Utah State University facts for kids
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Former names
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Agricultural College of Utah (1888–1928) Utah State Agricultural College (1928–1957) |
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Motto | "Research, Service, Teaching" |
Type | Public land-grant research university |
Established | March 8, 1888 |
Parent institution
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Utah System of Higher Education |
Accreditation | NWCCU |
Academic affiliations
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Endowment | $538.4 million (2023) |
Budget | $699.3 million (FY2023) |
President | Elizabeth Cantwell |
Provost | Larry Smith |
Academic staff
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1,101 (Fall 2023) |
Total staff
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11,077 (Fall 2023) |
Students | 28,063 (Fall 2023) |
Undergraduates | 25,048 (Fall 2023) |
Postgraduates | 3,015 (Fall 2023) |
Location |
,
,
United States
41°44′42″N 111°48′32″W / 41.745°N 111.809°W |
Campus | Main campus (Logan): Small City, 600 acres (2.4 km2) All campuses and centers: 6,896 acres (27.91 km2) |
Other Campuses |
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Newspaper | The Utah Statesman |
Colors | "Aggie Blue" (Dark Navy) and "Fighting White" (Bright White) |
Nickname | Aggies |
Sporting affiliations
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Mascot | Big Blue |
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Utah State University (often called USU or Utah State) is a public university in Logan, Utah. It's a special kind of university called a land-grant university. This means it was started in 1888 with help from the U.S. government. USU is one of the two main universities in Utah. It is known for its high level of research.
USU's main campus in Logan is the oldest and largest public campus in Utah where students live. More than 84% of students live away from their homes.
When it first started, USU focused on subjects like military science, technology, science, and farming. By 1947, its military program was so good that it was called the "West Point of the West." This was because USU trained more officers for the U.S. military than almost any other school.
In Fall 2023, USU had 28,063 students. Over 175,000 people have graduated from USU. They live in all 50 U.S. states and more than 116 countries. The university has nine campuses and many learning centers across Utah. It also has over 50 research centers. One of these is the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). SDL is one of only 15 special research centers for the United States Department of Defense.
USU is also a top university for research and development. It spent $344.9 million on research in 2022. It has the second oldest program in the U.S. for students to do their own research.
USU's sports teams are called the Utah State Aggies. They play in Division I as part of the Mountain West Conference.
Contents
History of USU
How USU Started
In 1861, a bill was introduced to create colleges in each state. These colleges would be open to everyone, especially working people. President Abraham Lincoln signed this bill, called the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, in 1862.

Around the same time, a person named Anthon H. Lund from Utah thought Utah needed a school. This school would combine science and research with farming. Many people in Utah lived by farming. When Lund heard about the Morrill Act, he suggested a college for Utah.
The big question was where to put the new college. Other cities already had important buildings. So, people in Logan, Utah, worked hard to get the college. On March 8, 1888, the bill to start the Agricultural College of Utah was passed. The first student, 14-year-old Vendla Berntson, enrolled on September 2, 1890.
Growing Bigger
The Agricultural College grew steadily. In 1914, it started its statewide Extension program. This program shares university research with communities. A year later, it gave out its first master's degrees.
During World War I, many students joined the Student Army Training Corps. This meant colleges became training grounds. USU's campus doubled in size to house these students. After the war, the military science program kept growing. By 1947, USU was known as the "West Point of the West." This was because it trained more military officers than almost any other school.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the college continued to expand. A School of Education was added in 1928. The school's name changed to Utah State Agricultural College in 1929. In 1950, it started offering doctoral degrees. Finally, in 1957, the school became a university. It was officially named Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. But most people just call it Utah State University.
During World War II, USU was one of six colleges chosen for a special Navy training program. Students studied electrical engineering for three months. This program trained about 2,750 students.
In the late 1970s, there were some challenges with international students. After a difficult event in 1979, the number of Middle Eastern students at USU dropped. It has only recently started to increase again.
