From Deseret News archives:
Education is greatly valued in Utah
Fortunately, I had some great mentors who taught me early on that every child is important and all children can succeed if given the right help and enough time. I have seen the children who struggled in school and those who flourished. I came to know that each has special gifts and talents. We have some the greatest young people in all the world right here in Utah!
The recent fire at Wasatch Junior High in the Granite District demonstrated how much the people in that community valued their school. In every part of Utah you can find that same pride. Each Utah college and university plays a special role in serving the people of Utah. I believe the people of Utah have good reason to be proud of their schools at every level. There is always room for improvement but, every once in a while, it is good to pause and be thankful.
We have come a long way in Utah since October of 1847, when a 17-year-old girl taught the first class in a tent. Things have improved a lot since John Taylor was the superintendent of Utah schools. We have made great strides since 1850 when Brigham Young organized the "University of Deseret," which is now the University of Utah.
As I reflect back over 30 years and look forward to the future, my heart is full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve the great people of Utah. I appreciate all the taxpayers have done to build and support good schools. I appreciate all that good legislators, civic leaders, trustees, school board members and regents have done.
I appreciate all the good volunteers in the PTA and other organizations do. I appreciate the dedicated faculty, administrators, counselors and staff who go the extra mile to serve. I appreciate the parents who are so supportive. I appreciate the good business people of Utah. In many, many ways these people give more than most ever know.
Again, to the great people of Utah, this is one educator who feels grateful and is honored for the opportunity to serve you these past 30 years. I look forward to school starting again this fall.
E. Mark Bezzant is the assistant vice president of strategic planning, institutional research, institutional effectiveness, partnerships and student services at Utah Valley State College.
Comments
- A game-wrecking Heisman finalist 1:43 p.m.
- Deputies search for hunters in Ariz. 1:38 p.m.
- Unions press to drop insurance tax 1:23 p.m.
- Obama: Troop drawdown gradual 1:10 p.m.
- Officer kills Times Square scammer 1:09 p.m.
- Bone drugs, breast cancer study 1:08 p.m.
- Obama defends wars, accepts Nobel 1:02 p.m.
- Man loses bet, has high-def TV shot 12:51 p.m.
- Ronaldinho player of the decade 12:48 p.m.
- Stocks rise as trade deficit narrows 12:45 p.m.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Few details on missing W.V. mom
- Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- I-15 expansion barreling south
- Mutated version of H1N1 found
- Utes crash the glass to get big win
- Letters: Global warming a lie
250 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
192 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
148 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
141 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
140 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
123 - Revive full food tax?
104 - Panel passes BCS playoff bill
101
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Kealia, you should have REALLY represented the Hawaiians by committing to...
I think the Expansion teams are pretty much set. Best chance for St. Louis...
I was there the other night and it was mentioned that 40 something residents...
We are spending far too much money on Mitchell. What we need is retroactive...
I concur with your statement. This is not an if this than that situation....
First Max Hall now Brandt Andersen, what is becoming of Utah Valley?
One side: Obama is to be compared to Lucifer. He has done nothing to...
Seems to me that the lesson should address the gays who, after throwing their...
FYI to those who don't know- Teachers and state employees did take pay cuts...
Asking who would be a better coach than Sloan is like asking who would be a...


You can be the first to comment on this story.