Contacts: Guy Denton, (435) 722-2294, guy.denton@usu.edu
Ronda Menlove, (435) 797-8264, ronda.menlove@usu.edu
Writer: Jacob Roskelley, (435) 797-0810, jacobr@cc.usu.edu
VERNAL - The recent outpouring of community support for Utah State
University Uintah Basin continued July 17 with the announcement of a
$120,000 scholarship gift from Western Petroleum.
Western Petroleum, a Vernal-based company, announced the gift
during a community celebration. This most recent contribution is one
in a growing number of gifts that began early this year with the
$5.3 million land gift from Bob Williams, the second largest private
gift to Utah State.
Perry Taylor, the president of Western Petroleum and a USU alum,
said regional campuses hold great potential and great opportunities.
“When I came back to Vernal to work for my father, Utah State was
there to help me finish my business degree,” said Taylor. “Without
them, my life would be very different. “We wanted to give
something back to the community and felt the most significant gift
we could give was education.”
Utah State President Stan L. Albrecht, who was touring regional
campuses in the Uintah Basin and southern Utah, attended the
community celebration and thanked Western Petroleum.
“We appreciate the many contributions from individuals and
organizations who support Utah State,” Albrecht said. “This recent
surge of local involvement will help students and faculty give back to
the community, continuing the ongoing cycle of service and support.”
USU Uintah Basin offers 51 degree programs and certificates
including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
Courses are offered at 57 locations and are taught face to face,
online and via interactive broadcast.
“Utah State’s many campuses create a community of students,
faculty and residents who join together to improve the lives of others
as well as their own,” said Ronda Menlove, vice provost for regional
campuses and distance education. “It’s a concept that was born in
Logan and has spread across the state.”
Guy Denton, executive director of the USU Uintah Basin, has watched
the development of the campus and is excited to be a part of its
continued growth.
“This generous donation will directly benefit our students in the
Uintah Basin,” Denton said. “The tremendous support of community
leaders such as Perry Taylor and Bob Williams are laying the
foundation for the scholars of tomorrow.”
The gift will consist of $60,000 for immediate student support. The
remaining funds will be used to start a Western Petroleum
Scholarship Endowment.
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View the press release as it appeared in Utah State Today.
