1990s to 2020s

This exhibit highlights student life, clubs, teams, and activities at Dixie College and its later names from the 1990s through the 2020s.

1990s

Choir

Dixie College Choir 1992 - UA009_1992_056.jpg
Dixie College Choir performing. From 1992 Dixie College Confederate, p. 52.[1]

1992:One of the greatest displays of the choirs’ talent this year was during the Christmas  Holidays. The Concert and Chamber Choirs together in harmony and performed Handels [sic] ‘Messiah,’ along  with the Southwest Symphony. The community was invited to come and enjoy the Spirit of Christmas that the music brought. It was incredible!”[2]

International Club

International Club 1994 - UA009_1994_102.jpg
Members of the International Club at Dixie College pose in the campus fountain (dry). From the The Confederate Dixie College 1994, page 100. The International Club allowed Dixie College students from many different countries to gather for activities and camaraderie.[3]

1994: “This year, the International Club rocked the status quo by being involved in World Week, parades, ‘D’ Day, and most of the other college events...they celebrated and experienced the diversity the students from these countries brought to the community and campus.”[4]

Polynesian Club

Polynesian Club 1994 - Images from UA009_1999_112.png
Polynesian Club students from 1998-1999 school year. From Dixie College Yearbook The Power of One (1999), p. 108. Top Image: John Hautau, Jarvi Moeai, Vince Fonoimoana, Bruse Keil, Kaimike Aguiar, Lawrence Tafua, Lee Tufuga, Joshua Le'ota, Wayne Wolfgramm, Solo Moananu, Isi Lavaki, Ben Tufuga, Mike Tui'asoa, David Fonoimoana, Ben Fuimaono, Turnbaull Tuilanpupu, Randy Kanoa, Alisa Dunn, and Elliot Tupea. Bottom Left: Kathy Mounarath, Sarah Moore, Takuilau Wolfgramm, and Soane Hola. Right Middle: Kathy Mounarath and Sarah Moore. Bottom Right: Mike Tui'Asoa, Isi Lavaki, and Moe Mailei.[5]

1999: “The Polynesian Club has been very active on campus. The club sponsored the annual Luau in which they provided a 90 minute spectacular. The Luau was a grand success and sold out at the Dixie Center. Proceeds from the Luau were to provide scholarships for the Pacific Islander students. The Polynesian Club also participated in service projects, World Week, Spring Carnival, fund raising activities and placed second in the Homecoming Parade.”[6] 

2000s

Computers and Information Technology

Dixie College Computer Lab 2000 - UA009_2000_031.jpg
Students studying at the Smith Computer Center, 2000. From The Future is Now: Dixie College 1999-2000, p. 27.[7]

2003: In an age where the personal computer has become a necessary component of American life, especially American college life, it is undeniable that the lack of understanding technology is a serious impediment for any college student...Who does the college turn to for assistance when bugs or problems come up on their computers?...A group of young college students with a thirst for technology and the modern computer, the Dixie State IT Technicians...single-handedly fix every problem that arises within the Dixie State computer network. 

-M. Chase Grant[8]

Football

Rebels Football 2005 - UA071_2005_09_07_001.jpg
Dixie State College of Utah's Rebels football team vs. Ogden Rhino-Raiders - a semi-pro football team in Utah. Image by Krista Morgan. From the Dixie Sun student newspaper, September 7, 2005, p. 8.[9]

2005: The college football season is roaring with a head of steam. To lots of Americans, opening day of football is like their first deeply religious experience...DSC fans are fortunate enough to have some players who would like to bring pride to the school and fight for a national championship.

-Jared Burton[10]

Jazz Band

Glenn Webb and Jazz Band 2008 - UA071_2008_02_27_001.jpg
Jazz Band director Glen Webb helps Dixie State College of Utah students practice for Jazz Ensemble concert. Image by Kevin McArthur. From the Dixie Sun student newspaper, February 27, 2008, p. 12.[11]

2008: The Dixie State College Eccles Concert Hall will come to life this week with two different concerts for students’ listening pleasure...The Jazz Ensemble concert will showcase a variety of jazz groups, including a new percussion ensemble group that will start off the show with a bang featuring drums, bells, and cymbals. Following the percussion ensemble, the jazz choir will sing five numbers...’There’s a lot of improvisation in it, and the students will be able to see their peers featured as soloists and as a whole group.’” 

