Service-oriented professor wins two Best of State awards -- Marty Val Hill, a professor in UVSC's Woodbury School of Business, was recently nominated and won two Best of State awards in the category of Community Development. He walked away with the Individual Volunteer award for his volunteer service in the community and Appointed Official award for his service on the Utah State Board of Pharmacy for the past six years.

"I determined to learn from my experience. I redoubled my efforts and continued to build better tomorrows, even tomorrows my physicians doubted I would ever enjoy," said Hill. "My trial is no greater than anyone else's. I'm still here, so what with the life that I've been extended, I help contribute in making this world a better place."

The White House also recently recognized Hill with the President's Lifetime Call to Service Award, as well as three Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Since the awards were established in 2002, Hill has contributed more than 6,000 hours of volunteer service to the community.

Nearly half of his service was rendered in the creation of free community-based computer labs and career education centers for underprivileged and minority youth throughout Salt Lake Valley. This summer, Hill is working on completing a two-week training project for Boy Scouts of America as part of a UVSC-sponsored Faculty in Industry and Business Externship.

"I feel like, as a faculty member, I have an obligation to teach outside the classroom," said Hill. "It's a matter of making the world a better place."

UVSC rodeo team competing in college national finals -- UVSC's rodeo team, ranked first in the nation, will be participating in the College National Finals Rodeo June 15-21 in Casper, Wyo.

The Rodeo Team recently finished with top honors at the Rocky Mountain Regional rodeo March 27-29 in Heber City, participating against a number of schools that were up to take away the returning champions' title, including Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Dixie State College, Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University, Utah State University-Uintah Basin, College of Southern Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University.

"Our team held strong this season by winning in our region and still maintaining the No. 1 ranking in the nation," said Steve Fordham, UVSC college rodeo team advisory committee chairman. UVSC came out on top with 7,166.50 points followed by Weber State University with 6,258.50 points. "We walked away with a trophy and plaque for our first-place accomplishment," Fordham said.

The following students who placed in the top three positions in their events in the region will represent UVSC at the College National Finals Rodeo: Tyler Evans from Bluffdale and Taylor White from Richfield in saddle bronc riding; Colton Bair from Benson and Kaycee Feild from Elk Ridge in bareback riding; Wacey Allred from Cleveland and Taylor White in bull riding; Baylor Roche from Tremonton and Carson Miles from Mountain Home in steer wrestling; Carson Miles as the team roping header and Chad Heaton from Lehi and Kaycee Feild as team roping heelers.

For more information, visit www.collegerodeo.com.

UVSC to hold annual Alumni Golf Classic -- UVSC's Alumni Association will host the 16th annual Alumni Golf Classic on June 25 as part of the college's UVUphoria! celebration. The event will be held at Soldier Hollow in Midway and will begin at 7:30 a.m.

The tournament will be a four-man scramble. In addition to the tournament, golfers will also be provided with breakfast and lunch, as well as gifts and giveaways. Winners of the tournament will receive UVSC jackets and will have a scholarship awarded to a UVSC student in their name.

Funds from the event go toward UVSC scholarships, which are awarded by the Alumni Association to approximately 20 students each year.

"The Alumni Golf Classic is a blast," said Jeri Allphin, director of alumni relations at UVSC. "The golfers love this event. Staff and student volunteers help, and it's a really fun, friendly environment. We make sure that the golfers have a good time in addition to supporting a good cause"

The cost of participating in the event is $600 per team or $150 per individual -- a reduced price due to the UVUphoria! celebration. Players interested in participating should register early. Spots in the tournament are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and are already beginning to fill up. To register, contact the Alumni Office at (801) 863-8179 or visit www.uvualumniclassic.com. Registration ends June 23.