Towards the end of the 1900s, USU worked to become a well-known national university. Its funding grew a lot during this time.
The 21st Century
In the 2000s, USU started working with universities and governments in other countries. The Merrill-Cazier Library opened in 2005. In 2010, USU took over the Swaner EcoCenter and the former College of Eastern Utah. This added more campuses and programs. In 2012, USU finished a huge fundraising campaign, raising $400 million. This was the biggest fundraiser in USU's history.
USU Campuses
Utah State University has many campuses across Utah. It also has USU Extension offices in every county. These offices share university research with local communities.
USU also owns and runs several centers for farming, horses, plants, and nature. These include the Bastian Equestrian and Agricultural Center in Salt Lake City and the Swaner EcoCenter near Park City.
USU's distance education started in 1904. Professors would travel by train to teach. Later, they drove around the state. In 1967, the first Statewide Campus was created in Uintah Basin. By 1996, satellite systems helped professors teach from a distance. Today, the USU system includes USU Eastern, three regional campuses, and many distance education centers.
USU plans to build more residential and research campuses across the state.
Utah State University Eastern
Utah State University Eastern is in Price, Utah. It joined the USU system in 2010. It also has a campus in Blanding, Utah. USU Eastern is a junior college. It offers associate degrees and job training programs. Students can also take bachelor's, master's, and doctoral courses there. USU Eastern has its own sports teams, the Eastern Utah Golden Eagles.
Statewide Campuses
USU's Regional Campuses and Distance Education (RCDE) helps bring high-quality education to all parts of Utah.
Regional campuses are in Brigham City, Tooele, and the Uintah Basin (Vernal and Roosevelt). RCDE also offers courses at the Price and San Juan campuses of USU Eastern. There are 21 education centers across the state. These include locations in Moab, Kaysville, and Salt Lake City. Students can earn many degrees without ever visiting the main Logan campus. Courses are also available online.
USU is growing in Moab. The city of Moab is helping to develop the campus there. New degrees are planned to meet the community's needs.
Cooperative Extension
The USU Cooperative Extension started in 1914. It provides research-based information to communities. Extension has 30 offices across Utah. These include the Swaner EcoCenter and Thanksgiving Point. Extension programs cover topics like 4-H, farming business, gardening, and animal health.
Logan Campus
USU's main campus is in Logan, Utah. It covers 600 acres. The campus sits on a hill overlooking the valley. Mount Logan rises sharply to the east.
The main campus has over 100 buildings. Important buildings include Maverik Stadium, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, and Old Main. The Merrill-Cazier Library is the main university library. The Manon Caine Russell-Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall is also a notable building.
The Logan City Cemetery divides the campus. Most academic buildings are to the south of the cemetery. The sports facilities are to the west and north. First Dam, a small research reservoir, is on campus property. It's a popular spot for picnics and water sports.
USU also owns over 1,000 acres of land around the main campus. This land is used for research and farming. Many other research buildings and farms are located throughout Utah.
USU's Logan campus is recognized as an international arboretum. It has over 7,000 trees, including 30 of the largest tree species in Utah.
Nearby Logan Canyon is a popular place for students to relax. It has trails and parks along the river. Students can go camping, hiking, or visit Beaver Mountain Ski Resort and Bear Lake. The university's Outdoor Recreation Program rents equipment to students.
Student Life
Utah State University is the oldest and largest public campus in Utah where students live. About 84% of students live away from home.
There are 21 different buildings for single students on campus. There are also 39 buildings for married students. Many other students live in apartments nearby. Students can eat at two cafeterias or the Forum Cafe in the library. There's also a full-service restaurant called the Skyroom.
On the east side of campus is Aggie Ice Cream. This place has been around since 1888. It's famous for its "world-famous" ice cream and cheese.
USU has had a creamery since it started in 1888. Students learned how to make ice cream and cheese. Today, Aggie Ice Cream is in the Nutrition and Food Sciences building. The milk comes from the Caine Dairy Research and Teaching Center.