-Rachel Tanner[12]

2010s

Art Department Senior Show

Art Department Senior Show - UA071_2015_12_09_001.jpg
Senior art students at Dixie State University display their artwork in the North Plaza Building. Image by Jake Brown and featured in Dixie Sun student newspaper, December 9, 2015, p. 6.[13]

2015: The DSU Art Department Senior Show opening gala was held Nov. 20, and the exhibit is on display in the North Plaza Building through tonight. The show features multiple works of graphic design, drawing and painting, using several different mediums... The shows provide an opportunity for the students and university to network with people in the industry and make contacts with possible future clientele.[14]

Outdoor Activities

Mountain Bikers 2019.jpg
Mountain Bikers near St. George, Utah, 2019. Image by Alex Santiago. From Utah Tech University Photography.[15]

2016:Go out and explore the beautiful city. St. George is full of interesting outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, camping, cliff jumping, shooting, biking and many more. You will enjoy the fresh air, and it will give you a break from stressful school. I love working out with my friends, it is always fun and it helps me forget about school stress.”

-Chelsea Ponce[16] 

Raging Red

Raging Red - You Will Be Found Performance.jpg
Dixie State University performing arts and recruiting group, Raging Red, performing "You Will Be Found" by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. From an end of year performance, March 2020. Image from Utah Tech University Photography.[17]

2019: “Dixie State University’s song and dance performance team, Raging Red, has a way of spreading a powerful message through their music as they also work to recruit people to DSU... Songs they perform...are meant to give students a sense of belonging and invite them to be open about who they are. “[Raging Red] is so impacting because music has a different way of reaching people than anything else does,” said Brett Coleman, a junior communication major from Midway and member of Raging Red. Before and after each performance, the group interacts with the audience to tell them about their experiences with Raging Red and what the songs mean to them...Along with performing locally, the group goes on international tours to recruit people...” 

-Kristi Shields[18] 

2020s

The American Sign Language (ASL) Club

American Sign Language Club 2024.jpg
Booth and banner representing the American Sign Language (ASL) Club at Utah Tech University. From the event "Club Rush" 2024. Image from Utah Tech University Photography.[19]

2023: The [ASL] club has monthly socials where they get together to enjoy entertainment and food as well as learning opportunities that allow them to get involved in the deaf community...Members of this club participate in various service projects. With the help of the club as well as the ASL classes offered on campus, the club members and students in the program have been able to make a difference by helping interpret as well as offering more socialization opportunities for those within the deaf and signing community...The club gives any level of signers a chance to communicate with the deaf and signing community. This club is looking to grow and offer this chance to as many students who are willing to learn.

-Laura McClure[20]

Sun News

Sun News Daily 2023.jpg
Staff of the Sun News Daily, featured in the article "Meet the Sun News Daily Staff" by Kelsa Lundstedt, January 18, 2023. Also featured in the Sun News Daily "Contact" page. Staff includes: Sydney Johnson (Editor and Chief), front row, fourth from left. Zoe Hanson (Sport Anchor and Sports Writer), second row, second from left. Jake Palmer (Sports Anchor and Sports Writer), second row, third from left. Annie Sorenseon (Photo Editor), front row, far right. Hayden Thomas (Staff Writer), fourth row, third from left. Kelsa Lundstedt (Video Editor), front row, second from left.[21]

2024:The Voice of Utah Tech University, Sun News‘ motto, tells students that this news outlet is run by students, for students. The editor-in-chief is a student, as are all the section editors. The writing staff, photographers, and multimedia journalists are all students. Indeed, only the adviser is a faculty member in the Media Studies Department. However, her role is truly as an adviser. All editorial decisions are made by the student staff. By providing this opportunity to students, the Multimedia Journalism program at Utah Tech University has successfully provided careers for outgoing graduates in many journalism outlets around the United States.”[22]

The Great Race

Great Race 2023.jpg
Two people racing in the mud as part of the Great Race event at Utah Tech University, April 2023. Downloaded jpg from Utah Tech University Photography.[23]

2024: Dating back to a 1960s bike race through St. George, the Great race morphed into a 10-person relay team that included motor crossing, horseback riding across Foremaster Ridge and tubing down the Virgin River in the early 1970s before it moved to campus in 2000. In its current form, the Great Race still features relay teams of 10 as they run, pedal, swim, scoot and slide their way through the infamous mud pit to the finish line. All ages can join in the race, and community members are encouraged to participate.”[24]

Citations

[1] 1992 Dixie College Confederate (St George, Utah: Dixie College, 1992), 52, Utah Tech University Library Digital Collections, https://digital.library.utahtech.edu/items/show/1413#?c=&m=&s=&cv=.

[2] 1992 Dixie College Confederate, 53.

