Expansion and Legacy (1980s)

Aerial view of Dixie College, likely 1970s or 1980s. From Dixie Sun Photograph Collection, Utah Tech University Special Collections and Archives.

In many circumstances, growth also brings challenges. As the college expanded in the 1970s and 1980s, administrators realized that many existing structures, especially the gymnasium and performing arts center, were not large enough to accommodate the growth of the student body and community. Recognizing that state funds alone would not be sufficient to construct larger venues for the college, they once again turned to the community for support. Washington County and the city of St. George were seeking to expand facilities for conventions and tourism, so the college and local governments decided to join forces and construct facilities that could fill these roles for both. Karl Brooks, who worked for the college and served as Mayor of St. George, became one of the key figures in the project, managing relations between the college and communities.[1]

Construction of the Burns Arena, part of the Dixie Center (later called the Avenna Center). From the Dixie Sun Photograph Collection. Utah Tech University Special Collections and Archives.

In addition to St. George, other Washington County towns helped fund the project: Santa Clara, Washington, Ivins, Leeds, and Toquerville.[2] Mervyn Cox and M. Anthony Burns gave significant donations to the project and two major buildings were named in their honor, the basketball arena after Burns and the auditorium after Cox. The Dixie Center was finally completed in 1987, but due to unexpected costs in construction, the buildings lacked landscaping and much of the parking and sidewalks were unfinished.[3] Alum and local businessman Rod Orton organized the Spirit of Dixie Committee. They gathered donations from locals to finish the work. Community members also provided landscaping labor on the project. School children even donated pocket money to help purchase trees and shrubs. 

Legacy

Utah Tech University -- and its various predecessors -- has experienced various times where its survival and growth were threatened. Through these struggles, many individuals sacrificed time, money, labor, and more to help the college thrive. The following list provides only a small sampling of these dedicated individuals.

Grid of events on Dixie College Campus, from the 1999 Dixie College Yearbook, p. 191. Photos include: an athletic event, a pageant [likely D Queen], a campus performance, students on campus, and a gathering on the encampment mall by the Pioneer Memorial [later Heritage Cove].

• James G. Bleak helped guide education in Washington County from St. George’s settlement in 1861 until the early twentieth century.[4]
• Nephi M. Savage established educational precedent and high expectations as principal of the first St. George Stake Academy in 1888.[5]
• Edward Hunter Snow was both a religious and civic leader. He organized and led the campaign to fund and create St. George Stake Academy, the gymnasium, St. George’s Carnegie Library, and more.[6]
• Principal Hugh M. Woodward led the first generation of students at the new St. George Stake Academy in 1911.[7]
• Erastus Romney led the college amidst the 1920 epidemic and his memory inspired the students.[8]
• Joseph K. Nicholes and Anthony Ivins represented and fought for the college during the transition from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to state sponsorship in 1933.[9]
• Following the vote over college ownership, President Arthur F. Bruhn placed renewed emphasis on constructing a new campus. His determination to expand the college inspired future leaders.[10]
• Karl Brooks, Rod Orton, and others used fundraising and community relations to help make college expansion and the Dixie Center a reality.[11]

There are countless community members, students, faculty, and staff who supported the college through the years. Though unnamed here, the college survived because of their sacrifices and unwavering support.