USU also has its own chocolate factory, The Aggie Chocolate Factory. It sells chocolate at shops on campus and in the sports stadiums. They also sell hot cocoa in winter and a cold drink called "Frozen As."
A fun student tradition is becoming a "True Aggie." This means kissing someone who is already a True Aggie on top of the Block "A" monument. Two students can also become True Aggies together on Homecoming night. The lighted "A" on top of the Old Main tower shines white normally. It turns blue when a USU sports team wins.
Every student at USU is represented by the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA). This group has elected student officers. They manage campus events, activities, and speak up for students.
In 2016-2017, the USUSA brought attention to a mental health crisis at USU. They worked to reduce wait times for counseling services. Their efforts led to a resolution in the Utah State Legislature. This resolution recognized a mental health crisis at all Utah universities.
Students can use the HPER, Nelson Fieldhouse, and ARC (Aggie Recreation Center) for exercise. These facilities have basketball courts, rock climbing, swimming pools, and outdoor fields. USU students can also join over 100 clubs. There are also fraternities and sororities, and a student-run radio station.
In 1970, USU students created one of the first service organizations in the nation. It was called VOICE. It worked to improve the community and environment. Today, it's called The Val R. Christensen Service Center. Students are involved in over 20 service groups.
USU has a strong ROTC program for the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. ROTC members are often seen at sports events. They perform pushups and fire a cannon when the Aggies score points in football games. This cannon is also fired after every home team victory.
USU's mascot is Big Blue. Big Blue is a visible presence at games and in the community. Big Blue is usually a student in a costume. This student performs dances and stunts with the Spirit Squad. At football games, Big Blue rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle onto the field. Sometimes, Big Blue wears military gear for special games. Being chosen as Big Blue is an honor. The student's identity is kept secret until a "de-masking" ceremony.
USU has many traditions, like its two fight songs: "Hail the Utah Aggies" and "The Scotsman." Other events include Homecoming and "The Howl," a big Halloween celebration. The Luminary Processional welcomes new students. The End of Year Bash is a concert to celebrate the end of the school year.
Logan, Utah, has been called a "Best College Town" and USU's campus the "Most Beautiful Campus in Utah." Logan has a lively arts scene. Logan Canyon and the Cache National Forest are popular for outdoor activities. Students can also visit ski resorts like Beaver Mountain and Bear Lake. Utah's national parks are also a few hours away.
USU Colleges
College/school | Year founded | |||
College of Veterinary Medicine | 2022 | |||
School of Graduate Studies | 1950 | |||
Caine College of the Arts | 2010 | |||
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences | 1888 | |||
College of Engineering | 1903 | |||
College of Humanities and Social Sciences | 1888 | |||
College of Science | 1903 | |||
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services | 1924 | |||
Jon M. Huntsman School of Business | 1889 | |||
S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources | 1891 |
In 1903, USU was divided into six schools. These included schools for Agriculture, Military Science, and Home Economics. By 1924, it had seven academic colleges and a School of Education.
Today, USU has ten academic colleges:
- Caine College of the Arts
- College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science
- Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
- Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
- School of Graduate Studies
- S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
- College of Veterinary Medicine
In 2022, USU announced a new College of Veterinary Medicine. This is the first four-year veterinary school in Utah. USU's military science and ROTC programs are now part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Its aviation and drone programs are in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
Caine College of the Arts
The Caine College of the Arts became its own college in 2010. It includes departments for Art & Design, Music, and Theatre Arts. It also has the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. Performance spaces include the Kent Concert Hall and the Manon Caine Russell-Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall. The Performance Hall is known for its excellent sound. The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art has one of the largest art collections in the region. It has important collections of ceramics and Native American art.
USU's music program includes opera singer Michael Ballam and the Fry Street Quartet.
