OREM — Utah Valley State College recognized Tuesday the college's own struggle last fall — the campus visit of controversial filmmaker Michael Moore.

The school honored former student body Vice President Joe Vogel for his role in bringing the "Fahrenheit 9/11" director to campus, even though the move enraged Utah Valley political conservatives. UVSC chiefs estimate the school lost close to $200,000 in donations and a pricey art collection as a result of the Moore controversy.

Upset residents withheld donations in protest of Moore's appearance, even though the school also brought in conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity to balance the political rhetoric.

"(Vogel) did us all a favor," said William Cobb, dean of the UVSC School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, who presented the tribute. "His courage is a wonderful example to the faculty, students and staff of this college, and the college is stronger for it."

Vogel, who resigned his post in December because he is writing a book about being in the center of a political firestorm as a result of Moore's October speech on the Orem campus, said the award meant a great deal to him.

"It's been a challenging experience, but it means a lot to me to be recognized as someone who's fighting for free speech," he said. "I believe strongly in the value and importance of minority viewpoints."

Vogel said he doesn't regret anything, nor would he have done anything differently.

"It's been a very positive, rewarding experience. It was tough on a personal level, but I think some of the issues that were raised needed to be discussed, needed to be looked at, and I think they have been," he said. "I think that we at UVSC need to continue fighting for those rights, for freedom of speech. It's still definitely an issue."

At a panel following the presentation, Utah Division of Indian Affairs Director Forrest Cuch called Vogel one of his new heroes.

"This is history in the making, what that young man did, what this college did," Cuch said. "These kinds of things are important because they're part of the educational process; that's what it's all about."

Event keynote speaker John Echohawk agreed with the recognition of Vogel's efforts.

"He played an important role in making sure that Michael Moore got to speak, and he's to be commended for that, because I think that's the nature of a university, a place for free and open discussion, and the nature of this country."

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