Rocky Mountain Power makes donation to USU Eastern

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Richard Walje the president of Rocky Mountain Power was in Price on Friday to present a community outreach program. As part of this event he presented a check for $90,000 to USU Eastern. Chancellor Joe Peterson accepted the gift on behalf of USU Eastern. “Thank you, President Walje, and thank you to Rocky Mountain Power, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and PacifiCorp Energy. The College’s mission is simple: We prepare the people who create and sustain our region.
“In keeping with that mission, about two years ago, the College and its Board Members kicked off a campaign to increase the enrollment at the Price Campus. We knew that growing enrollment would raise the level of educational attainment of local residents, and this increased human capital would have hugely positive economic benefits. Also, we knew that bringing students here from outside of our region and giving them a high quality educational experience would increase their allegiance to our region, introduce new lifeblood into our communities, and boost the vitality of Southeast Utah.
“In our campaign we reached out to potential partners, and we told them that we wanted to build, a future in which the goals of the region and the goals of the College are more focused and collaborative. A future in which our children don’t have to leave our region to find abundant opportunities for education and career advancement. A future in which economic stability becomes the norm, diminishing the disruptions of a boom-and-bust economy.
A future in which the local workforce serves the current economy, while also preparing the region to develop new industry and opportunity. Our first challenge had to do with the “curb appeal” of the Price Campus facilities. Frankly, our aging facilities and functionally inadequate buildings were a significant barrier to growing enrollments.
“We were ecstatic when we reached out to our corporate and industrial partners in the area, and Rocky Mountain Power recognized the value of our campaign and made significant contributions that helped state legislators and budget makers understand our needs and dedicate state funding to build a new instructional building that will replace aging facilities, invigorate enrollment, and boost the economic and cultural vitality of Southeast Utah.
“The College is indebted to Rocky Mountain Power, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and PacifiCorp Energy for your vision and your collaboration. We thank you for recognizing and joining us in our goals, and we thank you for your ongoing commitment to the communities and people of Southeast Utah.
As a token of our thanks, we give you this limited edition statue of a Golden Eagle, sculpted by the College’s late art professor Jim Young.
“The Golden Eagle is the College mascot and a symbol of community pride, and now it also commemorates the great partnership between you and the College. Again, thank you.”
More on Walje’s visit to Southeastern Utah in next week’s Emery County Progress.