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences was USU's first college. It is known for its research in animal genetics and food science. It also studies plants, soil, and veterinary science. Researchers here helped create the first cloned horses. The college is also studying the sheep genome. It has six departments, including Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences and Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences.
This college also has Utah's first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Students spend two years at USU and two years at Washington State University.
The college also runs USU's aviation, flight technology, and drone programs. They have their own aircraft at the Logan airport. In 2013, the college's name changed to include "Applied Sciences." This showed its wider range of studies.
College of Engineering
The Utah Water Research Laboratory is the oldest and largest of its kind in the U.S. It works on many international projects, especially in dry countries.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
This college teaches many of the required general education classes. It has eight departments and over 30 programs. These include English, history, journalism, military science, and political science.
USU has a long history of studying the American West. The university publishes scholarly journals about Western American literature and history. The Journalism and Communication Department produces A-TV News and the student magazine Aggie BluePrint.
The Mountain West Center for Regional Studies hosts events about the cultures and history of the American West. The university's archives have many historical documents about Utah and the American West. They also have one of the largest collections about American folklore.
The college also has the USU Museum of Anthropology.
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
USU's Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services started in 1924. It has about 5,700 students. In 2023-2024, it was ranked among the top "Best Education Schools" by U.S. News & World Report. Its professors research topics like child development and health psychology.
This college also has the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management. This center helps identify hearing loss in babies and young children early on.
USU is the only university in Utah with a Housing and Financial Counseling program. It helps people with debt, budgeting, and mortgages.
Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
In 2007, USU's College of Business became the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. This happened after a large donation from Jon Huntsman Sr..
The Huntsman School of Business is the oldest business college in the Western United States that has been open continuously. It offers degrees in management, accounting, economics, and finance. Its international business degree is unique in Utah.
The school also has the Shingo Institute. This program helps leaders around the world improve their organizations.
A new business building was completed in 2016. It has classrooms, offices, a library, and new business centers.
S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
This college has the Quinney Library. This library has collections about natural resources. The college was renamed in 2012 after a large donation from the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation. The Quinneys were USU graduates. Their foundation has given over $40 million to the college.
Academics
In Fall 2023, USU had 28,063 students. Most of them were undergraduate students. The university offers over 270 different degrees. This includes 137 bachelor's degrees, 95 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees. There are about 18.89 students for every professor. The average undergraduate class has 16.7 students. USU also offers over 1,000 opportunities to study abroad in 90 countries.
In 2015, Business Insider called USU the 25th "Most Underrated College" in the U.S. In 2017, MSN named USU the #1 school in the nation. This was based on how affordable and flexible it was.
Admissions
In Fall 2022, Utah State accepted 93.7% of students who applied for their first year. About 30.7% of accepted students chose to enroll. The average GPA for new students was 3.61.
Rankings
ARWU World | 401–500 |
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USNWR National University | 269 (tie) |
Washington Monthly National University | 39 |
USNWR graduate school rankings |
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Business | Unranked |
Education | 36 (tie) |
Engineering | 112 (tie) |
USNWR departmental rankings |
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Audiology | 40 (tie) |
Biological Sciences | 119 (tie) |
Chemistry | 119 (tie) |
Computer Science | 120 (tie) |
Earth Sciences | 113 (tie) |
Economics | 110 (tie) |
English | 122 (tie) |
Fine Arts | 158 (tie) |
Mathematics | 117 (tie) |
Physics | 163 (tie) |
Psychology | 162 (tie) |
Rehabilitation Counseling | 6 (tie) |
Social Work | 163 (tie) |
Sociology | 106 (tie) |
Speech-Language Pathology | 45 (tie) |
Statistics | 79 (tie) |
In 2021, USU was recognized as a national leader for its undergraduate research programs. In 2022, Washington Monthly ranked Utah State 22nd among all national universities. It was also named the 8th best public university for its contributions to the public good.
In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked USU 11th in the nation for "Best Online Bachelor's Programs." Forbes ranked the university highly among public colleges and research universities.
