Utah Tech University won’t work as the new name for Dixie State University and here’s why: It doesn’t represent the community’s heritage nor the university’s current mission. We propose that St. George University is a better alternative. The Southern Utah community has spoken. The vast majority of folks here want a name that represents the history, heritage and location of Southern Utah. For many, the loss of the “Dixie” name feels like a referendum on local heritage, but it doesn’t have to. While Utah Tech erases the community’s ties to the institution, SGU would reinforce them. What’s more, locals like it. In the community survey with over 14,000 respondents “St. George University” was the second-most preferred name (only two points behind Dixie State — 45.6% of the vote versus 46.9% for DSU). The Board of Trustees was tasked by the Utah Legislature with reaching out to the community for input and should reconsider the survey respondents’ suggestion with a name that includes “St. George.”
The name reflects local heritage in several ways. Most notably, it nods to the university’s original name: St. George Stake Academy. Most believe the city was named after George A. Smith, who settled much of Southern Utah, not just St. George. For this reason, local mayors have been supportive of the petition for the St. George name.
George A. Smith, the city’s namesake, stands as a model “Trailblazer.” Southern Utah settlers referred to this potato farmer as “Saint George” or the “potato saint.” After one of his wives and four of his children died of scurvy, he learned potato peels could cure the disease. He then dedicated himself to planting potatoes for other Mormon pioneers making their way westward. His innovation “blazed a trail” for other’s well-being—his service is every whit the heritage our community reveres.
Heritage aside, Utah Tech is also a poor choice because it’s misaligned with DSU’s current mission. The community and campus know DSU is not a tech school.
DSU’s Mission Statement says that it is a public comprehensive university dedicated to rigorous learning and the enrichment of the professional and personal lives of its students and community by providing opportunities that engage the unique Southern Utah environment and resources. While community engagement is included, nowhere is technology mentioned as a main emphasis. Future-proofing and recognition are further reasons Utah Tech won’t work. In the June 29 renaming recommendation meeting, Trustee Tiffany Wilson suggested that “the whole world has become tech-oriented.” The “Tech” distinction is irrelevant and outdated for the rising generation. Gen Z incorporates technology in every major/discipline. Recognition is also a problem with schools like the “Utah College of Applied Technology.”
The school’s acronym is yet another challenge. The acronym UTU is hard to distinguish from U of U and USU. Some argue Utah Tech would gain more national recognition, but while “Utah” may be a larger brand, “St. George” is also well-recognized. Ask homebuilders or businesses owners in the area; people don’t have problems finding or recognizing St. George. In the June 29 meeting, Julie B. Beck urged the community to look forward to the future. We would like to submit that we can look forward (with a new name) and look backward (with a name that preserves our heritage); the name change to SGU does both.
Few names can encompass location and heritage the way the “St. George” name does. Utah Tech is out. St. George is in.
Alexis Ence
Alexis Ence, a resident of Santa Clara, received her master’s degree in general English at Northern Arizona University and has taught English part-time for nine years at Dixie State University.
Amanda Scott
Amanda Scott is a born-and-raised St. George local. She earned her Ph.D. from UNLV and teaches English and humanities at Dixie State University, where she has taught for 13 years.
