UVU celebrates 15 years of university status
2008: University status, first master’s degrees offered
During its state college years, UVSC focused on two- and four-year degrees along with business and technical programs. Becoming a full-fledged university has allowed UVU to offer master’s programs, beginning with a Master of Education in 2008. Other programs soon followed, and UVU now offers 28 master’s and certificates.
2009: President Matthew S. Holland joins UVU
After President Sederburg’s resignation the previous year, the UVU needed new leadership to oversee the early days of university status. Matthew S. Holland was selected to become the institution’s sixth president. Under his leadership, UVU continued to thrive, securing funding for new buildings, adding vital programs, and seeing Wolverine’s athletics finally achieve NCAA Division I status.
2010: First MBA cohort begins
What began as a wartime vocational school skyrocketed into new territory when in fall 2010 UVU enrollment grew to 32,670 students. This included an initial cohort of 42 students in the institution’s new MBA program.
2011: UVU turns 70
UVU marked its 70th year with a number of accomplishments and milestones, including land acquisition on the Vineyard, opening of the Hal Wing Track and Field complex, and enrollment exceeding 33,000 students, making UVU is Utah’s largest public university by total enrollment.
2012: New aviation college, public service takes to the skies
Among other signs of growth in 2012, including the opening of the Center for Constitutional Studies and the completion of the Science Building, UVU created a separate college within its academic facility to house the burgeoning programs in aviation, criminal justice and emergency services. The college is now known as the College of Health and Public Service (CHPS).
2013: Athletics joins the WAC
Wolverine sports took a major step forward in 2013 when they joined the Western Athletic Conference, an NCAA Division I league with a long history in Utah and nationally. This also laid the groundwork for the founding of a men’s soccer program in 2014, the only NCAA DI men’s program in the state at the time.
2014: UVU alumni win Olympic medals
Wolverine alumni Noelle Pikus-Pace and Chris Fogt took to the track at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Pikus-Pace won a silver medal for the United States in women’s skeleton and Fogt won a bronze medal as part of the United States four-man bobsled team. The medals were the first ever won by UVU alumni.
2015: Mitt Romney delivers keynote address
UVU capped off another year of tremendous growth — highlighted by the launch of the Office of Graduate Studies and five new master’s programs — by inviting former US presidential candidate and future Senator Mitt Romney to deliver the 2015 commencement address. she advised graduates to engage in the world around them and « live a big life ».
2016: Roots of Knowledge concludes 75th anniversary celebration
As UVU celebrated 75 years of its origins as Central Utah Vocational School, the institution has welcomed a stunning new permanent addition to the campus: Roots of Knowledge windows. Created by Holdman Studios in collaboration with UVU faculty, staff and students and directed by President Holland, the final installation in the new Ira A. and Mary Lou Fulton Library spans 154 feet, with 80 windows and more than 40,000 pieces of glass.
2017: Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism opens
Addressing a critical community need for autism education and resources, UVU donors Keith and Melisa Nellesen provided the initial gift for the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism and named the building in honor of their son, Cole. The facility opened in May 2017 and has become a center for autism studies in Utah.
2018: President Astrid S. Tuminez is selected
Following the resignation of President Holland after nine years at the helm, UVU celebrated its 10th anniversary as a university by welcoming its seventh full-time president and the first woman to fill the role: Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez. From her origins growing up in poverty in the Philippines to her wealth of experiences in education and the private sector, President Tuminez came ready to put the power of dreams into practice as the UVU continued to grow.
2019: Noorda Center for the Performing Arts opens
For too long, UVU performing arts students have had to practice and perform in cramped classrooms and next to auto shops and technical facilities. They finally received their own space in 2019, thanks to an anchor gift from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation and support from other donors and state leaders. The Noorda opened with several nights of high profile performances, including stars such as Jason Alexander and Sierra Boggess, as well as talented students from UVU.
2020: UVU fights COVID, celebrates with drive-in kick-off
The COVID-19 pandemic has produced unprecedented challenges for UVU and its community. But the institute and its students have overcome the difficulties by finding new ways to teach and learn and by supporting each other through it all. These efforts were honored at a drive-in commencement ceremony and drive-thru convocations the next day, so students could still receive their awards and celebrate together.
2021: Pedestrian bridge over I-15 completed
As UVU has grown, the number of students traveling to classes from beyond Utah Valley has increased. To serve these students and the community, UVU partnered with state organizations to construct a covered pedestrian bridge across I-15, connecting UVU’s Orem Campus to the UTA FrontRunner station. The bridge was officially opened on January 14, 2021.
2022: Keller Building changes the face of the campus
With Woodbury School of Business now the largest business school in the state, new facilities were needed. The Scott C. and Karen Keller Building, named after a $10 million gift from its namesake donors, opened in January 2022 and provided a new look to the main entrance to the Orem Campus of the UVU.
2023: National successes for Wolverine athletes
The Wolverines turned heads on the court and track in 2023. The men’s basketball team had the most successful season in its history, reaching the NIT Final Four for the first time and hosting UVU’s first nationally televised game on ESPN. Meanwhile, Wolverine track and field athlete Everlyn Kemboi won the NCAA National Championship in the women’s 10,000-meter final and finished second nationally in the 5,000-meter final.