Research at USU
Utah State University is known for its very high research activity. In 2022, it spent $344.9 million on research and development.
USU has over 50 research institutes and centers. Some notable ones include the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Utah Water Research Laboratory, and the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence.
As of 2010, Utah State University has sent more student experiments into space than any other school in the world. In 2024, USU joined the United States Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise.
Space Dynamics Laboratory
The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is a special contractor owned by Utah State. It is one of 15 University Affiliated Research Centers for the United States Department of Defense. SDL has completed over 430 successful space missions. It has also deployed over 500 hardware and software systems.
Some of SDL's projects include:
- WISE
- SABER
- SOFIE
- ICON
- OSIRIS-REX
- GASPACS
In 2021, Utah State received a $1 billion contract for aerospace research. This was the largest contract ever given by the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Working with SDL, Utah State has sent more experiments into space than any other university.
USTAR Program
USU is a key part of the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) program. This program helps Utah's high-tech economy grow. Eight USTAR teams do research at Utah State. Their research covers topics like:
- Arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems)
- Applied Nutrition (obesity, diabetes)
- Intuitive Building (smart lighting)
- Synthetic Bio-Manufacturing (pharmaceuticals)
- STORM (weather prediction)
- Veterinary Diagnostics and Infectious Disease
- Space Weather (telecommunications)
- Wireless Power Transfer
Undergraduate Research
USU's Undergraduate Research program started in 1975. It was the second program of its kind in the nation, after MIT. In 2021, it was named the "Best Undergraduate Research Program in the Nation."
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Since 2022, Utah State has the only college of veterinary medicine in Utah.
A team of USU and University of Idaho researchers were the first to successfully clone a horse. The baby mule, named Idaho Gem, was born in 2003.
USU researchers also made news in 2011 for breeding "spider goats." These goats produce milk that contains spider silk. Scientists are studying this for uses like human muscle tissue and bulletproof vests.
Research Farms
Utah State owns and runs 14 separate research farms. It also has several other centers for horses, farming, nature, and plants across Utah.
Swaner EcoCenter
In 2010, Utah State received the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter near Park City. This center includes a 1,200-acre land trust. It also has a 10,000-square-foot facility for environmental education. The preserve protects important wetlands. The EcoCenter is a green building with the highest certification.
Open Courseware
Utah State University supports the OpenCourseWare (OCW) Project. This project provides free university courses online. USU is developing a system called eduCommons to help create OCW sites. This system is used by several universities.
Athletics
Utah State University has many sports teams. These include varsity teams, club teams, and intramural sports. Since 1888, USU's teams have won 16 national championships.
Varsity Athletics
USU has 16 official varsity sports teams. They are called the Utah State Aggies. They compete in Division I as part of the Mountain West Conference. USU joined this conference in 2013. The university's varsity teams have won 37 conference championships. They have also won three national championships (one in Women's Volleyball and two in Softball). Golfer Jay Don Blake won the 1980 NCAA Championship. USU has had 90 All-American athletes.
USU has 16 NCAA Division I teams, including:
- Football
- Men's basketball
- Men's cross country
- Men's golf
- Men's tennis
- Men's track & field
- Women's basketball
- Women's cross country
- Women's gymnastics
- Women's soccer
- Women's softball
- Women's tennis
- Women's track & field
- Women's volleyball
The men's basketball team plays in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. This stadium is known as one of the "15 Toughest Places To Play In College Basketball." ESPN has also called USU's student section, The HURD, one of the smartest in the nation. The basketball team has been very successful, winning many games at home. They have also made it to the NCAA Tournament several times.
USU's football team is part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The team has improved a lot in recent years. In 2012, they had their first 10-win season. They also won their first Western Athletic Conference championship in football.
USU Athletics won the 2009 National Champion of the Excellence in Management Cup. This award recognizes universities that win the most championships with the lowest costs.
