cox added as the audience applauded loudly.
Another featured speaker was NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who noted the occasion was the first time he’d gotten to wear his graduation robes and regalia since earning his juris doctorate from BYU in 1984, at the start of his professional football career.
Young, who said he has known Benson for more than 30 years, spoke highly of her personal qualities.
“As SUU grows and flourishes at an exponential rate, you have the perfect person to lead you,” Young said. “Because the humans here on campus are first. It’s reflexive. She can’t help it. To her, your healing and well-being are her natural priority.”
Young also held up a red T-shirt with the block letters “IGYB” written on the back, which he said he was giving to Benson as a reminder that, “I’ve got your back.”
Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Dave Woolstenhulme also spoke briefly, saying, “On behalf of the system higher education. Mindy, I look forward to continuing to see your successful leadership and action and the great things you will do for Southern Utah University.”
Earlier in the program, SUU board of trustees chair Jodi Hart-Wilson had noted that during the hiring committee’s interview process, Benson was asked why wanted to serve as president.
“She said, “I love SUU. I have a deep desire to help shape its destiny and make a positive impact on the lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends,” Hart-Wilson said, adding. “ I know of no one more devoted to this campus, its students and this community than President Benson. She is a compassionate and collaborative leader who is committed to SUU.”
After the various speakers’ remarks. Benson was then formally given her investiture and charge by Jesselie Anderson, vice chair of the Utah Board of Education, after which the SUU choirs and symphony orchestra performed a rousing rendition of “Call of the Champions.”
“That was spectacular,” Benson said, thanking the musical performers as she began her inaugural address. Benson noted that she was at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City when she saw and heard that piece played live for the first time.
“And I was hosting John Williams, the composer of that number,” she added “So it’s pretty cool. All my worlds collide here today.”
Benson then noted that it felt “surreal” to be front and center after having been behind the scenes in planning SUU’s last three presidential inaugurations, spanning a period of 25 years. All three of those predecessors, Steven D. Bennion, Michael T. Benson and Scott L. Wyatt, were among the dignitaries seated on the stage.
“I know how much work this is to plan these,” she said. “So thanks to the events team.”
Benson also expressed her appreciation to her family members and to her SUU family, which includes students, faculty, alumni and other supporters.
“I’m also a product of this campus,” she said. One of the onscreen photos showed Benson as a young girl working her first job selling tarts at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Benson spoke of the institution’s beginnings in the late 1890s and highlighted the contributions of the early Southern Utah settlers.
To illustrate the power of having the proper perspective, Benson related the story of Sir Christopher Wren, the renowned architect who was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral after the devastating fire that had swept London several year earlier, in 1666.
As the story goes, Wren saw three bricklayers working and approached them to inquire about their work, Benson recounted.
“When he asked the first worker what he was doing, the laborer replied, ‘I’m laying bricks.’” she said. “When he asked the second bricklayer the same question, the worker replied, ‘I’m building a wall.’ The architect asked what the third bricklayer was doing. The man enthusiastically replied, ‘I’m building a great cathedral to the heavens!’ All three bricklayers are doing the same work, but with vastly different perspectives.”
“The story of the bricklayers causes me to reflect upon the men and women of this community in 1897,” Benson said. “They were doing more than constructing and building. They were driven by a higher purpose. They were building a cathedral – our campus – that we enjoy today.
“Their work was fueled by a dream, that the lives of their children and their children’s children would be given the transformative gift of a college education,” she added. “May we live our collective vision and see our purpose as changing lives and building our students, our campus and our community.”
Benson noted that SUU currently has more than 14,000 students and 1,100 faculty members, plus tens of thousands of alumni.
“As president, among my highest priorities is to help cultivate a culture of caring among the 65,000 members of our T-Bird family,” she said. “The T-Bird family is broad and diverse and consists of people from all over the world with different backgrounds, opinions and experiences. We know not all feel as if they belong. Together, let’s cultivate a culture of caring and belonging.”
Other priorities outlined by Benson as she shared her vision of SUU’s future include making higher education more accessible and affordable, enhancing well-being and student success, enriching the academic experience and expanding community engagement.
Speaking of the three P’s of people, purpose and place, Benson said, “We will be people-centric. Our people are our highest priority.”
Added Benson:
As we celebrate this 125th anniversary of our founding … we stand at a defining moment in our university’s story. The eyes of history are upon us the hopes and dreams of our founders sustain us. Together, let’s dedicate ourselves to meeting this moment. Together, let’s write the next exciting chapters in SUU’s inspiring story. And together, let’s create a future brimming with commerce and possibility.
“My dear friends, I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity to lead our beloved Southern Utah University,” Benson concluded. “I pledge to devote my energy, effort and ability to serving you. And I ask you to join me, by learning your extraordinary challenges and helping propel this great university forward so that the chapters we write in our university’s story are as epic and inspiring as our original, remarkable past.”
Another memorable highlight of the program came near the beginning when a Southern Paiute tribal blessing was given by Daniel Parashonts, who invoked a myriad of spiritual blessings upon Benson, including health, wisdom and discernment.
The program also featured a poetry reading by SUU professor emeritus David Lee, who recited “Southern Utah Psalm” and “A Song for Mindy.” Country musicians The Oak Ridge Boys also appeared via video and performed the song “Thank God for Kids” especially for the occasion. And in a surprise ending, the Jazz Bear capped off the two-hour program by rappelling down from the rafters.
A full video of Friday’s inauguration program is available to watch on SUU’s YouTube channel.
Friday’s inauguration event came toward the end of a full week of homecoming festivities at SUU. The celebrations continued with a homecoming parade down University Avenue on Saturday morning.
Saturday evening, the T-Birds football team hosts Utah Tech University, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
Photo Gallery
Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson waves to audience members as she arrives at her inauguration program, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson waves to audience members applauding during her inauguration program, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Choir members perform a musical number during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Daniel Parashonts of the Southern Paiute Tribe invokes a blessing upon Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson during her inauguration program, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News SUU leaders McKay Pollman, Jayson Matlock and Abigail Larson welcome attendees to the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News SUU professor emeritus David Lee recites a poem during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young holds up an "IGYB" SUU T-shirt during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young speaks during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, Dave Woolstenhulme speaks during the inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Jesselie Anderson, vice chair of Utah Board of Higher Education, presents investiture medallion to Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson after receiving investiture medallion from Jesselie Anderson, vice chair of Utah Board of Higher Education, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson speaks during her inauguration program, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Utah Jazz Bear appears at the end of inauguration program of Southern Utah University President Mindy Benson, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 23, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
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