An Enduring 175-Year Legacy

When I think of the University of Utah’s history, I’m filled with awe at the extraordinary societal impact we’ve made over the past 175 years. Brigham Young and other leaders established the University of Deseret with a simple belief: that the sharing of ideas and knowledge would help their young community grow and prosper. They understood that education is vital to building a thriving society.

Their vision has blossomed into remarkable reality. Take our legacy of health care innovation. Martha Hughes Cannon BS1878, the first woman state senator in the country, laid the groundwork for medical advancement when she helped build Utah’s State Board of Health. Decades later, Willem Kolff, who created the first artificial kidney dialysis machine, became head of the University of Utah’s Division of Artificial Organs and Institute for Biomedical Engineering. Robert Jarvik MD’76 followed with helping create the first permanent artificial heart successfully implanted in a human patient. Today, in these same labs, Nobel Prize and MacArthur “Genius Grant” winners are discovering new frontiers in medicine and biotechnology.

Our commitment to human understanding and protecting the world runs just as deep. Wallace Thurman (ex’20) left Salt Lake City to become a vital voice of the Harlem Renaissance. George S. Dibble (teaching certificate, 1925) was an influential painter, professor, and art critic for decades. Meanwhile, Pulitzer Prize-winner Wallace Stegner BA’30 helped preserve America’s wild places through his powerful words and advocacy—a legacy that continues in our climate research today. 

In every corner of society, our alumni have transformed their fields. WordPerfect co-founder Alan Ashton BA’66 PhD’70 helped revolutionize word processing, and Ray Noorda BS’49 advanced network computing through his company, Novell. Emma McVicker BS1888 championed public schooling and became the state’s second superintendent of education. Chief Justice Roger McDonough JD1922 led the Utah Supreme Court through crucial decades, and David O. McKay BS1897, a devoted educator, and Russell M. Nelson BA’45 MD’47, a renowned heart surgeon, both became presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Our graduates have shaped iconic companies—from J. Willard (BA’26) and Alice (BA’27) Marriott, who founded Marriott International, to Oliver Zipse ex’85, Doug Bowser BS’84, and Kirk Tanner BS’92, who today lead BMW, Nintendo of America, and Wendy’s. Our influence extends to Hollywood, with alumni such as Academy Award-winner Leigh Harline BA’27 (composer of “When You Wish Upon a Star”), Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung MFA’04, and Critics Choice Awards winner David G. Derrick, Jr. ex’00 (director of Moana 2). 

When I look back at these remarkable individuals and look forward to our future, I’m filled with excitement. Today’s graduates tackle contemporary challenges with the same innovative spirit—in laboratories and studios on campus, in Utah’s communities, and around the globe. The dream that began 175 years ago continues to evolve through your work. Together, we’re not just celebrating our history—we’re building on it, every single day.