[3] The Confederate Dixie College 1994 (St George, Utah: Dixie College, 1994), 100, Utah Tech University Library Digital Collections, https://digital.library.utahtech.edu/items/show/1415#?c=&m=&s=&cv=.

[4] The Confederate Dixie College 1994, 100.

[5] Dixie College Yearbook The Power of One (St George, Utah: Dixie College, 1999), 108, Utah Tech University Library Digital Collections, https://digital.library.utahtech.edu/items/show/1420#?c=&m=&s=&cv=.

[6] Dixie College Yearbook The Power of One, 109.

[7] The Future is Now: Dixie College 1999-2000 (St George, Utah: Dixie College, 2000), 27, Utah Tech University Library Digital Collections, https://digital.library.utahtech.edu/items/show/1424#?c=&m=&s=&cv=.

[8] Chase M. Grant, "Computer Techs Fix it," Dixie Sun (St. George, UT), September 24, 2003, 13, Utah Digital Newspapers, https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s63g09bg.

[9] Krista Morgan, Image in "Rebels Win Football Opener 47-9," in Dixie Sun (St. George, UT), September 7, 2005, 8, Utah Tech University Special Collections and Archives.

[10] Jared Burton, "Rebels Win Football Opener 47-9," Dixie Sun (St. George, UT), September 7, 2005, 8, Utah Digital Newspapers, https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6hf3gfd.

[11] Kevin McArthur, Image in "Two Concerts Offer Variety of Music to Dixie State College," in Dixie Sun (St. George, UT), February 27, 2008, 12, Utah Tech University Special Collections and Archives.

[12] Rachel Tanner, "Two Concerts Offer Variety of Music to Dixie State College," Dixie Sun (St. George, UT), February 27, 2008, 12, Utah Digital Newspapers, https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6ps3gpj.

[13] Jake Brown, Image in "Art Students Celebrate Work," in Dixie Sun News (St. George, UT), December 9, 2015, 6, Utah Tech University Special Collections and Archives.

[14] Andrew Pinckney, "Art Students Celebrate Work," Dixie Sun News (St. George, UT), December 9, 2015, 6, Utah Digital Newspapers, https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6rn8vkw.

*Also at https://sunnewsdaily.com/stories/articles/2015/12/05/senior-art-students-celebrate-their-work-art-exhib/.

[15] "Mountain Bikers," Utah Tech University Photography, https://photos.dixie.edu/Student-Life/1920/MountainBiking/i-Fwn42Mp/A.

[16] Chelsea Ponce, "Tips and Tricks for New Students at College," Sun News (St. George, UT), August 24, 2016, https://sunnewsdaily.com/stories/articles/2016/08/24/tips-and-tricks-new-students-college/.

[17] "Raging Red," Utah Tech University Photography, https://photos.dixie.edu/Events/1920/Raging-Red-End-of-Year-Performance/i-LMvXms2/A.

Raging Red also recorded a YouTube Video performing "You Will Be Found." See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvY51PmlmII.

[18] Kristi Shields, "Raging Red Spring Concert Includes Inspiring Message," Sun News (St. George, UT), March 29, 2019, https://sunnewsdaily.com/stories/articles/2019/03/29/raging-red-spring-concert-includes-inspiring-message/.

[19] "Club Rush," Utah Tech University Photography, August 8, 2024, https://photos.utahtech.edu/Events/2425events/Club-Rush-24/i-3MBhCcq/A.

[20] Laura McClure, "American Sign Language Club Helps Bring Awareness to Deaf Community on Campus," Sun News (St. George, UT), November 18, 2023, https://sunnewsdaily.com/stories/articles/2023/11/18/american-sign-language-club-helps-bring-awareness-to-deaf-community-on-campus/.

[21] "Contact," Sun News, https://sunnewsdaily.com/contact-us/.

*See also: Kelsa Lundstedt, "Meet the Sun News Daily Staff," Sun News (St. George, UT), January 18, 2023, https://sunnewsdaily.com/stories/articles/2023/01/18/meet-the-sun-news-daily-staff/.

[22] "Sun News," Media Studies Program, Utah Tech University, accessed November 4, 2024, https://mediastudies.utahtech.edu/media-studies-scholarships/dixie-sun-news/.

[23] "The Great Race," Utah Tech University Photography, April 7, 2023, https://photos.utahtech.edu/Events/2223/The-Great-Race/i-32znr36/A.

[24] "Utah Tech University, Community to Celebrate 110 Years of Tradition During Annual D-Week," Media Studies Program, Utah Tech University, accessed November 4, 2024, https://news.utahtech.edu/2024/03/27/dweek-2/.

Student Life
1990s to 2020s