All 4th graders at Helen M. Knight Elementary School enjoyed an eventful field trip to the Utah State University Moab campus during a memorable November visit.

During the field trip, students explored various areas of study, such as nursing, welding, the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate and cooking. This immersive experience aimed to provide students with an overview of college life.

“Studies show that when we normalize being on a college campus and begin to create positive formative experiences with education after high school, we can plant a seed for our students,” said Jeremy Spaulding, community coordinator for the school district. “This was a fun field trip and one that hopefully demystifies higher education for students who may have never been on a college campus before. We hope that by bringing our students here consistently, we can help them to imagine themselves in educational spaces and help them start envisioning more possibilities for their futures.”

During their visit, students engaged in a collaborative art project — crafting a vibrant mural that now adorns the walls of the USU Moab campus. This visually stunning piece of student artwork serves as a testament to the creativity and unity fostered during the visit.

Samantha Campbell, director of students and associate campus director at USU Moab, was grateful for the collaboration.
“This was such a wonderful opportunity to introduce the 4th graders to USU Moab and to give them a small glimpse into the opportunities of higher education in their local community,” Campbell said. “We thoroughly enjoyed having the students on campus. We are excited about future collaborations with Grand County School District.”

Education plays a crucial role in the robust partnership between USU Moab and the Grand County School District, forming a vital foundation for community development. This collaborative alliance not only emphasizes the dedication to fostering the educational paths of local students, but also serves as a symbol of joint commitment to the holistic wellbeing of the community.

USU Moab’s collaborative efforts with the school district will continue, as 8th graders are scheduled to visit the campus in the spring. The focus will be on introducing students to the college environment, enlightening them about the path to higher education and exploring potential majors and areas of study.

Additionally, as part of the Utah High School Tour, 11th graders will meet on the USU Moab campus to gain insights from representatives from the various colleges and universities in Utah. This initiative aims to provide students with valuable information about different institutions across the state, aiding them in making informed decisions about their educational journeys.

“I’m very excited that GCSD was able to collaborate with USU Moab and arrange a field trip for our 4th-grade students,” said Taryn Kay, superintendent of Grand County Schools. “Field trips to universities are important for 4th-grade students because they can open doors of curiosity and plant seeds of aspiration that bloom into limitless possibilities. Experiencing higher education early ignites dreams and unveils the boundless horizons that are possible as students learn and grow.”

As she reflected on USU Moab’s collaboration with Grand County School District, Campbell said the campus enjoys collaborating with groups in the community.

“We invite people to come visit the campus,” she said. “Our doors are open, and we are excited to share the educational journey with everyone.”

In the heart of Grand County, the collaboration between USU Moab and the Grand County School District is a beacon of educational synergy. Through campus visits, collaborative art projects, and upcoming initiatives, this partnership aims to shape the educational landscape for students, instilling a sense of curiosity and ambition. As both institutions continue to prioritize community engagement, the future holds the promise of continued growth, learning and achievement for everyone in Grand County.

Utah State University Moab’s campus is once again an award-winning structure. The campus was awarded Best Project in the category of Higher Education/Research and also won the special award for Excellence in Sustainability in the Mountain States region. The awards, bestowed by the Engineering News-Record, were announced on Nov. 27.

“Blending innovation and sustainability, the USU Moab academic building reflects our commitment to a greener future,” said Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president for USU Moab & USU Blanding. “Being acknowledged by ENR as one of the top sustainability buildings in the Mountain States is a proud achievement.”

The USU Moab academic building was dedicated on April 1, 2022, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially was completed and opened to students in the Summer 2022 semester. It is a sustainably designed structure, built to harness solar energy as well as using ground sources for both heating and cooling.

Because of this design, the building is estimated to provide 105% of the power that will be consumed annually. This made the building USU’s first net-zero building and one of the greenest buildings on any USU campus. The building’s design prevents an estimated 196 metric tons of CO2 emissions from being released each year. That is the equivalent of more than 22,000 gallons of consumed gasoline or 216,000 pounds of burned coal.

The campus features several innovative and sustainable features, including solar array parking canopies, PVC-free interior finishes, and natural material construction. The building also boasts water conservation measures, including low flow water-sense fixtures and rain harvesting capabilities for native plant gardens. These features, which are all designed to reduce the campus’ carbon footprint, are targeted for the campus design receiving a silver-level LEED certification.
“The collaborative efforts of the USU and MHTN Architects teams turned the concept of a net-zero building into reality,” Olsen said. “Their hard work produced a space that combines beauty with practicality, making a significant contribution to our goal of reducing our carbon footprint. In recognizing this success, we want to express our sincere thanks to Lianna Etchberger, the recently retired AVP of the Moab campus, whose vision and leadership were key to the accomplishment, functionality, sustainability and beauty of the USU Moab building.”

The building provides state-of-the-art facilities and space for programs including nursing, recreation resource management, technical education and more. This includes a dedicated nursing classroom and simulation lab, a science teaching laboratory, as well as spaces for the Welding and Fabrication and Construction and Technology programs. These expanded spaces allow USU Moab to be even better at addressing the needs of the community job market.

The ENR Mountain States Best Project Awards are an annual contest to reward the best construction projects each year. The mountain states include Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The awards highlight 20 different categories, with the winning projects selected by panels of independent judges. Projects deemed best in category are automatically entered to compete for the national “Best of the Best” awards.

The building was constructed by MHTN Architects and Hogan & Associates Construction. Contributors to the USU Moab building included Peter Lawson, My Good Fund, the Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation, the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Community Development Finance Alliance, Moab Regional Hospital, Desert Rivers Credit Union, Moab City, Grand County, the Holyoak Family and the Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky Renewable Energy Grant.

Located in the outdoor recreation paradise of Moab and boasting one of the greenest buildings on any USU campus, Utah State University Moab offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With programs such as Nursing, Elementary Education, Recreation Resource Management and Social Work, technical education in Health Professions, Automotive and Business, and degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, USU Moab offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at moab.usu.edu.

See Article Archive on moabhappenings.com for related January 2023 article.
www.moabhappenings.com/Archives/University-2023_01.htm