As members of the Mountain West Conference, the Aggies have won several titles. This includes a football division title in 2013 and men's tennis championships in 2016 and 2017.
Club Athletics
Utah State University's club sports teams have also had national success. They have won fifteen national titles. The baseball club has won two national championships. The rodeo club has two individual national champions. The handball club has won nine national titles. The USU Cycling Club has two individual national championships.
USU's Logan Campus has many competitive club sports for students. These include:
- Men's baseball
- Cycling
- Handball
- Men's ice hockey
- Men's lacrosse
- Women's lacrosse
- Jump rope
- Pickleball
- Racquetball
- Men's rodeo
- Men's rugby
- Women's rugby
- Men's soccer
- Swimming and diving
- Men's water polo
- Women's water polo
- Men's ultimate
- Women's ultimate
- Men's volleyball
- Quidditch
- Esports
- Women's western equestrian
- Rock climbing
- Figure skating
- Tennis
- Women's volleyball
Intramural Sports
Intramural sports are offered to students, professors, and staff. These sports are played for fun and competition within the university.
Media
USU publishes several journals, including Utah Science and Western Historical Quarterly. The Utah State University Press publishes books on topics like folklore, Mormon history, and Native American studies.
The Utah Statesman is the main newspaper for USU students. It is run by students with a faculty advisor. The paper is published once a week and is free. It has won awards for its writing.
Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU-LP is a student-run radio station. It broadcasts to the local area and online. It plays local and independent music. Aggie Radio also broadcasts all Utah State University football and basketball games.
Utah Public Radio is based at the university. It broadcasts news, public affairs, and arts programs. KUSU is a National Public Radio member station.
Aggie Television (ATV) is a cable service for students living on campus. It offers about 110 channels. ATV also produces its own local and student video programs.
Notable People
USU has many famous alumni and faculty members. These include seven Rhodes Scholars and one Nobel Prize winner. There are also astronauts, political leaders, and business leaders.
Faculty Carnegie Professor of the Year, State of Utah |
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Rich Etchberger | Wildland Resources | 2015 |
Joyce Kinkead | English | 2013 |
Michael Christiansen | Music | 2012 |
Jim Cangelosi | Mathematics and Statistics | 2011 |
Laurie McNeill | Civil and Environmental Engineering | 2010 |
David Peak | Physics | 2009 |
Lyle McNeal | Animal, Dairy and Veterinary sciences | 2007 |
Bonnie Glass-Coffin | Anthropology | 2004 |
Jan Sojka | Physics | 2002 |
David F. Lancy | Anthropology | 2001 |
Mark Damen | History, Classics, Theatre | 1998 |
Sonia Manuel-Dupont | Education, English, Engineering | 1997 |
Ted Alsop | Geography | 1996 |
Frances Titchener | History, Classics | 1995 |
The USU Alumni Association was created in 1899. Today, it is located in the David B. Haight Alumni Center. Alumni chapters exist in many states. USU has 149,000 alumni living all over the world.
Some very famous alumni include:
- Harry Reid, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader.
- Lars Peter Hansen, a Nobel Prize winner in Economics.
- May Swenson, a famous poet.
- Merlin Olsen, a professional football player and actor.
- Mary L. Cleave, a NASA astronaut.
- Bobby Wagner, a football linebacker.
- Spencer Cox, the current Governor of Utah.
- Hesham Qandil, former Prime Minister of Egypt.
Notable faculty members include:
- Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
- Michael Ballam, an opera singer.
- Don L. Lind, a NASA astronaut.
- George Dewey Clyde, a former Governor of Utah.
Images for kids
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Mary L. Cleave, Space Shuttle astronaut.
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Spencer Cox, the 18th and current Governor of Utah.
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Lars Peter Hansen, Nobel Laureate Economist.
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Harry Reid, U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader.
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Hesham Qandil, former Prime Minister of Egypt.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Utah para niños