Founders Day is February 22

To commemorate the founding of the University of Utah in 1850, the Alumni Association each year honors four alumni and one non-alumnus/a who have distinguished themselves professionally, served the local and national communities, and supported the University in its mission. The Alumni Association has selected four alumni to receive its Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. They include:

Klea Blackhurst BFA’85, who currently plays Shelby Cross on The Onion News Network, was honored with the inaugural Special Achievement Award from Time Out New York magazine as well as the Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs award for Best Female Vocalist for her homage to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow.

H. Roger Boyer BS’65 is chair and founder of The Boyer Company, which has developed commercial properties throughout the Intermountain West. He is a former chair of the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development Board and has served as a member of the University of Utah’s Board of Trustees.

J. Michael Mattsson BS’60 served as director of development and communications for the University of Utah Medical Center and later as the University’s vice president of development from 1985 to 2006, helping the U raise a then-unprecedented $1.7 billion.

Arthur L. Ruoff PhD’55 has had an influential and award-winning career in the field of high-pressure chemistry and materials science. A professor at Cornell University since 1955, he wrote two influential books on materials science and developed a tutorial course that has been used in about 60 universities.

The University’s Honorary Alumnus Award recipient is Gary Crocker, president of Crocker Ventures and chair of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals. He founded Research Medical, a manufacturer of specialty medical devices that was acquired by Baxter International. A member of the U Hospitals and Clinics Board of Trustees and the U’s Research Foundation Board, he has been a significant donor to the U.