The Utah Valley University (UVU) campus community came together today to officially open its newest building, the Young Living Alumni Center on the school’s Orem Campus, at 1062 W. 800 South.
The building will serve as a gathering place and central hub for hundreds of thousands of UVU alumni, who will use the building to network, expand careers, and map out their futures. The larger, new, facility was needed to accommodate the rapid growth of UVU alumni, knowing that most of them stay and live in Utah long term. It was made possible in part by a generous gift from Young Living Essential Oils, LC.
“Today’s ribbon cutting is a celebration of UVU’s long legacy of student achievement and commitment to our community,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University. “UVU’s alumni are part of the fabric of this state, building Utah’s thriving economy and helping shape a prosperous future. Seventy-seven percent of our alumni are still in Utah ten years after graduation. They really are at the core of our families, workforce, and community. We are grateful to Young Living for their generous support.”
UVU alumni are a strong part of Utah’s economy filling essential jobs in business, healthcare, communications, engineering, technology and other critical employment areas. According to Utah Workforce Services, approximately 5,000 UVU graduates fill 4- and 5-star jobs in Utah each year, meaning they are hired into high-demand jobs with better than average salaries.
The two-story, 30,508-square-foot alumni building anchors the north end of the Orem Campus along with the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism and School of Education. It has 25 offices, multiple conference rooms, and large event space. It was built to host executive functions, meetings, conferences, and university celebrations.
“The UVU Alumni Center represents an exciting opportunity to welcome and engage prospective and current students, alumni, and the entire community ,” said Kyle A. Reyes vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the UVU Foundation. “Our aim is to start UVU students on their educational journey in this center while also welcoming alumni home to a space that is for all.”
The center will also house the school’s Institutional Advancement (IA) Department, which coordinates the financial support of donors for student scholarships, college initiatives, building needs, and the university endowment that will provide ongoing support for the success of future generations.
The IA Department is currently in the middle of its inaugural EverGREEN comprehensive campaign with the goal of raising $350 million to support student success, increase engaged learning opportunities, and to ensure workforce readiness.
